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I adore the vintage sounds of Richard Swift’s EP Ground Trouble Jaw and look forward to his upcoming full length album The Atlantic Ocean next week (April 7th)! His tour kicks off on the same date in Santa Cruz, California and will be playing San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall on April 8. I seem destined to miss him both at SXSW and here! Soon.
Richard Swift, “Lady Luck”
A very, very strange video indeed. Definitely not the visual I have when listening to this tune.
The day started out in a haze trying to find who I thought was Gentleman Reg, only to find out halfway through the set that I ended up at Gentleman Jesse and His Men, which was okay by me. It was a nice outdoor venue with shade and seating, which I really needed at that moment.
Listen to Gentleman Jesse and His Men, “I Don’t Wanna Know“:
Luckily, the same venue was hosting another band I was dead set on seeing, Dead Confederate. No pun intended. Thankfully my Gentleman Reg blunder got me to the venue in enough time so that we weren’t shut out from seeing them. The venue was small and there was a loooong line at the door. Waiting for the band to start, I was interrogated by a man named Walker as to whether or not a fair maiden like myself was in the right place and if I indeed liked the Dead Confederate. After assuring him that I was and did, he replied “cool” then walked up to the stage and started playing guitar.
Listen to Dead Confederate, “The Rat”:
The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band
After a quick pit stop at Starf**ker (I couldn’t resist), we headed South of Congress to chill out at Home Slice Pizza and catch up with The Phenomenal Handclap Band – again.
Listen to Starf**ker, “Florida”
Listen to The Phenomenal Handclap Band, “You’ll Disappear”:
Iran Frontman Aaron Aites
After refueling, it was off to Club Deville to catch Iran – Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio’s) side project with friend and filmmaker Aaron Aites. I’m really liking their new album, Dissolver, right now.
Listen to Iran, “Buddy“:
Harlem
Then it was off to The Beauty Bar to catch a little Jana Hunter, Harlem and – finally – Gentleman Reg. Harlem was a hoot and I was completely to surprised to learn they were local. They were all one big hot mess and looked like they’ve been living out of a van for months.
Listen to Jana Hunter, “Babies“:
Listen to Harlem, “South of France”:
Listen to Gentleman Reg, “How We Exit”:
Black Joe Lewis
Wrapping up the evening was Halifax Nova Scotia favorites, Wintersleep, followed by Austin’s answer to Little Richard, Black Joe Lewis.
Listen to Wintersleep, “Drunk on Aluminum”
Listen to Black Joe Lewis, “Bitch, I Love You”
The new video from Great Lake Swimmers for the track “Pulling On A Line” off their forthcoming album Lost Channels available March 31. Great Lake Swimmers perform at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco April 3.
The new video for “French Navy“, a track from Camera Obscura‘s new album, My Maudlin Career, due out April 20th. They’ll be at San Francisco’s The Fillmore on June 8. Check their MySpace site for other tour dates.
Handsome Furs performing “Legal Tender” at Insound’s SXSW 2009 day party at Club De Ville. Yeah! (Sorry for the pixelated video quality. YouTube really strips down the video.)
One of my favorite up and coming bands, Wintersleep, is playing San Francisco’s Hotel Utah tonight. I just saw them this weekend at SXSW and can confidently vouch for their live performance. They rock. The Halifax-based band is on tour supporting their latest album Welcome to the Night Sky. One of my favorites for 2008. If I wasn’t so sick I’d be out there to see them again tonight. You should be there though. That way when they make it big you can say “Yeah, I saw them at Hotel Utah once.”
Listen to “Drunk on Aluminum”:
A quick break from our regularly scheduled program for a public service announcement plugging a cool project from local photographer and blogger, Julie of Tangobaby. She’s launched a new blog called I Live Here: SF that features portraits and stories of the people that call San Francisco home. It was amazing to meet her, hear her story, share our goals and ambitions and be a part of her dream. Such an interesting interlude to a random Friday.
Since we connected through the blogosphere, music was a big part of our conversation. As was fashion and my current obsession with my new peacock feather necklace. (Isn’t it pretty?) I was asked recently what we were listening to when this shot was taken. I can’t recall exactly, but if I had to choose one song to reflect my mood it would be Iran’s “Buddy“. I’m in love with this song. (More on this band later.)
Listen to “Buddy“:
The new video for “There Are Birds” from The Ruby Suns album Sea Lion. One of my favorites!
Friday at SXSW kicked off in style with a great day party hosted by Insound at Club De Ville. Obits opened the day with an impressively scorching set, followed by one of my favorite bands, The Handsome Furs, who’s energy and chemistry did not disappoint. I had yet to see them live so was thrilled to get up close and personal with them at such a great venue. (Loved Alexei Perry’s leopard print jumpsuit too.) American Analog Set followed but they were a bit too quiet to be appreciated with a crowd in the full throws of an all you can drink PBR pint party, so off I headed to the Spin private event at Stubbs.
At the Spin party, which was a blast, I caught The Black Lips – who lived up to their infamous stage performance reputation — Glasvegas and the seminal band of the 80s Echo and The Bunnymen. Ian McCulloch’s voice was amazing and the band’s performance was one of my highlights of the festival for me. Between sets we were entertained by the likes of The Crystal Method and NASA. A great show all around! Thanks Spin!
Without missing a beat, we headed to the TopSpin party to see White Denim crush it. If you don’t know this band already, you are missing out. Exposion is my favorite album of 2008 and they are absolutely incredible live. Whew, okay. I’m a good nine bands in and we haven’t even gotten to the official SXSW schedule yet!
The evening kicked off with Alberta Cross. Man, these guys are good. Really, really good. One of the SXSW sleepers, in my opinion. Loney Dear was up next with a lackluster performance, but all was redeemed when we made it to Emo’s Jr. for King Kahn & The Shrines. Holy crap! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like them. Absolutely and completely crazy live performers. People were hanging from the rafters, taking off their pants, moshing and giving puja to the holy Hindu, King Kahn. I didn’t think the night could get any better until we ended up at the mother of all after parties to see Starf**ker. My new favorite band. I loooovve them!
Listen to Handsome Furs “I’m Confused”
Listen to The Black Lips, “O Katrina”
Listen to Echo & The Bunnymen, “Killing Moon”
Listen to Glasvegas, “Geraldine”
Listen to White Denim, “Shake Shake Shake”
Listen to Alberta Cross, “The Thief and The Heartbreaker”
Listen to King Khan & The Shrines, “No Regrets”
Listen to Starf**ker, “Iaadeedaa”
Glasvegas at Stubbs
The Black Lips at Stubbs
At the Spin party. Music, hipsters and free beer - oh my!
Echo & The Bunnymen at Stubbs
Alberta Cross at Rusty Spurs
The Legendary King Kahn enjoying a well deserved drink after his performance at Emos Jr.
Starf**ker Rules!
Hanging with The Black Lips frontman.
the OCMD 