I wanted to share a few of my favorites from SXSW, which I never had the chance to do. The week was so crazy busy I never had the chance, and I can't not mention some major stand out acts. I've been seeing a few of these bands on the festival circuit, and some are really hitting it off, for good reason. I was able to see some amazing shows at night in Austin after shooting the days away in an abandoned power plant, and below is a mixture of the best. Keep Austin Weird (and full of great live music).

Blitzen Trapper, Furr

Ben Harper & Relentless7, White Lies for Dark Times

Ida Maria, Fortress 'Round My Heart

Dan Auerbach, Keep It Hid

Hockey--singles "Too Fake" and "Learn To Lose"

White Lies, To Lose My Life

Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career

Passion Pit, Manners

Little Boots, Illuminations

Hacienda, Loud Is The Night

DEVO, Greatest Hits

The Felice Brothers, Yonder Is The Clock

Ra Ra Riot, The Rhumb Line

Airborne Toxic Event, self-titled

Glasvegas, self-titled

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, self-titled

Ladyhawke, self-titled

New Grizzly Bear

Enjoy Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks," a song off their new album Veckatimest. They will be playing a FREE show August 30th at the Williamsburg Waterfront, which has now replaced my beloved McCarren Park Pool.
Two Weeks

Apostle of Hustle

The show was a disappointment last week at Bowery Ballroom, and even a bit sad. I've dug these guys ever since I stumbled upon them 3 years ago at SXSW, and their live shows have been great! They are usually full of energy and wholesome rock, but their new songs are lagging. 

I would skip Eats Darkness, and stick with their older albums, National Anthem of Nowhere orFolkloric Feel, upon which they collaborated with Broken Social Scene and the Arts & Crafts recording company. iTunes calls Folkloric Feel "A love fantasy...an abstract, poetic design with fluid emotional illustrations a plenty," and that's the Apostle of Hustle I love. 

I've posted an old song for your enjoyment.

Where The Wild Things Are

Holy moly!  This is amazing-ness!  Check out the trailer for Spike Jonze's Where The Wild Things Are, featuring Arcade Fire's "Wake Up".

David Byrne / Amadou et Mariam

What a night! Double the fun and double the pleasure.

My neighborhood was full of kids walking to the show, the deli lines were out the door, and Prospect Park was buzzing with people everywhere. What a great opening night at the Prospect Park Bandshell! I strolled in later than most but was able to hook up with friends at a great spot--a picnic table right in front of a monitor outside the bandshell. We didn't even bother waiting in the insane line, and besides it was quite fun feeling as if you're in a drive-in movie! Byrne's new album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today is out now.

I then followed my friends to Webster Hall to catch Amadou & Mariam, who blew me away. This was no hipster show, so therefore people were actually dancing. And moving to the music with soul, beat, and happiness. These two amazing people are blind and met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind in the 70s, married soon after, and have been sharing their love of music and playing together ever since. Amadou & Mariam's new album, Welcome To Mali is out now.

On Repeat: New Albums

Dirty Projectors, "Bitte Orca"

-Incredibly original and fun, to some it may be one of the best of the year

Grizzly Bear, "Veckatimest"

-Indie-pop at it's sweetest, awesome vocals

Paolo Nutini, "Sunny Side Up"

-Better & completely different than his first, more raw, soulful and upbeat with reggae and bluesy undertones. If you like Ray LaMontagne, download immediately!

Regina Spektor, "Far"

-Just waiting excitedly for it's release!

New(ish):

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, self titled

Matt & Kim, "Grand"

-You might be familiar with the song, "Daylight," on the latest Bacardi commercial

On Repeat: Dark Was The Night

Wow.

Arcade Fire, MMJ, Feist, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Conor Oberst, Cat Power, Beirut, Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo, Bon Iver and more...phew...ALL on the SAME album? Incredible, and it's really indie heaven. Ready your ears and enjoy, all for HIV/Aids relief. A big thanks to the Red Hot Organization for compiling this particular list of artists. I'm bummed I missed this concert, but it was the same night as Pete Seeger's birthday. Enjoy Yeasayer's, "Tight Rope" below.

Another fantastic compilation I've come across is A Broke Down Melody, released in 2006, including the likes of M. Ward, Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, and Johnny Osbourne. You'd wish you were sitting by a bonfire on the beach in Hawaii. Or you could just rent the film.

Beastie Boys & The Roots

Beyonce Fierce

Okay, so I'm not the biggest Beyonce fan, and am quite frankly sick of seeing her everywhere, but her latest album, "I Am...Sasha Fierce" is pretty darn good. The girl's got moves.

Cashed Fools Tonight

An old friend of mine, Dan, a member of the renowned Africano family, will be playing at Arlene's Grocery in NYC tonight at 10pm. Be sure to check them out if you can swing it.

About Cashed Fools (myspace description):
Cashed Fools Is an explosive mix of supernatural sound beams that delight the ears and quake the brains of all who fall under the positive wavelength vibrations of which it travels. A phenomenon only to be described as Bluesadelic Funkacide. Mixing rock, reggae, blues, funk, punk rock, heavy metal, psychedelia and everything in between. Cashed Fools are sure to bring the energy of life, music and soul to a new level. Featuring: Steve B.-Guitar/vocals, Neal "Fro" Evans-Drums, Dan Africano- Bass/vocals.

Phish is Back!

I'm getting chills of excitement and the memories are flooding through me. Although nowadays I'm no longer surrounded by Phish-Heads, there are still a few who are willing to take the journey and the 3rd opportunity to see Phish--and this time Trey is sober; the band musically ethereal and psychedelically wonderful all the same.  The Hampton's shows were a hit and a preview of what's to come.  





I will be fortunate to enjoy the following shows with different friends around the country:

June 5th, Jones Beach, NY

June 20th and 21st, Alpine Valley, WI

August 15th, Merriweather, MD

See you there; twirling and enjoying goo-balls!

*Photo courtesy of Matt Epstein

New Regina Spektor

Album "Far" out June 23rd!

The Noisettes Do The Killers

Giant Panda

I've seen more Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad shows than I can count, and it's a guaranteed good time. Not only is my roommate their publicist, but these guys can do reggae right. They've played numerous shows in NYC since they are based in Ithaca, and have been constantly touring for the last several years. Their stamina is great and they keep on truckin'.

Last night they opened for UB40 (remember them?) at Nokia Theater, and if you missed the show like I did, you can check them out at the BB King Blues Club on May 21st. Do not miss this show! You will be grooving your psychedelic soul out!

You can also catch them at this years Rothbury festival in Michigan (after playing at previous Bonnaroo and Mountain Jams). The line-up is sick!

Happy Birthday, Pete Seeger

The Clearwater Concert:
Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
A benefit concert in celebration of Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009, 5:00 p.m. 
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Although Matt and I decided to show up only for the second set, we stole great seats and enjoyed a truly special night of performers. Bruce Springsteen--you don't need me to tell you he's a legend, and there's no question. He mentioned sitting beside Seeger and Obama on inauguration day, stating, "He was so happy on that day. It was like, Pete, you outlasted the bastards!" He sent shivers down my spine, and played "The Ghost of Tom Joad" with none other than Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine. Arlo Guthrie played with several people, including Keller WIlliams and Warren Haynes. Guthrie's voice is fantastic! Robert McGuinn played The Byrds hit, "Turn, Turn, Turn!" with Tyler Ramsey & Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses. Ben Harper only stayed for one song but played with his mother and aunt! Dave Matthews played solo, and entertained the audience with the most beautiful version of "Rye Whiskey." We missed Ani DiFranco, Bela Fleck, and John Mellencamp, though I've seen the latter two before.

Pete Seeger entertained us with a few closing songs ("Amazing Grace," "This Land is your Land") and everyone joined him on the stage--what a sight! Legend standing next to Legend, Seeger enjoyed his favorite, most powerful means of change: singing together and changing the world through music. It was emotional and exhilarating singing along with a filled Madison Square Garden audience, most of whom were alive during the many wars and civil rights movements that have shaped our freedoms today. Pete Seeger's contributions to folk music and activism are incredible and outstanding for just one lifetime, and I can only hope to emulate even some. The concert proceeds went to his charity, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.