A Week of SXSW 2008: The Octopus Project

[March 14]
The Octopus Project
Sounds Like: Indie/Electronica
Drinking Buddies: Of Montreal, Xiu Xiu, Islands
Synopsis: Video games on steroids and cocaine.
Appearances at SXSW:

• Salvage Vanguard Theater [2:00 AM, Saturday]
• Porchlight Party (224 Lessin Lane) [11:00PM, Saturday]
  

[Myspace]




All this week, Voilà! is covering South By Southwest!
Day three isn't over yet! It's time for the fourth Voilà! featurette.
Tonight, the featured SXSW artist is The Octopus Project.



Yes, Voilà! returns for the graveyard shift! Now that The Weather Underground has come and gone, it's time to drink some coffee. No, no -- no need to shower yet you crazy SXSW'ers - it's late, but there is still fun and great music needed to be had and heard, respectively.

Tonight, the feature band is The Octopus Project, all of whom hail from the home of South By Southwest itself, Austin, Texas. These crazy indie rockers - rather, "indietronic" rockers - are breaking ground and a few dance floors with their wild, fast paced, dancey electronic songs. Every song is like a party, and the after-party. Constant fluidity, constant sound, constant motion, steady beat, and all of the above. But The Octopus Project never bores you with their novel sound, and are more than willing to have you pass out on the floor from exhaustion because you've danced far too much.

The Octopus Project has been awhile, releasing their first EP in 1999, called the Christmas On Mars EP. After the Y2K scare, they launched right into the release of all three of their LPs, Identification Parade, One Ten Hundred Thousand Million, and Hello, Avalanche. They're partying it up with SXSW right now, and soon will be joying the likes of Broken Social Scene, Stars, Explosions In The Sky, Of Montreal, and just about everyone else you can imagine at All Tomorrow's Parties.

Now the important stuff - SXSW performances. Well, I must admit the info is a bit sketchy, but from what I understand, The Octopus Project is finishing up their party in Austin for now. But never to fear, they have one more performance, at 2:00 AM, in the morning, on Saturday. AKA: Tonight, in a couple hours. They'll keep everyone awake with their beautiful pulsating electronica at the Salvage Vanguard Theater. Don't be square - be there!
___________________________________

Those silly Octopus Project folks. New info - turns out that The Octopus Project is staying at SXSW a little longer. A previously canceled performance at The Porchlight Party has been officially uncanceled, and The Octopus Project will be attending, tonight, March 15th, at 11:00 PM.

A Week of SXSW 2008: The Weather Underground

[March 14]
The Weather Underground
Sounds Like: Indie
Drinking Buddies: Shout Out Louds, The Strokes, The Rapture
Synopsis: Revolutionaries with guitars instead of bombs.
Appearances at SXSW:

• Art Outside (The Enchanted Forest) [8:00PM, March 14th]
• Cheers (416 6th street) [6:00PM and 9:00PM, March 15th]
  

[Myspace]




All this week, Voilà! is covering South By Southwest!
Day three, and it's time for the third Voilà! featurette.
Today, the featured SXSW artist is The Weather Underground.



When looking for new bands that are inspirational, intriguing, and novel, the first thing you must look at are their influences. No matter if you're a writer, poet, artist, or musician, what you have heard, read, and done in life directly changes the medium you dilligently practice. Those with wide ranges of influence tend to produce better works.

This is where The Weather Underground shines. If you haven't heard of the Weathermen, or the Weather Underground, they were a radical political activist group back in the 60s and 70s, who were, how do they say? "Sticking it to the man." There is plenty to read about them if you want to know more (Wikipedia is the source of all knowledge), as well as an excellent documentary film on them (which I really want to buy... but I digress). This Weather Underground, on the other hand, is an up and coming indie band that hails out of Los Angeles, California.

The Weather Underground's influences are instantly apparent when you listen to any of their songs. One can hear tonnes of bands that stick to the tip of your tongue. Their style is entirely original though, very progressive and catchy, while keeping distance from the cliched "pop song." If you like The Strokes, or Albert Hammond Jr., it is very likely you'll find something likeable in The Weather Underground, especially during the choruses.

The Weather Underground is putting the finishing touches on a sexy new EP, titled Bird In The Hand... They also have two more EPs, the When I Was A Soldier EP, as well as Psalms and Shanties, all of which have songs that draw from all sorts of bands, modern and reminicent to The Rapture, to older folks, such as a little Bob Dylan, as well as maybe a dash of Jefferson Airplane if you listen very closely.

But of course, we're celebrating them for their performances during SXSW. The Weather Underground played a show on Monday, which was listed on the SXSW set-list, but they are also attending a special event (which was not listed), at 8:00 PM. It's called Art Outside 2008 (The Enchanted Forest), which is a consistent concert-series that has and will be active throughout SXSW. I haven't heard a thing about their set mates, but you can always do your own research (apparently the headlining act is the Vagina Monologues?!). You can find out more information on Art Outside at their official website. And now it's the weekend! Time for the real SXSW-fun to begin!

A Week of SXSW 2008: Bam Bam

[March 13]
Bam Bam
Sounds Like: Indie-Pop / Mexpop
Drinking Buddies: The Pillows, Los Campesinos!, Broken Social Scene
Synopsis: The Pillows of Mexico.
Appearances at SXSW:

• Flamingo Cantina (8:00 PM, March 13)

[Myspace]




All this week, Voilà! is covering South By Southwest!
Day two, and it's time for the second Voilà! featurette.
Today, the featured SXSW artist is Bam Bam.



Some people, when tasking themselves with the same sort of task I have put upon myselves (searching through literally hundreds of bands, looking for the cream of the crop) will make it easier on themselves. They would look down the list, pick the most interesting name, and feature that band. Not me - I listened to literally hundreds of those bands. I was looking for music that caught my musical pallete, then I sifted through this to find those with an advanced sound.

This is how I happened upon Bam Bam, a band hailing from Monterrey, Mexico. These guys play a layered, progressive, lively, and wild indie-pop which is infinitely reminicent (to me, anyway) of the J-rock band, The Pillows. Whether it's rock from Japan or pop from Mexico, they sound is universal - and by universal I mean astounding! I kid not when I say that Bam Bam is one of the best new bands I have heard in the past two years. With such a diverse, energetic sound, there is no way I'm going to stop listening to these guys.

And boy, is Bam Bam ever a new band! Forming only a year ago, they are quickly budding into a successful band with explosive musical potential. They official have one brand new, hot off the presses, debut LP, courtesy of Nene Records. You can download the brand new album right here. Now that the first album is under their belt, Bam Bam is ready and waiting to blow speakers and rock the hell out of South By Southwest.


For those on the frontlines for the war of good music in the streets of Austin, no doubt listening to more bands than your mind/ears can tolerate as I speak, be very sure to catch Bam Bam before they leave, because you're only going to get one solid chance. Bam Bam is playing only one show, tonight at the Flamingo Cantina at 8:00 PM. It'll definitely be a party, because they'll be playing along side La Mala Rodriguez of Spain, and Lucy and the Popsonics from Brazil (one of my other bands that I mentioned on Monday). This is a must-see performance, so by all means, don't miss this. Good luck, your voyagers! Don't lose your wristbands.

A Week of SXSW 2008: Madeline

[photo credit to richmerrituga from Flickr]

[March 12]
Madeline
Sounds Like: Singer-Songwriter
Drinking Buddies: Iron & Wine, Rachel Lee Bowman, Feist
Synopsis: Georgia folk.
Appearances at SXSW:

• Bourbon Rocks! (12:45 PM, March 12)
• Spiros [The Orange Twin Showcase] (8:00 PM, March 12)
  

[Myspace]




All this week, Voilà! is covering South By Southwest!
Day one, and it's time for the first Voilà! featurette.
Today, the featured SXSW artist is Madeline.

Madeline hails out of the deep south, down in Athens, Georgia, and comes a'singin' her catchy acoustic folk songs. Reminiscent of Sam Bean and his Iron & Wine act (who hails from neighbouring South Carolina), except with a feminine twist, Madeline stakes a claim in folk music with her catchy melodies and rhythms. As I find it impossible to give a shout out to one of my most favourite bands right now, I must say, the similarity between Rachel Lee Bowman (of Ghosts & Liars) is uncannily familiar to Madeline's own style.

Madeline has three albums out presently, including her two LPs, Kissing and Dancing, and The Slow Bang, as well as a split EP with fellow label-mate Dead Bird, all of which are available through links on Madeline's Myspace. This month, she will be releasing her first LP, Kissing and Dancing, on vinyl, so excitement will ensue. But moreover, in the early parts of this year, she will begin recording her latest album with a full band! We can definitely expect more from Ms. Madeline as the year progresses.

In concerns to SXSW, you get one and only one day and two chances to partake in Madeline's beauty (musically and otherwise) before she blows this popstand that is Austin. By the time I finish writing this article, she has already be into her lunchtime performance at Bourbon Rocks! (which started at 12:45). Her last show for SXSW is at The Orange Twin Showcase at Spiros, tonight at 8:00, which also features the likes of Elf Power, Nana Grizol, Jeff Reacher, and Dark Meat. If you're willing to sacrifice a moment of your beloved week for Madeline, I suggest you not hesitate on this only remaining opportunity!

A Week Of SXSW 2008

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 get their start right in 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 patrol the streets with the streams of everyday fans is like shining a spotlight to their (possible) future stardom.

But there is one fact that is unavoidable: THERE ARE A LOT OF BANDS.
Seriously, you can try to imagine it, but the imagination doesn't encompass just how many bands go there. 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? Well Voila and I are going to try to help.

Most music blogs write in-depth previews, and reviews, and 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 (much to my loathing and jealousy). So, once again, I pick up what I can from here. But there is plenty to pick up, I assure.

I have sifted through the "official" list of bands posted by the SXSW website. That list is by no means all the bands that attend, but I digress. I listened to as much music as I could stand over the weekend, with the goal of picking as many bands I've never heard of out of the abyssal line-up. I have picked some of my favourites from the official list. I endow this list of brand-spanking-new, unheard of or mostly unknown bands I would see to you, whether you are on the front lines, are stuck at your computer screen like myself. I will also be covering, in my own way, SXSW all week long. How, you ask? SEVEN featured bands, in the same fashion as your regularly scheduled band of the week.

Right now though, the bands haven't begun tuning the guitars. Everyone rests quietly, preparing for the big event, which officially launches off with a torrent of music on Wednesday. So, I shall do my personal planning with you, my fellow readers. The first seven bands are those which I will be featuring this week. The rest shall be the bands I definitely suggest you look into while in Austin, or while you envy those who are in Austin. The times are listed on the official SXSW schedule (search the band's name), or no doubt on the band's Myspace/significant other page, which I will provide a link to.

Last chance for homework everyone! Plan your schedules, pack some water, get that adrenaline pumping, and wait for just one more day. South By South-West 2008 is almost here...



The Weather Underground
Bam Bam
Pterodactyl
Tacks, The Boy Disaster
Madeleine
The Octopus Project
Everthus The Deadbeats

___________________________________________

Lucy and the Popsonics
The United Steel Workers Of Montreal
Reykjavik!
You, Me, And Everyone We Know
Bedroom Walls
Cassettes Won't Listen
The Choir Practice
The Dodos
Care Bears On Fire
Portugal The Man
Hallelujah The Hills (who has just been announced to be a featured artist by Daytrotter!)
The Russian Futurists
The Young Republic




And remember, you can sign up to write for Voila anytime!
If you want to become a writer, simply set up a Blogger account real fast, and use it to comment on the latest blog entry with the email that your blogspot account is set up with. We'll get your account accounted for, and you'll be ready to write! See the rules over to the right for more specific info.

Band of the Week: Holy Fuck

[March 3-9]
Holy Fuck
Sounds Like: Electronica/Experimental
Drinking Buddies: !!!, The Octopus Project, Wolf Parade
Synopsis: Electronica, improvised!
Makes You Want To...: Dance; Get crunk
[Myspace]




One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Holy Fuck.

Remember how last week I was down about mid-terms quickly approaching, and had similar music with Monsters Are Waiting? And how I was all happy go lucky and suggested Au Revoir Simone a couple weeks ago? Yeah... well, mid-terms ain't goin' away anytime soon, and us college folk are only going to become more stressed. No more of this dainty-ness; we have got to burn off some steam. I provide the answer.

Holy Fuck wanders from straight out of Toronto, and these guys blaze through the music scene with some wild n' crazy electronica. Now, I particularly have never been a fan of electronica, techno, or most "dance" music. I prefer a more natural sound from bands. This is why I adore !!! - they do the same thing your average techno band does, but with live instruments and a full band. Holy Fuck uses a similar concept.

These boys create fast paced, dance driven electronica, as mentioned. But, they do this without the assistance of laptops, electronic beats, or programmed tracks of any kind, seen rampantly through most other electronica bands. Using just about anything they can find (toy phaser guns, toy keyboards, and film sequencers to name a few, so says Wikipedia) to create their sound, making everything real and live. Their tracks are nearly all instrumental, and ALL are catchy. If you need something to dance to, and have listened to too much !!!, you'll definitely need to be dropping by and visiting Holy Fuck.

Holy Fuck is currently on tour throughout the United States until the end of March, when they'll be travelling across the big pond, and will be treating those Euros to a taste of some North American expletive. Holy Fuck has two albums as of now, their latest being the blatantly titled LP. Obviously they have a Myspace. But they are currently up for nomination for Best Avant Album of the Year in the PLUG Independent Music Awards. Plenty of bands to vote for in other categories as well, so on the "Junior Super Tuesday," go vote for your presidential candidate stateside (if you can (like me! go Texas!)) and/or vote Holy Fuck and your other favourite bands in the PLUG Music awards. Democracy go!

Dallas Does Indie Turn 100!

100 episodes! When talking about nearly anything (at least things that have episodes), hitting that one hundred mark is a huge feat. There are always celebrations and fun times. But when you're talking about podcasts, that's a tremendous feat. ONE HUNDRED EPISODES! Over two years of music, and it's brought to you by the best independent music podcast out there, Dallas Does Indie.


For those who don't know, Dallas Does Indie is a podcast brought to you from Dallas, TX, by music aficionado Jasien Swords who broadcasts the most enjoyable music heard anywhere on the web. Dallas Does Indie is Swords' alternative to the mainstream radio stations that smother the airwaves in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Since Dallas is one of the fastest growing cities in America, there's a strong demand for independent artists on the radio, and there's simply no outlet. Not until Dallas Does Indie, that is!


Dallas Does Indie is a miracle for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, featuring rising stars, old favorites, and completely unheard-ofs for the musically contradistinctive of North Texas, as well as the rest of the internet. Essentially, for half an hour per week or longer, you get some great music pumped through your iTunes. Since podcasts are free, it's pretty much the greatest deal you can ever imagine.
Headed by the ever-charismatic Swords, listeners are endowed with some of the best music we can allocate for our Pitchfork possessed ears.

Dallas Does Indie is a must hear, and a must subscribe. Obviously, you can subscribe to the podcast only on iTunes, under the podcast menu. Just search DDI or Dallas Does Indie (if desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess you could also try Jasien Swords), and you're sure to find it.
Don't have an iPod or iTunes?
No worries!
Just link right over to the podcast at
http://www.dallasdoesindie.com/
You can download a high-quality mp3 version of the episode straight from the site!


Go snag your copy of episode 100 of the Dallas Does Indie podcast. Jasien mentions all the people who have helped keep the podcast going over the years, myself included (seriously!). Might I say it's a huge honour to be included amongst the ranks of esteemed aides to DDI, and I'm proud to serve! As for Voila, well duh, I love writing here! You'll get your regularly scheduled band of the week tomorrow. Til then, go to DDI, share in the festivities, and if you live in North Texas, try and win some tickets to see Colin Meloy so we can party together in April.