Greetings from Laurel Canyon!
Breathe, eat, sleep, and drink rock ‘n roll…that’s all I want to do today. Wouldn’t that be the life?!
Well, next week many of us will be “living the dream” down in Austin for the almighty SXSW Conference. So, let’s load up those vans and head south. Rock stars, indie legends, no names, wannabees, DJs, and laptop savants alike—we’ll all be rubbing shoulders and drinking beer on 6th before long.
As always Idelic will be scorching the Texas pavement; first in the know and last to leave, that’s my thing. SXSW is my business and this Idelic Hour is the first installment at staying on game when it comes to new artists and trends.
At first listen, this year’s crop of new bands falls sharply into two styles—rootsy folk and blues based artists: He’s My Brotha She’s My Sister, Valerie June, Howler, Orwells, Allah-las, Lee Fields, You Won’t, and Howlin Rain, or:
E.D.M., the new term for this thick second wave of electronica: Kindness, Robert Delong, Rhye, and Madeon will make wearing cowboy boots feel weird.
Along with the annual quest for what band is burning up the internet, we’ll probably check on how some of our old friends are doing. If you are grey, wrinkled, and from Jersey, word is the Boss is playing, so go for it!
My wish list starts with the vulnerable Fiona Apple, the lovely Shins, and Canyon locals Edward Sharpe’s debut of their very cool album with the very long name. Also a must; former SXSW regulars The Gossip, and if The Jesus and Mary Chain is anywhere in my range, I will be there with a smile. Ye haw!
The Idelic Hit of the Week:
Big Deal – Talk
