SXSW Recap from the NYC
The following is a SXSW recap from a good friend of mine, Zofia Bajkowska. In my book she's the queen of SXSW.
Sooo … Between Lily Allen openly hating on NME at an NME showcase (what a badass … oh my!), Amy Winehouse not showing up (ehmmm … I mean ‘cancelling’) 90% of her gigs, one rooftop wall at a Vice Party collapsing (you can buy pieces of it on eBay) and a an Apache Cab driver named Rain who sang to me in Italian … I took a minute or two to check out some bands in good ol’ Austin. Here’s a recap:
Scissors For Lefty – Roughtrade UK
One of my very, very favorite bands at this year’s SXSW. Maybe it’s the lyrics:
Next To Argyle
You Are Gingersnap
Cousin to Chimpanzee
You came swinging
In my life
Monkeys kill the miserables
Yay …monkeys! In all seriousness though … LOVED the band. Think happy and fun dancey rock. Great live show … got everyone moving and dancing, which is oddly enough quite rare in the US. Great energy on stage. Think they’ve got much, much potential. Yes, you may call me superfan.
Mink – Spitfire Music
On their MySpace and website they seem more of a pop-rock band … but be not deceived. Live they are far more of a Wolfmother than a Mother Teresa. Very, very good live show … definitely not messing around. Very, very rock’n roll … yes, it still exists.
Peter Bjorn and John – Almost Gold Recordings
One of the buzz bands at this year’s festival … and luckily lived up to the hype. Already broke in Europe and on its good way of breaking in US. Melodic, happy folk rock. “Young Folks” one of the most recognizable toons … and did I mention they whistle? Yes, yes … whistling and cow bells … another “I heart” combo.
Datarock – Yap
A fun electronic dance act from Norway. Dressed all in red track suits
and some serious shades, they put on a very energetic fun show. Album
coming out in June … ”FaFaFa” first single. Corky in an Ok Go! kind of
way … which guarantees bonus points in my book.
The Ooh Las – Stolen Transmissions
Coming from L.A., this alternative-pop band had quite a buzz this year
too. Great live show … very fashiony (Gwen … watch out!) happy and
energetic female lead singer. Catchy poppy band who isn’t afraid to
rock out.
Malajube – Dare to Care Records
After one of my very dear friends so ‘gracefully’ made a “J’adore
Malajube” t-shirt, I decided it may be just worth checking out. That it
was. Very much so, to be honest. French Canadian band with great,
great live show AND cool orange wool hats. Upbeat rock tunes and a
very complete sound. It’s rare that a band singing in French actually
catches on in the US…oui….oui. So yes…now I too can say: J’adore
Malajube.
The Comas – Vagrant
After a not-so-successful first label signing, this Brooklyn by way of
North Carolina band has returned with a catchy and unique album
“Spells” to be released in April. Solid indie rock sound (can I be any
more vague???) including a nice combination of pretty harmonies
between female and male lead singers (“Now I Am A Spider”) as well as
a few grimier tunes such as “Come My Sunshine.” Album coming out in
April with lead single “Red Microphones.”
WinterKids – Little House
An upbeat Brit rock band who is slowly but surely entering the U.S.
market. Will not revolutionize (‘you say you want a revolution …’)
music, but fun live show and good songs.
28 Costumes – unsigned (as of last week…could/should change!)
A second recommended by friends band … and yes … definitely worth
checking out. Fun Brit rock … Spoonful of Maximo Park, a cup of
Kaiserchiefs, a tea spoon of We Are Scientists with an additional
secret unique ingredient makes for a delicious recipe.
The Changes - Drama Club/Kitchenware
Hailing from Chicago, a melodic pretty indie rock band. Oddly enough
they have a cover of “The Modern Love,” which I personally would have
probably left of the record … but that’s just me. Overall really
enjoyed this band. “When I Wake” has a nice catchy feel to it.
The Rub
Think 2 Many DJs with a little bit more hip-hop & soul. Great DJs
with amazing mixing skills. Seriously, who thought you could mix all of
different genres into one smooth set. Fun, fun, fun!!
Mew – Columbia
LOVE this band. It was nice to see that compared to last year, their
following has grown immensely. Lovely melodic tunes straight from
Denmark. Very unique sound … in a very good way.
Jamie T - Virgin
Another British export who is about to break in the U.S. Great live
show and growing fan base due to unique blend of beats and influences
in addition to very engaging performance. Good stuff, good stuff.
Kings of Leon – RCA
LOVED their new (and old!) tunes…and am really, really hoping their
third album (release mid April) will catch on in the U.S. Band that
really makes me really wonder (and worry!!!) how The Bravery (no
offense … but really) can sell more records than Kings of Leon in the
U.S. Seriously. One of the best rock bands out there right now … I
think.
Other quite noteworthy performances included The Fratellis, The Films, Les Breastfeeders, The Good, The Bad, and the Queen, Lovedrug, Takka Takka. Also, I learned that there is a genre called: Indie Rock Country Goth. Take a note kids!!!
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Awesome Sophie! Wish we could've all been there with you!
so glad to see the comas finally getting some much-deserved recognition.
i saw this band at a spectacular dive bar in birmingham maybe six years ago and have been trying to recapture the moment ever since. looking forward to catching them again on the 5th!
That Changes song isn't a cover....