My favorite SXSW 2011 discovery: Adebisi Shank

A lot of people have either asked me in person or emailed me about what I saw at South by Southwest this past March. I never got around to answering those emails because I just get really busy sometimes. My apologies to those who emailed, but I'll answer the question in this post for everyone.

Fat Wreck Chords SXSW 2011 Showcase at The Scoot Inn

I don't post a lot of SXSW related stuff on my blog, almost none at all actually. I like the festival just fine, but it is just that I think I'm so jaded that nothing excites very much anymore. If I was indie crazed or into free booze parties, then maybe I'd be more excited. That being said, I am pretty school girl giddy over the Fat Wreck Chords Showcase. Two words: "Screeching Weasel". 'Nuff said.

Preview: 'C'mon' from Low

Low - Trailer for New Record, C'mon from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

Low hits the road for dates throughout the spring, most importantly for South by Southwest on Mar. 16 at St. David’s Sanctuary. Their set is at 11:00pm so you'd better have a wristband.

Low will be touring in release of their soon to be released album, C'mon. I'm looking forward to it as Low is one of my favorite "'90s bands" as I often tell my friends. C'mon will be available on April 12.

Get down with M.I.S. at SXSW 2011

Camilo Lara, also known as Mexican Institute of Sound, is one of my absolute favorite Latin Alternative artists. Other than maybe the dudes from Nortec Collective and a select few (very few) others, no one mixes traditional Mexican sounds with dance music better.  Check out the video above if you don't have it playing already.

Aside from being a talented musician/producer, Lara has an amazing vinyl record collection of over 45,000 records. In an interview he did with Austin Vida in 2009, he said the first record he ever bought was a Quiet Riot record. Can you believe it? Quiet 'fucking' Riot. Awesome.

M.I.S. will be performing at South By Southwest this year in support of his new EP. It marks his return to Austin since his 2009 headlining set at Pachanga Fest. I'm stoked. You should be too. Click HERE for details.

Mini-cam fun: Lissie at Mess With Texas party 2010

A lot of people have been asking me this week what I caught either at SXSW last week or what parties I went to. Understand that SXSW week is work, not so much play, for an editor. With the launch of a new publication and keeping Austin Vida running smooth, I was hard up for free time to say the least.

However, I did make it out to some cool stuff. I loved the Mess With Texas party that took place on March 19th and 20th. I caught Jeff The Brotherhood, Lissie and Frightened Rabbit. I dug them all, but Frightened Rabbit were amazing. You probably knew that already though. I also caught a little bit of Mariachi El Bronx and Yacht as well.

Well in case you didn't know that indie folk darling, Lissie, is pretty good. Her music is nothing epic or over the top, and I admit I have to be in the mood to enjoy it. Still, she's one of the best in the genre. Lissie's voice is that of an angel. She's also very down to earth and a good guitar player. I enjoy her Hank Williams cover of "Wedding Bells". Hopefully you've clicked on the video above and are listening to it now. I have more Lissie videos on my YouTube channel if you want to check them out.

I Want To See Foxy Shazam in Concert !

So I saw this video on YouTube today and played the whole thing through at a high volume. Cincinnati based Foxy Shazam is coming to Austin for SXSW and I want to see them. Their self titled album comes out April 13th, so I have to see them live to get my Foxy fix.

On March 19th they will be performing at Stubb's for the Spin part with a full gospel choir. They are set to go on at 12:40pm. That same day they play the Crush MGMT showcase at Dirty Dog Bar. There they go on at 12:00am. 

Interview: Lights Resolve

Me with Lights Resolve

I recently uploaded an interview I did for Double Stereo with a cool young band from New York called Lights Resolve. Maybe you caught them with The Used or saw them last year during SXSW. These dudes are good. I think they are going to step up their game this year and put out a hot record. Check out the interview:

Get to know Lights Resolve in 2010

New Video for "Despues" by Hello Seahorse!

During South By Southwest this year, some of us at Austin Vida were fortunate enough to catch Mexico City's Indie darlings, Hello Seahorse!. We have reviewed their current album, Bestia, here on AustinVida.com and posted another one of their videos with it.The video for their second single, "Despues", hit YouTube on August 14th.It's a great single to check out if you are unfamiliar with Hello Seahorse!. "Despues" is in Spanish, but if you don't speak Spanish and like what you hear, many of their other tracks are in English. I expect major success from Hello Seahorse! world wide.


For more on Hello Seahorse!, visit their official Myspace page at:

http://www.myspace.com/helloseahorse

Album Review: Blow Up by Bomba Estereo

Nacional Records recording artist, Bomba Estereo, is a five piece Colombian Reggae Fusion band. Their latest release, Blow Up, is a unique collective of different Latin and Afro Caribbean sounds. It is difficult to make comparisons off hand because not a lot of bands, other than Todos Tus Muertos or perhaps The B-Side Players, are in this genre. With all the different sounds and influences involved in Blow Up, it may appear on paper to be an unorganized, chaotic listening experience. Somehow Bomba Estereo make it all come together and make it a good fit for the vocal stylings of Li Saumet.

Click here to read the full review on Austin Vida

New Album Review and Video From Cursive

Photo by Wendy Lynch Redfern

During SXSW this past March, the one show I wanted to go check out but could not manage to was Cursive’s show at La Zona Rosa. It was a great opportunity to hear music from their then soon to be released album, Mama, I’m Swollen. Having been a fan of Cursive since the late 90s, I was disappointed I wasn’t able to get in. I have yet to see them live to this day. After listening to Mama, I’m Swollen, I am even more eager to make that dream a reality.

Cursive just put out a new video for "I Couldn't Love You" off of Mama, I'm Swollen. Check it out here for yourself.

I Couldn't Love You from Cursive on Vimeo.

Click here to read the full review on Double Stereo

Album Review: IV By The Aggrolites

The Aggrolites are an awesome Reggae fusion band from Los Angles whom I have been a fan of for a few years now. They have come around to Austin to play The Flamingo Cantina on multiple occasions and also to play South By Southwest. They are always a great live band and their albums are good enough to listen to all the way through. Their new release, IV, is even more of the high quality I expect from them but with more songs.

Click here to read the full review on Double Stereo

New Interview With The Action Design

The Action Design may be semi new to the scene or unfamiliar by name, but they should be familiar faces. No strangers to the scene, the members of The Action Design have come from previously successful bands: Tsunami Bomb, Pipedown and The Rum Diary. As sad as I was to see those groups break up, I couldn’t be happier about the formation of The Action Design. Emily Whitehurst (formerly “Agent M”) is one of the best vocalists to grace the mircophone ever. After the break up of Tsunami Bomb, I was sure I’d see her doing something again soon. She teamed up with former Tsunami Bomb bassist, Matt Mckenzie. They later recruited Jaycen McKissick and Jake Krohn to join them. Their electro, punk snyth style is sure to turn heads and get the kids (old and young) dancing.

I first saw The Action Design play at Red 7 last year with Killola and local punk rock favorite’s of mine, Under The Gun. This year, The Action Design played SXSW for the first time. None of the members had ever done the whole South By thing before (according to Emily), not even with Tsunami Bomb. I also saw them in January at Emo’s. As you can see, Austin is a favorite of The Action Design. Fans in Austin can probably spot them eating fish tacos when in town. I caught up with them recently to talk about touring, getting past previous band associations, influences and loving Britney Spears.

Click here to read the full interview with The Action Design

Save Paste Magazine!!!

Today I opened my inbox and got one of the most disheartening emails I have received all year.One of my favorite magazines I subscribe to, Paste, is apparently in danger of going under. I'd absolutely hate for that to happen, as they not only provide me with a great music resource but also throw great SXSW showcases. I also enjoyed their ACL party last year. Now, it could all be gone with other print magazine going the wayside. Here is the text directly from the email I just received:


Dear Paste readers,

We write this letter with great appreciation for all you’ve done for Paste, as well as sorrow that we need to come to you and ask for further support. The economy has taken its toll on Paste, and we need your help to continue.

As the global recession has continued, many of you have written us (especially as ad pages shrunk) to say, “If you ever need help, let us know.” That day has come.

Today, we are launching the “Campaign to Save Paste" to raise money to keep Paste coming to your mailboxes and computer screens. If you are in a position to give even a little, please consider donating. As thanks for your generosity, over 70 amazing artists (including The Decemberists, Neko Case, Bob Mould, Cowboy Junkies, Indigo Girls, The Jayhawks, Brandi Carlile, John Roderick of The Long Winters, Patterson Hood, The Avett Brothers and Josh Ritter—with more to come) have gathered and donated rare & exclusive MP3s for all who join us in the campaign. Here's what artists are saying about why Paste should be saved.

As a completely independent company, Paste has struggled for the past nine months as advertisers have decided to wait out the recession. As most of you realize, magazines are heavily subsidized by advertising. Industry experts estimate that an average subscription for a monthly publication would cost $60-$80 per year without advertising support.

But last month was brutal. Cash received unexpectedly reached an all-time low, and turned a tough situation into a short-term crisis.

Long-term, Paste will emerge in good shape. Even with the fall-off at the end of the year, 2008 was our best year yet—print subscribers, print ads, online readers and online advertising were all at record levels. Readers (print and online) remain strong. And new advertisers have come on board even in the recession, with more ready when their advertising budgets come back.

In the meantime, we’ve adjusted our business to weather this storm. We’ve cut costs, and we developed a robust online business that’s among the best in the industry. Fundamentally, we’re in good shape and won’t need another appeal down the road. But it’s taken us until this point to get there—leaving us critically low on cash, without some large corporation behind us to bridge the gap.

We’ll make it through this short-term economic crisis—but it’s only with your help. Our fate is (and has been and always will be) in your hands. Big-time investors are not “in the game” right now—but readers can rise up and “invest” in Paste’s future. Will you be a part?

We appreciate all of your support so far—everyone who’s subscribed, given a gift, or even read a story online or opened a newsletter. It’s all enabled us to make it this far. Now, we humbly ask you to consider giving a little more.

It doesn’t take much. Every little bit helps and you can be a part of continuing our efforts to help you find signs of life in music, film and culture. If $1 (yes, one dollar) came in from everyone on our e-mail lists (or $10 from 10% or $100 from 1%), we’ll reach our goal and emerge from this recession as a stronger magazine and website. While we’re not a non-profit (this isn’t a tax-deductible gift), know that every dollar you give goes into keeping Paste alive and, ultimately, making it even better.

While you’re at it, also let us know what more you’d like to see from Paste. What should we do (or do better) online to help you discover new music, film and more? As advertising comes back and the magazine thickens, what would you like to see in print?

With our sincerest thanks,

Josh, Tim and Nick for the entire Paste family


Click here to donate to Paste Magazine

We Should Be Dead Interview: Ireland's Next Pop Sensation

We Should Be Dead is an Irish pop band now living in Los Angeles. I interviewed them here in Austin during South By Southwest (SXSW) in March. Their music reminded so much of the old Go-Go’s albums I listened to as a kid, only slightly grittier in sound. We talked about coming together back in Limerick, relationship lyrics and even marriage proposals in Alpine,Texas. We Should Be Dead is a group you should definitely give a listen to and get to know.

Click here to read the full interview on Double Stereo

Don't "Comparamore" Versaemerge

Fueled By Ramen artist and Port St Lucie natives, Versaemerge, are taking the music scene by storm. This female fronted, five piece rock band may draw comparisons to their label mates, but they truly are in a class of their own. Having a female lead singer is where the comparisons should stop. Their sound is theatrical, emotional, soulful and at times... epic. What is surprising is the band's stock is quickly rising with only an EP on Fueled By Ramen. I got a chance to sit down with the members of Versaemerge and chat with them about generational differences, being a female fronted band, and about being "comparamored".

Click here to read the full interview with Versaemerge on Double Stereo

Album Review: Its Easier To Be Someone Else by Hey Ocean!

Hey Ocean! is a cool indie soul hybrid from Vancouver, British Columbia. They were here in Austin for SXSW this year and played one of the Musebox showcases. After reading more about them online, it appears they have created quite a buzz for themselves in their native Canada. Soon they will have the music blogosphere buzzing stateside as well with their sophomore effort, It’s Easier To Be Someone Else.

Click here to read the full review on Double Stereo

Black and White Years at Austin Chronicle Film Bash

Monday night was the first night of SXSW 2009. I was at The Austin Chronicle Film Bash at La Zona Rosa to finally check out The Black and White Years. Being that they are from Austin, I sort of took it for granted by not catching a show from them yet. After learning that they are the opening act for the big SXSW show with Devo, I figured I’d better check them out before they stopped being “local”.

The Black and White Years played two sets that night and were the only feature band. This was my first SXSW film anything as I am a music guy. I could care less about most film fest films with the exception of foreign films. I also expected free cigarettes (not that I smoke) because American Spirit was a sponsor. I was planning to give those to a couple of friends. Oh well, no big deal. Like I said, I was there for the music.

As I arrived at La Zona Rosa, The Black and White Years had just started their set with their song called A Wetter Sea. I wasn’t into it. They have better songs and I honestly thought they should have opened with a more up tempo track. It wasn’t until about 4 or five songs later when they played Dragons and then a really cool Tejas song that I started enjoying myself. It was then that I noticed that they are better live than on CD. Their live energy was great Monday, probably more so than usual due to it being their first SXSW 2009 show.

Not long after their first set, they came back with Life Debt. Their second set was better than their first, as the second set included their radio hit Power to Change and my personal favorite from them, Zeroes and Ones. After the second set, I started hearing from the crowd “Devo Jr” references and the words “new wave” being tossed around. That’s about right, just throw in the word “indie” in there and that’s The Black and White Years.

Austin Magazine called them one of the nine Austin bands to “watch for”. I think it is because of the buzz and press they are getting, because there are better bands of many genres here. However, they are ready certainly ready for national hipster stardom and will win over the Paste Magazine crowd.

New Pinata Protest Interview on Austin Vida

This month's cover feature on Austin Vida is none other than San Antonio's own, Pinata Protest. I have known these dudes for while now and I see them making some real headway in the Austin Scene. They have an original style that marries Flaco Jimenz and The Sex Pistols. I know that sounds strange in print, but check them out and listen for yourself. They way I always describe them to friends is by using a Dropkick Murphys comparison. What the Dropkick Murphys do for the Irish and punk rock, Pinata Protest does for the Mexicans and punk rock. As the first person to bring Pinata Protest to Austin, I couldn't be happier to share this interview wth you all.

Click here to read the Pinata Protest Interview

FREE Latin Alternative Showcase at Mexic-Arte Museum

Those of you who are looking for free shows during SXSW should definitely check out The Mexic-Arte's day party with Pilar Diaz, Leche, Cosmopolitan and my personal favorite of the bunch....Monte Negro. This is one of the better Latin music showcases this year and it is free.

I know, this is one of any things you could be doing on the 20th. Before you dismiss this show all together for something else, watch the vids I posted below.

Pilar Diaz

Pilar Diaz at Quiksilver's siteLA siteStage from Ravi Dhar on Vimeo.

Although I much preferred her with the now broken up Los Abandoned, her solo stuff will be very appealing to not just Latin music lovers, but to anyone in attendance. I think she'll win you over if you aren't a fan already.


MONTE NEGRO, Me Duele No Estar Junta A Ti from Edward Chen on Vimeo.

Monte Negro is one of the best bands in the Latin Alternative scene right now in my opinion. I have seen them live three times in Austin during the last year and they never disappoint. I only wish there were more people at those shows while they played to take notice. Seriously folks, time to pay attention. Their guitar player, Jason, is one of the best guitar players you'll find in any band of any genre. I have nothing but good things to say about these dudes. Check 'em out for free.

Double Stereo Launch Party

Your Invited March 19th - 21st @ Tiniest Bar in Texas | Free and open to the public | All ages welcome
RSVP to sal@cdfuse.com for complimentary drinks and such during the show.

Artists from Universal Motown Records, Myspace Records, Equal Vision Records, and Rumblefish including After Midnight Project, Nico Vega, The Photo Atlas, and Loch Lomond.

Plus, Austin standouts White Ghost Shivers, Driver F, The Mother Truckers and more!

It's the launch of Double Stereo. We think it's awesome and so will you. Pass it on!