SXSW Spotlight : Austin
SXSW is a truly amazing time to live in Austin. Bands from across the nation and the globe converge on our fair city and make it THE place to be in mid-March. I’ve got a list of 50 or so bands that I’m planning on seeing during the festival, a good number of whom are Austin-based musicians chosen for a SXSW showcase. Here’s a sampling of some of the best Austin has to offer at SXSW on Wednesday 3/12.
Car Stereo (Wars)
Car Stereo (Wars) is the brainchild of Christopher Rose, local filmmaker and former member of Austin favorite Clap! Clap!. Since Clap! Clap! disbanded at the end of 2007, Rose has built a steady following with his dance/party mashups. Car Stereo (Wars) fits into the current trend of blending well-known alt and indie songs into dance tracks with homemade beats.
SXSW has a Car Stereo (Wars) track for download here. I also recommend Ghostface Observatory which you can stream on Car Stereo (Wars) MySpace. It features a sample from another Austin indie favorite you may be familiar with, Ghostland Observatory, mashed with Ghostface Killer.
Car Stereo (Wars) official SXSW showcase is Wednesday 3/12, 11pm at Beauty Bar (617 E 7th St.).
The Black Angels
With their regular European tours and accompanying long stretches away from the Lonestar State, The Black Angels groovy psych rock is in high demand in Austin. Their live shows are truly an experience, as they include a projectionist amongst the band members. With a truly retro 60’s and 70’s feel to their music, The Black Angels are a reminder of how great the psychedelic genre can be.
Visit the Black Angels website and MySpace. You can also download a free Black Angels mp3 from the SXSW Website.
The Black Angels official SXSW showcase is Wednesday 3/12, 12 midnight on the patio at Bourbon Rocks (508 E 6th St.).
Maneja Beto
Indie Rock en Español has bridged the language barrier, as Austinites Maneja Beto have become blog darlings and started building a loyal following across the region. They mix traditional rock instruments with traditional Latin instruments that catch the ears of music fans of all types. These are fresh sounds that set them apart from your typical indie rock flavor of the month. Try Cumbia de las Bombas from Maneja Beto’s album Accidentes de Longitud y Latitud. Even for music fans new to Latin influences, Maneja Beto bridges that gap and leaves you craving more.
Visit Maneja Beto’s website or MySpace, where they have free downloads available.
Maneja Beto’s official SXSW showcase is Wednesday 3/12, 11pm at The Continental Club (1315 S. Congress Ave.)
Grady
Splitting their time between Canada and Texas, Grady has built a reputation as one of Austin’s finest rock acts. At one time, Grady featured Chris Layton on the drums, who many of you will remember from his days with Double Trouble backing Stevie Ray Vaughn. Layton left Grady in 2006 to pursue other projects, but the band has soldiered on and recently released their sophomore album A Cold Cup of Poison to much critical acclaim. Grady’s live shows are also a sight to behold, when frontman Gordie Johnson brings out the double-neck guitar and shows us how their “delta metal” is done.
Visit Grady’s website or MySpace. A track is available for download on the SXSW website.
Grady’s official SXSW showcase is Wednesday 3/12, 11pm at Habana Annex (708 E 6th St.)
BoomboxATX
A true musical hybrid, BoomboxATX features two MCs and a horn section in addition to your standard rock instruments. One of the MCs, Overlord, has been a fixture for years and is a nine-time winner of Austin Hip-Hop Artist of the year. BoomboxATX has a residency at Austin’s Lucky Lounge and plays around the Austin/San Marcos area fairly regularly. In a year that SXSW is rife with hip-hop and rap artists from across the globe, it is good to see that the best in the local scene is represented as well.
Visit BoomboxATX on their website or MySpace.
BoomboxATX’s official SXSW showcase is Wednesday 3/12, 12:45am at Scoot Inn (1308 E 4th St.).
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