Colin Meloy goes solo
We just posted the lastest edition of the Indie To Go playlists on Download Music! This iPod-friendly sampler of MP3s features topnotch indie newcomers and chart-toppers such as Tokyo Police Club, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), The Raveonettes, The Explorers Club and more. Stream now (while you work), then visit the artist pages to download the songs to go. And if you want to hear more playlists like this one, check out Indie To Go Volumes 1 through 10.
AA Bondy live at SXSW
He's from upstate New York, but he fits right in here in Austin, Texas with his could-be-from-the-south songwriter style. This is a live shot of AA Bondy at the Creekside Lounge on Wednesday. There was a drunk heckler in the crowd who claimed he was "feelin' it" but his sincerity was questionable. Other fans (like myself) kept our comments to ourselves and quietly enjoyed his heartfelt performance, which was nice mellow break from all the chaos and "butt rock" blaring nearby on 6th street.
We've selected AA Bondy for our Best of SXSW feature, which will feature all of the best bands we see this week (coming soon). For now enjoy our free playlists and SXSW 2008 Pre-Party. Here's the Download Music review of AA Bondy:
"Bondy's "American Hearts" record is upstate alt-folk at its most wistful and, well, bighearted. Summoning the studio ghosts of the great '60s Dylan and Band sessions cut in those hills, Bondy winds up somewhere between the reedy Neil Young and the scuffed Jeff Tweedy."
Yeasayer's world/indie style sounds like Paul Simon...if he were a hipster from Brooklyn.
Here's a live shot of Yeasayer at Emo's IV in Austin, Texas late Thursday night (early Friday morning). This is just one of many showcases they're playing this week and despite having an on-the-fly "SWSW style sound check," they sounded amazing.
We've selected them for our Best of SXSW feature, which will feature all of the best (of the best) bands we see this week. For now enjoy our free playlists and SXSW 2008 Pre-Party. Here's the Download Music review of Yeasayer:
"In the pre-Vampire Weekend era (i.e., last month), indie world-rock was getting made most smartly by Brooklyn's Yeasayer. The group combines thumping non-Western rhythms with quite Western (read: hipster) fragile vocals. Impressively, it's NY world-tinged art-rock that doesn't ape David Byrne."
Cut Copy live at SXSW
Here's a live shot of Cut Copy at The Mohawk in Austin, Texas today for the Rhapsody day party. They get the dance party started early with their 2:30 P.M. set. They're a lot of buzz about them on the streets (literally) and their set was so good that we've selected them for our Best of SXSW feature, which will feature all of the great bands we see this week. For now check out our free playlists and SXSW 2008 Pre-Party. Here's the Download Music review of Cut Copy:
"Hipster bands have a hilariously hard time keeping LCD Soundsystem and Prince influences to a minimum these days. Somehow, though, Cut Copy is an anomaly where that's concerned. Despite having the typical indie-rock hair, electro-punk styling, and disco-fever slant to make things interesting, Cut Copy is churning out its own version of scummy disco framed by fluffy pop and dance-floor-friendly guitars."
The Most Serene Republic - one of 1,600 bands here at SXSW this year.
Here's a live shot of The Most Serene Republic at Emo's in Austin, Texas today (March 13th) for the Arts and Crafts Records day party. They rocked the early set at 12:30 P.M. and were so good that we've selected them for our Best of SXSW feature (coming soon), which will feature all of the great bands we see this week. For now check out our free playlists and SXSW 2008 Pre-Party. Here's the Download Music review of The Most Serene Republic:
"Even by Ontario standards, the latest from the Arts & Crafts top prospects is wildly eclectic. "Population" careers from clean neoclassical piano to earnest emo-punk vocalizing, and while the results are indie pop in allegiance, they don't feel scrawled so much as composed."
These New Puritans - one of 1,600 bands here at SXSW this year.
Here's a live shot of These New Puritans at Emo's in Austin, Texas today (March 12th) for the Terrorbird day party. They were so good that we have selected them for our Best of SXSW feature (coming soon), which will feature all of the great bands we see this week. For now check out our free playlists and SXSW 2008 Pre-Party. Here's the Download Music review of These New Puritans:
"In '08, the Arctic Monkeys are practically pensioners. Time for a new round of smart-aleck young Brits! These New Puritans smartly fit the bill of Latest Mojo Favorites, pounding out a neo-post-punk distinguished by deeper rhythms and a darker lyricism."
The sign outside Stubbs - where R.E.M. will headline tonight.
Today is the first day of South by Southwest 2008! And while many people who aren't in Austin could care less, music lovers and industry folks consider this event the real "March madness." A projected 1,600 bands will be in and out of Austin over the next four days, which will create a seemingly endless wall of sound which begins around noon each day and ends after last call. Yeah, sure it's a lot of fun but if long lines and Mardi Gras-size crowds aren't your thing, you can experience the bands of SXSW from the comforts of your own home or office with our free playlist below! Meanwhile, we'll do all the legwork here to scout out all the good bands that you should watch for this year (and filter out the bad ones--and believe me, there are plenty.)
Paramore - one of the 1,600 bands playing SXSW this year.
Whether you're going to Austin, Texas, next week or not, it's always good to update your music collection with bands appearing at the annual South by Southwest music conference and festival. There are a few big names like R.E.M., Paramore and Talib Kweli playing this year, but this isn't Lollapalooza (or Austin City Limits for that matter). SXSW is all about discovering new music, and with more than 1,600 bands booked this year, you may need a bigger iPod.
To see a list of bands that we're excited about this year, check out our SXSW 2008 Pre-Party feature, and stay tuned to our Best of SXSW after the event. Listen to the free playlist below, and let's get this party started!
Once in a lifetime
The story of how Once went from a low budget indie film to an Oscar nomination (and win!) is arguably more compelling than the movie itself. But its simple storyline and amazing soundtrack is why it deserves such praise. Last night, Glen Hansard and girlfriend, Once co-star, and singing partner Marketa Irglóva (a.k.a. Swell Season) took home the Oscar for Best Original Song. If you haven't heard "Falling Slowing" yet, it's only two clicks away. Here's our review:
"Ireland's Frames have built one of the more lovely and melancholy pop sounds of the last two decades, and have done so tragically quietly (in the States, anyway). The band's Glen Hansard stars as a downtrodden bard in "Once," producing a music so sweet it almost makes his status implausible."
Listen to free songs from the Once Soundtrack
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