3.26.2008
[SXSW - One Helluva Recap: Day Four]
SXSW One Helluva Recap: Day FourMarch is definitely one month I always look forward to, and I contribute that entirely to SXSWeek - Austin's favorite time to show some love to film, music and technology. Buried into that schedule are four days dedicated to music, and it is in those four days that I really live. I apologize ahead of time for somewhat quickened recaps, but there's just too much to really get into individual sets of all those days. So let's get to it - day four!
Well look at that, I was able to find a stable connection out here in the ruralities. To the person whose WiFi I'm...erm, borrowing - thanks, this post is for you.
Saturday morning met me on the grassy knolls of the French Legation Museum. Something I alwasy try to take advantage of during SXSW is the fact that so many international artists are in town. With that said, I had a particularly British morning, and it kicked off with Emmy the Great. I'm gonna attempt to use the word "adorable" sparingly, but no other word encompasses this cheeky Brit quite so well. Her lyrics, her voice - hell, even she's adorable. I tagged her as someone that wouldn't come stateside often, so I'm glad to have caught her set.
The next Brits in line were London-natives, Noah & The Whale. At the end of any South By day, there are two things that should be killing you - your ears and your feet. You're hard-pressed to find an event during South By that actually encourages you to sit, and I'm always really appreciative of the few places that invite you to pop a squat. As much as I like the idea of sitting, for the love of God, I could not sit still during Noah & The Whale's set. I wouldn't say they're a danceable band, but they got me moving. And once "5 Years Time" kicked in, I turned into the guy you slightly hate for singing along. I restrained myself to just whistling, but none of it could be helped. Their music is just so damn giddy, and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
The reason why I found Saturday so enjoyable was probably due to the fact that I, in a rare decision, allowed some time for a break. Earbuds rested, stomach full - I went ahead to the second year of Mess With Texas. Remember on my recap of day one when I said soundchecks are usually a good way to gauge what a band's like? That theory waned a bit with Curumin, but it was just completely thrown out the window with Gil Mantera's Party Dream. They looked howdy-doody for their soundcheck - perfectly normal. When they returned though, it was...well it was a biiit different. My first though was honestly a huge, "WTF?!" These were showmen though, and they know how to elicit a response. As for me, it went from "WTF" to "F*ck yeah." It was weird as hell, but I had I had a hell of a time.
Capping off my South By festivities were, quite possibly my favorite duo, Matt & Kim. I had high expectations for these guys, and they delivered everything and more. I've been wanting to see these guys ever since I watched some YouTubage of these guys playing in someone's modest kitchenette. These kids are capable of throwing a party anywhere, and their Mess With Texas set at Waterloo Park was no exception. Inviting people to stage, things really started to pick up as Matt & Kim were literally surrounded by audience. Everyone was a part of what went down that night, and it was just an absolute madhouse. Jumping around, singing along, stage dives - Matt & Kim wrapped this year up in just a ridiculous amount of fun.
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
Labels: SXSW '08
3.20.2008
The Fashion
"You're so out of control. Be more in control."Hah. Deep.
The Fashion is a band from Denmark with a frontman who has an uncanny resemblance to the guy in the "Whudafxup" anti-tobacco TV ads. They're pretty humongous in their home country and are beginning their journey to humongousness here in America (I know this because I saw them on TRL this afternoon). Damien said that The Fashion's "Solo Impala" has "a great hook" which really is true. Actually, all their songs have "great hooks." I give the credit to the drummer and bassist. Take "Dead Boys," for example. The song begins uneventfully enough, but once the beat comes in, you know the song's going to be the shit.
If I had to sum up The Fashion in only one word, that word would be "funk." If I was allowed another word, it would be "groove." Take it or leave it, but The Fashion has had me dancing ever since I heard 'em.
Video for "Solo Impala"
[SXSW - One Helluva Recap: Day Three]
SXSW One Helluva Recap: Day ThreeMarch is definitely one month I always look forward to, and I contribute that entirely to SXSWeek - Austin's favorite time to show some love to film, music and technology. Buried into that schedule are four days dedicated to music, and it is in those four days that I really live. I apologize ahead for somewhat quickened recaps, but there's just too much to really get into individual sets of all those days. So let's get to it - day three!
Comparatively to other days, Friday was a long short day...or maybe a short long day. First up on the slate was Anathallo at, once again, Emo's Annex. I arrived to the sounds of Fanfarlo, a set I regret on missing. If their performance can be based on his last song though, Fanfarlo put up a fun time.
Before starting their own set, Anathallo took into a semicircle huddle. Dispersing to their posts, instruments at the ready, Anathallo began with the heedy drums of "A Great Wind, More Ash." In retrospect, Anathallo gave my Friday worth. I absolutely loved watching these guys. Taking to their drums, trumpets, tambourines, horns, Anathallo really is much more of an orchestra than just a band. Watching this band is really a pleasure, and I use the example of Dokkoise House, a bit of a treat considering they were ahead of schedule. With a fair few of them taking various places on stage, we were treated to a bit of theatrics as the kids buddes out and spread like the blossoms of the song. I'll be sure to catch these guys again in the future, and with their new album out possibly this summer, that wait may not be very long.
Hot Freaks! always proves to be a great event. No surprise to this blog, it's curators are awesome people heading up blogs that serve as some of Both Sides' inspiration. I could have stayed there all day, but as it worked out, I could only muster up the time to catch White Denim. What a tragedy? Yeah, of course not. The only thing tragic about it was the heat. As I had explained to some out-of-towners, Central Texas weather is somewhat schizophrenic. Unfortunately, at that moment, it decided to go with hot. The boys, bearing a beer, a cigarette, or both and looking disheveled as usual, got to work. Up to their usual antics, the guys were just nonstop and segued song into song, stopping only to adjust an out of place string or two. I don't know how many events they played before or if it was the heat, but the guys seemed somewhat tired. On the other hand, I was rather exhausted myself considering all the activity in the past few days.
Exhaustion in mind, I walked down the street and treated myself to a sundae at Amy's. So what could be a better mix-in to my ice cream than a set from Kimya Dawson? Sweet, childish vocals singing sweet, childish lyrics. I wished I knew those lyrics too. Quite a few people took to the task of a seemingly impossible sing-along. As much as I wanted to sing along, I got tongue-tied just listening along. Ah yes, the day was a bit rough, but it capped off just perfectly. Ice cream and a sing-along? Yes, please.
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
Labels: SXSW '08
3.19.2008
[SXSW - One Where the Helluva Is It?!]
WOAH!
Oh and while I'm killing post space, I won't have internet access this weekend so my side will look a bit lonely. Alina, however, has something awfully Danish on the way - look to her side...
I took one mighty nap today - recaps 3 (and hopefully 4) tomorrow! Sorry about the delay guys...
Oh and while I'm killing post space, I won't have internet access this weekend so my side will look a bit lonely. Alina, however, has something awfully Danish on the way - look to her side...
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
3.18.2008
[SXSW - One Helluva Recap: Day Two]
SXSW One Helluva Recap: Day TwoMarch is definitely one month I always look forward to, and I contribute that entirely to SXSWeek - Austin's favorite time to show some love to film, music and technology. Buried into that schedule are four days dedicated to music, and it is in those four days that I really live. I apologize ahead for somewhat quickened recaps, but there's just too much to really get into individual sets of all those days. So let's get to it - day two!
SXSW One Helluva Recap - Day Two (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
Thursday started with the tried and true South By practice of line-waiting. An hour of standing with entertainment provided by the odd passerby and out-of-the-blue conversations with fellow line-waiters. Once I found myself upstairs at NPR's event, I was greeted by the likes of familiar faces and familiar sounds. Yeah, all right, so I ended up watching the Shout Out Louds again. Not my fault they happen to be playing everywhere I go, and I'm not complaining either. These guys were even more fun the second time.
The reason I wanted to find myself at the Parish that afternoon, however, was for an entirely different set of Swedes - Jens Lekman and his merry maidens. I don't know what led me to miss Jens when he was here in autumn, but I knew I couldn't miss him again. The slim, soft-spoken Swede played an overall laid-back set sprinkled with aberrant anecdotes about his old home of Kortedala. I absolutely loved it - the bongos, the strings, the Kortedala.
I continued my day at Antone's where Earlimart was set to play. Earlimart, at least vocally, sounds exactly how you would expect. Not a note was out of place and this contribution gave way for an overall tight set. Instrumentally, something went a muck during Happy Alone. The power on stage or something gave out, but no matter. Finding themselves unamplified and a bit quieter, they coaxed out an audience sing-along. Ah yes, a sing-along, and lucky for us the chorus isn't very hard to remember.
I had hopes on catching Division Day next, but the Xs on my hands, practically tattooed in at this point, said otherwise. I headed off to Emo's, arriving to the sounds of, again, the Shout Out Louds. I, however, was headed to the inside stage for Los Campesinos! They were just absolutely awesome, absolutely wild. Gareth, the source of their vocals, takes to his words flailing his arms about like a stubborn child. All the while, as he screamed into the mic, the rest of the band, numbering a membership that rivals the mariachi band their name gives image of, kept the place loud and dancing. If I have to leave them with one thing, all I can say is they deserve that exclamation point in their name and much, much more.
Traversing across the feel free to smoke courtyard to Emo's outside, I headed towards the stage for Tapes 'n Tapes. It had been a while since I last saw these guys. They disappeared for a while to work on a new album - guess what most of their setlist was. There are certainly things to look forward to once that drops. They didn't shy away from tracks of old though, delving into tracks like Insistor and Cowbell. You know a band's done good when people in the audience aren't shy to sing along.
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
Labels: SXSW '08
3.17.2008
[SXSW - One Helluva Recap : Day One]
SXSW One Helluva Recap: Day OneMarch is definitely one month I always look forward to, and I contribute that entirely to SXSWeek - Austin's favorite time to show some love to film, music and technology. Buried into that schedule are four days dedicated to music, and it is in those four days that I really live. I apologize ahead for somewhat quickened recaps but there's just too much to really get into individual sets of all those days. So let's get to it - day one!
SXSW One Helluva Recap - Day One (artist name leads to site & all songs are right click - save as):
Chris Bathgate
Modey Lemon
Curumin
Frightened Rabbit
Shearwater
Shout Out LoudsWednesday, I'm sure to most Austinites attending, usually carries a sense of disbelief. I'll let you in on a little secret. Sixth Street's not exactly the hippest place on most weekday afternoons, so seeing it blocked off to traffic and crawling with people is quick to remind a lot of us that it's no ordinary Wednesday.
This extraordinary Wednesday started under the makeshift venue white tent that was Emo's Annex. I've heard the name Chris Bathgate before and, understandably enough, fell under the impression that it was just one guy. Instead, I found myself watching a menagerie consisting of a dulcimer, brass, a cello, and a bit more. Nothing outrageous, but nothing unimpressive either. Bathgate was a toe-dip to ease me into the waters of what would undoubtedly be a crazy week.
Skipping on to Curumin - soundchecks are always pretty useful to gauge what a band is like. Heavily accented English akin to the "h'okay dis is urth" guy, I fell under the impression that Curumin was a French group. I obviously don't know what the hell I'm talking about 'cause those kids are from Sao Paolo. Relying on their music and not just a sound check though would have strongly revealed that. Curumin was refreshing and definitely carried their nationality in their music. Inserting a Brazilian groove into their rockish hip-hop was a most welcome fusion. He even taught us a bit of Portugese - fun AND learning.
Ask anyone in that tent that morning though, and I'm sure a majority would have told you that they were eagerly anticipating the likes of Frightened Rabbit. It was the reason I was there, and I'd say the anticipation was deserved. Intense, loud - their tracks just put on a different face when performed live.
If anything tops my Wednesday though, it is undoubtedly the set brought about by the Shout Out Louds at the Austinist's Gonna Gonna Get Down event. It can always be said that bands are better live, and that phrase these days may be a bit stretched out to be believable anymore. When I tell you that these guys are better live, I really mean it. Absolutely incomparable. The kids had just gotten fresh off their plane from the east coast, but the only evidence of that was the mention of three unused, broken instruments - one of which was, sadly, an accordion. Shout Out Louds brought out the dance among us that day, and with that South By officially began.
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
Labels: SXSW '08
3.16.2008
Priscilla Ahn
Pretty roses for pretty Priscilla.
Ugh. A perfect versus post shattered because I came upon Priscilla Ahn after Meiko. Meiko vs. Priscilla Ahn. Both part-Asian, guitar-playing, pretty, poppy singers. Ah, that would've been so good. Check out my Meiko post here if you'd like a quick juxtaposition or lack thereof.
Well if Priscilla Ahn is good enough for anything, she's good enough for her own post, so here we go. A half-Korean (like me, except minus a half), Priscilla easily has one of the prettiest voices I've ever heard (prettier than Meiko's even). Honestly, her lyrics leave something to be desired if they're simply read, but her God-sent voice pulls depth and meaning from thin air into any verse uttered from her lips. Actually, instrumentally, other somethings can also be desired, but again, the focus is on the voice. That voice like syrup or a strawberry smoothie or any other sweet mellifluous substance.
Priscilla has toured with the Cary Brothers and Meiko (called it :)) and names Juana Molina and Andrew Bird as influences. She can be accurately compared to all four and is therefore a force worth mentioning and should therefore be listened to with much haste:
Well if Priscilla Ahn is good enough for anything, she's good enough for her own post, so here we go. A half-Korean (like me, except minus a half), Priscilla easily has one of the prettiest voices I've ever heard (prettier than Meiko's even). Honestly, her lyrics leave something to be desired if they're simply read, but her God-sent voice pulls depth and meaning from thin air into any verse uttered from her lips. Actually, instrumentally, other somethings can also be desired, but again, the focus is on the voice. That voice like syrup or a strawberry smoothie or any other sweet mellifluous substance.
Priscilla has toured with the Cary Brothers and Meiko (called it :)) and names Juana Molina and Andrew Bird as influences. She can be accurately compared to all four and is therefore a force worth mentioning and should therefore be listened to with much haste:
3.11.2008
[PTGEAIYGTSBWLAEIYWG Mix - Part 2]
The People to Get Excited About if You're Going to SXSW But Would Like Anyway Even if You Weren't Going MixYou're probably wondering what the hell all those letters mean. Considering the almighty list for SXSW was released a few weeks ago, there's been quite a bit of material that I could have covered. Operative phrase there being "could have." Undoubtedly, it's a gargantuan amount and the time I've had lately has been minuscule. All right! I've been lazy. Regardless, when situations like this arise, a blogger's best friend, mix, comes into play. So, I present the "People to Get Excited About if You're Going to SXSW But Would Like Anyway Even if You Weren't Going" Mix - the product of me quickly skimming through that list of artists and jotting down names that had me getting all giddy. SXSW Music starts this Wednesday kiddos! How the hell did that happen? Those of you attending, I tip my hat and remind you to prepare for a crazy, crazy time...
SXSW Mix Pt. 2 (artist name leads to site & all songs are right click - save as):
Oh No! Oh My! - I Have No Sister
Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not A Movie or Maybe
Project Jenny, Project Jan - 320
Ra Ra Riot - Each Year
Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves - Drive It Like You Stole It
Scissors for Lefty - Next To Argyle
The Constantines - On To You
The Emeralds - Shimokita Dream
The Hourly Radio - First Love Is Forever
The Octopus Project - The Way Things Go
The Spinto Band - Brown Boxes
The Submarines - Peace and Hate
Weakerthans - Aside
White Denim - ShakeShakeShake
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Otherwheres - I forgot to list who? How could I forget?! Who are you excited to see?
Otherwheres - Fest starts tomorrow kiddos...
Labels: SXSW '08
3.10.2008
[PTGEAIYGTSBWLAEIYWG Mix - Part 1]
The People to Get Excited About if You're Going to SXSW But Would Like Anyway Even if You Weren't Going MixYou're probably wondering what the hell all those letters mean. Considering the almighty list for SXSW was released a few weeks ago, there's been quite a bit of material that I could have covered. Operative phrase there being "could have." Undoubtedly, it's a gargantuan amount and the time I've had lately has been minuscule. All right! I've been lazy. Regardless, when situations like this arise, a blogger's best friend, mix, comes into play. So, I present the "People to Get Excited About if You're Going to SXSW But Would Like Anyway Even if You Weren't Going" Mix - the product of me quickly skimming through that list of artists and jotting down names that had me getting all giddy. SXSW Music starts this Wednesday kiddos! How the hell did that happen? Those of you attending, I tip my hat and remind you to prepare for a crazy, crazy time...
SXSW Mix Pt. 1 (artist name leads to site & all songs are right click - save as):
Aloha - Brace Your Face
Colour Revolt - Mattresses Underwater
Division Day - Tap Tap, Click Click
Eagle*Seagull - Photograph
Eastern Conference Champions - To The Wind
El Remolon - Cumbia Bichera
Emmy The Great - My Party Is Better Than Yours
Headlights - Lullabies
Kevin Devine - Just Stay
Los Campesinos! - Don't Tell Me To Do The Math
Man Man - Spider Cider
Maps & Atlases - The Ongoing Horrible
Matt & Kim - Lightspeed
N.E.R.D. - She Wants To Move
Noah & The Whale - 5 Years Time
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Otherwheres - I forgot to list who? How could I forget?! Who are you excited to see?
Otherwheres - Lawrence over at Covert Curiosity knows exactly how I'm feeling right now...
Otherwheres - Party Ends! has a fair deal going on as well...
Labels: SXSW '08
3.05.2008
[Earlimart]
"Just how much distance means we're on our own? And can we be happy, happy alone?"For any FX aficionados, this may sound familiar. Earlimart's been gracing the teasers for "The Riches" on FX for the past few weeks, and until I connected the two, I was in that position where you're kinda pissed for not knowing what you know, my brain sarcastically proclaiming, "Gee, I really can't recall." Things cleared when they shuffled into play the other day, and that epiphanic minute, that moment of "Aha!" was enough to garner this post. And oh what coincidence, what divine providence that they be set to participate in SXSW too. Now that I've babbled, I'm gonna go ahead and admit that I just really have no idea what to say about Earlimart. There are the familiarities of their rock niche, but for all the comparisons that can be made, this Californian duo has a unique holding in what they do. With that ambiguity, I'll just go ahead and offer Earlimart...
From Earlimart's Mentor Tormentor (all songs are right click - save as):
Happy Alone
Nevermind the Phonecalls
Learn more about Earlimart at their site.
Be their friend!
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Otherwheres - Officially one week until SXSW music - Earlimart will be partaking in a day party on the 16th at either Antone's or Lucky Lounge...
Otherwheres - I will be gone for the weekend and probably will not post until my SXSW wrap-up, so have a good weekend guys and gals...
Otherwheres - Blogger buddies Cubik Musik, Covert Curiosity and a few other guys are throwing a party next week...
Labels: SXSW '08
3.03.2008
[Frightened Rabbit]
"I'll be less rude to you, and we might just get along too."Can someone please send me a horrible band from Britain? (NOTE: Please don't send me anything bad) I've fallen quite deep into a hole that has me assuming anything my mailbox from the UK isn't gonna suck. What is it? Does the North Atlantic Current stream more than temperate weather? Is it sending out a sense for good beats and rhythm from some mysterious eddy in the heart of the Atlantic too? Whatever it is that afflicts those people, Frightened Rabbit is a quartet with that crazy endemic. Employing things I love to hear - obscure instruments, giddy little keys, handclapping - the Glaswegian group creatively crafts poppy little ditties that are hardly what they appear to be on the surface. Despite the enunciation of "wee" in "Glaswegian," these anthems seem to dig down rather than build up. Poppy heartache with a hint of folk cushioned by well-thought lyrics and finely crafted beats. Frightened Rabbis is one band to look for next week. Next week! SXSW! I swear, it just creeps up on ya every time...
Various Songs from Frightened Rabbit (all songs are right click - save as):
Yawns
Be Less Rude
Check out more info at the Frightened Rabbit site.
Be their friend!
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Otherwheres - Austinist produces a mini-ist with SXSWist...
Otherwheres - Check out the YouTubage of Gnarls Barkley's "Run"...
Otherwheres - SXSW is next week!
Labels: SXSW '08
3.01.2008
The Acorn
Tokyo Police Club led me to The Acorn. A friend of mine (HI DEREK!) showed me a Paper Bag Records compilation so I could hear a shitty remix of "Cheer It On," and after being thoroughly disgusted by the song, I proceeded to listen to the others. The Acorn's "The Flood Pt. 1" was track 4 and it immediately caught my interest. Peculiar sounding with indigenous beats and calls, the song was a mess of instruments and overlapping riffs. All the noise worked though. A steady melody could still be felt and a rhythmic skeleton supported the multitude of components of song. The Acorn knows how to be interesting and fun without sacrificing quality. My acorn is missing. Did you eat the acorn? You owe me a new acorn. Name that movie! The Acorn will be heading down to Austin (along with... me) for South By.m4a The Flood Pt. 1
mp3 Glory
mp3 Blue Light
mp3 Oh Napoleon
Labels: SXSW '08
Both Sides of the Mouth is a dual-authored mp3 blog based in Austin, Texas. All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch. If you represent or own any media on this site and would like something taken down please email us, and we will take the neccessary action of removing the file(s).
Notable Mixes - Brad