Voilà!: A Week of SXSW 2009

It's time! South By South West. Possibly the biggest event in independent music. At this very moment, hundreds of bands and thousands of listeners are converging to the hotels of Austin, Texas, for a gathering of epic proportions.

SXSW is legendary - some of the hottest bands you've never heard of get their start right in the midst of the bars of Austin. Getting to play at South By South West and being heard by some of the most influential people in the music business who troll the streets with the streams of everyday music listeners, avid fans, and music blogging aficionados is like shining a spotlight to their (possible) future stardom.

But there is one fact that is unavoidable: THERE ARE A LOT OF BANDS.
You can try to imagine it, but the imagination doesn't encompass just how many bands go and play there, in the span of a short week. It's an overloading of the musical senses. Furthermore, if you're on the streets like a commando of indie music yourself, it's tough to know even where to begin listening. How do you start? Where do you go? Well Voilà! will attempt to be a guide for your eager ears while in the Texas capital.

Most music blogs write in-depth previews, reviews, overviews, and other views, all throughout the week of SXSW. Other blog-writers are also in the midst of it all. I, on the other hand, am not, nor have even been in the past (much to my loathing/envy/jealousy). So, once again, I pick up what I can from here. But there is plenty to pick up, I assure.

Sifting slowly through the torrent of musical troubadours descending south, I have picked some of my favourites that are must sees while at SXSW, most of which are new and rising stars. And this suggestion list I endow to thee, whether you are on the front lines, are stuck at your computer screen like myself. I will also be featuring SXSW artists all week long here on Voilà! - can you say seven featured bands?! I hope you can, cause that's the dish that's being served. Be sure to check back at Voilà! everyday this week (starting Wednesday) for updates!

But granted, I'm only one lowly writer, and there are way too many bands for me to give their due and proper to. To compensate, in this post, you can see Voilà!'s suggested line-up of the latest and greatest talent that will be playing in Austin sometime during SXSW. Some old favourites from last year's SXSW, some old Voilà! feature artists, and some new talent! How can you not be excited? To see any of the artists' dates is SXSW, just follow their appropriated links.

You have to celebrate the differences to truly enjoy what you're listening to. And that's what SXSW is all about. There are no rules, and there are no boundaries. Everyone who wants to make a name for themselves goes to SXSW, no matter what sort of music they play. All you need is a wristband. Maybe that's a theme of this year's SXSW artists: the ability to be resoundingly different and unique; the willingness to stand out of the crowd and sing/shout/scream at the top of their lungs and say, "WE'RE DIFFERENT!" Maybe that's the theme of this year's featured artists... maybe not. Maybe that was just an accident. But a joyful accident, eh?

Last chance for homework everyone! Plan your schedules, pack some water, get that adrenaline pumping, and wait just a little longer. South by Southwest 2009 is almost here...

Feature Artists for SXSW Week 2009

Bang! Bang! Eche!

Friends (8:00 PM, March 17)
Nueva Onda (11:30 AM, March 18)
SXSW Party (8:00 PM, March 18)
Maggie Mae's Rooftop (8:00 PM, March 19)
Agave (1:45 AM, March 20)
Bush Square Park (8:00 PM, March 20)

BO-PEEP

Creekside Lounge (2:30 PM, March 19)
Whole Foods Market Roof (3:30 PM, March 20)
Lamberts (8:00 PM, March 20)

Champagne Champagne

Red Eye Fly - Suicide Squeeze Showcase (8:00 PM, March 18)
Long Branch - Mt. Fugi Showcase (6:00 PM, March 19)
Beerland - Panache Day Party (3:00 PM, March 22)

Phosphorescent

Club de Ville (11:59 PM, March 18)
The Mohawk (9:40 PM, March 19)
Mrs Bea's (3:00 PM, March 19)
Red Eyed Fly (4:20 PM, March 20)

Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves

Sonny's Vintage Party [2928 Guadalupe St.] (6:30 PM, March 18]
Continental Club (11:45 PM, March 18)
Room 710 (2:00 PM, March 19)
Peckerheads [My Old Kentucky Blog / Aquarium Drunkard Party] (7:00 PM, March 19)
The Pure Volume House (11:45 PM, March 19)
The Four Seasons [KGSR 107.1 FM Live] (7:00 AM, March 20)
The Gingerman (6:00 PM, March 20)
The Continental Club (10:00 PM, March 20)
Jovitas (5:00 PM, March 21)
Clementine Coffee House (11:00 PM, March 21)

Songs For Eleonor