SXSW Preview - Casiokids

I'm in NYC right now, in the midst of a week-long East Coast stint that commenced last Thursday in Boston. It's been a nice change, but I am definitely already hankering for all things familiar back in Austin. Perhaps because anytime I have even fleeing contact with social media outlets, all anyone has on their mind is SXSW. I can't wait to be back and be reunited with my most beloved friends (and my car! You can totally tell I'm a Texan at heart) and throw myself into the midst of the SXSW craziness. My toes are tingling just thinking about it!!

In the same spirit, let's continue with music previews for the fest, shall we?

This one comes from a SXSW send-off show case I attended yesterday at Brooklyn's LittleField Warehouse. The event was called DEATH BY AQUAVIT! A Scandinavian SxSW Send-Off, and it featured four Norwegian/Danish bands that are playing at SXSW later this week (and somewhat humorously, also featured a menu of Swedish meatballs, complimentary Swedish fish and a cocktail called 'Bloody Björk').

Anyway, the headliner of sorts was Norwegian band Casiokids. Their music features lots of vintage Casio synths (namesake?), falsetto vocals, home made hand-shakers, and my personal favorite - Norwegian lyrics! This excites me because not since Sigur Rós has there been a Scandinavian band who sings in their native language who is this enjoyable. I should stop the comparisons there though, because Casiokids are a purely fun and energetic band with a great live show that had all of us dancing along, rather ridiculously, until the end of their set.

//via casiokids myspace//

//via kyle dean reinford for Brooklyn Vegan//
They are playing a ton of shows at SXSW this years, so maybe I'll be able to catch them multiple times?
• Mar 16 2010 10:45P SXSW / The Mohawk w/We Are Scientists
• Mar 17 2010 4:00A SXSW / Shout it out out party @ Creekside lounge
• Mar 17 2010 1:00P SXSW / A Celebration of sound @ Epoch Coffee
• Mar 17 2010 6:00P SXSW / Giant Steps party @ Plush bar 
• Mar 18 2010 10:30A SXSW / Filter Party, Showdown @ Cedar Street
• Mar 18 2010 12:00P SXSW / Moshi Moshi Party @ Red House Pizzeria
• Mar 19 2010 5:00P SXSW / Lose control party @ Vice
• Mar 20 2010 9:00P SXSW / Polyvinyl showcase @ Galaxy rooms

SXSW Preview - Cocoon

Once upon a time, two really talented, really really attractive French singer/songwriters got together to form the "folksy White Stripes" (although in my opinion they sound more like a - dare I say it? - more melodic version of Beach House. Don't hate). Cocoon as a band make me giddy; their music is very whimsical and voices just so sweet. They make me happy for flowers and honey & homies and you know, stuff like that.

//via Lost at E Minor//

Keep in mind though, these guys are the French band called Cocoon. As in, the one that will be showcased at SXSW. I say this because right around the same time French Cocoon was formed, a Rock/A'cappella/Ambient band by the same name was also formed. This one was based in Philly, and they decided their primary band image would involve sweaty backs with mild-at-best politcal discourse etched into them.

//via coccon myspace//

It's alright, brother. Don't arrest bicyclists. They are good for the Earth, we know.

Anyway, uber cute video for the sweet melody "Chupee" by the French band, followed by their SX sched: 

• Wed. 17th @ Spill, 8:00 p.m.

• Thur. 18th @ Klub Krucial (Emo's East), 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

• Fri. 19th @ Wave Rooftop, 10:00 p.m.

Inglorious, yet so glorious

OK, I had to take a break from all the SXSW prep to give a shot out to the latest Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner, Austrian actor Christoph Waltz. In addition to being a seriously legit thesp (he gave me the creeeeepers in "Inglorious Basterds"), he makes fun of himself with such great panache this video that it makes his turn as a menacing Nazi general seem harmless and teddy bear-like:

We're all just humping. You know.

SXSW Preview - Uffie

There are tons of wonderful acts coming in from France this year. Among them, Uffie really sparks my curiousity.

//via SXSW//

I don't know why, but she reminds me of Lilly Allen/Amy Winehouse in that "good enough musician but probably annoying as crap in real life and you can kind of tell" sort of way. I actually saw both Lilly Allen and Amy Winehouse at SXSW 2007, and their live performances were indeed all they were chalked up to be - lukewarm meditations of overblown egos. I can't seem to get myself to bother too much with either of the two lately (or since the last three years, for that matter). Maybe it will be the same case with Uffie?

I do keep hearing about her from many different European outlets, so I'm eager to experience her Euro Trash-tastic pop offerings either way.

Sched:

• Wed 17th @ Emo's annex, 1 AM
• Thur. 18th @ Klub Krucial (Emo’s East), 1:30 PM
• Fri. 19th @ Mohawk Patio, 11:30 PM  

SXSW Preview - We Were Promised Jetpacks

//via the list//

Breaking away from Scandinavian music for a hot minute - how great are We Were Promised Jetpacks? Random band name aside, they remind me of the mid-90s Brit pop bands like Suede and Blur who fed my teeny pre teen rock'n'roll soul. Just like the aforementioned Brit popers, We Were Promised Jetpacks disregard the commonly used trend among international bands of sounding "American" while singing in favor of letting their native style shine though. Also, anytime I see the WWPJ acronym for this Scottish quartet's name, I like to come up with silly alternative names, such as:

What Would Pull Jesus?

Why Wear Pah-Jammies?

Wall Won't Put Jam

 (Yes, I really am THIS awesome. Believe it.)

 Anyway, check out one of their songs, "Quiet Little Voices"

  

 Where Waldo Parks Jaguar's Schedule: 

• Mar 17 2010 3:45P SXSW - Fader Fort
• Mar 17 2010 11:00P SXSW - Parish
• Mar 18 2010 3:30P SXSW - Galaxy Room
• Mar 18 2010 5:00P SXSW - Yard Dog Gallery
• Mar 19 2010 1:00P SXSW - Mohawk
• Mar 19 2010 5:00P  SXSW - Emo’s East 

SXSW Preview - Miss Li

Oy! I'm continuing Scandinavia...um week? Anyway, Miss Li is another Swedish singer who caught my interest a while ago based on stuff I've been reading about her on NME and other sources. Disclaimer - she has nothing to do with Lykke Li other than country of origin (and some distinctly Scandinavian facial  features, in my opinion).

I have a test tomorrow and don't know too much about Miss Li other than the fact that I really want to catch her live show, so I'll have to direct you to her Wiki page for more info. Just know that she has a fabulous voice that sounds like a less cracked-out AmyWinehouse and clever lyrics that make listening to her just plain enjoyable. Also, she has a great song called "Bourgeois Shangri-La," which might as well be about the bar in East Austin that my friends and I love to frequent.

//via borasstad.bloggagratis //

Her Schedule: 

• Mar 18 2010 3:00P Threadgills-Roky Ericksons Ice cream social Austin, Texas
• Mar 18 2010 9:00P Mi Casa-EXMS Showcase Austin, Texas
• Mar 20 2010 1:00P  Do512 Compound – SXSW Day Party Austin, Texas
• Mar 20 2010 9:00P Victorian Room, The Driskill Hotell –SXSW Showcase

SXSW Preview - Efterklang

Well, apparently it's Scandinavia day today. Heck, everyday should be Scandinavia day; bring on the smørrebrød!

 Anyway, Danish band Efterklang ranks highly on my "wanna see" list for SXSW this year. When I first heard about them through some Danish friends, I decided they sounded like Copenhagen personified and thus liked them right away. Efterklang (which means 'remembrance' in Danish) reminds me of the Fiery Furnaces ever so slightly, in that they share the same ethereal quality of music and dual vocalizations. Also, a good friend of mine tweeted some accolades regarding their performance in NYC recently, which only builds my anticipation to see them live.

Their latest album, Magic Chairs, came out just a few weeks ago, and I definitely advise checking it out. Especially if you are into Grizzly Bear, because these fellas represent 'da Grizz on their label, Rumraket.

 //via c-sides.net//

Schedule: 

• Mar 18 2010 11:00P Buffalo Billiards - 4AD/Bella Union Showcase w/ Midlake & more
• Mar 19 2010 2:00P The Music Gym - Danish Day Party @ the Music Gym
• Mar 20 2010 5:00P End of an Ear (In-store) 

SXSW Preview - Jonna Lee

OK, I'll admit that last year I didn't listen to enough singer/songwriters, folk rock, alt rock, or really much of anything that didn't have a ridiculous chorus set to cheesy drum machines & synthy-baselines. But this year I have already been drawn more to minimalistic, bluesy stuff. Maybe my mind-grapes are all synthed out?

Anyway, I'm totally, totally in love with Swedish songstress Jonna Lee. She has an amazingly sweet yet powerful voice, and her music is very multi-dimensional. She belts it out with such heart that I can't help but stream her myspace over and over and over all day long. I think she is going to be my more mature,  Swedish Laura Marling this year. Plus, look how cute she is!

 

//via Jonna Lee//

  Lee's Sched, which I can't wait to jump on:

• Mar 18, 2010 Rooftop at Little Fields Building Terrace
• Mar 18, 2010 SXSW - live.create. lounge
• Mar 19, 2010 SXSW Stephen F's Bar
• Mar 20, 2010 SXSW EXMS/Chambers Showcase

SXSW Preview - The xx

I'm really glad London-based The xx will be playing a few free SXSW shows on days that I'll be in Austin. I'm really digging their multi-vocal, breathy, synthy tunes. Theirs was a band that I almost got into last year but didn't get around to until this year because I somehow got them confused with this British band. Believe me when I say my confusion knew no bounds regarding all the hype around The xx until I figured out I had the wrong band. Oh, hilarity.

//via interview mag//

  

Here is their schedule so far:

• Thursday, March 18 @ Babelgum Lawn Party at the French Legation at 6pm
• Thursday, March 18th @ Mohawk Patio at 1 am
• Friday, March 19 @ La Zona Rosa, some point between 12pm – 5pm
• Saturday, Mar 20 @ Central Presbyterian Church at 12:30 am

SXSW Preview - Movits!

Since SXSW is coming at us at what seems to be lightning speed, I thought it would be fun to mention some European bands that I'm really hoping catch live. (And by hoping to catch live, of course I mean take my broke ass to free shows. Blame it on the economy?)

Anyway, first up is Swedish band The Movits! Some basics to know about them: they hail from Northern Sweden, Stephen Colbert loves them, their music is bandstand rhythms meets hip hop-style lyrics, and they sing & swing in Swedish.

//via The Movits!//

Also, they are always impeccably dressed like "Mad Men" extras, which is a huge plus in my book. It sounds like theirs will be a fun, dance-filled show to attend.

Some of their vids:

 

 

 Here is their SXSW schedule so far:

• Mar 17 2010 1:00A The PureVolume House
• Mar 18 2010 12:00P SXSW Showcase - Club 115
• Mar 18 2010 8:15P Littlefields Building Rooftop terrace (Acoustic)
• Mar 19 2010 5:00P MUSIC BY THE SLICE, Homeslice Pizza
• Mar 20 2010 3:00P Antone’s