The U & U SXSW 2013 Recap Show!

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Songs:Ohia : John Henry Split My Heart : The Magnolia Electric Co. (2003)

-          9th and final Songs:Ohia release before he launched his next band Magnolia Electric Co.

-          Leader Jason Molina died at 39 this past Saturday night (3/17/13) in Indianapolis. He was battling alcoholism for years and it finally was too much.

-          It’s an odd feeling to describe, but he was without question one of my all-time favorites and the person I’ve been the biggest fan of to die.

-          I feel fortunate to have seen him perform.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Well, Well : Can’t Talk Medicine (2013)

-          Debut full length

-          This has catapulted itself to the forefront of the best album of ’13 discussion.

-          Tied for my favorite show at SXSW 2013.

Official Site

Suuns : Mirror Mirror : Images Du Futur (2013)

-          2nd album

-          Just released video for this one, 2020.

-          Tied for my favorite show of SXSW 2013.

-          Pronounced like ‘soons.’

Official Site

Devendra Banhart : Golden Girls : Mala (2013)

-       8^th studio album

-       Full Name: Devendra (Hindu god of rain and thunder) Obi (Star Wars inspired) Banhart

-       His solo electric SXSW 2013 set was breathtaking. Charming, funny, delicate, restrained beauty.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Diamond Rings : Mellow Doubt (Teenage Fanclub Cover) : You & Me b/w Mellow Doubt (single) (2011)

-       B-side of a single off his debut album, Special Affections.

-       2^nd album was 2012’s Free Dimensional and much more beat driven and dance.

-       Powerful solo acoustic performance at SXSW 2013.

Hiss Golden Messenger : Red Rose Nantahala (Live) (2012)

-          Unreleased track recorded at a festival in late 2012.

-          Provided a perfect solo acoustic set on the back patio on a sunny afternoon at SXSW 2013

-          His album Poor Moon is a highlight of 2012.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Marnie Stern : Nothing Is Easy : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)

-          4th album. Out in March 2013

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Phosphorescent : Ride On, Right On : Muchacho (2013)

-          6th album

-          Singer/songwriter alias for Matthew Houck.

Official Site

Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down : We Don't Call : We The Common (2013)

-       4th album. Also one collab album with Mirah called Thao & Mirah.

-       if you are unfamiliar with Thao you need to correctly that quickly

-       If she ever were to propose to me, I would say yes.

-       SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

You Won’t : Three Car Garage : Skeptic Goodbye (2012)

-          Debut album.

-          Liked them at CMJ. LOVED them at SXSW.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Nick Cave : Wild Lovely Eyes : Push Away the Sky (2013)

-          15th studio album

-          Most recent was 2008’s ‘Dig, Lazarus! Dig!!!’ and then his two Grinderman albums.

-          Like a few artists out there, like Lou Reed and Tom Waits, he has a huge cult following and a unique/distinct sound.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Cloud Cult : You’re the Only Thing In Your Way : Love (2013)

-       10th album

-       Led by environmentalist Craig Minowa

-       'Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus' was their 6th and best album.

-       I reference this band a lot when talking about newer bands taking on this style because these guys are so good at it!

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Youth Lagoon : Pelican Man : Wondrous Bughouse (2013)

-          2^nd full length

-          Lusher, wilder, trippier follow up to their understated debut.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Turf War : Ain’t Living Long Like This (Waylon Jennings cover) : Turf War Plays the Hits (2013)

-          EP of covers

-          Favorite band of SXSW 2012

facebook : HypeMachine

The U & U's 10 SXSW 2013 Bands You Need To Know

So, there are a ton of people that are telling you the bands you need to know now at Sx '13 before it's too late and their tickets skyrocket... Allow me to add to that overpowering din. These are bands that I think are most poised for big things, or even if they're not, they're ones you'll enjoy the crap out of...

Pickwick : Album's on its way and it is tremendous. This is one of many highlights including the 'Lady Luck' cover.



Fletcher C. Johnson : His debut full length was out last year and garnered a ton of praise from the few who got their hands on it.

Dune Rats : These guys were the most energetic, fun band I took in at CMJ 2012. I can't wait to see and hear more from them. Australian FIDLAR? 

Burnt Ones : I find it pretty much impossible to not love this warm fuzzy sound. 



Night Beds : Does the Jagjaguwar group ever disappoint? No. That's one hard and fast rule I am certain of...



Holy Esque : This is one band that I can't say I have seen get pub anywhere... at all... that's gonna change...



Palma Violets : This is another outfit, like Holy Esque, that I just stumbled onto by thumbing through the SXSW band list. It is ALWAYS a rewarding project.



Suuns : They just put out their 2nd album, but damn! It's hard to pull yourself away from it... no matter what those assholes as Pitchfork say. Jagjaguwar again...



Bad Cop : I was only somewhat sold on these guys, that was until I heard the following song/video. More please.



FIDLAR : They have already started to break out, but if you are late, climb about this wonderfully enjoyable group's bandwagon of slackerdom.



Honorable Mentions

UFO Club, Shark Week, Warm Soda, Little Green Cars, Gap Dream and Gold & Youth.

The U & U Show 310! SXSW 2013 Preview #5!

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Dune Rats : Red Light, Green Light (2013)

-          Latest single.

-          2 EPs and 2 Singles out so far.

-          Sloppy garage, REM-leaning act starting to carve out a name for themselves in a similar way as FIDLAR.

-          Tied for best act of CMJ 2012 with the Grizzled Mighty

-          SXSW 2013

BandCamp : HypeMachine : @DUNERATSS

Youth Lagoon : Mute : Wondrous Bughouse (2013)

-          2nd album.

-          Trevor Powers recorded the debut at 20 yrs old

-          Beachy (at times), spacey indie pop.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Suuns : 2020 : Images Du Futur (2013)

-          2nd album

-          Just released video for this one, 2020.

-          Experiment, engrossing prog rock band from Montreal.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

The UFO Club : July : The UFO Club (2012)

-          Debut LP from collaboration between The Black Angels and Night Beats.

-          Great dark psych rock… not a surprise considering the band's family tree.

Facebook : HypeMachine

Savages : Husbands : Flying To Berlin/Husbands (single) (2012)

-          Debut single.

-          One of the most buzzed about bands at CMJ 2012.

-          All female post-punk rock from the UK

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper : Penny Licks : Mammoth Swoon (2010)

-          4^th of 5 minor releases.

-          Just released her tremendous studio debut in Feb 2013.

BandCamp

Diamond Rings : All Yr Songs : Special Affections (2010)

-          debut release. 2nd album was out in 2012.

-          Solo project from John O'Regan, the lead singer of the D'Urbervilles (they have a fantastic cover of Timber Timbre's 'Magic Arrow'!)

-          Reminds me a lot of the leading indie pop bands... Belle & Sebastian, Bishop Allen, Etc.

-          Don't watch the video for this song...

Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine

The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! : Snowday : I Love You! I Love You! I Love You and I’m In Love With You! Have an Awesome Day! Have the Best Day of Your Life!! (2010)

-          Debut album

-          Self described as 'like a band meets gym class meets group therapy'

-          Quirky, eclectic. catchy, charming upbeat pop.

-          SXSW 2013

BandCamp

Josh Ritter : New Lover : The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)

-          7th album

-          By far the happiest, most grateful for the moment they're in musician I've ever seen perfom.

-          One musician that's been going strong for the entirety of my adult life and a constant on the U & U though out.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Blackout : Myths Vol. 3 (2011)

-          One of their earlier EPs.

-          Readying their full length this year.

-          Seattle band.

-          These guys will be one of the biggest bands to break out this year.

-          RIYL Cold War Kids

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

My Jerusalem : Sweet Chariot : Gone For Good (2010)

-          debut full length. 2nd full length out in 2012.

-          Members of The Twilight Singers, Great Northern and Polyphonic Spree.

-          made a big impression at SXSW

-          This was their first single and was released like over a year ago! Time to revisit and remember why the anticipation was so massive for this record.

-          SXSW 2013

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

You Won't : Who Knew : Skeptic Goodbye (2012)

-          Debut album

-          One of 2012's best albums.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Zombies : This Will Be Our Year : Odessey and Oracle (1968)

-          2^nd album of 5 total.

-          Very successful, though short-lived run in the late 60's

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

The Memories : I’m Easy : Rainy Day Tape (2013)

-           

-          Very intriguing band just added to SXSW 2013.

-          Lo-fi glam/big beat  vintage rock.

-          Most of their songs clock in under 2 minutes

BandCamp

Japandroids : Crazy/Forever : Post-Nothing (2009)

-          Debut full length.

-          2nd album, Celebration Rock was one of 2012's best.

-          raucous anthem-filled post punk rock.

-          huge energy and distortion. You’ll want to see this song live and as loud as possible.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Myspace : HypeMachine

The U & U's SXSW 2013 Preview Spotify Playlists

For all you prepping for your Austin adventure and those ready to live vicariously, I present a tiered rundown of most of the SXSW '13 bands you should have on your radar. There are 192 bands presented here and I didn't even include the notable rap and comedian performers, but I had to draw a line somewhere, right? We start with the bands I'm most hyped about, and then work our way down my scale of desire. Finishing with the bands that I've been bombarded about the most, but I just am not feeling for one reason or another. You may dig though! 

Tier #1 : I'll Kill Myself If I Don't See...



Tier #2 : No Excuses...



This one wasn't on Spotify, but needs mentioning: 



Tier #3 : Only The Most Legit Excuses...



Tier #4 : If At All Possible...



Tier #5 : It'd Be Nice...



Tier #6 : Happily Charge Your Phone To...



Tier #7 : I'm Supposed To Desire These, But...



I say time and time again that this is the greatest event in music and I only make that claim more passionately every year. There are plenty of familiar faces here, but I hope you found some new-to-you bands to add to your rotation. Thanks!

New Cold Specks

Cold Specks (aka Al Spx) is readying a new single, 'When the City Lights Dim,' but to whet our appetites she's put out the b-side from that release. Just try and find me a more powerful voice in music right now...