SXSW 2009 Saturday Highlights

Posted on March 27, 2009 by the OCMD

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”

Mixtape: Best Songs of 2008 – Electro/Pop

Posted on December 22, 2008 by the OCMD

best-songs-20082

As many of you who read this blog already know, I’m mostly indie rock girl but I do dabble in a little indie pop/electronica from time to time. I am attracted to that Euro/ambient/dub pop/downtempo groove. However, it’s the rare album in this genre that can hold my interest all the way through. Which is why you won’t find many (if any) electro/pop albums on my top 20 list for 2008.

But there were many great songs of this variety that stood out to me this year. And here is a compilation of some of those tracks that moved me. I love listening to this mix and hope you will too. Enjoy!

Listen to Best Songs of 2008 – Electro/Pop:

Koushik, ‘Lying in the Sun‘
Air France, ‘Collapsing at Your Doorstep’
Martina Topley-Bird, ‘Phoenix’
The Black Ghosts, ‘Full Moon’
Nightmares on Wax, ‘195LBS.‘
The Notwist (Panda Bear Remix), ‘Boneless’
Tobacco, ‘Hairy Candy’
Lemonade, ‘Sunchips’
Raised By Robots, ‘I Love You/U Luv Me 2′
Starf**ker, ‘Florida’
Rafter, ‘Juicy’
Cut Copy, ‘Lights & Music’
Nightmares On Wax, ‘Da Feelin’
Rainbow Arabia, ‘Omar K’

Get these albums free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

What the F**K?!

Posted on November 20, 2008 by the OCMD

Maybe it’s just me, but there seems to be an unusual number of up and coming indie bands of late with the word f**k in their name. There’s Fuck, Fuck Buttons, Holy Fuck, Starfuckers, Fuck the Writer, Fucked Up. And those are just the bands. I’m not evening delving into recent album titles using said profanity. I guess we’re just one pissed off generation. We are amidst tumultuous times, but instead of adopting the peace, love and rock-n-roll attitude of the 70s, I guess we’re just going for piss and vinegar.

I personally would like to see a little more Hope, Faith and Sunshines in our world, but I tend to be a bit of a Pollyanna like that. That being said, I do like the sounds these f**ckers are putting out. Aside from Fucked Up, these bands don’t really sound at all what you would expect them to. Take a listen.

Fuck

Oakland, CA based Fuck’s pop melodies are consistently at odds with their vulgar moniker. I like their sense of humor in their naming convention, however.

Listen to ‘Motherfuckeroos’:

Fuck Buttons

I like the experimental sounds of Bristol, England-based duo Fuck Buttons. They just released their first album, Street Horrrsing, this year.

Listen to ‘Colours Move (Mogwai Remix)’:

Holy Fuck

“Holy Fuck, these guys rock!” That’s probably how the Toronto-based lo-fi electronic group got it’s name. Their music is created entirely with old analog musical and non-musical instruments — including a 35mm film synchronizer.

Listen to ‘Balloons (Foals Cover)‘:

Starfucker

I like the mellow pop grooves and overall cheekiness of this Portland-based group. I imagine these three guys sitting around the kitchen table giggling as they brainstormed their band name and song tracks like ‘German Love’ (I’m gonna give it to you). Their self-titled debut, released earlier this year, is quirky and easy on the ears.

Listen to ‘Florida‘:

Fuck the Writer

Fuck the Writer is Emil van Steenwijk from the Netherlands. Amsterdam-based indie folk. Go figure. He’s had a couple of solo albums so far: ‘Maar Ik Dans Niet’ and ‘Keeping The Aspidistra Flying’. Don’t ask me what any of that means or how to pronounce it. I just know it sounds good.

Listen to ‘Inside Out’:

Tobacco, Fucked Up Friends

Tobacco is the new endeavor of Black Moth Super Rainbow’s Tom Fec. While you can definitely hear the BMSR influence, Fucked Up Friends is much more tweaked-out and…fucked up!

Listen to ‘Hairy Candy’: