Recession, what recession? The 2009 SXSW Music Conference and Festival begins this Wednesday and, as far as I can tell, the event shows no signs of a slow down. Over 1,800 bands are expected to descend on Austin Texas for nearly five days of non-stop activity. The day parties are as plentiful as ever, filling the afternoons with plenty of music, complimentary food and drinks (Shiner please). The night showcases stretch out over 80 venues across town. It’s intense.
But what really matters is the music. And there is some good stuff on the horizon. Of course there are the Twangville regulars, our faves who never disappoint: Lucero, Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles, Daddy (the mighty Will Kimbrough & Tommy Womack), Kaiser Cartel, Dave Alvin, Willie Nile, Eli “Paperboy†Reed and the Hold Steady.
Plus there are the locals, the artists who rarely – if ever — tour to my area but are not to be missed: David Garza, the Gourds, Patrice Pike, Beaver Nelson, Scrappy Jud Newcomb and Bob Schneider.
Of course there are the “bigger†names who are guaranteed to draw a crowd: Jane’s Addiction and the all but confirmed Metallica appearance.
For me, however, SXSW is about discovering some great new music. Here are a few choice picks.
- Bedouin Soundclash – Start with some smart pop melodies, mix in a touch of ska and a punchy base-line and you’ll end up with something like the Bedouin Soundclash. The Canadian band’s most recent album was produced by Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer.
Audio Download: Bedouin Soundclash, “Walls Fall Down” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Bedouin_Soundclash-Walls_Fall_Down.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - The Right Ons – Kick out the jams with this rockin’ group from Spain. They have clearly studied at the alter of classic Detroit rock and have the rambunctious energy to pull it off.
Audio Download: The Right Ons, “Do Your Thing, Babe” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2008/mp3/The_Right_Ons-Do_Your_Thing_Babe.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Ezra Furman & the Harpoons – Technically these guys were a find from last year, but they were so much fun that I’ll highlight ’em again. Their sound falls somewhere between the Velvet Underground and the Violent Femmes. They get bonus points for time spent at Tufts University, my (and Jeff’s) alma mater.
Audio Download: Ezra Furman, “Take Off Your Sunglasses” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Ezra_Furman_and_the_Harpoons-Take_Off_Your_Sunglasses.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives – Knoxville’s Keith has a pedigree that includes time spent with the legendary V-Roys and Ryan Adams’ Pink Hearts, among others. With the One Four Fives he serves up some tasty roots with a nice pop swing.
Audio Download: John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives, “Lookin’ For a Thrill” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/John_Paul_Keith__and__The_One_Four_Fives-Lookin%27_For_a_Thrill.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Kraak & Smaak – This trio from the Netherlands whip up a tremendous groove. Blue-eyed soul vocals are set against a heavy dance-hall beat that reminds me of mid-1990’s C&C Music Factory (remember them?).
Audio Download: Kraak & Smaak, “Squeeze Me” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Kraak__and__Smaak-Squeeze_Me.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Hymns – I like how these guys describe themselves: “Hymns is a New York band; one that marries Pavement to Neil Young with the twang of Gram, the inebriation of Guided by Voices and the drive of Spoon.â€
Audio Download: Hymns, “I Can’t Be What U Want” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Hymns-I_Can%27t_Be_What_U_Want.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Frank Turner – London’s Turner is cut from the same cloth as Billy Bragg, a sharp and cynical wit who packs a potent guitar.
Audio Download: Frank Turner, “Long Live the Queen” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Frank_Turner-Long_Live_The_Queen.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Sam Roberts Band – The latest single from Montreal’s Roberts and crew is called “Detriot ‘67â€. That should give you some idea of what to expect, some tasty heartland rock with a heavy Motown R&B influence.
Audio Download: Sam Roberts Band, “Detroit ’67” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Sam_Roberts_Band-Detroit_%2767.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Jack Oblivian and the Tennessee Tearjerkers – If you like your garage rock served up with a touch of Memphis soul, give Oblivian a spin.
Audio Download: Jack Oblivian and the Tennessee Tearjerkers, “Flash Cube” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Jack_Oblivian_and_the_Tennessee_Tearjerkers-Flash_Cube.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Fannius III – I’m planning to throw a bit of hip-hop into the mix with LA’s Fannius. On her own after two failed record deals, perhaps her time has arrived.
Audio Download: Fannius III, “Girlfriend (I Can)” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Fannius_III-Girlfriend_I_Can.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Battle Hymns – Rising from the ashes of the Western States, Seattle’s Battle Hymns bear some musical similarity to prime Tom Petty but with a darker outlook.
Audio Download: Battle Hymns, “For Arlene” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Battle_Hymns-For_Arlene.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - The Beat Poets – The Belfast-based quartet deliver straight up rock and roll, just the way I like it.
Audio Download: The Beat Poets, “Staring Stars Down” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/The_Beat_Poets-Staring_Stars_Down.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Felice Brothers – It is not surprising to learn that Bruce Springsteen is a fan. The Brothers have a similar story-telling style and which they deliver with a relaxed sound that conjures up images of sitting on a Tennessee porch swapping songs.
Audio Download: The Felice Brothers, “Frankie’s Gun” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/The_Felice_Brothers-Frankie%27s_Gun.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - 13ghosts – This Birmingham, Alabama-based group is meant to be enjoyed with a bottle of whiskey close-at-hand. Their sing-along style, at least on this featured track, falls somewhere between Tom Waits and the Pogues.
Audio Download: 13ghosts, “Photographs” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/13ghosts-Photographs.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Ladyhawke – New Zealand’s Ladyhawke is essentially just singer-songwriter Pip Brown. Her sound is ready-for-prime time top 40.
Audio Download: Ladyhawke, “My Delirium” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Ladyhawke-My_Derlirium.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - The Evaporators – rousing garage rock. What’s not to like about a song titled “You Got Me Into This, Now You Get Me Outâ€
Audio Download: The Evaporators, “You Got Me Into THis, Now You Get Me Out” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/The_Evaporators-You_Got_Me_Into_This__Now_You_Get_Me_Out%21.mp3]
[Source: SXSW] - Kim Taylor – Cincinnati’s Taylor serves up syrupy power pop in the Mike Viola/Candy Butchers vein. Her stellar harmonies and infectious melodies are guaranteed to get your head bobbing and your foot tapping.
Audio Download: Kim Taylor, “Let Me Down” [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2009/mp3/Kim_Taylor-Let_Me_Down.mp3]
[Source: SXSW]
And don’t miss out on Tom’s preview here.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.