Collage by Emily Ransom
Our Official Guide to SXSW
A short list of what not to miss this year
By Daniela Garcia & Jennifer Kelly
Published: March 16th, 2009 | 3:30pm
Nearly 2,000 bands will descend on Austin, Texas this week — filling almost a hundred clubs with every variety of rock, pop, country, hip-hop, world, experimental, and singer-songwriter music imaginable.
What to expect? Big time acts like the Cold War Kids, PJ Harvey, Andrew Bird, and Lady Sovereign will fill large-scale stages. Newer bands will shoehorn amps and mics into every bar, coffee shop, record store, outdoor park, and gallery in town. Forgotten cult obsessions — the Sonics, Devo, Echo & the Bunnymen, and the New York Dolls — will re-emerge. Critic darlings like Glasvegas, Vivian Girls, Wavves, and Ximena Sarinana will make a break for the big time.
Subcultures will flourish with garage bands at Beerland, metal at Elysium, alt-country and roots rock at the Continental Club, and world music at Momo’s. The whole of 6th Street will be thronged with dyed-black, thrift-shop-clad, eye-rolling hipsters. If you’re from a non-English-speaking country, you can probably get by on just three phrases:
“Seen anything good?”
“You should check out the first record, the earlier stuff is much better.”
“Where’s the free beer?”
Even in a recession year, SXSW presents a stupefying array of choices — along with an endless series of trade-offs and compromises. For example, if you decide to check out Tara Jane O’Neil on Wednesday at the Beauty Bar, you’re most likely missing Erika Wennstrom’s Heartless Bastards at Stubbs, not to mention Holly Golightly at the Parish. And on Thursday, arguably the festival’s busiest night, no matter what you do, you’ll be missing half-a-dozen damn fine artists in every time slot.
But not to worry, what you miss at night you can make up, to some extent, at SXSW’s day parties. These afternoon-long bacchanals boast cutting-edge bands and, sometimes, free food and liquor. There is nothing finer than standing outside in the hot Austin sun, cocktail in hand, as yet another band sets up for a free show — especially if you live in one of those places with actual, global-warming-be-damned wintertime that won’t end for another couple of months.
Part of the fun of SXSW is simply wandering around. In fact, you can guarantee that at least one of your favorite bands will be one you didn’t plan to see. But nonetheless, we offer a brief, day-by-day guide to our top picks at SXSW. See ya there!
WednesdayWatch the guitars roll off the luggage ramp at Austin’s airport. Take the bus downtown, strip off that down coat and smell the tacos. Hear the music cranking out of parks and clubs and hotel lobbies. That’s right, you’re here, and as soon as you’ve spent an hour or so in line for your badge, you can get started.
Terrorbird/Forcefield Party; Red 7; 611 E. 7th Street; Noon – 6 p.m.; All Ages
The year’s trendiest garage pop bands gather at this free showcase, in an airy, partly outdoor venue with lots of space and decent acoustics. Check out the distorted girl-group sweetness of Vivian Girls, one of VZ’s “25 under 25," as well as the buzzsaw pop of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Beach House, out of Baltimore, spin out guitar slides and dreamy vocals, while Sweden’s Loney Dear, cranks ebullient melodies. Got an itch for glitch? Max Tundra, author of last year’s meticulously plotted, gloriously melodic Parallax Error Beheads You, will perform a laptop-enabled set.
Last Gang/Paper Bag Showcase; Habana Calle 6 Patio; 709 East 6th Street; 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.; 21+
Last Gang (the label that brought the world Metric and Death from Above 1979) teams up with Paper Bag Records (Broken Social Scene, Stars, Tokyo Police Club) and Venus Zine (hey, that’s us!) for a night of north-of-the-border indie rock. Sassy, punky, all-female Magneta Lane, out of Toronto has drawn comparisons to the Runaways and the Pretenders. Woodhands, a duo, plays spastic, 80s-redolant electro-pop. And don’t go home early because Mother Mother, from Vancouver, will close. Their second album, Oh My Heart, made waves last year with its tuneful, clever pop.
The Austin Music Awards; Austin Music Hall; 208 Nueces St.; 7:55 p.m.; All Ages
SXSW only happens once a year, but Austin always has music. This traditional festival opener honors the town’s homegrown talent. An intriguing bill includes a trio of blues-rocking ladies – Suzanna Choffel, Ruthie Foster, and Carolyn Wonderland – as well as a tribute to legendary guitarist Doug Sahm. Alejandro Escovedo, headed for legendary status himself, will play alongside Shawn Sahm and Augie Meyers. Notoriously clothing-averse David Yow of the Jesus Lizard, is on tap for a set with the Dicks (insert your own “dick” joke here), while psych pioneer Roky Erickson will close out the night.
The Parish; 2148 East 6th Street; 8 p.m. - 2 p.m.; 21+
Jessica Lea Mayfield, on at 9 p.m., has been playing music since she was eight, but things really started to take off for her when Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys (playing at 10:45 p.m.) discovered her dark, blues-inflected debut. Mayfield later sang on the Black Keys’ “Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be,” and Auerbach produced her highly regarded With Blasphemy So Heartfelt. In between Mayfield and Auerbach, the wonderful Holly Golightly will perform a set with the Broke-Offs.
NPR Music Showcase; Stubb’s; 801 Red River Street; 8 p.m.; All Ages
The Heartless Bastard’s Erika Wennerstrom has one of rocknroll’s most distinctive voices, a giant, blues-y alto that hardly seems like it would fit in her small frame. She’s on a bill with baroque pop pranksters the Decemberists and raw-boned country’s Avett Brothers. Though technically not part of the NPR shindig, Grammy-nominated Janelle Monae, one of R&B’s most adventurous and fascinating female up-and-comers, goes on at 8 p.m.
Thursday
Thursday presents SXSW’s most difficult choices. Two big indie labels battle it out all night, with Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar holding court at the two-stage Mohawk and SubPop at Sixth Street’s dual-venue Radio Room. And that’s just the beginning. On the cutting edge side of things, the noise kingpins at Siltbreeze have set up shop at the Soho Lounge, while the red-hot vegan punk from Post Present Medium are tearing up Red 7. Well, what did you expect? No one ever said this was going to be easy.
Gorilla Vs. Bear presents Gorilla vs. Booze III; The Peacock; 515 Pedernales Street; 1-6:30 p.m.; 21+
It’s another chance to see the omnipresent (but very cool) Vivian Girls, who are, quite possibly gunning to break the Mae Shi’s 2008 record of 18 sets in one SXSW. Beyond that, you can catch Austin’s trashy-thrashy band-on-the-make Harlem, Luke Temple’s dreamy, gauzy Here We Go Magic, and disco new wave Peter, Bjorn & John remixers The Golden Filter. Not familiar with these groups? Remember, Gorilla Vs. Bear knows their tunes. You can almost guarantee that one of these bands will be huge by end of 2009. Plus, there’s FREE BEER! What’s not to love?
Team Clermont/Utne Reader Party; Flamingo Cantina, 515 East 6th Street; noon - 6 p.m.; All Ages
Smart people read Utne. Smart people listen to Mirah, the Portland singer-songwriter whose new album (a)Spera already ranks as one of 2009’s best. Why not put them together? And why not add the sunny, jazz-tinged improvisations of Danish Slaraffenland, one of two artists (the other’s AC Newman) to cover A-Ha’s “Take on Me” this year? And Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, a one-person outfit prone to sharp, sensitive and achingly perceptive songs? No set times are available yet, so just pop in and see what’s up.
Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar/Dead Oceans showcase; The Mohawk/Mohawk Patio; 912 Red River Street; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.; All Ages
One of two double-stage, big indie blowouts set for tonight, this showcase staggers its acts so that you can move from one stage to the next without having to re-enter the club. That’s good news, especially if you have a wristband, because lines can be long, especially late in the evening. Moreover, you can see everyone from Eric’s Trip doyenne Julie Doiron (in full-on rock band mode) to Chad Van Gaalen’s Women, to frenetic, Nick-and-Nora-approved Bishop Allen to free-folk, hippie celebrators Akron/Family at one place. An unidentified special guest holds down the 1 a.m. slot — but we’re told it’s not Antony.
All Music Is World Music showcase; Momo’s 618 W. 6th Street; 18+
Bands from all over the world converge on Austin this week, so why limit yourself to home-grown indie bands? Momo’s, west of Congress (and on the way to Waterloo records), offers a globe-hopping sampler of musical styles, from Kingman and Jonah’s authentic Kingstown reggae, to Asa’s Nigeria-via-Paris soulful take on afro-pop to the sinuous cumbia grooves of Colombia’s Monareta. Ximena Sarinana, the young Mexican singer and actress recently nominated for two Latin Grammys, is sure to be a highlight at 11 p.m.
SubPop Showcase; Radio Room and Radio Room Patio, 508 East Sixth; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.; All Ages
Sub Pop made its mark with 1990s grunge, but the label fields a diverse roster of artists for its two-room, all-night showcase. Last year’s break-out band, No Age, kicks things off with its short-fused punk. Later Tim Rutilli, lately of Califone, will be on hand to revisit his late 1990s blues project Red Red Meat, while Andy Cabic’s Vetiver will explore the softer side of California folk and pop. Manic country-tinged pop-sters Blitzen Trapper holds down the midnight patio slot, but don’t miss Montreal’s incendiary Mark Sultan at 12:30 inside, or Rick Froberg’s new post-Hot Snakes band, the garage-rampaging Obits.
Mint Records Afternoon Hootenany; Headhunters Back Patio; 720 Red River; 2-6 p.m.; All Ages
Spend a lazy Thursday on the back porch, digging the eclectic roster of Vancouver indie label, Mint Records. There’s bluegrassy, countrified Handsome Family, genre-shifting Hot Panda, and, late in the day, the Phenomenal Handclap Band, a loosely knit, NY DJ-led outfit whose part-time members hail from TV on the Radio, Calla, the Dap Kings and other rock/soul/funk bands.
Playboy's "Rock the Rabbit" Bash; Shhhhhh.
Just who's playing at this year's hardest-to-get-into shindig? We can't say — because Playboy's not telling. Last year, Moby, Justice, and MGMT presided over the bunny festivities. If you're dying to know who scores the secret sets, but don't want to wait for the next-day blog recaps, just check out Venus Zine's Twitter feed. We're sending our Penus Editor to tweet the rabbit. Yep, we think that's funny.
Friday
By Friday, you may be approaching musical overload, so start late, read the paper, take a walk and enjoy the Austin spring. Town Lake, the city’s main park, is only a couple of blocks from the music venues — and a wonderful place to catch some rays or go for a run. Feeling better? Good, cos there’s lots more to see and hear.
Pitchfork/Windish party; Emo’s, 603 Red River; Noon to 6:30 p.m.; All ages
You’ll be reading about this party, guaranteed, not just because it’s sponsored by the music world’s leading online publication, but because pretty much every music writer and blogger in Austin will stop by, at least for a while. Check out the twin-sister powered shoegaze of School of Seven Bells at 3 p.m. and the fiery garage soul antics of King Khan and the Shrines at 4:30. Diplo will make an appearance with Kanye West DJ A-Trak and Major Lazer at 5 p.m., and Grizzly Bear offshoot Department of Eagles closes the party with a 5:30 p.m. set.
Bloodshot Records party; The Yard Dog Gallery; South Congress; 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; All ages
Meanwhile, across the lake at the laid-back Yard Dog Gallery, Bloodshot Records holds its annual alt.country showdown. Early on, ex-Flat Duo Jets guitarist Dex Romweber rocks the rockabilly sound with drumming sister Sarah (1:45 p.m), and the legendary Exene Cervenka makes a solo appearance (2:45 p.m.) Tex Mex, honky-tonking, roots singer Rosie Flores closes down the show with the always drunken, always amazing Waco Brothers. There’s free beer at this one, too.
Biz 3 showcase; Club Deville, 900 Red River; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Lady Sovereign holds down the midnight slot at this female-centric hip hop showcase, but don’t miss Thunderheist, a hyper-active, dance-crazy electro duo out of Canada, or Cage, the German-born, NY-based alternative rapper whose rhymes exorcise a horrific childhood. And stay till the end when Chicago’s Kid Sister, a BET-nominee for last year’s Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (and just off Dream Date sessions with Kanye West, Diplo, and A-Trak) closes the show.
The Ponderosa Stomp; The Continental Club, 1315 South Congress; 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
This is the spot, if you like that old-time rock and roll. The Ponderosa Stomp, originally from the Big Easy, showcases pre-Beatles styles from jump blues to rockabilly to Stax soul. The Bo-Keys, from Memphis, reunite much of the Stax house band, while R&B pioneer Barbara Lynn, who wrote songs for Freddie Fender and the Rolling Stones, rocks her blues-tinged, raucous guitar sound. Allen Toussaint’s favorite blues zydeco guitarist Paul “Lil Buck” Sinegal brings the bayou to South Congress, late, and the show closes with the legendary Silver Apples.
WFMU Showcase; Spiro’s, 615 Red River; 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.; 21 +
The world’s best radio station holds its second annual SXSW showcase, highlighting the weirdest, most wonderful underground music worldwide. This two-stage show balances bands so new you probably haven’t heard of them (Mayyors, Wildildlife), with experimental lifers (Major Stars) and forgotten cult obsessions (Slough Feg). Check out Kate Village of Major Stars, though, tap dancing over a floor board of pedals as the makes her guitar scream louder than any of the boys.
Standard Recording/Craftster Party; The Art Project, 301 Chicon Street; 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; All Ages
Plenty of day parties offer free beer, but how many show you how to silk screen your own tote bag or make your own art coasters out of eight-bit video games? Venus Zine crafts columnist, Jenny Hart, will be on hand to help you get your creative freak on, serenaded by indie rock faves like Grampall Jookabox, Haley Bonar and Daniel Martin Moore.
SaturdayThe weekend is upon SXSW, which means the festival is slowly starting to wind down. Yet there are still amazing amounts of shows, big and small, worth seeing.
Rose’s Mojito & Rachael Ray’s Feedback: The B-Side; Maggie Mae’s; 323 E. 6th St.; Noon - 6 p.m.; Ages 21+
Cooking show queen Rachael Ray must have good taste in music, because her sponsored show has an excellent rock band line-up. Who would have thought Rachel could put aside dreams of EVOO long enough to give Semi Precious Weapons, Ra Ra Riot, or the Airborne Toxic Event a listen? When we heard Ms. Ray would be heading south to Austin, we have to admit that we cringed a little — so the set by the Cringe is oddly appropriate. But how can we argue with the Hold Steady, the New York Dolls, and the Thermals? Between the bands on stage, the promise of free-flowing mojitos, and Rachel's menu of delicious, Austin-inspired meals, this is a party that should not be missed.
Waterloo Records In-Stores Showcase; Waterloo Records; 600 N. Lamar Blvd. #A; 1 - 7 p.m.
Waterloo is a favorite record store among the locals, so be sure to catch their in-store afternoon showcase, which has a great line-up with a little something for everyone (ranging from indie pop rockers The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and the Bird and the Bee to hip-hop duo The Knux). And on your way out, you can even buy an album or two.
SXSW 2009 Auditorium Shores Stage Concert Series: Evening Set; Auditorium Shores; 920 W. Riverside Dr.; 6 - 8 p.m.
For those who need to relax or want a breath of fresh air but don’t want to miss out on a show, this is the showcase for you. Relax by Lady Bird Lake with the wonderfully eccentric Erkyah Badu, instrumental wonders Explosions in the Sky, and indie pop duo Beach House before tackling late night shows in downtown Austin.
Official SXSW Showcase; Central Presbyterian Church; 200 E. 8th St.; 8 p.m.-1 a.m.; All Ages
This line-up is meant for indie lovers, with the up-and-coming Keegan DeWitt performing alongside more established acts — like shoegaze pop duo Earlimart and rocker chick Marnie Stern.
Official SXSW Showcase; Stubb's; 801 Red River St.; 6 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.; All Ages
The fact that Third Eye Blind made the bill for this show is enough to make most music lovers at SXSW turn in the other direction, but don’t be so quick to judge. Throw in some great British rock acts, the great PJ Harvey, and the opportunity to see what the Indigo Girls have been up to lately, and you’ve got a really solid showcase worth checking out.
Sunday
And so, SXSW comes to close. But even as the majority of festival-goers are nursing their hangovers, packing up their bags, and heading for home, the mighty among us can squeeze in a few choice shows before the great Texas exodus.
The New Movement Comedy for Breakfast; Spiderhouse Patio Bar and Café; 2908 Fruth St.; Noon-3 p.m.
Stop by this popular Austin coffeehouse and catch a combination of music, stand-up comedy and even comedians playing music. We Landed on the Moon are the equivalent of a Southern version of the Sounds and local comedy duo Honest to God jam out while telling jokes.
Art Rock City; Austin Art Garage; 2200 S. Lamar Blvd. #J; 1 - 7 p.m.; $5 suggested donation
Get your last dose of experimental indie rock at this renowned local gallery — Out From Animals, Pop Unknown, The Boxing Lesson, and Gliss play sets sprinkled with live art performances by some of Austin’s best artists. The gallery specializes in emerging talent, and what would make a better souvenir than an original piece of art?
Panache Hangover Party; Beerland; 711 Red River St.; 1:30 - 7:30 p.m.
For those who like their Sunday afternoons noisy, this celebration of drinking just a little too much has what is a essentially a smorgashboard of sound. That much needed hair-of-the-dog comes courtesy of fringe bands like YellowFever, Aids Wolf, and Champagne Champagne.
Stayindie.com SX Recovery Party; Aces Lounge; 222 E. 6th St.; 7 - 11 p.m.
The recurring theme of recuperation continues on at this party, where a short but sweet group of burgeoning indie rock bands will be playing. Mainly locals will take the stage, like ambient rockers The Soldier Thread and progressive rock trio The Boxing Lesson.
Official SXSW Showcase; Emo's Jr.; 603 Red River St.; 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.; All Ages
One of the last official showcases, this one provides another eclectic line-up with promise, including budding singer-songwriter Krista L.L. Muir and some local flavor provided by Austin-based The Always Already and Joe Jack Talcum.
---
Can't make it to all the events? Check out Venus Zine's SXSW 2009 highlights here:
SXSW 2009, Day 3, March 20: Margaret Cho brings the laughs; Melissa Auf der Maur brings the rock
Issue #35
Comments
Want to tell us what you think? Please click here to log in or just click here for quick comments
lovitt (over 2 years)
Saturday, March 21st at the Radio Room (508 East 6th Street) in Austin, Texas, on two stages. The current schedule is: Stage One (times are approximate) 11:45 - Edie Sedgwick 12:15 - The Medications 12:50 - Quieting Syrup 1:20 - Tight Phantomz 1:55 - Pygmy Lush 2:40 - Auxes 3:25 – Ben Davis & The Jett$ 4:10 - Des Ark 5:00 - Milemarker Stage Two (times are approximate) 11:30 - Head of Skulls! 12:00 - The Poison Arrows 12:35 - Young Widows 1:15 - The Life and Times 1:50 – Pinebender 2:45 - Silver Scooter 3:40 - The Van Pelt 4:35 - Frodus 5:15 - Cursive DJ sets by Team Fabrication and Neil O'Brien from The Van Pelt. There will be a suggested donation of $10 at the door. SXSW badges will not get you in. If you want to be on the paid reserve list, you can go ahead and pay pal $10 to: crcooper@usa.com. Those who do this will get a show poster and some other goodies. Get there early