SXSW 2010: Free Energy

Also, I saw Free Energy. A few times. They're pretty good.



Their new record is out today. AMG review here.

SXSW 2010: Sondre Lerche

I stumbled upon the Norwegian balladeer's music in the early aughties on an Astralwerks sampler. Part of me is a big sucker for well-crafted pop songs, and another, smaller part is a sucker of schmaltzy, well-crafted pop songs. Sondre's music usually falls right in between.

You could write the guy off as a novelty; I mean, what else comes from Norway except big sweaters and lots of fish? But Lerche has a nice combination of talent and humility that keeps him searching for interesting things to do.

Anyways. I saw him a few years ago, actually right when I moved to Austin, and it was a solo show. I wasn't really into it. But when I saw he was playing an inside venue on a very unseasonably cold SXSW Saturday, I thought I'd check him out again.

It was great. It was like watching Sondre busking for euros at some subway station. The crowd was unsure of itself in the beginning, but completely attentive and silent by the end of his first number. Here's a song - I think it was the first one he played - from that show. It's called "Airport, Taxi, Reception". (The person who uploaded it wasn't sure).

SXSW 2010: The Soft Pack

This was the band I was most excited to see this year. I saw them last year by chance and was thrilled by their cover of Phoenix's "Fences". Their interpretation was a droll, Velvet Undergroundy reading of the French group's choice album cut.

But, more than that, they remind me of the influential but short-lived trio, Sirens of Titan.

Also hailing from sunny San Diego, the Soft Pack combine distilled rock riffs with descriptive SoCal imagery and personal dissatisfaction. After several listens to their latest CD, it in many ways sounds like something SoT might have done had the group been able to stay together.

Witness The Soft Pack's "Pull Out", a song suggesting California secede from the US:


A song with lyrics that might have easily been penned by Ryan and Justin; guitar-work not unlike an angsty Ero would play. Similiarly, "Mexico":



with its tale of lost love and running to Mexico, and its suave six string work, seems like something hammered out of a SoT practice session. Also, I'll ask the listener to compare "Parasites" with the Sirens of Titan's "I Don't Lie":



and I think the parallels are there. Or maybe not.

Finally, just enjoy this great single and video from the Soft Pack.

SXSW 2010: Vivian Girls

I've been meaning to see this band for a few years. They always come to SXSW and play several shows; so many shows that I never seem to act with any urgency when I see them listed because I feel I can always catch them another time.

Anyway, they were sharing a bill with someone we had run over to see and I realized my time had finally come. Yes, I just bought another beer and stuck around.



Vivian Girls are a staple of the Brooklyn scene, and their sound is all about gritty three-chord-rock with twee lyrics. There's enough growl and grace, though, to keep things interesting. They have some surprisingly Stereolab-like harmonies, and I really like how the singer sings out of the side of her mouth (not visible in this particular video).

I thought they were pretty good but will need to reinvent themselves when the "girls" become "women".

SXSW 2010: Carsick Cars

So I was just stumbling full of free beer from Red 7 after the Beach Fossils show when I realized Carsick Cars was playing at the Emo's tent right around the corner. I had time to catch them and then get back for a good spot for Neon Indian. I was curious about Carsick Cars as they are from Beijing and how often do you get the chance to hear a Chinese garage band, right?



This video was shot at the show I saw. The guy must have a beef with the bass player or something because he gets about 3 seconds of screentime.

Anyway, they were up there doing their thing and I was kind of unimpressed. I remember this song, actually, and thinking, "Why am I watching these guys play two chords over and over and over?" I was just about to leave (I really was moving quick like a drunk brontosaurus) when I realized my foot was tapping. I looked at it. It didn't stop tapping. I looked at the band and began to imagine them playing in some tiny Chinese club packed with kids jumping up and down. They really believed in what they were playing up there, and apparently my foot did, too. I was beginning to get it.

I mean they aren't going to change the world like Foghat did, but they are pretty enjoyable none-the-less.

SXSW 2010: Beach Fossils

I counted myself lucky because two of my A list bands were playing the same show on Wednesday afternoon. Never mind that the weather was gorgeous and the gig had free Red Stripe...

About two hours before Neon Indian played to a packed patio stage crowd, Beach Fossils performed out there. The sound guy was great, I have to say, and my SXSW 2010 was off and running.



It would be easy to dismiss them as a hipster Brooklyn retro band, especially since I'm betting these kids weren't even thinking about being born when New Order's Movement came out. But there is more to their sound then just copy-catting. The singer has a Mick Jones-quality to his voice; the drummer jumps around on stage, dancing to the beat he's playing; the band creates a sound as if you're listening to them in a sea shell.

Time will tell if they can innovate or simply look and sound like a musical vintage store, but for now, they are pretty darn catchy.

SXSW 2010: Neon Indian