I’m no stranger to Joey Stevens’ music, I used to work with his cousin Arlene and she was always happily passing along burned CD-Rs full of his stuff to me. Not really easy to describe what he was doing then (or is doing now with Rumspringa) but it’s sort of a mix of roots rock and freak folk with maybe some hip-hop tossed in. The band’s debut self-titled EP can be purchased physically through Amazon or digitally through iTunes and eMusic (among many others).

DOWNLOAD: “Goldmine”

(more…)

Showcase info: My Jerusalem will perform at 11:05 p.m. on Friday, March 20 @ Karma Lounge (119 W.8th).
Other shows: KGSR Live from the Four Seasons, 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18 (98 San Jacinto Blvd); Guitartown/Conqueroo present Kickoff 2009, noon on Wednesday, March 18 @ Fado
Click here to add events to your SCHED*

Download: Sweet Chariot

One of the cool things about SXSW is seeing bands make their debut. My Jerusalem is led by solo artist Jeff Klein who recruited friends that he met on the road (Klein was a touring member of the Twilight Singers on the Powder Burns tour). Rounding out the band are guitarist Dave Rosser (of Twilight Singers), bassist Ashley Dzerigian (formally of Great Northern), drummer Cully Symington (formally of Bishop Allen) and multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson (of The Polyphonic Spree and St. Vincent).

The band’s debut EP, Without Feathers, came out this week and can be found on iTunes. Their full length CD will be out this summer.

Jeff Klein answered some questions sent his way this week.

(more…)

Hit it!

Remember: this is subject to change and as we’ve seen in the past, it WILL change, but this is a good start to those hitting up SXSW next month.

Anything look incredible to you? Leave a comment.

Looking like another great year for the Aussie BBQ. This party is open to SXSW badgeholders (entry subject to capacity).

I’ll have to do some homework before heading to Austin as the only two names that I’m familiar with are Youth Group and Gabriella Cilmi, who could be one of the hits of SXSW 2009 if her live show lives up to her recorded material. (more…)

I caught this Australia band on my one and only trip to L.A. a little over 3 years ago and they were phenomenal. Youth Group just inked a deal with U.S. label World’s Fair Label Group and have announced that they’ve been invited to perform at SXSW 2009 in March.

A short snippet I filmed at the Spaceland in L.A. in 2005.

I’ll let my wrist do all the talking. Confusion is a virtue in Tejas.

For another exhaustive dispatch from the trenches go to World of Wumme.

Surprise of the Day >>>> The Kills (pictured)

What a fest. It never ceases to get me giggling with pleasure. We must first pour a bit of malt liquor on the curb for the dearly departed Chip Midnight and then report on the day that was…..

Go to World of Wumme for the full dispatch.

While we wait for the Donewaiting crew stationed in Austin to wake from their slumber and blog about last night’s festivities (sadly, I had to cancel my plans to go to Austin this year), let’s see what a few people had to saw about R.E.M.’s performance at Stubb’s.

Billboard: R.E.M. rocked unafraid last night as it previewed its next album with an energetic and politically charged South By Southwest concert at Stubb’s BBQ. read the rest of the review

Village Voice (Rob Harvilla): They’re not very good live. Maybe you knew this. Maybe you’ve chosen to forget. Tonight, we simply overlook. What is first evident, as they triumphantly take the stage at one of the bigger-name SXSW fetes (second, perhaps, to Motörhead), is that the dudes are looking a bit peaked. Wearied. Old, is what I’m saying. Five or 10 years from now they’ll play the Super Bowl halftime show (Browns 24, Vikings 13), and you will be just as alarmed as Tom Petty made you this year — alarmed for both their health and yours. read the rest of the review

Were you there? What did you think?

Allow me a few moments to show some Columbus love. I realize this here SXSW blog is being read by hundreds of millions of SXSW attendees, but it’s necessary for y’all to know that this week in Austin it will be hard to spit without hitting a member of the Washington Beach clique….and the largest concentration of those bands will be playing the second annual Columbus Discount Recording showcase. Last year the label was stuck with the bad luck of playing a place that more resembled South Beach than the skanky dives they’re used to, this year however, they’ve been assigned Lambert’s Patio (a new venue with a prime location and prime BBQ) and the stock couldn’t be higher thanks to vinyl collector scum the world around.

So they say what happens in Texas stays in Tejas (for months on end), that fabled proverb fits no band better than the Unholy Two, who make their SXSW debut this year. The Unholy Two revel in mythology. Is Chris Lutzko a neo-con? Did he support NAFTA from the beginning? Could he be accused of fear mongering? If you clicked yes to all of the above, you’re 100% delusional like myself. The trio should have a 7″ for sale at this event, a document that will no doubt have you at the free clinic for a herpes test (a document which I haven’t gotten yet?), regardless there are two strains running through their sound — pure cum-rock, pure fuck-you gimmick — the mind of a man.

The CDR showcase is also a time of remembrance, or to simply say “dude I wasn’t there, I had no idea,” as Tommy Jay, hot on the heels of the re-issue of his brilliant lost masterpiece Tall Tales of Trauma, will be playing alongside his confidant, and equally legendary, Mike “Rep” Hummel. These are the guys who will probably elbow their way to the front of any performance Roky Erickson might make in the next few days. Psych is not just a word, but a way of life.

I could go on and on — about how the Guinea Worms should’a been playing the fest way back when Mark E. Smith had teeth, how Necropolis could out angle any post-punk group in the tri-state area, how Night of Pleasure is now composed of two public school teachers, and the oncoming storm that El Jesus de Magico presents. I only know one thing, I’m starting my SXSW adventure swilling free PBR and having my mind fucked by the Magic Jesus’ mind fuck (at high noon, at the day show sponsored by this here site). Beware.

Last year I had the pleasure of interviewing Norway’s Marit Larsen, also known as the country’s top-selling recording artist (at least in her own country), stateside you might know her best as one half of M2M (yeah, you probably don’t know her). What I came away with most was the reserved nature of Norway compared to the bright, twee, pop coming from cultural rival Sweden.

Also from the humble coastal city of Bergen, Norway, Sissy Wish (not sure if the name refers to the girl or the band yet), craft an unassuming little kaleidoscope of sing-a-long pop, the kind that might get confused with the usual candy of eclectic female fronted folk (per ipod commercials). Beauties Never Die has yet to be released domestically, so it’s whimsical first single “Float” has more than flown under the radar. Maybe that’s why they’re headed on their virgin North American tour, which includes at least 3 (by my count) shows in Austin. Sunshine and sweetness are two things that define the SXSW experience, for fans of the Cardigans, Beck, and the Postal Service (with a bit more edge and sincerity), Sissy Wish are blessed with both.

Here’s a video for the enchanting “Float”.

FM3 is China’s hottest rock band. Christian Virant and Zhang Jian have pioneered the country’s electronic scene (what little scene there is) since 1999. According to their bio the duo is:

“Known for dedicating prime space for “live” aspects within their work, FM3 produces mysterious, meditative and minimalist soundscapes, while subtly adding elements of Chinese folk tradition into a universe abundant in micro-sounds and synthetic glitches.”

All I know is they invented the Buddha Machine, and mine has become a constant companion for two years running. I’m not quite sure of their appearances in the states so far, but their show at SXSW is the first time I’ve ever heard of them playing within two thousand miles of my home.

More about the Buddha Machine on World of Wumme.

At my first SXSW, ’round the turn of the century, before iphones, bit torrents, and blogs, my posse seemed stalked by Matt Suggs of Butterglory. Every year since there’s always one band that tends to follow me through my Austin adventure, at every day party, getting pizza at Hoek’s, in the hotel lobby at 3 AM. Last year it was Deerhunter, and while I’m still a big fan of the music, seeing their live shtick a handful of times, over four days, it got old. Looking over the schedule this year, I’m tempted to predict Bon Iver will become a constant. Difference is I’m welcoming Justin Vernon’s intimate crystal creeper folk. There’s rarely a moment on the majestic-as-fuck For Emma, Forever Ago that would ever elicit a yawn. Even if you eliminate his coveted slot at the Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian/Dead Oceans showcase Thursday night, you’re unlikely to miss him, since appears to be playing in every time slot — you can almost control the environment in which you get to see this. I’m hoping for dusk, outdoors.

Read a full review of For Emma, Forever Ago on World of Wumme.

MP3: Vampire Girls
MP3: Lay Back
MP3: Time Will Tell

How many times have you performed at SXSW?
This will be The Naked’s first time to SXSW. But I came in 2005 as part of The Drugstore Cowgirls.

If you’ve performed at SXSW, what’s your best memory of the festival?
What festival? No, but seriously, how many parties with free booze, food, and great music can you fit into one city in a week? It’s like a kid in a candy shop for rock bands and, oh yeah, you make more connections than you would ever think possible.
(more…)

How many times have you performed at SXSW?
‘08 will be my third time.

If you’ve performed at SXSW, what’s your best memory of the festival?
My best memories of the festival are the intangibles: hanging out with my band during the craziness, running into musicians from my hometown, being surprised by great shows from bands I’ve never heard of. In terms of best shows, last year it was definitely the Magik Markers during the Ecstatic Peace showcase. Those 2 really blew me away. A very close runner up was catching a rare set from Jandek. He’s the spookiest performer I’ve ever seen–like watching a being from another planet wrestle with the unfamiliar confines of a human body.

Share one thing that you know about Austin (a fact, bit of trivia, etc.) without using Google for help.
I don’t know much about Austin. I can tell you that Cream Vintage is off the beaten path, has shows in the back, and has GREAT old handmade Western shirts. I hate to give that away, but I don’t think it’s much of a secret.

Shiner Bock or Lonestar?
Lonestar. Are there people who go to SXSW that DON’T drink Lonestar? If so, I don’t want to know them.

Daniel Johnston – Austin legend? Any interest in seeing him perform this year?
Interested: Yes and no. Johnston performed last year and it was just impossible to get into his show. I’m not a huge fan so it was easy to pass. I’ve not seen him play so it would be something I’d be interested in, but not so much that I’d really be willing to work that hard to make it happen. Despite the various promise of SXSW, many of the super hot bands you’re just not going to see unless you want to stand in line for multiple hours. To hell with that–I’m off to the next show!

Distance you’ll have to travel to get to Austin:
Uh…(looking it up on mapquest…) 1785 miles. We’re flying though so it seems like less (although stopovers in Phoenix tend to make the miles add on quickly–what a godforsaken place that is…).

Which statement best summarizes this year’s experience?

• Play as many shows as possible
• See as many bands as possible
• Hook up and party with friends
• Play a show or two and get out of town

Play as many shows as possible. I have 2 showcases this year: one as a solo act (with my band) and another as “43 Songs About 43 U.S. Presidencies.” The latter project is the current one and I’m really excited about it. It’s a collaboration with Matthew Gerken and Jefferson Pitcher (Matthew will be at the SXSW show with me). The album is a triple CD with a song for each President and features guests like Alan Sparhawk (Low), Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu), Bill Callahan (Smog), and lots of others. None of those folks will be playing with us at SXSW…or will they…?

For those not familiar with your music, what bands have others said you sound like?
I’ve been compared to Modest Mouse, Low, Iron & Wine, and Wilco. Presidents project is really all over the map: There’s Xiu Xiu moments and Wilco moments and some U2 moments mixed in there too. It’s pretty diverse in terms of styles and arrangements, but all the tunes were written by the same 3 guys so we’re hoping it all holds together as an album (and, we hope, a live show).

Pimp your SXSWshow(s)/websites/whatever:
43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies is part of the Standard Recording Co. showcase on Wednesday, March 12th at Creekside EMC at the Hilton Garden. Don’t know yet what time that will be. I’m also doing a solo w/band show (as Christian Kiefer) as part of the Undertow showcase on Thursday, March 13th at the Habana Calle 6 patio at 11pm.

Best website is www.christiankiefer.com or, for the labels themselves, www.standardrecording.com and www.undertowmusic.com. My songwriting collaborators on the Presidents project are www.jeffpitcher.com and www.nicemonstermusic.com.

While we anticipate the first official list of bands to be released by SXSW any day now, we’re still finding out some info via email and bands’ MySpace pages. Here’s the latest:

* The Presidents of the United States of America will be performing on Thursday, March 13 at Cedar Door’s Outdoor Stage (201 Brazos At.) at 11:30pm. Also on the bill are Bowling for Soup, Zebrahead, Wheatus and Ludo (what year is this????)

* Sea Wolf and Gran Ronde will be playing the Filter Party on Saturday, March 15. Usually this party is at the Cedar St. Courtyard but according to the info that has leaked, it looks like the party this year might be at Buffalo Billiards (at least the party on the 15th – Filter has, in the past, hosted a multiple day party).

* SubPop appears to be having a showcase at Bourbon Rocks on Friday, March 14. According to the SubPop tour page, Blitzen Trapper, Sera Cahoone, Fleet Foxes, Grand Archives, Handsome Furs, The Helio Sequence, No Age, Pissed Jeans, The Ruby Sons, and Kelley Stoltz will be performing. I think this is one that I’ll start lining up for NOW!

* Beat Union, a Brit-rock import influenced by The Jam and The Clash, will perform at the Great Escape showcase featuring up-and-coming UK bands on March 14 at The Wave (rooftop, 406 E.6th St) and the Vans Warped Tour/Alternative Press international showcase on March 15 at Emo’s (603 Red River).

* The Republic Tigers, the latest Kansas City export, has announced they’ll be at SXSW though no info about shows has been made available yet.

Details on the Breeders show here.