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SXSW Thursday Night Highlights: The Chevin, The Record Company, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Sharon Van Etten

The Chevin have all the tools to be a huge breakout band out of the UK. They’ve got the presence, the songs (“Champion” is a hit), and as we witnessed last night at Latitude 30, a great live show. In addition to the overall perfomance (which came off really well, the band’s songs translated very nicely live), the real standout was frontman Coyle Girelli. This guy can sing and from look to stage quality, ticks all the right “great UK band frontman” boxes. With the right push & support The Chevin are poised to be really something special. Keep them on your radar.

L.A.’s The Record Company have been one of our favorite recent discoveries. The blues-driven trio, no doubt has great performance chops (that much was sure during their Ginger Man set last night), but what seperates this band from similar but much more mediocre bands is the quality of their songs. The skiffle-rattle of “Don’t Get Me Lonely” and The Yardbirdsesque “I Want Change” were highlights.

BET’s Music Matters showcase was packed. A bill that included Miguel, Nneka, Melanie Fiona and two of our must sees from Thursday night, Kendrick Lamar and Big K.R.I.T. K Dot had control of the house from moment one as he rolled through highlights from his excellent Section.80 mixtape. There was a heaviness and rasp in Lamar’s voice that revealed a bit of fatigue (The guy has been literally all over Austin the past few days) but there was no let up in performance quality as the L.A. rapper 100% knocked it out.

Big K.R.I.T. is a monster. The power and determination that focus through this guy as he spits is unreal. K.R.I.T. is a huge star in the making and his nasty Stage on Sixth performance was nothing less than an emphatic validation.

Sharon Van Etten has a magnetism in her music that is really really powerful. Her performance at The Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar showcase was (and I don’t use this word lightly) sublime. Sharon IRL captured our b3sci hearts last night (she’s had our non-IRL ones for a minute now). She was effortless. “Serpents” was captivating/hypnotic. “Warsaw” was straight class. POWER. The demure and unassuming Sharon is a force. This one woman should have all that power.

reviewed by b3

03-16-12

SXSW Wednesday Night Highlights: Gary Clark Jr, Miguel, We Were Promised Jetpacks

Live Show Reviews Rock Soul

WWPJ closed out Terrorbird’s Wednesday afternoon showcase, turning in a blistering 30 minute set that caused at least partial hearing damage for a good portion of the house.

Miguel, rocking his newly styled “Tesfaye fade”, put on for all the R&B stans at the SOBs’ Belmont showcase. Mixing in refashioned live versions of hits “Quickie” and “All I Want Is You” with newer less-commercial material like “Adorn”, Miguel seemed to satisfy the mostly packed Belmont. If for nothing else, (the set did come off a bit weird), Mr. Jontel certainly left a full measure of effort out there.

Gary Clark Jr, who closed the Warner Brothers set at La Zona Rosa gave nothing short of a starmaking performance. This is Clark’s time. So versatile (both stylistically, vocally, and perfomance-wise), Clark is still no doubt doing what others before him have done or are currently doing but what separates the 28-year old is his feel and his believability which was on full display during his set. Gary Clark Jr. is the real deal.

We Were Promised Jetpacks (Facebook)
Miguel (Facebook)
Gary Clark Jr. (Facebook)

reviewed by b3

03-15-12

TIX GIVEAWAY: Diplo, A-Trak, ?uestlove, Flying Lotus @ 1100 Warehouse, Austin TURNTABLE.FM SXSW PARTY TONIGHT (03/15/12 – 8PM)

Electronic Soul Ticket Giveaways

TURNTABLE.FM is throwing can’t miss party tonight featuring sets from Diplo (who was on our flight into Austin on Monday. sup Diplo), A-Trak, ?uestlove & Flying Lotus. If you want to be there and don’t want to wait in line (more South by SouthLINEwest amirite?) get an email here with 3/15 and blahblahblahscience in the subject line before 8PM CDT tonight. First entry in wins the passes. Go and get it, girl!

reviewed by b3

03-15-12

SXSW Tuesday Night Highlights: Star Slinger, Electric Wire Hustle

Electronic Hip Hop Live Show Reviews

The opening sortee in this week’s official SXSW music showcases was last night’s Pitchfork showcase at Mohawk. Among those on the bill were b3sci faves like Shlohmo, Schoolboy Q & one of our biggest must-sees for the festival, UK beatsman Star Slinger. Hitting a stage already left nicely warmed up by True Panther duo Teengirl Fantasy, Star Slinger had the house on lock from the moment the first bit of space-bass bumped through the venue. Mixing tracks from Jessie Ware & Rihanna with original compositions and new shit (there were maybe 4-5 new beats and mixes dropped into the set), Star Slinger’s brand of interstellar electro booty rap totally wrecked live.

We are HUGE fans of Electric Wire Hustle. Their debut LP (despite being nearly three years old) is still in constant rotation around b3sci. The chance to finally see the New Zealand-based trio live was an opportunity we could not pass up. An Andre 3000-esque styled Mara TK and his mates keyboardist keyboardist Taay Ninh and drummer Myele Manzanza ripped through uptempo joints like the b3sci #1 song of 2009, “They Don’t Want” and then easily dialed down into more smoothed out tracks like set closer “Perception”. The multi-talented mult-tasking Ninh and the crazy skilled drumming of Manzanza were a perfect frame to Mara TK’s mindblower Marvin Gaye-styled vocals. The mixing at Swan Dive, where EWH’s set took place, did leave a bit to be desired however. We definitely would love to hear the trio perform at a venue, less like a shoebox, and more suited to their sound but that aside, the performance the band turned in was class. A+

Star Slinger (Facebook)
Electric Wire Hustle (Facebook)

reviewed by b3

03-14-12

B3SCI’S SXSW PREVIEW 2012

Live Show Reviews

Hey family. It’s that special time of the year again when the glitterati of the music industry descend on ATX to slap each other fives, layer their forearms in VIP wrist bands, and hopefully catch some cool bands. Planning for SXSW can be a daunting ask. The sheer number of bands, shows, parties, etc is ginormous. SXSW planning fatigue is real but b3sci is here to help! We’re setting you up with all our picks for can’t miss sets (our Top 5 for each nighttime hour of the festival) and showcases (our 3 faves for each night). Lego!

TUESDAY

Kendrick Lamar takes the 1100 Warehouse stage at 1 AM on Tuesday.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) Pitchfork @ Mohawk (& Patio): Schoolboy Q, Shlohmo, Star Slinger, Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Tycho
2) Warner Bros. @ La Zona Rosa: Flux Pavilion, Santigold, Theophilus London, Neon Hitch
3) Stone’s Throw @ Swan Dive: The Stepkids, MED, Strong Arm Steady

Can’t miss sets:
8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Shlohmo @ Mohawk (Pitchfork) (8:30)
2) Neon Hitch @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Boy Friend @ Swan Dive (Yours Truly)

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) Star Slinger @ Mohawk Patio (Pitchfork)
2) Theophilus London @ La Zona Rosa (Warner) (9:30)
3) Capital Cities @ Buffalo Billiards

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) The Stepkids @ Elysium (Stone’s Throw) (10:30)
2) Santigold @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire (Pitchfork)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Electric Wire Hustle @ Swan Dive (Yours Truly)
2) Beach Fossils @ Club 606 (Root Music) (11:30)
3) Tycho @ Mohawk (Pitchfork) (11:30)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) Schoolboy Q @ Mohawk Patio (Pitchfork)
2) Caveman @ Bat Bar (Campfire Trails)
3) Flux Pavilion @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) Kendrick Lamar @ 1100 Warehouse (XXL Mag)
2) Saint Motel @ Treasure Island
3) Built to Spill @ The Belmont (Space Ducks)

WEDNESDAY

NPR’s Wednesday night showcase features a 9 PM performance from Sharon Van Etten.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) NPR @ Stubb’s: Sharon Van Etten, Fiona Apple, Alabama Shakes
2) Last Call w/ Carson Daly @ Red 7 Patio: Cults, Tennis, Lee Fields & The Expressions
3) Innovative Leisure @ 512: Hanni El Khatib, Nick Waterhouse, Allah-Las

Can’t miss sets:
7:00-7:59 PM:
1) Fiona Apple @ Stubb’s (NPR)
2) CFCF @ Barbarella (Dummy XO)

8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Fidlar @ The Main (Vans)
2) Mux Mool @ Club de Ville (Ghostly)
3) Anoraak @ Mohawk Patio (The Agency)

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) Sharon Van Etten @ Stubb’s (NPR)
2) Big K.R.I.T. @ Antone’s (Pandora)
3) Tristen @ Central Presbyterian
4) Ed Sheeran @ La Zona Rosa (Warner) (9:30)
5) Mansions on the Moon @ Velveeta Room

10:00-10:59 PM
1) Miguel @ The Belmont (SOB)
2) Kimbra @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Tennis @ Red 7 Patio (Carson Daly)
4) The Wedding Present @ Swan Dive (Suicide Squeeze)
5) Mannie Fresh @ Hotel Vegas Patio (10:30)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Alabama Shakes @ Stubb’s (NPR)
2) Lee Fields & The Expressions @ Red 7 Patio (Carson Daly)
3) Juvenile @ Hotel Vegas Patio
4) xxxy @ Barcelona (Halo Cyan)
5) Bahamas @ St. David’s Bethell Hall (Brushfire) (11:30)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) Miike Snow @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
2) Gary Clark Jr. @ La Zona Rosa (Warner) (12:30)
3) 2 Chainz @ The Belmont (SOB)
4) Nick Waterhouse @ 512 (Innovative Leisure)
5) The Pierces @ The Studio (HGTV)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) Kasabian @ 1100 Warehouse (101x)
2) Purity Ring @ Chevrolet Sound Garage
3) We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Easy Tiger Patio (Scottish)
4) The Drums @ Stage on Sixth (Frenchkiss)
5) Hanni El Khatib @ 512 (Innovative Leisure)

THURSDAY

The newly reunited Jesus and Mary Chain play The Belmont at midnight Thursday.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar/Dead Oceans @ Mohawk (& Patio): Sharon Van Etten, The War on Drugs, Nite Jewel, Gardens & Villa, Bear in Heaven, Gauntlet Hair
2) Music Matters @ Stage on Sixth (& Patio): Nneka, Miguel, Marsha Ambrosius, Big Sean, Stalley, Kendrick Lamar, Machine Gun Kelly, Smoke DZA, Big K.R.I.T.
3) Pitchfork @ Central Presbyterian: Nicolas Jaar, Grimes, Purity Ring, Charli XCX, Fiona Apple

Can’t miss sets:
8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Body Language @ The Madison (Bond)
2) Shigeto @ Barcelona (Surefire)
3) Stalley @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Music Matters) (8:30)
4) Family of the Year @ Maggie Mae’s Rooftop (Chop Shop)
5) The Chevin @ Latitude 30 (The Agency)
Prev. Mentioned: Electric Wire Hustle @ Driskll Victorian Room (StyleX), Fiona Apple @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork)

9:00-9:59 PM
1) Benjamin Francis Leftwich @ Latitude 30 (The Agency)
2) Gardens & Villa @ Mohawk Patio (Secretly Canadian) (9:30)
3) Charli XCX @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (9:30)
4) White Arrows @ Stubb’s (Spinner) (9:30)
5) Penguin Prison @ Lustre Pearl (Dickies)
Prev. Mentioned: Kendrick Lamar @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Music Matters)

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) Nneka @ Stage on Sixth (Music Matters)
2) Howler @ Bar 96 (Converse)
3) Girls @ Stubb’s (Spinner)
4) Robert Glasper @ Elephant Room
5) Curren$y @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
Prev. Mentioned: Lee Fields @ ND (Windish), Purity Ring @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (10:30), Saint Motel @ Stubb’s (Spinner) (10:30)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) The War on Drugs @ Mohawk Patio (Secretly Canadian) (11:30)
2) Meek Mill, Stalley & Wale @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
3) Colleen Green @ Hotel Vegas (Hardly Art)
4) Class Actress @ 512 Rooftop (Carpark)
5) Grimes @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (11:30)
Prev. Mentioned: Big K.R.I.T. @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Music Matters), CFCF @ The Madison (Bond), Miguel @ Stage on Sixth (Music Matters), Mux Mool @ Barcelona (Surefire), Nick Waterhouse @ ND (Windish), Schoolboy Q @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik), Tennis @ Club de Ville (Paradigm)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) The Jesus and Mary Chain @ The Belmont
2) Nicolas Jaar @ Central Presbyterian (Pitchfork) (12:30)
3) The Temper Trap @ Stubb’s (Spinner)
4) Dev @ Chevrolet Sound Garage (12:30)
5) Seapony @ Hotel Vegas (Hardly Art)
Prev. Mentioned: Hanni El Khatib @ ND (Windish), Miike Snow @ Lustre Pearl (Dickies), Sharon Van Etten @ Mohawk Patio (Secretly Canadian) (12:30)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) T.I. @ La Zona Rosa (Warner)
2) The Peach Kings @ Club 606 (The Roxy)
3) Oneohtrix Point Never @ Red 7 (Mexican Summer)
4) Niki & The Dove @ Driskill Victorian Room (StyleX)
5) Nite Jewel @ Mohawk (Secretly Canadian)

FRIDAY

Michael Kiwanuka will perform a set at St. David’s Sanctuary at Midnight on Friday night.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) KCRW @ The Parish: The Temper Trap, Crystal Fighters, Clock Opera, Alice Russell & Quantic
2) NME @ Latitude 30: Howler, Big Deal, Kindness, Chad Valley, Tashaki Miyaki
3) Biz 3 @ 1100 Warehouse: Skrillex, El-P, Hanni El Khatib, Nick Waterhouse

Can’t miss sets:
8:00-8:59 PM:
1) Alice Russell & Quantic @ The Parish (KCRW) (8:30)
2) 1,2,3 @ ND (Windish)
3) Tashaki Miyaki @ Latitude 30 (NME)
Prev. Mentioned: Ed Sheeran @ Stubb’s (Time Out), Nick Waterhouse @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3) (8:30), Tycho @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik) (8:30)

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) AraabMUZIK @ Mohawk Patio (AM Only)
2) JMSN @ Club 606 (IAMSOUND)
3) Clock Opera @ The Parish (KCRW)
4) D/R/U/G/S @ The Madison
5) The Mynabirds @ Lamberts (Saddle Creek)
Prev. Mentioned: Hanni El Khatib @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3)

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) El-P @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3) (10:30)
2) Crystal Fighters @ The Parish (KCRW) (10:30)
3) Kindness @ Latitude 30 (NME)
4) The Big Pink @ Lustre Pearl (Dickies)
5) Karen Elson @ Stage on Sixth (Third Man)
Prev. Mentioned: Caveman @ Hype Hotel (IGIF), Nite Jewel @ Barbarella Patio (Wax Poetics), Star Slinger @ MACC (Pan Americana)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Thundercat @ Beauty Bar Backyard (Madison House)
2) St. Lucia @ Karma Lounge (Neon Gold)
3) Jack White @ Stage on Sixth (Third Man) (11:30)
4) Talib Kweli @ La Zona Rosa (Blacksmith) (11:30)
5) White Rabbits @ Hype Hotel (IGIF)
Prev Mentioned: Saint Motel @ Empire Automotive, Grimes @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) Michael Kiwanuka @ St. David’s Sanctuary (Communion) (12:30)
2) Sepalcure @ The Madison
3) Cults @ ND (Windish)
4) YACHT @ Clive Bar (S.O. Terik) (12:30)
5) Daedelus @ Barbarella (Ninja Tune)
Prev Mentioned: Alabama Shakes @ Easy Tiger Patio (Girls Rock Camp), The Drums @ Stubb’s (Time Out), Howler @ Latitude 30 (NME), The Temper Trap @ The Parish (KCRW), The Pierces @ Stubb’s (Time Out)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) Skrillex @ 1100 Warehouse (Biz 3)
2) Cloud Nothings @ ND (Windish)
3) PAPA @ Club 606 (IAMSOUND)
4) Girl in a Coma @ Easy Tiger Patio (Girls Rock Camp)
5) Laidback Luke @ Mohawk Patio (AM Only)
Prev. Mentioned: Alice Russell & Quantic @ Barbarella Patio (Wax Poetics), Dev @ Haven (Moodswing 360), xxxy @ Barcelona (Surefire)

SATURDAY

UK producer SBTRKT closes out the SBTURKS showcase at the Madison at 1 AM on Saturday night.

Showcases where you want to be:
1) Flowerbooking & FatCat @ Red 7 (& Patio): The Velvet Teen, Odonis Odonis, Ceremony, Breton, The Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Star Slinger
2) Warp Records & Brainfeeder @ Empire Automotive & Club 606: Starkey, TOKiMONSTA, Daedelus, Hudson Mohawke & Lunice (TNGHT)
3) Huw Stephens @ Latitude 30: Toddla T, Slow Club, Maverick Sabre, Django Django, Clock Opera

Can’t miss sets:
8:00 PM – 8:59 PM:
1) Ceremony @ Red 7 Patio (FatCat)
2) Odonis Odonis @ Red 7 (FatCat) (8:30)
3) Savoir Adore @ Swan Dive (Red Ryder)
Prev Mentioned: Michael Kiwanuka @ Stubb’s

9:00-9:59 PM:
1) A$AP Rocky @ The Madison (SBTURKS)
2) The Velvet Teen @ Red 7 (FatCat) (9:30)
3) Blouse @ Frank (The Great Escape)
4) Charlene Soraia @ Frank (The Great Escape)
5) Madi Diaz @ St. David’s Bethell Hall (Hotel Cafe) (9:30)
Prev. Mentioned: Alice Russel & Quantic @ Stage on Sixth Patio (Nat Geo), Clock Opera @ Latitude 30 (Huw Stephens)

10:00-10:59 PM:
1) Breton @ Red 7 (FatCat)
2) Fanfarlo @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
3) The Belle Brigade @ Clive Bar
4) Blackbird Blackbird @ Malverde (Bond)
5) Starkey @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder)

11:00-11:59 PM:
1) Maverick Sabre @ Latitude 30 (Huw Stephens)
2) TOKiMONSTA @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder)
3) Best Coast @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
4) White Denim @ Jacked Stage (Doritos)
5) Gemini @ Beauty Bar (UKF) (11:30)
Prev. Mentioned: Nneka @ Stage on Sixth (Nat Geo)

12:00-12:59 AM:
1) The Heavy @ Stage on Sixth (Nat Geo) (12:30)
2) Dom Kennedy @ Scoot Inn (Thrasher) (12:30)
3) Jacques Greene @ Barcelona (XLR8R) (12:30)
4) Jimmy Cliff @ Stage on Sixth (Nat Geo) (12:30)
5) Hatcham Social @ 512 Rooftop
Prev. Mentioned: Anoraak @ Malverde (Bond), Daedelus @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder), We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Red 7 (FatCat)

1:00-1:59 AM:
1) SBTRKT @ The Madison (SBTURKS)
2) Slim Thug @ Barbarella Patio (Texas Showdown) (1:30)
3) Braid @ Dirty Dog
4) Hudson Mohawke & Lunice @ Empire Automotive (Brainfeeder)
5) XV @ Hype Hotel (Hype Machine)
Prev. Mentioned: Beach Fossils @ The Parish (Captured Tracks), Star Slinger @ Red 7 (FatCat)

reviewed by b3

03-10-12

Virgin Mobile House @ SXSW 2011!

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Videos!

Virgin Mobile Live House @ SXSW 2011 from blahblahblahscience on Vimeo.

..and it was still cooler than it looks! Virgin Mobile Live held fortress in Austin this year to deliver some of the most live exclusive moments that we experienced all of SXSW! And if you look close – like Where’s Waldo close – you might just catch a glimpse of team b3sci getting into it.

Listen to Virgin Mobile Live

reviewed by b3

04-25-11

SXSW Saturday Night Wrap 03/19/11: Jeremy Messersmith, Sweet Jane, Black Milk, Curren$y, Eliza Doolittle, Ty Segall, Funeral Party, Death From Above 1979

Live Show Reviews

Jeremy Messersmith @ The Ale House

Jeremy Messersmith was a treat. “Tatooine” is a gem that made our top 50 list last year and we couldn’t wait to have the experience live. Pleasantly surprised. Jeremy’s set proved more quirky than expected. Concluding with “Violets”, his band helped carry a sound reminiscent of The Turtles and other late 60’s West Coast bands. Messersmith has talent and just seems to radiate longevity.

Jeremy Messersmith – Tatooine

Sweet Jane @ B.D. Riley’s

One of the best things about SXSW is that you can just walk down a street and your ears can bring you to something you’ve never heard before. In preparing some post-festival coverage, I recalled one of those bands that drew me in. If you’re a fan of Noel Gallagher (like we are) and his guitar playing (guilty again), you won’t be able to resist listening to Sweet Jane. Lydia Des Dolles lead vocals add a fresh compliment to a fantastic British sound. Into it.

Sweet Jane – Close Your Eyes (Single Version)

Black Milk @ Billboard Bungalow

The line was around the block on E 6th street during peak freak hour Saturday night. Passing through three layers of security was necessary to enter Billboard Bungalow (patdowns included) I felt like I was going upstairs to see Obama. Black Milk is a pro. His killer on stage presence gets the crowd moving and into it. This man loves to perform. The live band was an….interesting touch. The sound was cool, the band was unique but somehow came off a bit flat, amateurish. The drums were set up in an odd, “less than traditional way”. The keys didn’t seem to be working. The bass was lose. It felt pretty backyard. “Dead Medley” was a highlight. Black Milk, the MC (minus his band), proved worthy of a long performance career, Common-style

Black Milk – Overdose

Curren$y @ Billboard Bungalow

Curren$y enters late and totally high. He’s completely non-chalant as he commands the stage. Basically the opposite of what we just saw from Black Milk. The stage show went something as follows: he first came out, then a second MC joined him, then like four 19 year old looking dudes came up on stage to stand behind him, and they were stoned. As is Spitta’s M.O., the raps were smooth and the track were short. His rambles between tracks were actually pretty tight. As he did a solid job hyping the crowd between songs.

Curren$y – Address (Feat. Stalley)

Eliza Doolittle @ Cedar Street Courtyard

Earlier in the day, deep in the underbelly of Austin, we crossed paths with our girl Eliza Doolittle. One look at the b3sci posse, and at least one member of our crew got prob the hottest demand of the weekend, “Take off Your Skinny Jeans! You!” We were caught. Eliza had us. Of course, what to do when an adorable British girls calls at you to remove yer trousers, well never tell. But we did make it back over to Cedar Street, pants and all, to catch Eliza’s Saturday night set. We’ll drop this in again, just once more, to be, you know, official about it. Eliza Doolittle is adorable. And that sort of defined her set. “Money Box” was sunshine-y, feel good, glad in all the right places. Part of Eliza’s charm is her ability to connect. She could be looking into the audience at a 90 degree angle to you, or at her band, or up into space, and still all the while, you feel like she’s singing to you and only you. “I want to go back to a time when I was young. No not when I was 16 or something like that. No, I’m talking really young. I want to go back to when I was three.” And you stand there, as she smiles at you delivering that line, and you’re like, “Yeah, Eliza, that sounds like a pretty nice idea.”

Eliza’s secret weapon is her band. Her bassist, playing a stand up double bass, was ridiculously good. Her drummer, likely more at home in a different genre of music, was ace. The energy in the rhythm section, pitch perfect harmonies, and wisely placed guitar/uke make for a great stripped down feel good vibe. Eliza’s songs are uptempo, kinetic and they move with her. Where does an artist like Eliza go from here? How will she manage in the states? Can she be as big as Adele.. Lily Allen, Kate Nash? Take note.

Eliza Doolittle – Skinny Genes

Ty Segall @ Mohawk

If you love what made Grunge great, big guitar sound, rock and roll attitude. In the year 2K11, Ty Segall is about as close you can get. The packed house for Ty was brimming with all sorts of arrogant attitude. Like it came with admission. Segall and his youthful angst-driven bandmates delivered their sound heavy and intense, reminiscent of live Nirvana. Ty Seagall is prob a bit of an acquired taste, an acquired taste we just so happen to love. Long live the 90’s.

Ty Segall – Standing at the Station

Funeral Party @ Cedar Street Courtyard

Just when I thought I’d had enough; so many bands, so much music, so much that it started become noise; I still trudged back to the Cedar Street Courtyard, I had one last band to see, east Los Angeles act Funeral Party. The Steve Madden/Grooveshark Party had nearly emptied out. The few sticking around were mainly press congregated near the front of the stage with large cameras. The band brought with them to the stage a lot of energy, maybe the most energy- packed performance I’d seen all SXSW. A guitarist flying there, a bassist there. The guitarist’s acrobatics at one point caused him to trip, causing frontman Chad to wisely state ” Steve Madden shoes look great, but they still need a few days to break in.” This was the sort of band Victory Records should have signed 5 years ago, Funeral Party have a great new alternative sound, with great songs and great arrangements. The band’s live chops were obvious and when lead vocalist Chad Elliott is in key they are borderline unstoppable. During the breakdown of “NYC Sound Goes To LA…” a lyrical cameo from “Champagne Supernova” found it’s place “how many special people change, how many lives were living strange”. Where were you while we were getting high? This guys are that kind of band. Camera flashes were plenty and the venue had nearly filled back up by end of set. Funeral Party definitely helped wrap SXSW on a high. Take notes, rock and rollers, this band plays like they have nothing to prove, it’s real. They don’t give a fuck about what else is happening in indie rock or alternative music or anything like that, and really, why should they?

Funeral Party – Carwars

Death From Above 1979 @ Beauty Bar

Your Miranda Rights are all that you got. Pretty much. As you’ve likely heard by now there was a riot at Death From Above’s reunion gig @ Beauty Bar. Being there in that moment. There’s a feeling, a certain sensation at your insides (not that $7 burrito we grabbed on the street on the way over) that experience when you were among a crowd that’s beginning to lose control. And there, there’s a feeling like anything can happen. The next bit of your life, those events, are not quite in your control anymore. The show, itself, was terribly handled by the venue. The location of the line was not clear, where the line started and ended was not clear, whether anyone was actually getting in was not clear. A definite vacuum of information existed. (Riot criteria 1). What is Beauty Bar? Beauty Bar is a venue that maybe holds 200 people. It’s essentially a piece of a larger asphalt lot with a tent on top of it. “In line” or probably more appropriately mobbed about there venue there were maybe 600-800 people “on the outside”. A large throng of people in a tight space (Riot criteria 2).

The band starts. Immediately, (and obviously any chance of getting in the venue dashed) the crowd turns violent. Beers fly, stones, garbage they fly too. Someone throws a chair. The chainlink fence that divdes the outside from the inside is under siege. The kids are intent in bringing it down. They shake, they climb, they kick. The fence lasts maybe 10 minutes. It’s down. By this time the venue has circled several bouncers to where the fence once stood. They’re holding the crowd back now. They’re the final bit of defense between the current situation and total mayhem (the latter quickly becoming more and more the former). Then suddenly, the fence is boosted back up. The kids are trying to help. They’re trying to keep some bit of order. The overall crowd, though, grows angrier. The fence is almost now in a state of volley. Bouncers to Crowd. Crowd to Bouncers. Mace sprays from the venue. The mob is pushed back. Time for us to check the fuck out with mounted riot police, arrests, and all that reality TV stuff pending. It was certainly one hell of moment.

p.s. The band was awesome. Seeing Jesse and Sebastien on stage together performing DFA 79 songs fucking ruled.

Death From Above 1979 – Romantic Rights

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Photography by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-20-11

SXSW Saturday Afternoon Wrap 03/19/11: Theophilus London, Scars on 45, The Republic Tigers, Joy Formidable, Oberhofer, Little Dragon, Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger

Live Show Reviews

Theophilus London @ Mohawk

Theophilus London packed the downstairs room of the Mohawk as part of the Mog/Lexus Party. Theo did an A+ job at engaging not only a kinetic swath of fans but a room, perhaps not so familiar with his music. “Flying Overseas”, “Why Even Try”, “Strange Love”, all the best examples of his unique Electro Hip Hop, hyped the crowd. His brief 30 minute set flew by, with multiple instances of girls-in-attendance brought on stage, numerous hilarious back-and-forths with the audience, and a few indie celeb-in-the-crowd shouts (TVOTR’s Dave Sitek, for one).

Theophilus London – Oops! (Tweet Cover)

Scars on 45 @ Brush Street Park

On our way to catch The Republic Tigers and Joy Formidable at the Chop Shop/Atlantic day showcase we caught the tail end of Scars on 45’s set. On point as they were with their set at Hotel Cafe in LA a month or so earlier, the band played with a hunger and energy that caught me off guard. We were into it. And it seemed that energy set the tone for the following two acts.

Scars on 45 – Loudest Alarm

The Republic Tigers @ Brush Street Park

Having caught The Republic Tigers last with Travis at the Wiltern in LA, we were impressed with their presence. A much more comfortable and confident band than remembered. Previewing material from their forthcoming “No Land’s Man” EP, we believed their songs and style of up-tempo and listener-friendly indie rock and roll. A few songs had a unmistakable Chop Shop tint to them, primed for mainstream TV.

The Republic Tigers – Buildings and Mountains

Joy Formidable @ Brush Street Park

Joy Formidable were one of the most talked about bands of SXSW. Again it proves what a great live show, star quality and some serious work can do for a band. The UK based, female fronted trio, plays with a profound intensity and passion. Their sound has an aggressive character to it, as one would expect from any rock trio, but when complimented with Ritzy Bryan’s vocals and a slick performance quality both confident and intense, the band is a force to be reckoned with. Pending hit songs, these guys have, dare we say, Muse-type potential. (Oh we just did.)

Joy Formidable – I Don’t Want to See You Like This

Oberhofer @ Virgin Mobile Live House

Virgin Mobile Live Host Abbey Braden was rightfully psyched to watch Oberhofer rock a bass and glock during their exclusive acoustic VML House session during SXSW. Their sound is fresh and evolving with a clear direction. Hear the session here.

Oberhofer – Away From You

Little Dragon @ Cedar Street Courtyard

Yukimi’s dances moves are adorable. Well, they’re less like moves and more like poses. Stop motion. Hold the frame. Hit all the angles. Make the next pose. Yukimi’s moves were adorable. The band’s performance was really not. The band seemed tired, bored, disinterested. The venue (Cedar Street Courtyard) was wrong. It’s outdoor stage doesn’t work for a band so dependent on atmosphere. Yukimi’s voice got lost. Much of the cool ambient synth work that make the band’s songs got lost too. Machine Dreams highlights like “Blinking Pigs” and “Feather” both never really worked. The crowd, too, seemed, at times, disinterested. The band did run through a new song or two. Showing off a sound that seemed to be more spread out, more engaged in space. Almost a more deep electro kind of sound. The songs centered on repetition of a few simple rhythmic figures with Yukimi’s vocal acting more as a frame to the rhythm than as the carrier of a tune. The new songs seemed to work better for the band in the outdoor setting. The band also seemed more interested. Little Dragon’s Cedar Street performance was not the worst thing we saw at SXSW but it certainly was a disappointment. We still you guys though! And the next gig in Boston or LA, we’ll still be there! We got you!

Little Dragon – Twice (Freddie Joachim Remix)

Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger @ Elysium

Ghost of a Saber Tooth tiger unfortunately lived up to expectations. I hoped that we would experience glimpses of Sean’s 2006 solo record, Friendly Fire, but instead we got a heavy dosage of maybe the Lennon family’s worst enemy… love. Kemp Muhl just doesn’t hold ground with a Lennon. Really, how many do?

Granted Sean said that the extra stage musician had one day to learn the entire set… it became increasingly clear that that may have been true for the entire band. Just Sean and his guitar would have sufficed. But then again, we wouldn’t be stretching the truth to say that we’d hoped to catch maybe a glimpse of Yoko Ono (also performing on that night’s bill) on stage with her son. In any event, the crowd was treated to large doses of Lennon wit. Sean got jokes. That’s genuine wit, folks, in the blood.

The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger – Jardin du Luxembourg

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-20-11

SXSW Friday Wrap 03/18/11: Football, Trouble Andrew, Quadron, TOKiMONSTA, Obits, Little Comets, Charles Bradley, Wye Oak, Bombay Bicycle Club

Live Show Reviews

Football @ Beerland

Football are officially our favorite suprise of SXSW 2011. On our way to the Virgin Mobile Live House we saw some dude that resembled a short haired Dave Grohl rocking the fuck out on the roof of Beerland. The band played below, and their sound was as raw as anything we saw at SXSW. But the sound seemed strangely familiar…. Tons of people started to gather from the streets. We got close as well. One blood stained white telecaster, Two hand drawn white t-shirts with a sharpie…Could it be? Is it? YES! Holy shit this was our dude from AV/Murder! These guys are perhaps responsible for one of the sickest sets I have ever seen. I knew I should have bought one of those damn shirts! Dudes if you’re reading this, hook us up with some custom b3sci threads! Football are fucking sick, if you like music that makes your head want to explode from just sheer brutal awesomeness, then take notice.

AV/Murder – Glossy Mags

Trouble Andrew @ Virgin Mobile Live House:

Trouble Andrew at moments seems like a sound that would have emerged from LA’s Sunset Strip if it were still relevant to music nowadays. Jeez. How many bands have we heard in LA trying do what these guys do so well? Trevor Andrew’s unique blend of raw alternative underground rock is fucking awesome. It has a hip hop sensibility, it has punk sensibility, it has commercial radio sensibility. Songs pending, these Brooklyn natives could end up everywhere. There live show is definitely an experience worth having, and after opening for the likes of Fishbone, Yelawolf, Wu Tang, and Erykah Badu during SXSW this year, they are definitely off to a right start.

Trouble Andrew – Bang Bang

Quadron @ Malverde

Everybody’s fav Danish soul duo, Quadron, played a breezy enjoyable set to Malverde’s 4th floor open-air stage. This was our first catching the duo live and suffice to say our girl Coco and our man Robin did not disappoint. Coco’s sweet sultry tones, Robin’s smooth instrumentals, Quadron’s super cool R&B-influenced pop. The prime factors were all on point during the performance. We loved Coco’s engaging yet semi-shy interactions with the crowd. “I love Texas.” “We’ve got some CDs for sale after the show. I’d love for you to buy one. Maybe I can give you a hug. I love selling.” Too cute. The set primarily consisted of songs from the band’s debut, “Buster Keaton”, “Average Fruit”, and set closer “Slippin'” were among the highlights. Malverde’s open-air 4th floor stage seemed to fit the band. It was that sort of deepest twilight, fading to night time in the day. The city glowed, buzzed behind them. The setting framed Quadron’s music perfectly. We hurriedly left Malverde in dead sprint cross town for TOKiMONSTA @ Mohawk. But we left totally pleased but what we had heard. We love Quadron!

Quadron – Slippin’

TOKiMONSTA @ Mohawk

Post-crosstown hustle we slipped into the door at Mohawk just in time to catch most of TOKiMONSTA’s set. We heard hip hop classics laced up with varying heavinesses of electrobeats. Method Man’s “How High” over a pulsing synth driven rhythm. “Forgot About Dre” blended with multi-tracked hi-hats. TOKi was flawless. She seemed to be having a great time. With every sort of sound manipulation, she would smile. Kind of like, “Yeah, This Rules!” It was great. We got down. Everyone else in the place got down. It was sick. And………..Silence. One of TOKi’s sound inputs fried and the set was finished. Bogus. Still, what we saw ruled. And we’ll take what we did see as a sick preview of what a full TOKi show might be like.

TOKiMONSTA – Almost Free

Obits @ Red 7

Obits are pioneering veterans. They blow many of today’s kids clear out of the water. Playing some of the best vintage gear we’ve seen, the band ripped through some serious time rock portal straight from Red 7 to CBGB’S (see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnYy2x00zHU). Get Obits a time machine and put them on a bill opening for Television. What happens?

Obits – Two Headed Coin

Little Comets @ Latitude 30

Little Comets are a new talented group emerging from the UK. They fall into a space that seems to bridge today’s indie and brit-pop pockets. Sure, it seems like a likely space but who else has made a real significant impact there? Other than the “labeling” obstacle these kids have, there is some song craftsmanship in their favor. Unlike some young bands, their abundance of intricate arrangements and melodies work and contribute to an overall sound that’s definitely got us hooked and psyched to hear what’s more.

Little Comets – Isles

Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band @ Cedar Street Courtyard

“Heartaches and Pain”, not just Charles Bradley’s opening song but really his life. A man of obviously tremendous talent, the sexagenerian never got the breaks or the right situation to fully realize his potential as a musician. Backed by the great Menahan Street Band, Charles Bradley entered the stage at Cedar Street Courtyard to sing out the first few notes of that song. And WOW! Unbelievable! His voice! It’s really really something! We knew we were to be witness to something really special. And it seemed Charles felt the same way, this was a great moment in his life. A true realization of a lifelong dream (as cliche’ as it sounds, in his case it’s absolutely true). Mr. Bradley had tears in his eyes during that first song and well into the set. It was just an extraordinary moment. One of the coolest concert moments, I’ve certainly ever witnessed. Anyway, back to his voice. Holy shit! Bradley’s vocal ability is off the meter. Like his records are great and he sounds terrific on them. But to hear him live, like that, it’s truly something; akin to hearing the performance of one of the great soul legends. Really. He’s that good. To hear/see him emote on tracks like “Lovin’ You, Baby” and “Why Is It So Hard”, it really gives you goosebumps. It’s the expression of profound emotional pain and depth at its most visceral and immediate level, it doesn’t get much more real than that. “The World Is Going Up In Flames”, when you hear it you believe him, like you wanna grab a bucket or a firehose or something to help put it out. You’re that moved. Charles Bradley’s set at Cedar Street was no doubt one of our favs at SXSW, if not our absolute favorite. At one point during the set, Bradley looked down at his leg to see that he had been pretty severely bleeding from his knee; the blood collected in a not so small pool of blood at his feet. “Are you alright?”, you could hear his sax player motion over to him. “Oh shit.”, said Bradley. And with that he continued.

Charles Bradley – The World Is Going Up in Flames

Wye Oak @ The Parish

In our opinion Wye Oak are one of the best bands going. If you like dynamic music and beautiful melodies how can you not love this Baltimore duo? Well their label, Merge Records, certainly loves them. Catching the later half of their official Merge showcase at the Parish, Wye Oak returned some serious love to their friends at the label. It was a lovefest. Wye Oak loves their label. No shit. Debuting material from the forthcoming release Civilian, the duo seemed reallllllly into it; positively beaming, energetic; suggesting, not only that they couldn’t wait to perform the material, that they couldn’t wait to just hear it! That’s when you know a band is proud of their music!

Wye Oak – Take It In

Bombay Bicycle Club @ Latitude 30

We could tell from our Q&A with them before their set, that BBC are introverted artistic types. We, of course, mean that in the greatest way possible. These kids were able to evolve from local band to music career in their adolescence. They are supremely talented, music is their life and that shines through. We expect many great records to come from these guys. The band Followed up their early electric guitar heavy material with a largely acoustic record, last year’s Flaws. We were intrigued at what some of their new, post-Flaws, material might sound like. The answer we got was material that was somewhere in between, definitely a sound less raw than Flaws but a bit more produced and refined, like their debut. A few gems, which we’ll certainly now be anticipating on the band’s forthcoming third album, definitely stood out. Guitar and synth-layers flowed through the impressive set of about a dozen songs, and as always the bass tone was hot, especially unique and great. BBC are completely independent and seemingly less concerned with what’s happening with their peers. The band have set course to a sound that is developing more and more into something that’s wholly their own.

Bombay Bicycle Club – Magnet

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Photography by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-19-11

SXSW Thursday Night Wrap 03/17/11: Jamie Woon, White Mystery, Jamie XX, Moby, Donnis, B.o.B., Wiz Khalifa, James Vincent McMorrow

Live Show Reviews

Jamie Woon @ ND’s:

Mr. Woon brought his neo-neo-soul (or post-dubstep, whatevs) to ND’s on Thursday Night for a set at the Windish Agency House. We’re big fans of Jamie’s music and made it a priority to catch him live at SXSW (Even if it meant walking 2+ miles to get down to ND’s). So what did it sound like? Jamie Woon live is kind of like being in a really cool elevator or in the lobby of an ultra-chic hotel. The music kind of takes on this smooth jazz-esque quality at times, layers of atmospheric keys and synths tangled up with Jamie’s soulful but quiet vocal. The sound, itself, fit the performance quality of its creator, totally cool and soulful but also shy and unassuming. Jamie’s band of 2 electronic musicians and 1 live drummer did well to support the production heavy songs in a non-studio setting. Set closer and single “Lady Luck”, with its pulsing synth rhythms and syncopated beats was the far and away set highlight. As the maybe 3/4’s full room all seemed to not only know the song but really got down on it, head bobbing, finger snapping, toe tapping.

Jamie Woon – Lady Luck (Al Fresco)

White Mystery @ Headhunters:

Chicago’s rock princess Alex White, continues her streak of killer projects with White Mystery. If you love straight forward and shameless rock and roll, then this band should make your list. Their only “official” set of SXSW this year was at Headhunter’s and it runs in the top 3 for most balls-to-the-wall performances we caught all trip! Into it.

White Mystery – Ye Olde Stone

Jamie XX @ Virgin Mobile Live House:

Kickin’ it with our peeps at the Virgin Mobile Live House, we ran into none other than Jamie XX! That’s kinda cool. Then we discovered he’d be spinning a private DJ set in the living room of the VML House in the next 20 minutes. Fucking sick! The vibe was intense. With maybe 30 people packed in the room, Jamie XX flowed out a spaghetti-western intro to some classics including Biggie, and mixed it all up with some fresh ideas. It was surreal. We got down.

Rui Da Silva – Touch Me (Jamie XX Remix)

Moby @ Karma Lounge:

Moby was 100% dance party at Karma Lounge. It was a bit a surprise, as he was billed to have an “ambient DJ set”, but from the onset it was wall-to-wall body moving beats. Spinning a set most firmly rooted in his classics and beats heavy early material, Moby stayed clear away from his more cinematic and recent compositions. No matter the style of this set Moby can owns its musical spectrum. Thursday night was club night.

Moby – A Seated Night

Donnis @ La Zona Rosa:

We rolled over to La Zona Rosa for the Atlantic Showcase, an all-star lineup that included Janelle Monae, B.o.B., Lupe Fiasco, Wiz Khalifa and Atlanta MC Donnis. We were able to catch maybe 3 songs or so of his set. We noticed right away Donnis’ ability to hype the crowd, keep them entertained, keep them engaged in his performance regardless of how much or how little of his material the audience actually knew. There were fans though, a sizable portion of the crowd knew his material and knew it well enough sling it back, line for line.

Donnis – Lightning (feat. Colin Munroe)(Prod. by Count Justice + Needlz + Calvo Da Gr8)

B.o.B. @ La Zona Rosa:

In between Donnis and what we thought would be Wiz Khalifa, (official set schedule, y’all!) a recent signee to Atlantic singer-songwriter Jeffrey Jocelyn was inexplicably trotted out in front of the La Zona Rosa crowd of hip hop heads. Mr. Jocelyn did a sort of Adult Contemporary-style ballad (Think Matt Nathanson or Jason Mraz) and did it alright, but you had to feel for the guy, NO ONE was listening. Bollocks on the A&R that green lighted that move! Anyway, as Jocelyn left the stage, post his one song stand, he left with “B.o.B. is up next.” We were like, “OK, dude was prob misinformed/nervous, or maybe… our man had inside info cause he and B.o.B. really are tight.” (Jeffrey Jocelyn was introduced as “B.o.B.’s friend”.)

Sure enough, B.o.B. was introduced and from the first bar of song 1 – it was on. Verse 1. Verse 2. It was serious. It was clear the bar was being raised. B.o.B. was killing it. Seeing B.o.B. live most definitely gave us a levelled up appreciation of him as a rapper. Bobby Ray has otherworldly type skills on the mic. His rapid fire rhymes, his delivery, but also his sense of melody and dynamics. “Beast Mode”, a standout from his recent No Genre mixtape, was shredded. “Don’t Let Me Fall” took on a lyrical depth live that was unexpected. “Nothin’ On You”, B.o.B.’s Summer 2010 megahit, was cut short mid-song by the MC, “You can hear this shit all the time on the radio. What do y’all want to hear.” The crowd went bananas. He had them. That sentiment was a bit of theme for the show though, B.o.B. went hardest, seemed most interested in his less-pop material, his older mixtape material. The Atlanta MC closed the set with “Airplanes” with the crowd playing Hayley Williams, shouting back each hook with an increasing volume and intensity. B.o.B’s set was great. From the lyricism, to the songwriting, and now to the live show, dude has most definitely earned everything he’s attained so far. Win.

B.o.B. – Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams)

Wiz Khalifa @ La Zona Rosa:

Wiz Khalifa loves to smoke weed. If you learned anything from his approx. 40-45 minute La Zona Rosa set you had opportunity, after opportunity, after opportunity to let that be it. The Taylor Gang rolled up nice; Wiz + a dozen or so of his boys. Immediately, Wiz was on the hustle, and this would be consistent throughout the set, “Rolling Papers, March 29. Y’all gonna get Rolling Papers March 29th, right?” Hip Hop is a hustle. Wiz has had to hustle for years to get to this point. It just seemed a bit weird/surreal for an artist of his stature to be hocking the LP with such frequency, in between songs, during songs, during other rapper’s features, shit was gonna get sold. Wiz previewed quite a few tracks off the new record and, being real, the songs just aren’t that strong. The rhymes don’t hit as hard, the beats aren’t as good or varied. One of Wiz’s greatest strengths, which made this set pretty enjoyable, is just the sheer variety in his music. Midwestern style, West Coast, Southern, East Coast style, Wiz sort of marries them all. But this new shit? It sounds like the radio, but in a bad way. Hackneyed attempts to make Wiz sound “relevant”, when what made him Wiz Khalifa, major league rapper, was him and his weirdness and his weed smoking, but mostly his weirdness.

Anyway, the set was solid. “That Good”, Wiz’s recent collaboration with Snoop, ripped. “Mezmorized” was sick. Wiz even dropped in a brief tribute to Nate Dogg rhyming over “Xxplosive” and “Regulate”. Despite being high as fuck (there’s that weed thing again), Wiz came off with great energy and managed to smoothly switch the gears up post-B.o.B.’s lightning fast set. “Now I’m gonna play everybody’s favorite song.” “Black and Yellow” wrapped up the set. The Billboard #1 was a highlight. EVERYBODY knew it. Tons of fun.

Wiz Khalifa – I Choose You

James Vincent McMorrow @ Friends:

We wrapped up our St. Patrick’s Day proper at Friends’ bar. b3sci fav James Vincent McMorrow was there closing the ‘Music from Ireland’ showcase. The room was maybe half-full. A crowd of, perhaps, 75 fans stayed up late to catch the Dublin singer-songwriter. They weren’t disappointed. The beautiful “Breaking Hearts” opened the set. We’re immediately taken with the live slide guitar. It sounds phenomenal. The band sounds great. “This is the latest I’ve ever sang.”, said McMorrow as the set passed the 1:30 mark. “If I Had a Boat” was stunning. Hearing McMorrow and co. hit those harmonies live is just remarkable. The coos, and cries, the melismas remind of Jeff Buckley or even Thom Yorke. The sound situation on stage is not good. The band’s battling all sorts of onstage monitor issues. The band, McMorrow still sound crazy good. James McMorrow is a total artist. He has to do this. Music is what he has to do. “From the Woods” is gorgeous, hushed, the sweet melodies soothe our weary trekked-every-which-way-across-Austin bones. The set finishes as quietly as it started. McMorrow apologizes for the sound quality, his voice (!) and walks off stage.

James Vincent McMorrow – If I Had a Boat

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Contributed by Alex Sheehan
Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-18-11

SXSW Thursday Afternoon Wrap 03/17/11: Raphael Saadiq, The Vaccines, Foster the People, Cults

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

We arrived during Cults set, and caught a band often too overlooked on last year’s ‘best of’ lists. But not by everybody, “Go Outside” was recently re-released through Columbia. Judging by their set, and if we were gamblers (and a gentleman never tells), we’d bet pretty handsomely that you’ll be seeing a lot more action from Cults in 2011.

Cults – Go Outside

The Vaccines set was full of energy, fast-paced, and over before you knew what had happened. It says a lot when a band with a set full of short-running songs can so captivate their public (their first single runs only 1:24 long). With catchy hooks and melodies on songs like “Blow Up” and “If You Wanna”, they impressed a courtyard of eager listeners. “Wreckin’ Bar” killed. “Post Break Up Sex” had us popping around. The set was kinetic and fun. Pay attention, kids, cause The Vaccines are definitely a band to watch out for in 2011. And stay tuned for an exclusive b3sci interview with the band backstage after their set. And yes, the interview is about 50% talk about penises. C’mon what did you expect?

The Vaccines – Norgaard

Foster The People again played to make some noise. That’s sick set #2 we’d caught from them. 2-0, boys. Read about sick set #1 here.

If you know b3sci then you know that we are BIG fans of Raphael Saadiq, so suffice to say we were pretty excited to see his set next. We’d missed him at Stubb’s the night prior but left the performance at Cedar Street impressed nonetheless. Strongly rooted in jazz, blues, and R&B, Saadiq gave a performance that was funky and full of soul, mixing influences from greats like Chuck Berry and James Brown. Saadiq’s band was great. Consisting of a drummer, a bassist, two guitarists, a keyboardist, and two excellent backup singers, the Saadiq band provided a proper foundation for his sound. The pocket was tight, the harmonies were on point, and the vibe was right. Material wise, we heard a collection of new tracks from Saadiq’s forthcoming studio album, Stone Rollin’. What we heard was really really good. More of that 70’s soul inspired sound we’ve heard in singles “Good Man” and “Radio” with big beats and huge hooks.

Raphael Saadiq – Good Man

Catch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE

Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-18-11

SXSW Wednesday Night Wrap 03/16/11: James Blake, Mona, Belle Brigade, Chapel Club, Ellie Goulding

blahblahblahscience In the Mix Live Show Reviews

James Blake @ Stubb’s:

There was definitely an air of anticipation (and weed) for James Blake’s first SXSW performance. After an approx. 30 minute delay due to technical problems the superstar of the Indieverse took the stage. First things, we noticed were 1) James Blake is really fucking tall. Like dude towers over everyone else on stage. 2) His band is very young. The other lads in the band were maybe 22-23. Blake started the set with “What Was It You Said About Luck”, immediately we’re struck by how strong the vocals come off live. The R&B influences are particularly palpable as Blake smooths in and out of each syrupy melodic line. The bass was really loud; windpipe shaking, back of your mouth rattling loud. The interplay between the physical intensity of the bass, the sweetness of the vocal, and the detached withdrawn quality of much of James Blake’s songs was quite powerful. “Limit to Your Love” was a highlight that included an excellent 4-5 minute dub reggae-styled section.

James Blake – Wilhelm Scream

Mona @ Antone’s:

Dressed in plain t-shirts and styled in pompadour-esque haircuts, Nashville’s Mona ripped into set opener “Trouble on the Way”. Despite some tepid early interactions with Antone’s house soundguy, the band blazed through an approx. 30 minute set with an absolute confidence and strong focus. Second song “Teenager” soared, “Listen to Your Love” filled the room. The venue was maybe 3/4’s full but those there were really feeling it and the band seemed to (almost unbelievably) level up with each song. Mona were great, a band truly in top form. Later in the set, they played some newer more Nashville, sort of Gospel-influenced material. What we heard sounded solid, with frontman Nick Brown sounding almost Joshua Tree-era Bono-esque (in a good way) at times. Mona are stars and primed to blow the fuck up on both sides of the Atlantic, and with sets like Wednesday Night’s at Antone’s (a favorite of SXSW thusfar) they’ve got the live performance chops to back up the hype.

Mona – Teenager

Belle Brigade @ The Phoenix:

We made it over to the KCRW showcase at The Phoenix just in time to catch the later half of Belle Brigade’s set. What we experienced was a well crafted, energetic set of tunes that showcased the band’s excellent harmonizing and onstage performance skills. Set closer “Losers” really cut the room well with the LA brother-sister duo’s backing band doing great work to really lift the song’s best moments.

Belle Brigade – Losers

Chapel Club @ The Phoenix:

Anticipation was high at the capacity filled Phoenix for Chapel Club’s up-to-this-date rare U.S. performance. The band opened with “Surfacing” and, at times, seemed tenuous, as if the weightiness of the moment caught the band a bit off guard. “Roads”, from the “Wintering” EP, was next and showed off the band’s newer more atmospheric sound. The chemistry onstage between guitarists Michael Hibbert and Alex Parry is really phenomenal. Their performances were definitely the highlight of the set. Singles “O Maybe I” and “All the Eastern Girls” engaged the crowd. Singer Lewis Bowman commented several times during the set to the effect that, the band were “suprised to be there”. We weren’t. Despite a few dodgier edges, Chapel Club certainly played as if they belonged on a stage like the Phoenix… or larger.

Chapel Club – After the Flood

Ellie Goulding @ Bat Bar:

The Bat Bar was packed for Ellie Goulding’s midnight set. A significant overflow crowd filled the street outside the small venue. Ellie and her fans seemed totally captivated with each other. That interaction was great. The kid’s knew and sang back the lyric to every song. What wasn’t good: The venue. Ellie and her band were jammed into a corner of a long brick corridor. The basic space and acoustics of the room made for some poor sound. We had difficulty hearing the band, hearing Ellie. From what we could hear, the band sounded small, too small for her sound. Set closer “Starry Eyed” ended the night on a positive note as the oblong room went brick discotheque, arms flailing wildly, bodies in motion, post-adolescent girl to aging hipster dude.

Tinie Tempah – Wonderman (feat. Ellie Goulding)

Contributed by Alex Sheehan
Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan

reviewed by b3

03-17-11