Here we are, mere weeks away from SXSW, and neither Gus nor I have gotten around to doing our SXSW ‘08 writeups. Personally, I always thought it would be more interesting to do the writeups months later, after all the buzz and hubbub had died down. Our stuff would filter through the noise just by virtue of being late. Finally! Procrastintion could pay off.
Then of course, the 2009 lineup came out. In pieces. The first list didn’t excite me much. The second installment (bringing us to the full list) was MUCH better, even as it came on the heels of rejection letters for several of my friends. Now we’re excited. And why? Well, let’s take a quick glance through the list..
[We'll be using Paul's SXSW Artist Catalog because 1) now that the schedules are out the master list of bands has been removed from the SXSW site and 2) it's freakin awesome.) Follow along if you'd like, we're starting with 'A']
We’re not going to talk about anything till we get to B though. 
I just love seeing Ben Mallott’s name next to Benjy Ferree. Ben is a old friend mine, so I won’t even bother going on about how incredibly talented he is and how awesome his CD is, because you’d totally discount anything I say. [Still saying it though - Ben Mallott=awesome]. Go listen to him yourself, you’ll see. Benjy Ferree is an act I’m excited to see, and he’s playing at Buffalo Billards, which is a surprisingly nice venue for music.
Camp Lo is scheduled to be back this year, after dropping off the list last year at the last minute. Which sucked, because BoyGenius had gotten me into them and I really wanted to catch their show. Here’s hoping it goes off this time. [Karma on 8th street? You're killing me SXSW.]
CKY… really. Interesting selection SXSW. Have the CD on recomendation from a friend; not sure about seeing them live. [And it may not matter; they're not listed on the SXSW schedule right now]
Classified’s on the list; a white boy doing hip-hop and doing it quite well. I’ve been digging his stuff for a while now. And now I see he’s Canadian - what is it with me and Canadian bands???
The Decemberists - nice. Good thing I have a badge this year; I predict a bright yellow “BADGES ONLY” sign for that one.
Ahh Delta Spirit is back. Lemme tell you a little story about Delta Spirit. Last year, the very first show Gus and I tried to get in to was Simian Mobile Disco, over at Antone’s. It was so not happening. When we got there the badge line was wrapped around the building, those of us with mere wristbands stood no chance of getting in. We stood in line for a bit, planning out the next move and hanging out JUST IN CASE the doors opened wide and everyone was allowed in. While in line a woman next to us, in the badge line, said this: “Go to Emo’s and see Delta Spirit. Trust me. It’ll change your life.” Well alrighty then. We did end up at Emo’s; Gus wanted to see the band on before them as I recall. When Delta Spirit started to play; I was hooked. Dude plays a trash can lid for God’s sake. The music is awesome - rocky, feel good stuff. As for the “change your life” bit; well we’re waiting on that. [Playing at... where the fuck is the Radio Room?? Oh, it used to be Bourbon Rocks. When did that happen??? Dammit Austin can't your clubs retain their name for longer than a few months??]
DJ Mel - nice. At Speakeasy? Gah.
Dressy Bessy - should we find ourselves at this show, I’ll be pulling out the “this is it. this is the one i know” line. I’ve got one song; Who’d Stop The Rain. It’s cute. Not sure I could handle a whole show of that though. Annndd especially not if they’re playing at Lamberts!
Earlimart; been listening to them for a while now. Like their stuff; LOVE the venue (church). Might be a nice low-key way to kick off the last night of SXSW.
Echo and the Bunnymen - my favorite part is how the site says “don’t know much about them”. I swear, these kids today…
Elliott Brood - OMG YES PLEASE. You will never, NEVER, see a better live show. [At least not from the alt-country, Canadian category.] First caught them at SXSW 2006, when I tricked Gus and Brian into ending our week with them. And they play TWICE this year - again at the Velveeta Room, which is where I saw them last year. It’s small but great for them. I would say that I hope they remain relatively unknown, like I said last year, so I could be sure to get in to see them. But fuck that this year; I got a badge bitches! Bring it.
Eol Trio - friend of mine has been working with this band; I’ll probably drop in for that reason alone.
Evil Nine - MUST see this. They were in Austin recently, and I missed the show for a variety of reasons; namely the ick factor associated with the venue. Based on the friend who left the show early for that exact reason it would appear my suspicions were correct. But this is a rare show to catch, so I don’t want to miss it.
The Gourds - YES! Missed them when they were in Houston recently and the schedule showed no return either there or Austin any time soon. Always a good show.
The Indigo Girls - really?
Invincible - I was exposed to her recently, and I gotta say I love what’s she doing. She’s a political FEMALE RAPPER, who isn’t afraid to take an opposing viewpoint. Definately check her out.
Katy Perry - why? I mean come on, I know of SEVERAL bands who would have been better served with this spot than she. Someone needs an ass-kicking.
Leo Stokes - wow. Talk about a blast from the past there. Used to work with what I assume is still an ex-girlfriend of his.
M. Ward - again at the church. YES. Tried to get in last year, but was badges only. I think it’s safe to assume that’ll be the case again this year. It’s an amazing venue to see him in.
Marcy Playground - wha? Who is picking these bands? We’re not in the 90s anymore folks, and it’s too soon to be “retro”.
Mark Mallman - but of course. I always go, will again if there’s nothing else interesting up against him.
Meat Puppets - AGAIN. STOP IT. I half expect to see Nirvana on the list…
Monotonix - I know where I’ll be able to find Gus as SXSW ends. Missed these guys on a recent Houston stop; I’m told you must see them live at least once in your life.
Oak Ridge Boys - dear God. Someone seriously needs to be fired. We’ve completely forgotten what SXSW is [supposed to be] all about, haven’t we?
Pigeon John - I caught ONE song from his show at SXSW last year. Love this guy, it’s impossible to stand still during his set.
Russian Futurists - I seriously have a thing for Canadian music.
Silversun Pickups - YAY. I have never seen them live. Gus caught them in 2006 and fell in love. I quickly followed.
Steel Panther - OMG. It’s Bad Blood’s favorite thing to do in Vegas, live in Austin. I may have to go just for the dial-a-shot from the bar at La Zona Rosa. Following Tori Amos no less; wtf Matt?
That Petrol Emotion - REALLY? I’ve been listening to them since middle school. I still have the actual CD I bought back then; one of the rare few that has stood up through moves, etc. I am so surprised to see them here, I had no idea they were even still together.
Third Eye Blind - I’m just not even going to complain anymore. [At least not in this post]
The Tontons - a Houston band, very good and up and coming. I’m surprised to see they don’t have the Last.fm page filled out; they’re actually very good about using social media. I sense an email I need to send…
The Whip - I wrote about them last year. They hold a special place in my heart for the way in which I found them.
That’s it for the list on first glance. Favorite band name so far? Kittens Ablaze.
Now to just get those mp3s in zip form….
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