SXSW 2007

The craziest week in the world of Rock was last week with thousands upon thousands of hipsters from all around the world descending upon Austin, TX for four plus days of every imaginable type, genre and style of music.  This was my sixth SXSW and unfortunately might be my last.  While I saw a ton of great music and met a lot of awesome people, the event itself has become so big that it has outgrown its original purpose: Sharing the music of new and emerging artists with people in the Music Industry that can help further their careers.  This year it seemed like people were less concerned with the music, and more concerned about finding the party with the best free beer and DJs so they could dance all night and get wasted.  Let me say that there's nothing wrong with this at all.  In fact I rather enjoy it. It's just not what SXSW used to be about.  But with success always comes change.

So enough of my bitching. Onto the music.  Although it was a bit more difficult to get to every place I wanted to hit this year, I was still able to see and hear a lot of incredible music.  Instead of giving you a long day by day review of the festival, I’m going to break it down real simple like. Below you will find a list of artists with links and MP3s. All of these bands were great and definitely deserve your attention, so check them out.  I’m not going to pad the list with artists that were just ok, and name drop buzz bands. I really think all of these artists have something to offer and deserve your time.  If you want some more in-depth coverage of SXSW 2007, Stereogum and their staff of hundreds have great day by day (Friday, Thursday) recap that includes video, pics and MP3s. You can also check out Pitchfork  for some pretty good coverage and a bunch of awesome pics.



Pop Levi [My Space / Official]

Hometown: Liverpool / London

Probably the most impressive act I saw the entire week. I have had the record, Return to Form Black Majick Party, for awhile but the live show is another beast altogether. The music is original, entertaining, just weird enough and played by musicians who own their instruments. Please go see this band live.  Stream the album at MySpace.

Pop Levi - Blue Honey [MP3]  /  Pop Levi - (A Style Called) Crying Chic [MP3]  /  Pop Levi - Sugar Assault Me Now (Live) [YouTube]



Simian Mobile Disco [MySpace]

Hometown: United Kingdom

Simian Mobile Disco are becoming increasingly known for their remixes and mash-ups.  However it was a song from their former band Simian that was remixed by Justice that really caught the attention of the kids.  I was a big fan of Simian so it only makes sense that I enjoy the new version of the band with their more dance orientated focus. They have been known to kick out the jams, and at SXSW they delivered.

Simian Mobile Disco - Tits and Acid [MP3]  /  Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat (Radio Edit) [MP3]  [YouTube] 




The Crash [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: Finland

I have been trying to see The Crash for years now and was psyched to finally get to check them out.  They play this incredible hybrid of early Bowie influenced Glam, Disco and Indie Rock.  They were probably one of the tightest bands I have seen in a long while.  It's too bad they couldn't get onto some bigger showcases as I am sure a lot of people would have been impressed.  I don't know if they have any plans to tour the States but they do have three records available.  I recommend starting with Wildlife.

The Crash - New York [MP3]  /  The Crash - Still Alive [MP3]  /  The Crash - Pony Ride [YouTube]




The Little Ones [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

One of the few bands I was looking forward to seeing that I actually really enjoyed.  Most of the music I saw at SXSW that I liked was unexpected...which I guess in a way is almost more gratifying.  The Little Ones were great though and played their brand of sunny-pop exactly as I imagined it.  It helped that they're showcase was at one of the best sounding venues at the festival, Antone's. Then again I saw Margot and The Nuclear So and So's there the next day and wasn't nearly as impressed.

The Little Ones - Oh, MJ! [MP3]  [YouTube]  /  The LIttle Ones - Lovers Who Uncover [MP3]




Dappled Cities [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: Sydney, Australia

I actually caught the last couple of songs of this band at the Filter day party and was so impressed I went back and saw their showcase later that night.  While the venue they got stuck in was pretty awful, I really liked their songs and demeanor on stage.  They're one of those bands that have so much fun on stage that one can't help but join in.  Rumor is they are moving to the States soon, so keep your fingers crossed for a US tour of some sort.

Dappled Cities - Fire Fire Fire [MP3]  /  Dapples Cities - Holy Chord [MP3]  [YouTube]




The Prairie Cartel [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: Chicago, IL

I don't get how all the Blogs aren't all over this band already.  They seem like the natural progression from a lot of the "scenes" that are currently the flavor of the week on the Internet.  Their sound is really hard to describe, and while I am into the studio recordings the live show really highlights their strengths.  I guess the closest thing to them out there right now would be the Klaxons, but not quite as manic.  At times they have a definite industrial influence, but then shift gears and sound like a pop version of LCD Soundsystem.  If you're in Chicago don't miss your chance to see them live in small venues, as they probably won't be playing those for long.

The Prairie Cartel - Fuck Yeah [MP3]  /  The Prairie Cartel - Crack Town [MP3]



Softlightes [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: California

The Softlightes played a showcase at the Central Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night and I have never liked being at Church so much (sorry, Mom!).  While they might play a style of music that has become frustratingly "cookie cutter" by 2007, their blend of acoustic guitars, electronics and straight up pop songwriting is as good as any of the bands that started the trend what seems like a decade ago.  When all was said and done I guess what really impressed me about the band was that they could write a hook!

The Softlightes - Heart Made Of Sound [MP3]  [YouTube]  /  The Softlightes - The Microwave Song [MP3]



Mew [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: Denmark

You might have already heard or even seen Mew, as they have been quite the buzz band over the last year.  I was fortunate to catch them just as the sun was setting at a packed outdoor show at a new venue in Austin called the Belmont.  The band was great and lived up to all my expectations, but what really stuck with me was just the whole experience.  This was the most SXSW show of the week and will probably be what I remember when looking back on the 2007 festival in years to come.

Mew - 156 [MP3]  /  Mew - The Zookeeper's Boy [MP3]  [YouTube]




The Good, The Bad and The Queen [MySpace / Official]

Hometown: United Kingdom

What really needs to be said about this band? They packed the biggest venue in Austin and I don't think one person walked away disappointed (except maybe Mohnkey). The performance was flawless with Paul Simonon's dub bass reverberating through the amphitheater only to be outdone by Damon Albarn's mesmerizing vocals lilting in and out of the melody of each song.  I am happy I will be able to tell my kids that I saw this show, and not because of who it was, but because of how they sounded.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen - History Song [MP3]  /  The Good, The Bad and the Queen - Green Fields [MP3]  / The Good The Bad And The Queen - Kingdom of Doom  [YouTube]



So those were the highlights of SXSW 2007. There were a lot of other bands that didn't make this list.  Some of them just barely (Youth Group and a pretty awesome set from the Rapture) and some of them who didn't have a chance in the world (Jamie T and the highly overrated Simon Dawes).  I would also like to make a special mention of all the bands that played at the Liquid Generation (with help from Dangerbird, Under the Radar and Saucony) party on Thursday at the Flamingo Cantina.  The party was crazy crowded and I was running around all day so I couldn't take in a full set, but was really happy with what I heard from the Pipettes, Loney Dear and Architecture in Helsinki!  All in all SXSW 2007 was what it usually was: tons of bands, tons of beer and not nearly enough BBQ! Every year I say this will be my last SXSW, and this year is no exception.  But after writing this little recap, I think I might already be changing my mind!