Picks Six: SXSW Acts Nobody Else Is Talking About

Yes, please see the oft recommended Gold Connections. But also see these lesser known bands listed below.

On most websites that preview SXSW, you’ll find the same list of the same bands worth checking out this year. You’ll be told to see San Fermin, Vagabon and Cherry Glazerr, for example. I won’t tell you not to see those acts. Those are good acts! My approach to SXSW is different from most. I specifically seek out bands I’ve never heard of, usually from countries I’ve never been to. I find joy in the unknown, and invite you to come along for the ride. Continue reading “Picks Six: SXSW Acts Nobody Else Is Talking About”

SXSW 2015: Cool? Yeah, Cool

Charles Bradley Shows us How it's Done
Charles Bradley Shows us How it’s Done

Chris Farley is my spirit animal. Not in a tears of a clown kind-of-way, or a Patrick Swayze dance-off kind-of-way. But in the way where I would be the perfect sidekick to Chris in “The Chris Farley Show”. I’d agree with him and all his qualifiers – yes, when Sir Paul McCartney was in the Beatles, that was definitely “cool.” I could have taken the show on the road with Chris, maybe even done some local interviews:

“Remember that time that you played Treasure Island. And it was, like, really cold?”

“Remember that time you brought that guy on stage to rap ‘Protect Yo Neck? Yeah. That was cool”. Continue reading “SXSW 2015: Cool? Yeah, Cool”

Photo Set: Happy Fangs at Great American Music Hall

Rebecca DressIf this post is a little bit delayed, it’s because I’ve been preparing to speak about my (almost) six years of experience as a live music photographer at SXSW this coming week. If you’re headed out to Austin, make sure to stop by WeWork and check it out. Bonus: it features some incredible up-and-coming bands from the Bay Area including Survival Guide, Abbot Kinney, Kendra McKinley, and The Damn Fanatics. Hope to see you there. Continue reading “Photo Set: Happy Fangs at Great American Music Hall”

Countdown to SXSW: Big Data and/or Joywave

Big Data and Joywave on Late Night with Seth Meyers
Big Data and Joywave on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC, in a video that has sadly been wiped from the internet.

Here’s a tough one. I have no idea if I’m a fan of Big Data or Joywave. Maybe I’m a fan of both. What I do know is that their single, “Dangerous,” has been on heavy rotation for me since the first time I heard it blasting out of my car’s speakers on Live 105. The main riff is just so driving and infectious, the wandering drums that punctuate the beats are addictive, and the vocal melody fits perfectly. So who do I actually like? Big Data or Joywave? Let’s figure that out together. Continue reading “Countdown to SXSW: Big Data and/or Joywave”

Countdown to SXSW Music 2015: Will Butler

Will butler
Will Butler doing his day job

 

Today, Will Butler released his debut solo album, Policy. Longtime Arcade Fire fans have vastly differing opinions on the less famous Butler brother. Some think of him as a coattail rider, acting like a spaz on stage with a band with which he has no business being on stage. Others, such as myself, look at him as an important multi-instrumentalist and bringer of manic energy. His behavior in the early days was crazy, even a little scary, and I’ve always enjoyed him. What he’s done with his solo career is a surprise by any estimation. Continue reading “Countdown to SXSW Music 2015: Will Butler”

Countdown to SXSW Music 2015: Spoon and Charles Bradley at Auditorium Shores

Way above Auditorium Shores
Way above Auditorium Shores

In our first countdown to SXSW post, we celebrate the amazing pairing of Spoon and Charles Bradley, who will be playing back-to-back at Auditorium Shores on March 19th. The shows here are free to everyone, although anyone without a SXSW credential needs to pick up a guest pass in advance. Now, on to the music! Continue reading “Countdown to SXSW Music 2015: Spoon and Charles Bradley at Auditorium Shores”

SXSW 2014: A Recap in Photos

Washed Out
Washed Out at Hype Hotel was the perfect way to end a long week. Also, kudos to the Hype Machine for only permitting badge/wristband holders to attend night shows, thus effectively keeping overcrowding at bay.

I haven’t been to SXSW in four years. I can’t say I was too sad about that fact, though. Ever since 2007, the festival has changed dramatically, and not necessarily for the better. To paraphrase, I don’t agree with Lady Gaga’s comment, during her keynote, that corporations are what make this festival remarkable or even possible. SX thrived long before big business descended upon Austin in droves, and will be just fine if some decided to pull out in the future.

That being said, I did enjoy seeing Big Freedia and my new Houston hero, RiFF RaFF, perform in the Doritos-sponsored tent. Yes, it was as crass an atmosphere as you could imagine from a brand targeting youth with their mass-produced, processed food; but the free chips and ample lounge seating were a relief after a long day of walking. Damon Albarn’s set was a bit disappointing at Stubb’s, largely due to the incompetence of the crew setting up between gigs, but he brought the real thunder, in the form of original Gorillaz’ members, Del tha Funky Homosapien, De La Soul, and even Snoop, at the Levi’s-sponsored Fader Fort.

Overall, I had a wonderful time. This is partly due to the fact that I was in good company alongside Michelle Viray and Dakin Hardwick, who wrote quite the remarkable review of all the bands we took in during our four-and-a-half-day sojourn. Though it’s not quite possible to see every act on one’s list, having a wristband does help in certain circumstances (like getting into the Hype Machine’s Hype Hotel for evening shows). I still wish we had discovered this guy, though. Without further ado, here is a collection of some of my favorite photos taken last week.

Continue reading “SXSW 2014: A Recap in Photos”

Win a VIP pass to SF MusicTech Summit XV

SF Music Tech Summit
The next SF MusicTech Summit is coming your way on May 20th. The price of admission is worth every penny but we’ve got a free ticket to give away to one lucky reader.

SF MusicTech Summit is not only the Bay Area’s largest, longest-standing, and most respected music tech conference, it’s in the same league with nationwide and worldwide gatherings such as MIDEM and SXSW Music. Year after year, it brings together the best and brightest from all areas of the music industry. Want in? We’ve got one pass to give away to a lucky reader – read on to find out how it can be yours. Continue reading “Win a VIP pass to SF MusicTech Summit XV”

Spinning Platters Interview: Steve Sparrow of Morning Parade

Morning Parade won't be an opening band for long.
Morning Parade won’t be an opening band for long.

Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing Morning Parade open up for Biffy Clyro at Great American Music Hall. I had heard their debut album and the British hit, “Headlights,” so I thought I knew what to expect. But I was super impressed with the new, unfamiliar material they played from their EP, Alienation, so I knew I had to get in touch with Steve Sparrow, lead vocalist, and ask him about touring America, the current popularity of British rock, and what’s to be expected from their upcoming album.  He mentions my favorite band three times, so I was overjoyed with his responses, and am happy to share them with you.

Spinning Platters: You’ve just played in San Francisco. Any impressions of our city you’d like to share? Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Steve Sparrow of Morning Parade”

Save Big on SF MusicTech Summit #13

Robert Kaye of MusicBrainz at SF MusicTech Summit 12
People, including Robert Kaye of MusicBrainz, take their SF MusicTech seriously.

The next installment of SF MusicTech Summit is a week away. If you tend to follow the biggest music + tech-related events in the Bay Area, you might be asking yourself something along the lines of “wait, didn’t they just throw one of these events a few months ago?” Yes, it’s not your imagination; the last conference took place in February.

Why did the organizers decide to follow up so soon on their bi-annual event? Besides the basic logistics involved in organizing a massively popular conference, there’s a deeper progression at play. Read on to find out why everyone involved in some aspect of music should especially attend, this time around, and how Spinning Platters can save you 20% on registration.

Continue reading “Save Big on SF MusicTech Summit #13”