SXSW 2010 Music Recommendations

Are you going to SXSW this year? Well, lucky you. Unfortunately, I am not able to attend this year (IndieMuse’s contributor, Nick, is going and will be keeping everyone up to date via IndieMuse and our twitter feed @musicfloss). I wanted to go ahead and include some bands that I highly recommend checking out if you do make it down to Austin. This list is far from complete, but with the overwhelming number of bands performing, we thought it would be a good idea to share some “IndieMuse approved” artists. A lot of these artists are more on the alternative folk side, but if you’re looking for “indie rock” music recs, check out Nick’s post. If we missed anyone, please include them (and a Myspace link) in the comments!

note: some of these artists are playing multiple days so check SXSW.com for venue, dates, and times.

Wednesday

Bowerbirds, Califone, The Veils, Fanfarlo, Frightened Rabbit, Born Ruffians, Joe Purdy, Princeton, Dustin O’Halloran.

(mp3) Bowerbirds – Northern Lights

(mp3) Joe Purdy – Wash Away (Reprise)

Thursday

Midlake, Centro-matic, Miles Kurosky (Ex-Beulah), Rogue Wave, These United States, Le Loup, Avi Buffalo, Seabear, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Lissie, Cary Brothers Band of Horses, Broken Social Scene, and Amber Rubarth.

(mp3) These United States – Will it Ever

(mp3) Avi Buffalo – Where’s your Dirty Mind?

Friday

Dosh, Vandaveer, Twin Sister, Jail Guitar Doors (Documentary showing), Memory Tapes, Tape Deck Mountain, She & Him, Zeus, The Low Anthem, Metric, and Sebastien Schuller.

(mp3) Sebastien Schuller РBalan̤oire

(mp3) Vandaveer – However Many Takes it Takes

Saturday

Forest City Lovers, Electric President, Pretty Lights, and Hey Marseilles.

(mp3) Electric President – Safe and Sound

(mp3) Hey Marseilles – To Travels and Trunks

Help fund Kickstarter project Sound Through Sight!

There’s a really cool new site called Kickstarter that allows people working on independent projects to raise funding through friends, family, and awesome folks around the internet. And better yet, funders usually get some really neat swag in return (i.e. an artist trying to raise money to record an album, will often times send it to a supporter for free). You are bound to find amazing people on this site–and given they are seeking help from the community, it’s fair to say most of them are extremely modest, unlike some of their industry “(insert mean word)” counterparts.

One project that gets a big IndieMuse stamp of approval is called Sound Through Sight: A Gonzo Road Trip to Understand Music In 2010. It’s started by Tom Williams (writer), Sarah Mulligan (photographer), and Rahawa Haile (filmaker).

Here’s a small blurb from their Kickstarter page explaining the project:

Picture Chuck Klosterman and Alexis de Tocquevillie joining Hunter S. Thompson, going not on a drug-fueled rampage across Las Vegas but on a trip of discovery across America, seeking to understand where music and the music industry stands in 2010, how we got here, and where we’re going. We are three passionate young music lovers who intend to do just that. To understand these questions and to look for answers, we are going on a Gonzo road trip, searching for insights and answers on the back roads of America. We will then write a book on the trip which attempts to answers those questions we just posed. We will also create a book of photography from our travels across North America and a short documentary about the music we encounter on this trip.

The money we are seeking to raise here will go towards printing the first edition of the book, as well as the gas, food, and other minor travel expenses we’ll need to complete this trip. (more)

If you have a few extra dollars in your pocket, you should consider helping out! A $15 donation will even score you a free copy of the book once it’s published!

Song of the day: Avi Buffalo – Where’s Your Dirty Mind

Bombadil – “So Many Ways To Die” Music Video

I’m still tossing and turning at night over my “best of 2009” list, but one album that I am quite certain will be on there is Bombadil’s Tarpits and Canyonlands. It’s also going to make it onto my “Most underappreciated albums of 2009” list, “Most underappreciated albums of the decade” list and “Most underappreciated albums of the century (so far)” list. And David over at Largehearted Boy will have to recognize them all!!! (seriously, how does he do that?! He’s like a magical blogging wizard.)

Anyway, the main point of this post is to bring to your attention a hilarious music video Bombadil made for their song “So Many Ways To Die.” The video is comprised entirely of stock footage from the 30s, and was put together by Bombadil frontman Bryan Rahija. After watching the video a few times through I asked Rahija how he thinks he’s going to die, given all the possibilities. He said he figures he will clobbered by a bus scooting down G St in Washington DC. Similarly, I know for a fact that my untimely death at 93 is going to involve (but not be limited to): Montana, a treadmill, mountain goats, and 7-Eleven coke slushies.

There are so many ways to die. How is it going down for you?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U4ybU1KVcQ[/youtube]

Tarpits and Canyonlands (2009):

(MP3) Bombadil – Honeymoon

(MP3) Bombadil – So Many Ways To Die

Site | Store | iTunes | Myspace

Folk Covers: Lady Gaga & MIA

orba_poker_face_single_art

I’ll admit that I don’t actively seek out cover songs, so this award may be completely unwarranted for all I know, but this cover of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” by Orba Squara wins the best “Cover of the Year” in my book. It’s amazing.

Your Yellow Dress’ cover of MIA’s “Paper Planes” comes in a very close second.

Orba Squara – Poker Face (Lady Gaga cover)

Your Yellow Dress – Paper Planes (MIA cover)

Are there any other covers I should check out? I’ll be doing more complete features on Orba Squara and Your Yellow Dress soon…they’re both really awesome.

Oh my, the difference electronics and sex appeal can make!

Lady Gaga – Poker Face

MIA – Paper Planes

Sam Hart – Mario Kart Love Song

Mario Kart Love Song

I grew up playing Mario Kart, and really loved the game despite the fact that I was absolutely horrible at it. My strategy was to be so bad that I would distract my opponents, and then sneak attack a banana peel, but that never seemed to work out too well for me. I once slipped on my own peel which I didn’t even know was possible…

Mario and I have parted ways over the years (on good terms), but there are some really good Mario songs out there that still keep us close. My favorite is called the “Mario Kart Love Song” from a musician named Sam Hart. Sam plays music more as a hobby, for now, but this awesome song has gotten him quite a bit of attention.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDBpQVhCMb8[/youtube]

(MP3) Sam Hart – Mario Kart Love Song

The above MP3 is the Youtube version. Buy the better quality MP3 at iTunes or CDbaby. Sam is independent, support him!

Black Pear Trees EP:

(mp3) The Mountain Goats & Kaki King – Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is in Another Castle

Bombadil – Tarpits and Canyonlands

bombadil

I highly recommend checking out the band Bombadil. Their 2009 release Tarpits and Canyonlands hasn’t received all that much attention, which is really unfortunate given it’s one of my favorite albums of the year. I’m absolutely in love with the third track on the album, called “Honeymoon.” I would even go as far as saying that it’s my favorite track of the year. Its layered arrangements are gorgeous and seriously… it’ll blow your mind. Take a listen below.

Bombadil has a truly unique sound. It’s hard to classify them in a genre because their songs constantly evolve into something new. One second you can make the Neutral Milk Hotel connection. Next second,  Andrew Bird or the Minders. Perhaps with a dash of the Fleet Foxes.  Songs like “Sad Birthday” and “Honeymoon” have somewhat dark lyrics, but are among the most upbeat songs on the album. “Laurita” is sung in Spanish. The album is all over the place, and makes for one of the funnest concoction’s of the year. It’s pretty cool that the band and their label Ramseur (Avett Brothers) took the risk of putting this “multi-genred” album out. People might not like every song, but there’s definitely something here for everyone (at least on indie muse).

Bombadil is based out of Durham, NC, though they met while studying in Bolivia.  If you aren’t convinced that they’re a cool band yet, just take a look at their site where they pose their CD around the U.S. like Amelie does with the Garden gnome.

ameliegnomebombaldi rushmore

Tarpits and Canyonlands (2009):

(MP3) Bombadil – Honeymoon

(MP3) Bombadil – So Many Ways To Die

Site | Store | iTunes | Myspace

Bored To Death

boredtodeath

I’m quite fond of the new HBO series Bored To Death. When I heard that Zach Galifinakis (one of my favorite comedians) and Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore & I Heart Huckabees) were going to be in a new series, I knew that it was probably going to be great, but I was surprised by just how great it actually is. Is it bad that I just want it to be next Sunday already?

Schwartzman’s role as an author/unlicensed private investigator seriously couldn’t have been cast better. And this show has made my affection for Galifinakis grow even stronger, which I didn’t think was possible-his dry sense of humor is more subtle than in his other projects, and I love it. Ted Danson is hilarious as well, and Jim Jarmeush guest starred in the third episode!

To make things even better, Bored to Death jumped on the “good indie music in background” bandwagon. However, instead of trying to “make” every indie band out there, like Grey’s Anatomy, it plays less bands more frequently.  You can see the list here.

HBO just renewed Bored to Death for a second season. According to /Film, “the series also features guest appearances from John Hodgman (Daily Show, Mac ads), Patton Oswalt, Kirsten Wiig, Parker Posey, Bebe Neuwirth, Oliver Platt, Olivia Thirlby. And if you’re not sold yet… Paul Feig, of Freaks and Geeks, The Office and Arrested Development fame, directs a couple episodes.”

Episode 1:

(MP3) Kaiser Cartel – Favorite Song (Live from Breakthru Radio EP)

Myspace

(MP3) Andrew Bird – Lull

Myspace

Episode 4:

(MP3) La Strada -Loved You All Along

Myspace

The trailer doesn’t really do the show justice, but here you go anyway.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuCDfRvMLbA[/youtube]

Jim James (My Morning Jacket) shares his favorite books

jimjames

It was a nice surprise to see that this weeks edition of the great magazine The Week featured a list of Jim James’ favorite books. James is the frontman of My Morning Jacket, has a side project ‘Yim Yames’ under which he made a tribute album for George Harrison, and is one of the members of the power-group, Monsters of Folk (with Conor Oberst, M.Ward, and Mike Mogis). Here is the list if you are looking for some book recommendations. I’m actually way behind on reading and could use a recommendation from his recommendation list if you can help out.  (And I apologize if you thought the above photo was Seth Rogen. It’s not. Besides, I don’t think Rogen reads anything besides comic books.)

Monsters of Folk – Temazcal

My Morning Jacket – I’m Amazed

My Morning Jacket – Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ (Velvet Underground) @ Bonnaroo 08

Jim James favorite books (via The Week) :

Be Here Now by Ram Dass (Three Rivers, $15).

I was given this book at a point in my life when I needed it most. I digested its meditations on consciousness and spiritual identity, and knew I had met a lifelong friend. “Be here now.” What else needs to be said?

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (Picador, $16).

The mini-universe created within these pages, lost in time but forever timely and relevant, never fails to move. The human experience, the heights of emotion, the depths of sorrow, love, war, loss, and comic books are all vividly portrayed in Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel.

The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey

(Harper Perennial, $15). Monkey wrenchin’. Stickin’ it to the man. For his 1975 comic novel about a band of eco-saboteurs, Abbey invented some of the most memorable characters ever set into motion. High adventure in the great American West. Pure mental cinema. Great escape with a great message to boot.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

(Vintage, $15). One of my favorite voices. What creativity and depth Eggers poured into every aspect of his personal story about his family’s tragedy. What a good force for this planet Eggers has since become! All the proceeds from the sale of his recent novel What Is the What go to benefit the Sudanese in America and Sudan.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf; drawings by Robert Lawson (Grosset & Dunlap, $4).

“All the other little bulls he lived with would run and jump and butt their heads together, but not Ferdinand.” This simple story about finding peace and contentment within oneself remains relevant more than 50 years after its publication.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (Vintage, $16).

This was the first of Murakami’s books to grace my mind’s eye. I liked it so much I read all his books back to back and found myself lost in one giant blended story of surrealism so normal and strange.

IndieMuse.com music blog (free)

I know it’s a website, but what can I say?!?! Love at first site. Best. Music. Blog. Ever.

Okay, maybe the last one isn’t real, but we can pretend, right?

Bon Iver @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery

hollywoord forever cemetery

At 5:45 A.M., Bon Iver played a sold out, special event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (or as I now like to call it, “Hollywood Forever Ago”) in Los Angeles. Hundreds of people gathered on blankets and sleeping bags – some having gotten there at 11 PM the night before, one hour before doors officially opened.

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver seemed as awed by the setting as his fans, stating “Well, I think this is probably the weirdest thing any of us have ever done.” Even though Hollywood Forever is famous for showing movies on Sunday nights, Bon Iver seems to be the pioneer of a sunrise concert in this arena.

As the fog slowly cleared and daylight began to break, Bon Iver played an absolutely perfect set, hitting all of their songs. I have to believe even the dead people buried nearby appreciated the resonating beauty of his music, mostly from For Emma, Forever Ago, and some newer work. Justin made a disclaimer that unlike most bands, he would not be playing an encore. “We’re a young band still. We don’t have that many songs yet.” And sure enough a few songs later, about an hour and fifteen minutes after the set began, he said, “This is the last song we know how to play. I’m a little embarrassed,” before launching into a beautiful, eerie version of “Wolves,” with everyone joining in on the chorus. Hopefully this will motivate the band to release a sophomore album soon – this is the encore we have all really been waiting for.

written by guest contributor, Lauren Isaacson.

DeYarmond Edison (Bon Iver and Megafaun) – Love Long Gone (via Rollo & Grady)

Bon Iver – Skinny Love

Bon Iver – For Emma

Where the Wild Things Are (Trailer)

wild_things_montage_1

(picture credit: The Yellow Stereo)

Not only was Where the Wild Things Are one of my very favorite books growing up, it was also my breakout role as an actor when I was a little boy. No joke, my day care put on the play. I think I was only three, but I kicked-ass from what I remember.

The trailer just premiered today on Ellen, and looks amazing–I can’t wait for this movie to hit theaters in October.

Spike Jonze directed (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, various music projects). The great music in the background is a new version of Arcade Fire’s song “Wake Up.”

White Sessions:

Arcade Fire – Wake Up

Get excited!