SXSW Spotlight : Austin (part three)
By the time Friday night during SXSW week rolls around, the crowds really start to show their wear and tear. This is the third full day of music, drinking and mayhem for some. Fear not, brave music fans, as Austin bands will be out in full force to re-energize you quicker than a can of Red Bull.
This is part three in a series of features highlighting Austin musicians selected to play SXSW 2008. This post highlights bands showcasing on Friday 3/14. Click to read Part One: Wednesday 3/12 and Part Two: Thursday 3/13.
White Denim
Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the music world can probably tell you that digital downloads have thrown the industry into chaos. Record labels and consumers alike are following the technology curve, so marketing and promotions change to follow suit. Austinites White Denim are a prime example of success in a post-mp3 world.
Signed to RCRD LBL, the band is rising through the music ranks in a way that would have never been possible in the 90’s or even early 2000’s. RCRD LBL offers White Denim (as well as other bands) downloads and other multimedia for free, using the ad revenue as another form of income to supplement typical label activities like recording and promoting.
More important, White Denim is a hard-hitting, bass-heavy fusion of classic rock 70’s rock and punk. Upbeat and in your face, they share a genre with Wolfmother, but with a sharper edge.
Visit White Denim: Website / RCRD LBL / MySpace
White Denim’s official SXSW Showcases:
Friday, 3/14 @ Club Deville (900 Red River St.), 1am
Saturday, 3/15 @ Habana Calle Patio (709 E. 6th St.), 1am
Lions
White Denim can’t claim the only New Media success story out of Austin. Guitar Hero III has rocketed Lions and their song Metal Heavy Lady into living rooms across the nation and the globe. Rising to the top of the music scene in Austin and beyond with their explosive, aggressive live shows, the band describes themselves as psychedelic jungle rock on their MySpace page. I couldn’t have put it any better myself.
True indie rockers, Lions are not signed to a label, which has not hindered their success. With a music industry that is slow to adapt their business models to follow the digital revolution, Lions have seized on promotion methods unheard of just five years ago.
Visit Lions: Website / MySpace / Free SXSW Download
Lions’ official SXSW Showcase:
Friday, 3/14 @ Emo’s Annex (600 Red River St.), 11pm
Cruiserweight
Austin’s premier pop punk band, Cruiserweight, have been a staple for years. Signed to Doghouse Records, they released their first LP, Sweet Weaponry, in February 2005, with another scheduled for release in 2008. Prior to the release of Sweet Weaponry, Cruiserweight released several EPs and built a huge following in Austin, often teaming up with now defunct Fearless Records artist Dynamite Boy.
With a very catch mainstream pop punk sound, lead singer Stella Maxwell’s vocals set Cruiserweight apart in a largely male-dominated genre. Her small stature betrays the huge presence she brings to the stage.
Visit Cruiserweight: Website / MySpace / Free SXSW Download
Cruiserweight’s official SXSW Showcase:
Friday, 3/14 @ The Rio (301 San Jacinto Blvd.), 9:30pm
Dirty Wormz
Mention rap metal or rap rock to any music fan, and you are likely to get a response involving some combination of the words “Limp Bizkit” or “Linkin Park” and “sucks.” Austin’s own Dirty Wormz have managed to evade the poser stereotype and stay real with a hard-hitting edge gaining them fans in the indie scene. They’ve had success locally with their single Top of the Food Chain blasting across Austin airwaves on 101X (that’s 101.5 FM for you non-locals). Frequently playing to a packed house at legendary Antone’s in Austin, it’s a safe bet that we’ll be hearing more from Dirty Wormz in the future.
Visit Dirty Wormz: Website / MySpace / Free SXSW Download
Dirty Wormz’s official SXSW Showcase:
Friday, 3/14 @ Volume (614 E. 6th St.), 11:15pm
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POSTED IN: Austin locals, SXSW
2 opinions for SXSW Spotlight : Austin (part three)
Lee Nichols
Mar 10, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Nice work, but I only have one problem with it: I don’t watch Austin bands at SXSW. In fact, I consciously avoid them, because I don’t want to spend time seeing bands that I can see here any time. I use Southby to maximize my time catching out of towners. Usually the only locals I see are because they are sandwiched in between nonlocals that I want to catch. However, if I have any out of towners ask for a guide to our locals, I’ll try to remember your web address.
awolken
Mar 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Thanks, Lee. That’s who I’m hoping to reach with this info. Well, that and illustrate the point that there is, in fact, superb live music in Austin 365 days a year. I’ll be following up with my recommendations for out of town bands as well. Got a lot of writing ahead of me… ;)
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