SXSW: Bands, stories to watch
The music portion of South by Southwest (SXSW) is only days away, and updates from Austin, Texas, will be posted here beginning Wednesday, March 12. In the meantime, here's some storylines worth keeping an eye on.
-- Is there an Amy Winehouse-type break-out star? While there's certainly no artist with the tabloid backstory of Winehouse this year, her SXSW performance in 2007 fueled a hype that led to her five Grammy wins this February. But perhaps there's a best new artist nomination hiding somewhere among the SXSW 2008 crop. Keep an eye on Kanye West-approved rapper Kid Sister, the grimy electro-hip-hop of Santogold, the '60s-inspired soul of budding U.K. star Duffy, or the sly, danceable rock of the Virgins, among many, many others.
-- Will R.E.M. return to relevancy? The three-time Grammy winners R.E.M. have a new album, "Accelerate," due April 1, which sees the band bringing the guitars back to the front. Early reviews have been strong, and the crunchy riffs of first single "Supernatural Superserious" are a positive sign, as the song alone is better than anything off of the tepid, keyboard-heavy "Around the Sun." The band performs Wednesday night.
-- Now Perez. Gifting suites ahead? Celeb blogger, and perhaps future record label mogul Perez Hilton will be staging a major invite-only party at SXSW at a not-yet-disclosed location. He's keeping the acts performing a secret, but told Billboard he booked 8 artists. For the past few years, official SXSW showcases have had to withstand an increasing number of VIP parties and exclusive events. With Perez on board, will SXSW, once a bastion of indie-cool, be officially taken over by the Hollywood crowd? And will Perez's party offer insight into the kind of acts he would sign to his own label?
-- What new business model will be hyped? Expect much debate/deliberation on the much-ballyhooed "360 deal," which sees a label taking a cut of all aspects of a band's career (touring, merch, etc). The merits of such a model is up for discussion at a Saturday afternoon panel, but not before Ticketmaster CEO Sean Moriarty takes the stage for a Q&A on Friday, perhaps addressing the concert promoter as label (a la Madonna's deal with Live Nation), and why the company couldn't keep Hannah Montana tix out of the hands of scalpers.
-- Might this be the start of something big? Early word on "Attack & Release," the forthcoming album from blues-rock duo the Black Keys, is nothing but positive. The album was produced by Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley), and he seems to have taken a largely hands-off approach (check the light, brief psychedelic excursion in "Strange Times" ). Originally meant to be recorded with the late Ike Turner, "Attack & Release" could very well be the album that sees the band graduating from cult status, or at least gets them a best contemporary blues album Grammy nomination.
For updates from SXSW Interactive, check Web Scout.
Photo: Duffy, courtesy Universal Music
Perez would be just a good as any major label A&R loser, if not better. At least he knows what people like and the acts he has championed on his blog have for teh most part done well.
Posted by: yrmom | March 09, 2008 at 11:36 PM
She is so cute. Her smile is so beautiful. I am now reading her profile at seekamillionaire.com where celebrities and millionaire singles hook up. She's popular there.Many super rich men on seekamillionaire.com wanna marry a woman like her.
Posted by: moses | March 10, 2008 at 12:27 AM
SXSW is one of the most fun times I've ever had in my life.
A feature length rockumentary featuring 27 live performances will premiere this Friday at Austin's Speakeasy. Details are here: www.wrecklessepic.com
Highly recommended for music and film fest lovers.
See you in Austin!
Posted by: Joe Rubalcaba | March 10, 2008 at 04:37 AM
You have to add Slim Cessna's Auto Club to any SXSW Must See list. I'm telling you, this band is creepy, intense, and their stage presence is unbelievable. Any band with feedback banjo has got to be heard! Its like a psychedelic god-less tent revival meeting in the Appalachian Mountains.
Posted by: Jon Killough | March 10, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Will R.E.M. return to relevancy? Ask Thom Yorke.
Posted by: Po Win | March 10, 2008 at 09:33 AM
LA's Deadly Syndrome is the breakout band to see at SXSW.
Posted by: solo basura | March 11, 2008 at 07:11 AM
LA's Deadly Syndrome is the breakout band to see at SXSW.
Posted by: solo basura | March 11, 2008 at 07:12 AM
For those not lucky enough to go to Austin to see The Black Angles ,No Age,Mae Shi,Spoon and More , there is a new up and coming local band of youngsters names Horrors Of Toledo at the GlassHouse in Pomona on March 20th with Dim Mak recording artist The Deadly Syndrome who headline.
Please download and play Horrors of Toledo "Empty Eyes" and announce show.: Local band with singer from Norco
Horrors Of Toledo have just been added to this show on MArch 20th at the Glass House in Pomona and they play at 7:30 pm.....Its an all ages event .
Horrors Of Toledo are an Orange County band that play their own energetic Indie Punk Western and rock brand of angst music kind of like Interpol meets Wall Of Voodoo meets The Clash meets Giant Sand..to hear them and to see their different styles of songs Please go to www.myspace.com/horrorsoftoledo and listen to"Devils Eyes "and then "Empty Eyes". Well please listen to them all.. They are a very young band and full of energy and paying their dues along the way playing many local clubs and opening for Mike Watts 50th Birthday Party and David Lovering's "Unholy 3" they have been finishing up their not yet titled debut to come out on VAmped Records www.myspace.com/vampedrecords..
Headlining the show on March 20th is Los Angeles's own Dim MAk www.dimmak.com recording artist The Deadly Syndrome http://www.thedeadlysyndrome.co
and Dusty Rhodes and the River Band ....
This is an all ages event being held at the GLASSHOUSE www.theglasshouse.us
200 West 2nd Street
Pomona , CA 91766 info 909-865-3802
$10 Pre sale $12 day of the show..
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | March 11, 2008 at 09:07 AM
You should add 1090 Club to your Must See List. They are from Montana and a fantastic group. This is the second year (I believe) that they are there and well worth seeing!!
Posted by: Jennifer L | March 11, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Perez Hilton at SXSW? The once-hip music festival has officially jumped the shark. Next we'll be seing American Idol "SXSW Singalong!"
Posted by: Mark | March 11, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Please download and play Horrors of Toledo "Empty Eyes" and announce show.: Local band with singer from Norco
Horrors Of Toledo have just been added to this show on MArch 20th at the Glass House in Pomona and they play at 7:30 pm.....Its an all ages event .
Horrors Of Toledo are an Orange County band that play their own energetic Indie Punk Western and rock brand of angst music kind of like Interpol meets Wall Of Voodoo meets The Clash meets Giant Sand..to hear them and to see their different styles of songs Please go to http://www.myspace.com/horrorsoftoledo and listen to"Devils Eyes "and then "Empty Eyes". Well please listen to them all.. They are a very young band and full of energy and paying their dues along the way playing many local clubs and opening for Mike Watts 50th Birthday Party and David Lovering's "Unholy 3" they have been finishing up their not yet titled debut to come out on VAmped Records http:// www.myspace.com/vampedrecords..
Headlining the show on March 20th is Los Angeles's own Dim MAk www.dimmak.com recording artist The Deadly Syndrome http://www.thedeadlysyndrome.com
and Dusty Rhodes and the River Band ...And just added Phoenix and the Turtle.
This is an eclectic can’t miss event.
I love shows when all of the bands are different sounding..
This is an all ages event being held at the GLASSHOUSE http://www.theglasshouse.us
200 West 2nd Street
Pomona , CA 91766 info 909-865-380
$10 Pre sale $12 day of the show..
Posted by: franky avalon | March 15, 2008 at 07:44 PM