The Unknown & Unheard Show 223!!! SXSW RECAP #2

Stream & Download The U & U Show 223 Right Here, Right Now! Matt & Kim - Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare – Grand (2009) - 2^nd album, debut out in 2006, Self-titled. - just added to the Pitchfork Music Fest, which is one of the more relevant festivals you’ll find - keyboard & drums that sound like much more than that… sum of the parts - Big indie rock sounds without a doubt… the sound of the vocals scream it. - This track thunders along and build very enjoyably - Played SXSW Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine The Dodos - Going Under - No Color (2011) - 3rd album - debut album appeared on almost every indie music Best of ’08 lists - their talent for creating impressive compositions is clearly evident. - This entire album is heavily focused on upbeat chugging drums. - Only $5.99 on amazon! Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Yellow Ostrich - Whale - The Mistress (2011)

- Debut full length

- Sounds a bit like the Beatles and the White Stripes and even at times Menomena.

- Played SXSW

Official Site : BandCamp : HypeMachine

Cults - You Know What I Mean (2011) Official Site : HypeMachine

Geographer - Heaven Waits - Animal Shapes EP (2010)

- latest release

- There aren't many out there but this is another band that puts off a sound very reminiscent of Yeasayer and Bravestation.

- Played SXSW

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Mountain Goats – Damn These Vampires – All Eternals Deck (2011)

- Forthcoming full length

- Their last, The Life of the World to Come, was out in October 2009.

- Led by John Darnielle and his unmistakable passionate and powerful vocals.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Grouplove – Get Giddy – Grouplove EP (2010)

- Debut EP

- Modest Mouse and Polyphonic Spree had a baby band… not really, but that’s what this sounds like.

- SXSW performer.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Generationals – You Say It Too - Actor-Caster (2011)

- Forthcoming album.

- Louisianan Indie pop

- Great 2010 SXSW DayTrotter Session

- Playing SXSW again this year.

Official Site : MySpace : HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session

Guided By Voices - I Am a Scientist - Bee Thousand (1994)

- 7^th album

- I have been kicking myself for a week now that I've realized I've missed a rare chance to see this band live!

- The prolific Robert Pollard's primary outfit

- Playing Pitchfork Music Fest

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

J Mascis - Where Are You- Several Shades of Why (2011)

- Forthcoming solo album.

- Dinosaur Jr. leader.

- Eddie Vedder-esque vocals.

- Played SXSW and was kind of a pleasant surprise.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Withered Hand - Religious Songs - Good News (2011)

- Debut full length, but has two previously released EPs

- Neil Young-heavy sound.

- His best song and unfortunately very profane. The FCC would not appreciate it if I didn’t edit… or maybe they would because it would result in them getting more cash for no good reason!

- Favorite new (to me) band! - Played SXSW

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Middle Brother – Blue Eyes – Middle Brother (2011)

- Forthcoming debut from this folk super group.

- Due out in March

- Features members of Deer Tick, Delta Spirit and Dawes.

Official Site : HypeMachine

LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean - This Is Happening (2010)

- 3rd Album

- James Murphy led outfit

- Band known for successfully tapping into many different genres: dance, rock, indie, disco

- They are responsible for what many critics consider some of the greatest songs of the past decade: All My Friends, New York I Love You and Someone Great

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Family Portrait - Other Side - Family Portrait (2011)

- Lead single off forthcoming full length.

- Crazy homemade video to another track of theirs with a wide assortment of flamethrowers.

- Makes me think of the Who a bit here.

MySpace : HypeMachine

Alexander - Awake My Body - Alexander (2011)

- Solo project from the vocalist of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

- Sounds very similar to the Edward Sharpe music.

Edward Sharpe Official Site : Edward Sharpe MySpace : HypeMachine

No Age - Glitter - Everything in Between (2010)

- 3^rd album - This is a band I’m late to the party for.

- Dream punk is how I’ve read them described… spacier, fuzzier punk music.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard 222! SXSW Recap Show!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 222 Right Here, Right Now!

 
Ezra Furman & The Harpoons – The Stakes Are High - Inside the Human Body (2008)
- 2nd album. 3rd is forthcoming.
- One of the most talented and refreshing artists going.
- Played a great, energetic SXSW set.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine : DayTrotter

 
TV on the Radio – Young Liars - Young Liars (2004)
- Debut EP
- First 2 singles from their long-awaited forthcoming album, Nine Types of Light, are out now. - Made my best of 2008 show.
- One of the most impressive bands at SXSW

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
Menomena – Muscle'n Flo - Friend and Foe (2007)
- 3rd album… 4th album, Mines, was out in 2010
- Lackthereof and Ramona Falls are side projects that have had releases since the last Menomena album
- Ultra-creative song writing. No one comes close to the sound they make. Layers and layers of instruments and vocals.
- Played this huge church at SXSW… one of the coolest settings and powerful shows of the week.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
The Black Angels – Young Men Dead – Passover (2006)
- First full length album.
- Just released Phosphene Dream and blew me away at SXSW
- Formed in 2004 in Austin, TX
- Interesting feel to it… similar to some of the Black Keys more eerie songs
- Debut Self Titled EP was released in 2005. 2nd full length out in 2008

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
JEFF the Brotherhood - Mind Ride - Heavy Days (2010)
- 3rd album - Jake & Jamin Orrall
- Kraut punk rock. Harder, eclectic rock.
- Played SXSW and they lead singer & guitarist came out into the crowd, right in front of me and played a solo from his knees for me!

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Downs - Body - Know Better, Learn Faster (2009)
- Latest album
- if you are unfamiliar with Thao you need to correctly that quickly
- Her last album, We Brave Bee Stings And All, was highlighted by the track 'Bag of Hammers."
- Was a highlight performer at SXSW… I was very close to proposing…

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
Geographer - Leave - Innocent Ghosts (2009)
- latest release
- There aren't many out there but this is another band that puts off a sound very reminiscent of Yeasayer and Bravestation.
- Played SXSW

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
Lesands - Pretenders - Sweet Skin (2011)
- Debut album
- Download if for free right now from their BandCamp site.
- Performed an incredible acoustic rendition of this song for a La Blogotheque shoot at SXSW.

BandCamp : HypeMachine

 
Bright Eyes - Lua - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)
- 4th studio album of 5 as Bright Eyes
- this is the closing track on his mainstream break out album
- Since he has released 2 solo albums and a brand new Bright Eyes album, The Peoples' Key.
- One of the best SXSW shows. 2+ hours, under the super moon, fireworks and $1 tacos!

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
James Vincent McMorrow - Early In the Morning, I'll Come Calling - Early In the Morning (2011)
- Debut full length.
- This guy's music could pass as Bon Iver's
- He seems to make no bones about his affinity for Justin Vernon… he even titles some of his songs like those of Vernon.
- Good thing I love that sound!
- Played SXSW, but I wasn't able to catch him.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
Alexander - Old Friend - Alexander (2011)
- Solo project from the vocalist of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
- Sounds very similar to the Edward Sharpe music.

Edward Sharpe Official Site : Edward Sharpe MySpace : HypeMachine

 
Tom Waits – Invitation to the Blues – Small Change (1976)
- 4th album
- Last song I heard in Austin… not by Mr. Waits though, played by Joe Gee.
Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
LCD Soundsystem – Never As Tired As When I’m Waking Up – LCD Soundsystem (2005)
- Debut full length. 3 out total.
- Playing their last 5 shows in NYC and I’m going to the 1st!
- Big time Bowie and Lennon sound on this track.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine
 
The Head and the Heart - Coeur D'Alene - The Head and the Heart (2011)
- Debut album.
- Folk rock that amps up into something like Mumford & Sons who exploded last year.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

 
Maps & Atlases - Living Decorations - Perch Patchwork (2010)
- Debut full length, but have a handful of EPs out.
- Chicago experimental folk outfit.
- Played SXSW

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

SXSW Recap : Possibly the Coolest Show I Saw

This might have been the coolest thing I stumbled onto at SXSW. I caught 3 performances/recordings for a really superb, stripped down and raw live music video blog, La Blogotheque. (Here are couple of my favorites: Yeasayer & Menomena to sample) When Leah, the couch surfing hostess I stayed with for part of my trip, and I strolled over to what we were hoping was a Middle Brother performance in this tiny, fairly secluded playground. Instead we saw the last two songs of a Lord Huron show! All of the performances for La Blogotheque are laid back acoustic renditions of songs, so I didn't recognize them at first and had to ask. After that, Lesands stood up from the crowd to get ready for their set. I had never heard of them prior, but was very hopeful. They were going to record the set down in a canal under this nearby bridge and invited teh crowd of like 10 people to join them. We did. Here's their rehersal... After that they announced Middle Brother (a folk rock 'super-group' made up of the leaders of Delta Spirit, Dawes & Deer Tick) was running late, but on their way. Leah unfortunately had to run, but luckily for her and you I recorded a bit of one of their 5 songs they performed. Pardon my face and the crappy quality, Blogger only let me upload one video and YouTube processed the clip... Once they finished up Deer Tick stayed around and played three songs while laying on his back in the grass!

It was pretty spectacular and so different that the rest of the trip and shows I saw.

SXSW Recap : Bright Eyes Live Audio (Video soon)

Here is the entire Bright Eyes concert from Saturday night at Auditorium Shores:

SXSW Recap : TV on the Radio : Young Liars @ Stubb's BBQ

This was one of the best shows I saw all week. Watch the set opener...

The Unknown & Unheard Show 221! SXSW Week!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 221 Right Here, Right Now! (Download) Nick Cave & UNKLE - Money and Run - Only the Lonely EP (2011) - Forthcoming EP from UNKLE - UNKLE is a producer who teams up with other singers and bands for his releases. Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine The Kills - DNA - Blood Pressures (2011) - Forthcoming album - latest album was out in 2008, ‘Midnight Boom’ - Detroit rock duo. - The female half, Allison Mosshart is in the Dead Weather with Jack White. - Playing SXSW Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine TV on the Radio – Caffeinated Consciousness - Nine Types of Light (2011) - First single from their long-awaited forthcoming album. - It seems all of their members have done their own projects since their last full length came out in 2008. - Made my best of 2008 show. - Playing SXSW Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine JEFF the Brotherhood - U Got The Look (Live at Third Man Records) - Heavy Days (2010) - 3rd album - Jake & Jamin Orrall - Kraut punk rock. Harder, eclectic rock. - Playing SXSW MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Ben Ottewell - Chose - Shapes & Shadows (2011) - Solo debut from one of Gomez's three singers. - He always had my favorite voice in Gomez, especially when he'd lead the more rocking song from them. - This album is unfortunately a bit more restrained than I'd like. Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine Yearbook Committee - We Let Our Grades Slip - Sing Til You Die (2011) - Debut release. - Playing SXSW - Terre Haute music collective. Official Site : HypeMachine Auditorium - Oh, My Desperate Soul - Be Brave (2011) - Debut Full length - Great sound captured here. Makes you think of T. Rex, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes. Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine Yellow Ostrich - Tightrope (Yeasayer Cover) - Debut full length is called 'The Mistress' - Sounds a bit like the Beatles and the White Stripes and even at times Menomena. - Playing SXSW Official Site : BandCamp : HypeMachine The Dodos - Sleep - No Color (2011) - 3rd album - debut album appeared on almost every indie music Best of ’08 lists - their talent for creating impressive compositions is clearly evident. - This entire album is heavily focused on upbeat chugging drums. Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine Beady Eye - Bring the Light - Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011) - Debut album from this Liam Gallagher (Oasis) project. - Rolling Stones and Beatles influenced rock like a lot of Oasis' music. Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine Withered Hand - Love in the Time of Ecstasy - Good News (2011) - Debut full length, but has two previously released EPs - Neil Young-heavy sound. - His best song is unfortunately very profane. The FCC would not appreciate it. - Favorite band I've found this week! - Playing SXSW Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine J Mascis - What Happened - Several Shades of Why (2011) - Forthcoming solo album. - Dinosaur Jr. leader. - Eddie Vedder-esque vocals. - Playing SXSW Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine Bobby Long - Who Have You Been Loving - A Winter Tale (2011) - Debut full length - British atl-country singer/songwriter Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat - Early In the Morning (2011) - Debut full length. - This guy's music could pass as Bon Iver's - He seems to make no bones about his affinity for Justin Vernon… he even titles some of his songs like those of Vernon. - Good thing I love that sound! - Playing SXSW Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine SXSW ENCORE!!! Robin Pecknold - I'm Losing Myself (Feat. Ed Droste) - Three Songs EP (2011) - Latest solo release from the Fleet Foxes lead singer. He usually goes by White Antelope. - Fleet Foxes have their 2nd album on its way, 'Helplessness Blues' - This track features Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear. MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Wye Oak - Civilian - Civilian (2011) - 3rd full length. Also 1 EP - Indie folk rock duo. Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine