My turn to give it a go.
As Mark mentioned in his post, we are only giving our picks for official SXSW showcases. If we also listed all the bands we want to see at day parties, we’d be here all night.
Things kick off tonight lightly. Think of it as an appetizer to the mayhem that is to come, but there will still be plenty of good music to whet your appetite.
You also might want to pay close attention to my picks. They tie into a contest I’ll be posting tomorrow involving a record giveaway courtesy of Polyvinyl Records. Ok, I’ve already said too much. On to the picks!
As usual, there are lots of great bands playing at the same time every night. Grrrr.
Tuesday, March 15th
Admiral Fallow – (The Bat Bar 9:00pm) Just started to get into this Scottish indie folk band. Should be a good way to start off the fest.
PS I Love You– (Emo’s Main Room 12:00am) Lots of good buzz. I’m interesting in seeing if the hype lives up to it.
Surfer Blood– (Emo’s Main Room 1:00am) See PS I Love You.
Wednesday, March 16th
Freedy Johnston– (St. David’s Bethell Hall 8:00pm) Never have had a chance to see Freedy. One helluva songwriter.
The R.G. Morrison– (The Velveeta Room 9:00pm) Already marked as one of my must see’s for this year’s SXSW. They remind me of the good old days of driving around late at night listening to Mojave 3.
Foster & Lloyd– (Saxon Pub 10:00pm) Doubt that I’ll be able to make it this one since the Saxon’s not really a walk from downtown, but I’m happy to see that these guys are back together.
Chimes and Bells– (Soho Lounge 10:00pm) I always love to “discover” new bands during SXSW. This Danish psych band fits that bill.
John Vanderslice– (Red 7 Patio 10:35pm) Will I finally be able to mark Vanderslice off my list off acts to see live?
The Cave Singers– (Red 7 Patio 11:35pm) Their new album (and first on Jagjaguwar) No Witch, doesn’t want to leave my turntable. I’m cool with that.
Todd Thibaud– (The Velveeta Room 12:00am) I’ll have a hard time making it to this show, but I’d love to check him out since I was a big fan of his early 90’s band, The Courage Brothers.
Duran Duran– (Stubb’s 12:30am) Hell, why not? I liked their first two albums at least.
Okkervil River– (Red 7 Patio12:50am) Probably the main reason why I won’t make it to Duran Duran.
This Will Destroy You– (Malverde 1:00am) This Austin instrumental epic rock four piece are one of my personal faves. Always a fantastic show live.
Vetiver– (St David’s Historic Sanctuary 1:00am) Oh, South-by, why must you schedule Vetiver at the same time as This Will Destroy You? Thank the lord for day parties!
Thursday, March 17th
Bob Geldof– (ACL Live at The Moody Theater 7:00pm) One, I’m curious to see what the newest venue in town looks like and two, I wonder if Bob will play “I Don’t Like Mondays”.
Cults– (Central Presbyterian Church 9:00pm) Lots of buzz around this band and I love seeing shows at this church. Best acoustics in town.
Roge (with guest Bernie Williams)- (Elephant Room 9:00pm) My fiancee will want to see at least one Brazilian since that’s her Motherland and why not go see a potential Baseball Hall of Famer on classical guitar while we’re at it? Even if he was a Yankee!
Dave Alvin– (The Dirty Dog Bar 10:00pm) I’ve never seen Dave Alvin live and have been a big fan for years.
David Wax Museum– (Momo’s 10pm) Former Columbia, MO residents (just like my fiancee) that may be the only band in modern music that use a donkey jaw bone as a prominent instrument.
Monahans– (Stephen F Bar 10pm) Local faves that are due for a breakthrough.
Fishbone– (Austin Music Hall 10:50pm) For old times sake.
Quiet Company– (The Marq 11:00pm) See Monahans.
Emmylou Harris– (Antone’s 11:15pm) I still have a crush on Emmylou.
The Bangles– (Cedar Street Courtyard 11:45pm) I still have a crush on Susanna Hoffs.
Alex Skolnick Trio– (Easy Tiger 12:00am) Legendary thrash guitar player (Testament) is also a jazz virtuoso. Jazz renditions of metal classics? Yes, please.
Jay Nash– (The Tap Room at Six 12:00am) Vermont singer songwriter writes songs that can make you laugh and cry.
Ponderosa– (Soho Lounge 12:00am) The return of good Southern rock.
Retribution Gospel Choir– (Emo’s Jr. 12:15am) Featuring two members of Low, but sounding completely different than Low.
Old 97’s– (Antone’s 12:30am) I think it’s impossible for The Old 97’s to put on a bad show.
Kopecky Family Band– (Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room 1:00am) Another band destined for bigger and better things.
Friday, March 18th
The Vinyl District Day Party! Ok, I lied about not posting day parties. But this is our day party! So, of course I’m required to pimp it. We have a stellar lineup from 12-6pm at Clive Bar with Sean Rowe, Saadi, Babeshadow, Only Son, Craig Wedren, Hanni El Khatib, and Nicole Atkins and free nachos courtesy of Zocalo Cafe. Please come join us!
Times New Viking– (The Parish 7:30pm) The best thing to come out of Columbus, OH since Kirk Herbstreit. Oh wait, he sucks, Times New Viking don’t.
The Benson Interruption– (Esther’s Follies 8:00pm) I always make time to see comedians during SXSW, and Doug Benson is one of the best. Come see him bring his Comedy Central show to the Esther’s Follies stage.
Dan Wilson– (Victorian Room at the Driskill (9:00pm) Yes, the Semisonic guy. Underrated band in my book.
Liturgy– (Emo’s Jr 9:00pm) Sometimes you just need to hear some good ol’ black metal.
Sarah Jaffe– (Momo’s 9:00pm) TVD Austin are big Sarah Jaffe fans. This is where you will most likely find me at this time slot.
Tig Notaro– (Esther’s Follies 9:30pm) Probably the funniest comedian you haven’t heard of yet. NO MOLESTE!
Candy Golde– (Club Deville 11:00pm) Chicago “supergroup” featuring Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), John Stirratt (Wilco), Rick Rizzo (Eleventh Dream Day) and Chicago scene fave, Nick Tremulis. The track “Troubles Coming Down” will get stuck in your head for days (in a good way). This is sure to be a highlight of the festival.
Wye Oak– (The Parish 11:45pm) I’ll be hauling ass to the Parish right after Candy Golde to catch this Baltimore indie folk duo.
Caspian– (Valhalla 1:00am) Last time they played SXSW, I showed up late to their set and only caught the very end of their set. Not this time, Caspian!
Saturday, March 19th
Kurt Vile & the Violators– (Auditorium Shores 3:30pm) If Tom Petty started out in the 00’s instead of the 70’s, Kurt Vile would own him.
The Autumn Defense– (Momo’s 8:00pm) John Stirratt’s other side project band along with Wilco bandmate, Pat Sansone. If Tweedy ever put Wilco to bed, I’d be content with regular Autumn Defense releases.
Carl Broemel with Special Guests- (St David’s Bethell Hall- 9:00pm) My Morning Jacket guitarist goes it alone and put out an incredible solo debut, All Birds Say. Will quite possibly be my first pedicab of the week to get to this show all the way from Momo’s.
Meat Puppets with Roky Erikson– (Austin Music Hall 9:50pm) C’mon, you know this will rule.
Laura Jansen– (St David’s Historic Sanctuary 10:00pm) Her cover of KOL’s “Use Somebody” is a heartbreaker, and if you want a catchy tune stuck in your head, check out, “Wicked World”.
Casiokids– (The Parish 10:00pm) I very well might be at the Polyvinyl showcase the rest of the night. Contest alert!
Mark Eitzel– (St David’s Bethell Hall) But then again, Mark Eitzel is playing at the same time…..
Asobi Seksu– (The Parish 11:00pm) Another great pop band on Polyvinyl.
Simple Circuit– (Speakeasy Kabaret 11:00pm) Read my interview with Simple Circuit from a few days ago and check out their tunes!
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin– (The Parish 12:00am) I could quite possibly end my SXSW 2011 with SSLYBY. Their album, Let it Sway, may have been my favorite for 2010.
Starfucker– (The Parish 1:00am) Oh who am I kidding? Of course, I’m going to stick around to see Starfucker after SSLYBY!
Hope to see you out and about!
