  
|
|||
|
I saw a lot of great bands a SXSW this year, so I’ll keep working on sharing that with you. Here’s another one!
Band: Yellow Ostrich / Hometown:NYC Alex Schaaf is a resourceful man. When we first encountered his project, Yellow Ostrich, it was a solo lo-fi indie folk project based in Wayne, Maine (though also tied to Wisconsin). The inevitable move to New York happened (along with the addition of drummer Michael Tapper – formerly of We Are Scientists – and the more recent addition of bassist/horn player Jon Natchez – formerly of Beirut and Bishop Allen) and the band quickly got up to speed with some extensive touring. At the group’s Bandcamp page you’ll find a number of albums (we might call this one prolific) available for pay-what-you-want. The latest, The Mistress, is available at emusic or on vinyl via Afternoon Records. Though the live experience is obviously a far cry from the dense crackle and hiss of the recordings (and – well, feels more like a rock band) the strength of Schaaf’s vocal and guitar loops still carry the songs, only now they’re bolstered by additional live instrumentation. Perhaps my expectations were low, and I was prepared for a mellower performance, but the energy onstage gave these songs (which have a memorable quality that’s hard to deny) a whole new life. Check out the photo gallery, tour dates, and more below. Read on…
Band: o’death / Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Currently in the midst of a North American tour, with European dates kicking off April 27, o’death are on the road (dates here) in support of their fantastic new record, Outside. I caught two of their sets at SXSW (in an attempt to make up for missing both of their recent shows in Maine at The Ox + The Ax – a venue run by the band’s frontman, Greg Jamie) and the difference in crowds made for very different experiences. The first – at Red 7 on a bill with like-minded bands on the Panache booking roster – felt like most proper o’death gigs, with a rowdy mix of punks and friends losing their minds to the band’s onstage contortions. The second – and ultimately the last show I chose to watch at the festival – was in the smaller venue 512 and seemed to invite more of a walk-in crowd that may not have been familiar with the band. It was definitely the first time I saw anybody play air guitar at an o’death show! Below is the new video for the song “Bugs.” It was filmed here in Maine by the band themselves. Read on for photos from both shows by Bryan Bruchman. I’m still catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw at SXSW. Here’s another one!
Band: Low / Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota You couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting to enjoy the sublime slowcore songs of Duluth’s Low. Alan Sparhawk wrenches tones from his guitar as if his entire soul is being pulled from it, even if it’s just one note ringing out. Truly one of the most incredible concerts I’ve ever witnessed. Certainly not ideal for photography (plus having to stay on the floor in the front with minimal movement around so as not to disrupt the quiet performance with a full house of seated audience members) but absolutely enjoyable, it made for a great first experience with this incomparable band. Their new album, C’mon, was actually recorded in similar environs (a former Catholic church) and will see release on Sub Pop in just a couple weeks (April 12). I’m still catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw at SXSW. Here’s another one!
Band: Yuck / Hometown: London, England One of the most talked about bands at this year’s festival, Yuck are another extremely young band (both in terms of age and existence of the band) being put to the test with extensive touring. A simple name, a straightforward noisey rock sound reminiscent of Dinosaur, Jr., a recognizable aesthetic to their album/flyer art, and to-the-point lyrics are what make them stand out. Live, there was a shy awkwardness that may have been partially brought on by the overwhelming festival experience, but I get the sense that it’s really just how this band is. If you’ve been naysaying the reemergence of 90′s guitar-based indie rock sounds, let Yuck help convince you. You can get their debut, Yuck, from Bull Moose. Read on for some music videos and interviews with the band, plus the HillyTown photos from their SXSW showcase at Club Deville! Read on… I’m still catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw at SXSW. Here’s another one!
Led by young Brad Oberhofer (a college student at NYU, from Tacoma, WA), the energy and excitement of this bunch of 19/20 year olds is apparent in their music, both on record and live. Don’t be fooled by the presence of a glockenspiel, this band is much more frantic art-punk than twee cuteness. Onstage, every song explodes with a shuffling of feet and flailing of instruments, adding to the jubilation of the players (just imagine yourself in college, touring with a well-received band, and getting to play your music, you’d smile this much too). They haven’t been through Maine yet, but they certainly should come by. This would make great summer music (perhaps paired with a local like Theodore Treehouse). Check out the band’s song “Away Frm U” at P4k and read on for the photo gallery below! Read on… I’m back from SXSW and catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw there. Here’s another one!
Band: Wild Flag / Hometown: Portland, OR Above all the hot new buzz bands and old favorites that I was excited to see in Austin last week, Wild Flag was what I was most excited for. With members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and the Minders all in one band, it’s definitely a bit of a super group. The combination of Carrie Brownstein and Mary Timony (two of my favorite musicians, I should mention) on dual guitars and lead vocals (with no bass in sight) is powerful, and smoother than S-K but wilder than Helium. The band’s performance is captivating, and the songs are powerful and catchy. I look forward to their first release later this year (on Merge Records). Hopefully they’ll make it across the country to our Portland on that tour! Read on for photos from these two (of the band’s six total) shows! Read on… I’m back from SXSW and catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw there. Here’s another one!
Band: Oh Land / Hometown: Brooklyn, NY We first encountered Danish singer Oh Land (Nanna Øland Fabricius) back in September when she visited SPACE Gallery in an opening slot for Mates Of State (see photo below). Having no frame of reference at that time, we were impressed by the songs, performance, and high production value – which included LED walls, video projections mapped onto balloons, and more. Now, with the music world at large having caught on, Oh Land played a slew of high profile shows in Austin during SXSW. In one afternoon, I caught two shows in a row. The first at a large venue (the Fader Fort By Fiat) and then at a small outdoor patio space (on the same show as Milagres).
Tonight, Oh Land makes their national tv debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Read on to see the video for “Son Of A Gun” and our full photo gallery from the two SXSW shows! Read on… I’m back from SXSW and catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw there. Here’s another one!
Band: Milagres / Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Our friends in Milagres have been very busy lately. First off, they recently signed to Kill Rock Stars, who will put out their album this fall. Second, they’ve been touring their faces off and will continue to do so – check out their full upcoming schedule after the photo gallery below. The current tour wraps up just after their scheduled stop here in Portland, Maine, where they’ll play a HillyTown Presents show at One Longfellow Square with locals the Milkman’s Union and Indiana’s Husband & Wife. We couldn’t be more excited for this show! Get tickets now! I’ve personally known the guys in this band for a number of years, through various projects, names, and practices spaces, and it’s always great to catch up with them at music festivals. This show – presented by I Rock I Roll, The Bellhouse, and Flavorpill and held at Lipstick 24 – was only the first of a handful the band would play during SXSW, and despite the early start time (noon!) the band performed as strongly and tightly as ever. Check out the full photo gallery below. Read on… I’m back from SXSW and catching up on the photos of all the bands I saw there. Here’s another one! Band: Dead Man’s Clothes / Hometown: Portland, Maine! This week’s Portland Phoenix features SXSW coverage, including a cover story and photo of mine from this show. Local indie rockers Dead Man’s Clothes (who we checked in with just before they hit the road) rolled into Austin, TX without an official showcase, and ultimately ended up scheduling three shows (including one officially-sanctioned festival party) but only the first – at an unofficial day party outside a coffee shop – actually happened. This was that show (note: Cherrywood Coffeehouse had excellent food, coffee, and atmospher both inside and out – I wish we had places like this here in Portland!) . Despite the odd environment and early hour, the band performed strongly, a testament to the consistent development of their talents since we first encountered them. Read on for more photos from their show. |
 |
|
|
|
|||
Lastest Comments