SXSW 2019 Music Preview

A few things have changed since I last wrote a music or movie review on this site: I now have a beautiful and loving girlfriend, I have a new full-time job, and I no longer see over a hundred movies in the theater every year. And if I have any hopes of holding on to the first two, I can no longer be found crying in a dark corner somewhere shot gunning the champagne of beers and taking Fireball shots because the bassist of (insert band name here) won’t marry me. This stupid invention called social media will no longer allow me these private therapeutic moments. I hate the interwebs!

But I felt as though I had to write at least one more SXSW preview because of all the wonderful experiences I’ve had over the years. I was able to see Run the Jewels beat the snot out of some random scrub who ran on stage and tried to fight them for some unknown reason, I waited three hours in line to see Muse play a small venue while debating with everyone who was within earshot of me where Daft Punk was going to play their secret show that weekend; which of course never actually happened, and I witnessed Vince Staples make every white person in the crowd nervous when he compared the stage he was performing on to an auction block at a slave trade. Ah the good ole’ days.

Well after sifting through the 2,000 bands that are slated to play this year’s festival, I came across what I believe to be the clear highlights of the up and comers or the artists who will be headlining festivals for years to come. And for those who are new to this site or to SXSW itself, I suggest that you pick three or four of these acts and try to follow them around, this is the easiest way to do this festival and, in the process, you’ll discover dozens of new acts (who are playing either before or after) that you would have never otherwise come across. Let’s start off with the sure things:

Cautious Clay – he brings a healthy balance of electronic and natural sounds to his beats which are accompanied by lyrics that are for the most part, streams of consciousness. At one point he’s singing about his insecurities that creep up when he’s entering a new relationship and the next, he’s talking about the pressures of paying off student loans; so basically a direct line to my brain. I rate him as very FRESH as he’s clearly going to blow up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1kyno4u9cQ

TIERRA WHACK – her intro album Whack World is truly some weird ish! The way that she is able to combine her mix of RnB and Rap with her prowess as a visual artist makes you truly believe that you are witnessing a real-life Black Willy Wonka. I can’t help but laugh whenever I hear her say “ABC (all boys cry) …MTV (men touch vaginas) …BET (bitches eat tacos)”. I give her and her creativity a rating of very FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOTebhPy04g

LEIKELI47 – some of you may remember her from my SXSW recap last year. She was the clear highlight for me back then and I honestly believe that she may be this year’s highlight for me as well. She is the closest thing we’ll ever get to having another Missy Elliott as she delivers both the fierceness and confidence that comes with being a badass female in a male dominant genre as well as exposing her vulnerability when it comes to falling in love. Trust me, you will not want to miss her this time around as she is FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAM_ONZgPnE

NADIA NAKAI – While I like her potential, I think she’s going to wind up more towards the pop side of things more so than that of a true hip hop artist as songs of hers like Yass Bitch and Naaa Meaan have garnered the most attention. These certainly aren’t bad songs, they are in fact club bangers but the second she gets signed to a label they are going to want more of the same. And you know what, good for her! I rate her as sort of FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6xbCaq68Hc

TOBI LOU – to me he sounds like the male version of Noname. His songs are mellow grooves that aren’t really about anything; at one point he’s singing about love and the next he’s singing about video games. And yes, I know I just gave Cautious Clay respect for doing something similar, but his beats are doper and his lyrics are deeper and actually wind up telling a narrative when look at the whole. I rate Tobi as sort of WEAK but he’s definitely worth checking out.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CjM3NLjXnE

PINK SWEAT$ - mellow RnB with stripped music as his background. This is super chill and will more than likely put you to sleep live but I wouldn’t be against using his tunes for a “Getting Laid” mixtape. He’s kind of WEAK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y9VtoPvtuM

HONORABLE MENTION – DRAMA – chill electronic Rnb and KOFI BLACK – his vocal range is solid and he has good production but he will need the right collaboration to take off.

Now on to the Rock n Roll acts

THE BLINDERS – They remind me of when the Arctic Monkeys were young and actually making rock music. Their lyrics are nowhere near as clever as the Monkeys’ but they are angry and that’s all that really matters when you want something to scream and shout to while listening to blaring distortion and groovy baselines. I give them a rating of FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT8zdtXhNUQ

SQUID – I hate to give SXSW credit but they actually hit the nail on the head when they said this band was the perfect blend of Television and LCD Soundsystem. They have quirky songs that are sometimes atmospheric and other times dancey. They are a little more Rock n Roll than LCD but no one can be LCD so I’m glad to see that they are trying to make their own way. They don’t have many songs out but what they do have is very solid. I give them a rating of FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AToAPKwrsnI

BAMBARA – this band is self-described as Western gothic post punk. Just imagine a dark cowboy playing in the corner of a bar in Marfa, TX and that’s what you’ll get in this band. They are loud, energetic, and at times chaotic. What more do you want? They also get a rating of FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0JD_XsQMms

PRIESTS -  I’m so happy they’re back and keeping the D.C. punk scene alive with their ear grabbing drumbeats and lead singer who gives you a glimpse of what Janis Joplin would sound like if she were in a punk band. You can tell that she puts every part of her being into every note she belts out and I can’t help but respect that. I give them a rating of very FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvnUAz2ygV0

AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS – this is high energy punk rock that makes you want to throw on some tight leather and spray one another with liquor as you jump around a mosh pit. Enough said. They are barely FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M46RU_JEoTw

CHERRY GLAZERR – I was hesitant to put them in this review as I can’t imagine anyone not being exposed to them at this point but they are an L.A. rock band who remind you of the girl grunge bands from the 90’s. They have a high energy sound and that certainly comes across in their live performance. Be sure to check them out as they are FRESH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFgz9aiiZlQ

HONORABLE MENTION – SASAMI – she is the former keyboardist for Cherry Glazer and she branched out to form her own pop/rock band. DRAB MAJESTY – they sound like a sadder version of The Smiths. The problem with them is that every song literally sounds the same but its good for nostalgia purposes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo5SBdEbEHs

SXSW: Rock n Roll and Pop Preview

I know that I’m not bringing up anything groundbreaking with this next observation but I love witnessing the fast but awkward transformation that happens during SXSW. The first few days before the festival officially starts you see all these bright eyed and bubbly intellectuals walking around wearing matching t-shirts while waiting patiently in perfectly formed single file lines as if they were grade school kids on their first ever field trips. And it doesn’t take you long to realize that they’re not actually Scientologists in training but in fact some of the country’s best educators who are all in town for the education portion of SXSW. Now I know it’s tough to differentiate the two, especially after Tom Cruise cloned himself and claimed that he and Katie Holmes actually had sex to produce offspring, but you have to get used to it sooner rather than later because that jackass will have an entire army at his disposal before you know it!

And if talking to them didn’t make me feel stupid enough, talking to the tech nerds who roll into town for the interactive portion certainly does. I’m meeting people who are creating safari apps for the Google Assistant and coming up with ways that we can better communicate with deaf children while all I have to offer in return are corny jokes that I’ve written in some of my worthless blog posts. Needless to say however, I’ve made out with one or two of these geniuses fairly recently so I guess my Tyler Perry jokes are more fire than I think.

Anyway, it’s not long before you notice a plethora of Marvel t-shirts and hoodies milling about and it’s in this moment when you realize the movie nerds are taking over. But sadly their reign doesn’t last long because the scent of mustiness and PBR starts to fill the air and this is how you know the music portion has finally arrived. And this is what I want to focus on today, the 5 or 6 best Rock n Roll acts to check out this week while I contribute my scent of Colt 45 and Afro Sheen that I double as cologne. Actually I no longer have an afro, I just had leftover bottles from back in the day and can no longer afford actual cologne but moving on…

The first band I want to talk about is Francobollo from London. All of their songs start off fairly basic and to a certain extent boring but they always evolve into something chaotic and kind of creepy by the song’s end. They’re like the David Lynch of Rock n Roll and believe it or not, that’s actually a good thing. I’m happy to say that these lovely Brits are making Rock n Roll interesting again and it’s because of this that I give them a rating of FRESH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrjsnx3LeIY

Next up is Moaning out of LA. Imagine if The Smiths and The Cure had a baby and he got hooked on Sinead O’Conner and Kurt Cobain; well that’s this band. So if you want to wear all black, break out your nipple piercings, and dance like crazy, do yourself a favor and check these guys out. This is post-punk at its best and it definitely gets a rating of very FRESH from me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdNWCgnqeMY

After them, go check out Porches. He sounds like an 80’s gender bending artist who has a desperate voice and a Casio keyboard which is stuck on Samba mode but I have to say that his style is both groovy and catchy. And while he looks like the kind of guy who gets overly sentimental when it comes to reminiscing about that last piece of avocado toast he had while in Brooklyn don’t let that keep you from enjoying his music as I give him a rating of FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO4hmxtt2dc

Billie Eilish is playing something like 20 shows this week. She’s beautiful and can sing but this kind of pop music isn’t for me. I can however see her appealing to the masses and playing festivals like ACL for the next two years. She gets a rating of kind of WEAK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBRi6aZJGj4


It feels as though that while they were listening to Freedom Rock (turn it up!!!) in their van in the 70’s, the dads of White Reaper all formed a pact to force their kids to listen to nothing but Cheap Trick their entire childhood. And when they were finally able to pick up guitars, this is the music the band spit out. I have to say that it’s not half bad. It’s fun, it’s easy to get into, and it’s definitely worth a listen. They get a rating of FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahglrb_z7wQ

This last artist isn’t that new but I have feeling that not a lot of people know Gemma Ray. Well do yourself a favor and get into her because her music sounds like an electronic gothic soundtrack to a Western. She gets a rating of FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ILAFyj-0wo

SXSW Hip Hop Preview

The weekend before SXSW is historically a dead one in Austin and this year was certainly no different. This makes sense because any up and coming band that’s worth noting is actually playing the festival in an attempt to blow up to the next level. And if you’re not playing SX that means you’re either too big for it and will only play a surprise show if your coke dealer is down here for the week or you’ve plateaued as a band and you’re stuck playing for overweight former frat boys who are trying to relive their glory days.

Well seeing as how I’m an overweight wannabe former art student, I couldn’t just lay low for an entire weekend and wait for the other Radiohead fans to arrive, so I decided to pop in on what is usually a good and freaky art show deep on the east side of Austin. But it wasn’t long before I realized that even the good artists are saving their energy for SXSW. When I walked in all I saw was a bunch of high school level art hanging on the wall and a few kids who were trying to get in on the transgender game because stealing from Black culture is so 1990’s. Now I’m certainly not knocking true transgenders, I’m just saying that these kids were clearly posers because even I, a meat and potatoes scrub from small town Texas, know that you don’t mix a blue jean romper with Doc Martins! I mean, come on scrubs, pop in on some of the new Queer Eye on Netflix to get some fashion tips and smoke a little herb to hopefully create some better art.

Anyway, after checking out roughly 1,000 artists or so, it looks as though RnB and Hip Hop will once again reign supreme at SX this year. And this isn’t that big of a surprise as it seems as though Hip Hop and Rock n Roll are never on point at the same time. I can only remember one instance of this occurring and that was back in 1992 when Wu Tang, Gangster Rap, and Grunge music exploded on the scene all at once. But the good news is that Hip Hop and RnB are so good right now that you really don’t miss Rock n Roll, which is a good thing because from the looks of it, we’re still a few years away before the next Kurt Cobain hits us. Here a quick look at some of the best that will be playing SXSW this year.

First up is Buddy, a wiry looking dude from Compton who went to art school so he could focus on what he loved and not the other things you typically have to deal with in that neighborhood. But don’t let that fool you as he is still able to bring that hood edge to his rhymes while not focusing solely on popping Molly and banging chicks. It’s refreshing to see that artists still exist in this genre and that someone like Kendrick wasn’t a complete anomaly. Like most Hip Hop performers today, he can sing and rap and also appears to be the next big thing out of Cali. FRESH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3QOBYq0lBI

Next up is Kelela, this is where soul and electronic music meet to give you something you can groove to while either rolling or simply sipping on some wine while trying to close the deal on a Netflix and Chill night. I remember checking her out for the first time a few years ago but I was so deep in punk music that I really wasn’t trying to check for anything like this at the time. Do yourself a favor and don’t sleep on her like I did. FRESH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l227G1KSWks

Next up is Jpegmafia from Baltimore. He’s angry, grimy, and a little rough around the edges but thankfully it appears as though that he’s on his way to a more refined sound so that most of the general public is actually able to digest what he has to offer. The closest comparison I can think of is Death Grips but just imagine how grumpy they’d be if they had to tour all of the time; well that’s Jpegmafia. FRESH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=974TXFKtyls

Topaz Jones reminds me of 90’s RnB and Hip Hop, which after today, isn’t a bad thing as I witnessed a floor full of 20 somethings get wet the second Usher’s Nice n Slow came on. Is he Usher? No, but he’s the perfect blend of every fun hip hop song from that era. FRESH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1FL2RR0iJI

While Duckwrth is a super mainstream hip hop artist he’s still not quite Macklemore. He actually has talent brings a ton of energy to the stage; it’s just that he’s clearly in the game to make money and peace out. WEAK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV71CEm-svU

And the last artist that will be all over SX is Smokepurpp. He clearly has the least amount of talent of anyone I’ve previewed today as he sounds like the next coming of Lil B but because he’s from Miami and makes simpleton music, he will probably blow up and will be featured at every nightclub this summer. WEAK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2WD8Fky8I

SXSW 2017 Music Preview

For those of you who actually follow this blog, you know that I typically start posting previews for SXSW at least one month in advance; and that’s typically because there are so many bands that I’m excited about that there is no way I could possibly preview them all in one article. Well let’s just say that I’m happy I didn’t go into debt this year by purchasing a badge as I had to dig super deep just to find some quality acts that were coming to town this March. Now don’t get me wrong, I did eventually find some artists I’m excited about but for the most part this year’s fest feels like it’s a redemption tour for quite a few scrubs out there. I see so many bands like Sleigh Bells and Electric Guest who initially started their careers off on fire but one day went to Marfa, did way too many drugs, and decided to make a Yaz record for their follow up album (and yes I realize how esoteric of a joke that was but I really don’t give a damn). And in making that terrible follow up, they fell off the map a bit and are now trying to recreate some buzz around their name.

So needless to say, I will be splitting my time between seeing the new up and coming acts that are out there and checking out the "veterans" that are still in the game. And of the latter group, I’m most excited to see the former Walkmen crooner Hamilton Leithauser, Sohn, Denzel Curry, Broncho, Temples, and of course Le Butcherettes. The last of which, I’m hoping throws yet another shoe at my head.

But that’s not why you’re here, you’re here to see what’s the new hotness in rock n roll these days and it took me some time but I now realize that those words are now a relative term for today’s youth. I view rock n roll very much the way Sam’s grandparents did in Sixteen Candles. After hearing her scream when she was exposed to Long Duc Dong for the first time, they rolled their eyes and said to each other "Those damn kids and their rock n roll music! Well I’m afraid it’s here to stay!" And you know what? You’re damn right! Rock n Roll should be loud with high pitched screaming attached to it but Sleigh Bells misinterpreted that and just started screaming; they forgot about the music piece of it. But having said that, here’s the best of what’s to come.


HIP HOP
LIZZO – she’s the next coming of Missy Elliott as she’s big boned and proud of it. She sings about feeling herself (not literally) as she looks in the mirror and slaps her own ass for being thick (okay so maybe literally) and she drops rhymes about wearing so much Prada that she’s a Prada G, get it? Her beats are dope and so is her wacky style as she drops a Missy Elliott "Oooh" every now and then just to keep it fresh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjILCNcHevY

THEY. – I know that They. have been around for a while but they have yet to reach their full potential to this point of their careers. This duo from L.A. was originally put on the map with the song they did with Skrillex called Working On It and they eventually followed that up with a hot EP got Nu Religion. Well now it seems as though they are finally ready to bring off-kilter style to the world with the full length version of Nu Religion. I suggest that you get in on these guys before they turn into R, Kelly and start peeing on people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiKqvfT3i68

HONORABLE MENTION – PORTER RAY – he’s been described as the "Prince of Seattle hip hop" but since Macklemore is considered to be the king, that’s not saying much. I do like his song Wet Dreams though as he definitely has potential to get better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUgzjV55MI0

RnB

　
BIBI BOURELLY – I know that every girl out there is going to lose their collective minds over this next statement but Bibi has the feel of becoming the next Queen Bey or Rihanna (hopefully without the herpes and the penchant for cheating). Now clearly she doesn’t have the vocal range of the two mentioned but she certainly has the attitude, the presence, and the street wise lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnugCpTmJE8

KHALID – I don’t quite understand the buzz around this kid but you can just chalk that up to me being old. He sounds like the black Bruce Springsteen on his signature hit American Teen; and trust me when I say that’s not a good thing. Thankfully his other songs aren’t nearly cheesy and they definitely show his potential; it’s just that he’s missing the "soul" piece that you normally get in RnB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by3yRdlQvzs

BILAL – he’s an uglier version of D’Angelo with his dreads or as Eddie Murphy called them in The Nutty Professor "Damn Reggie (Dave Chappelle) I’ve heard of dreadlocks but shit locks?!?!" He’s the return of Neo Soul with smooth beats; you know, that "there’s no way I’m pulling out tonight" music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgp6-DzZgK0

JAIN – calling her music RnB is kind of a stretch as it’s really more Pop than anything else but anyone who reads this blog knows that I don’t have a Pop section in any of my reviews. Plus her dance hit Mekeba sounds like a collabo between Gwen Stefani and Tracy Chapman, and the last time I checked, Stefani actually did a collabo with Eve, so that’s enough street cred to count as RnB. Her unique voice and style definitely makes her worth checking out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Q_lhgGANc

HONORABLE MENTION – BANKS – she apparently wants to follow you around like a dog that needs water. Or at least that’s what she says in her thumping electronic hit Gemini. At times her voice is aided by technology but when she does break away from the pseudo auto tune, she puts her range on full display. She’s this year’s AlunaGeorge but thankfully she’s a better dresser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7z-tA9oLPw

ROCK
WARBLY JETS – They may be from L.A. but they clearly want to be British. Their music is a high energy whirlwind that reminds you of the revival of rock days that took place in the early 2000’s. Think Strokes meets Blur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDVHvirhpKk

LO MOON – I love bands whose music is hard to find but when you finally do unearth it, it totally captures everything you love about SXSW; hearing something that you immediately connect with. This indie prog rock trio reminds you of Grizzly Bear with their slow building beats and melodies and I would certainly expect them to be featured on an ACL stage sometime in the near future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhZdG3R77G0

CHAIN OF FLOWERS – these boys from Wales listened to A LOT of The Cure and Joy Division when they were growing up as they are desperately trying their best to keep the post punk scene alive; and for the most part, I have to say that they are doing a good job of it. If you still have some teenage angst in you, definitely give these blokes a shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vacg-GoNkqA

LAURA CARBONE – she sounds like she’s the offspring of David Lynch; and with the recent revival of the Twin Peaks franchise, this should provide plenty of fodder for all of you conspiracy theorists out there. Her music sounds like the dark alternative soundtrack to the 80’s rebellion movie The Legend of Billie Jean; a time where getting your first period was some serious business!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07kYylbtHRk

HONORABLE MENTION – FRANKIE ROSE – this is for all of you hipsters out there who loved the Vivian Girls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE56wTNj7J0

SNAIL MAIL – cool, lazy surfer rock. I have a soft spot in my heart for this kind of music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7xudghUsM

PUNK
IDLES- They are a Scottish punk band that reminds me Black Flag with their odd videos and their aversion to normal life. They hate anyone who has a jobs in particular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuQG6_evFc8

HIGH WAISTED – they are surf rockers from Brooklyn whose music starts off simple enough but turns into a frenzy by song’s end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xykiiaV1oZY

HICCUP – not much to say here except that it’s traditional fun punk music. No frills, no thrills but I like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlhnCHalg28

 

Austin City Limits Sunday Preview

The last time I saw Radiohead play a show in Austin I was literally dancing my ass off in the front row while rocking a gaudy Muse tee shirt and not giving a damn who saw me doing either one of them! And when I say a gaudy tee shirt, I mean one that had 12 inch block lettering on it that clearly showed guitarist Ed O’Brien how much I loved their fellow British and pseudo rival counterpart out of Teignmouth. He had to be thinking to himself, who the hell is this random nerd with giant Malcolm X glasses that keeps hopping around like that racist jumping bean in those crazy Mexican food ads? Should I call security or should I simply punish him by inviting him backstage and forcing him to eat English delicacies like minced meat and chips?

Well thankfully he did neither as he eventually broke down and recognized my freshness when he gave me a head nod of approval midway through one of their songs. And it’s because of this incredible moment that I asked my friend if I should once again wear my Muse shirt to their show this coming Friday night. Her reply was "only if you want to get your ass kicked!" Now I’m not sure if she meant that she was going to kick my ass or if fellow Radiohead fans were going to band together to team up and beat me down themselves; but if she meant the latter, then my only response to that is clearly LOL! And yes I know how lame it is to write lol in an article but I’m not sure what’s worse, that or the fact that Microsoft Word actually acknowledges it as being a word!

Anyway, I came really close to dressing up as a KKK member for Halloween one year (I’m black btw) and I would, without hesitation, wear a Dead Kennedy’s shirt to a skinhead rally; so the last thing I’m worried about is a bunch of middle aged Radiohead nerds giving me paper cuts after they throw their lukewarm Starbucks at me for wearing a Muse shirt to a Thom Yorke show. But I am a little worried about Die Antwoord losing their shit and running after me; something may get lost in translation and they’ll forget that this isn’t like South Africa where you can just beat up or randomly kill black people and get away with it. Oh wait, considering some of the recent events that have occurred in this country, they may actually feel right at home! Dammit! Well before I’m publicly executed on SnapChat this coming fall, here are a few bands you should go see on Sunday during this year’s ACL.

First up is the Odd Future veteran Domo Genesis. Domo brings a space age alternative flow that you would normally associate with this crew as he rhymes about how fresh his style is, how much he loves to party, and how he loves to smoke weed. Oh wait…that’s not alternative, that’s just hip hop! But it’s his approach to these subjects and his underground beats that helps separate him from the pack. When I first heard Go Outside, I found myself openly dancing in front of a classroom full of stunned children and for whatever reason I didn’t stop once I noticed them watching me. Now that’s real hip hop right there! I give this kid a rating of FRESH and I suggest that you check him out before he realizes that this industry is bullshit and he decides to return to the local skate park never to be seen again. 1:00 on the Miller Lite Stage.
https://soundcloud.com/user2610538/domo-genesis-gamebreaker-feat

Next up is Chronixx and ZIncfence Redemption who play the Honda Stage at 2:00. They remind me of the good ol’ days when reggae used to be about the good stuff like religion and the end of the world! You know, before Shaggy came on the scene and brought us the awful It Wasn’t Me song. Not I know that everyone will be quick to remind me that it was Bob Marley who made this genre fun with his wonderful songs about love, and yes some of that is in Chronixx’s music as well, but every now and then I want something that makes me want to throw on a beret and start a revolution; and that is exactly what I get from this group. So be sure to punch your ticket to hell by smoking weed on a Sunday and rocking out to Chronixx with me. (Disclaimer: I don’t smoke weed) I rate them as kind of FRESH.
https://soundcloud.com/chronixxmusic/chronixx-here-comes-trouble

After this you may as well continue your ride on the sin train and pop on in to see Bob Moses. They are two dudes from Vancouver who make thumping dance floor beats for you and a new friend to make out to. Their songs are a slow build but thankfully they don’t resort to or rely on the now tired and played out beat drop that everyone else uses to get the party going once the song reaches its climax. They instead simply rely on the quality of their music to do that. Their sound wouldn’t be considered revolutionary or anything, in fact it’s quite simple, but simple done well is still surprisingly effective. And their inclusion of live instruments should help make this a fun show. I rate them as FRESH and suggest you see them play the Zilker Stage at 5:00.
https://soundcloud.com/the-bob-moses/tearing-me-up-1

Miike Snow’s live show is a thousand times better than any of his recorded music would make it appear to be and it’s because of that that I will pop in for at least a few minutes. He dresses like a cracked out Euro on Halloween with his silk shirts and weird masks but trust me when I say that only adds to the show. If you want to keep the electronic dance party going, do yourself a favor and see if his style is for you. I rate him as a little WEAK but it sure beats seeing Chris Stapleton or camping out two hours early for LCD Soundsystem (something that I may actually do myself). Honda Stage 6:00.
https://soundcloud.com/miikesnow/genghis-kahn-remix-louis-the-child

I can’t stand Haim and I probably won’t see Kacey Musgraves or Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats but I’ve actually heard good things about the last two if you’re into country music. So on your way to check them out, come say hi to me before the rapture happens at 10:00. Later fools!
 

Austin City Limits Saturday Preview

This coming ACL could mark a major turning point in my life; either I will continue being the sometimes fresh individual I’ve become in my old age or I will head off into the world of salmon colored shorts and boating shoes as I shop for overpriced homes in northern suburbia. Why such a dramatic change in my lifestyle you ask? Well it’s because I attempted to do something other than go to a show for the first time in a while this past weekend and the results were disasterous.

I decided to go watch a little college football with the future yuppies of this world on Rainey St due to the fact there really weren’t any good bands in town this Labor Day and I thought that this could be some sort of common ground for us as I desperately needed to get out of the house. And sadly, I wound up learning something rather quickly about myself that hadn’t occurred to me before, and that is that I no longer like people! Now it could be that Austin was just temporarily experiencing a massive influx of assholes from the northeast because UT was playing Notre Dame the next day, but whatever the reason, the bar was full of morons who were constantly yelling inappropriate things like we were still in the 70’s and falling all over themselves as they spilled their beers on me. It’s no wonder not a single girl talked to me, I had to have the face of a Mr. Wilson (Dennis the Menace) all night as I constantly ducked and dodged current and former frat boys! Well I’m desperately hoping to redeem myself in the coming weeks as ACL will once again attempt to bring me and my future bosses together in some sort of harmony. Please Kelly figure it out as I am not quite ready to trade the random encounter with a hipster for a run in with the local grandmaster of the klan. So having said that, here’s a look at a few up and coming bands for both you and me to see on Saturday.

First up is the British RnB group Honne. For those of you who actually read my writing, this will be the third time you’ve had to hear me gush over these foreign scrubs but at some point dammit, I know you’re going to listen! It sucks that they’re playing the noon slot on a Saturday but you’ll already be up watching College Gameday anyway, so pop in on them afterwards. If you like old school funky soul like Cameo and the Gap Band, you’ll like these British imposters. And even if you don’t and you prefer bands like Coldplay, they can still meet your needs there too as the lead singer sounds just like Chris Martin at times; so much so in fact that I honestly thought they were sampling his voice on a few of their songs. I rate them as pretty FRESH! Noon on the Home Away Stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX5f0NcqlMs

After them comes The Gills. They bring straight up up tempo Rock n Roll, which to be honest, feels a little out of place for ACL. And I guess that explains why they have such an early set. If you’ve had your morning coffee by the time the early afternoon arrives, go check out these Rock n Roll freaks from Pensacola. They aren’t reinventing the wheel or anything but if you want an energetic rock show, they’re definitely worth a quick pop in. I rate them as a little WEAK. 12:45 on the BMI Stage.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L56gknRXysE

Now you’ll just have to trust me when I say that this next group’s music sounds a lot better than my description of if does. Lewis Del Mar is made up of two kids from Queens who with their acoustic guitar and crazy drum beats sound like Mumford and Sons if they had soul and actually had souls. It’s indie rock that has folk and a few hip hop elements thrown in and I have to say that I actually like it. I rate them as kind of FRESH. 1:30 on the Zilker stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PagwbIPbEVw

Next up is Jack Garratt, a British singer-songwriter who was the darling of this past year’s SXSW. He’s an electronic artist who will have you dancing with random strangers as he happens to be a healthy mix of Sohn and Miike Snow, assuming you know who either of those two artists are. Hopefully he brings more of an actual show with him this time but even if he doesn’t, be prepared to have your mind blown by this unassuming Limey. I rate him as FRESH. 3:30 Zilker Stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFP3qh1x1Zo

And the last new act to check out is Bomba Estereo. Just imagine if Pitbull didn’t suck, this is what his music would sound like. They produce thumping dance music with a genuine Latin feel but I must warn you that one of the first songs of theirs that’s sure to pull up is the international hit they made with Will Smith, just ignore that little fact and check them out anyway. "Viva la Miami". 6:30 Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-_9Bld7JYc

Austin City Limits Weekend 1 Friday Preview

As another sweltering summer comes to a close, it’s now time for us to turn our attention to what every kid and every teacher with a slight drinking problem has been dreading for the past few months; the possibility of a chance encounter with one another at this year’s ACL. Can you imagine the look of horror on a kid’s face the second they run into their old Biology teacher and see them drunkenly making out with some stranger during the breakdown of LCD Soundsystem’s All of My Friends? Or even worse, the look of an administrator seeing a 15 year old puffing and passing the biggest blunt they’ve seen since last year’s Marley Fest? Trust me when I say that these things actually happen.

Well while this is entertaining in and of itself, you may actually want to walk away from this year’s fest having discovered a cool band that you would have never otherwise seen outside of this amazing weekend. And that’s why I am here; to help break down five or six bands not named Radiohead for you to check out while grabbing a cold microbrew.

First up is the Georgia native Raury, who at the age of 15, already had some experts in the industry calling him the next musical prophet. Now I’m not quite sure what exactly he’s supposed to be prophesying but I do have to say that God’s Whisper definitely caught my attention. Who knows, maybe he’s here to provide some hope for a generation that literally has the world at its fingertips but for some reason lacks the initiative or the drive to do something truly incredible with it. Well unlike his counterparts in the industry, Raury utilizes every advantage that’s available to him to make innovative music that’s nearly impossible to categorize. His music is hip hop, it’s indie, it’s soulful, and even a little folky at times; and what’s so great about that is because he’s so diverse everyone can truly find something to identify with once he brings his talents to the main stage. I’m excited to see him still going strong and I give him a rating of FRESH! Homeaway Stage 1:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoI2C6pW9AQ

Next up is Ron Gallo. If you miss the glory days of stripped down rock n roll and you like the sound of fuzzy distorted guitars, you should definitely give Gallo a shot. He looks and sounds like the lead singer of Wolfmother but trust me when I say that that is actually a good thing. At the very least you should pop in on his act as he is apparently playing in a tent; so this will give you the opportunity to take a break from the heat and listen to some pretty strange songs about break ups and bad medicine (and no I don’t mean like that terrible Bon Jovi song). I give him a rating of kind of FRESH! Tito’s Homemade Vokda Stage 1:15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pepxOg9kix8

After Gallo you should make your way on over to check out the pop duo Prinze George. Now I’m not too high on these guys but I can definitely see girls wanting to listen to them while putting on their makeup just before they head out for a night out on the town; that is in between listening to Beyonce and Rihanna of course. I rate them as sort of WEAK but you should pop in and give them a shot anyway. Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage 2:15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hJ3mJr2K4w

Next up you should check out Frightened Rabbit. I find myself falling in and out of love with this Scottish Emo/Indie band but to be honest with you, falling in and out of love is the perfect description of their songs. Their lyrics paint a depressing picture of heartache and turmoil and it’s all set to the backdrop of booming guitars and spastic drums. And now that I’m actually typing this out, I can’t believe I’m not more down with this band than I currently am; depressing topics is usually right up my alley. But it’s only because they’ve been around for about a decade that I’ll give them a rating of barely FRESH! Miller Lite Stage 1:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY4j8Ow-CTs

But moving on, I don’t see how anyone can pass on checking out this next act. I mean even if it’s just out of pure curiosity you have to pop in and see the latest superstar collaboration of Paul Banks and the Rza. Banks and Steelz represent two of my favorite acts of all-time; Interpol and the Wu Tang Clan. Now I have to say that when I initially heard these two were making music together, I was unbelievably worried. I remember the days of the awful Judgement Night soundtrack and believe me when I say they weren’t pretty. But I am happy to say that their two styles seem to perfectly blend together. Their sound definitely has a distinctive New York feel to it and their music, as you would expect, just naturally leans towards the darker side of things. And now after hearing their new record, I can’t believe that it took them so long to finally get together. I rate them as FRESH and you should definitely start your day off the proper way by heading to the Samsung Stage at 2:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkG-Hjv3wbI

The last guy on my list for the day is Torey Lanez. I give him props for trying his best to be the ghetto representative of Canada but it’s hard for me to buy his act since I’ve been to East Vancouver and saw some of the scariest white heroin fiends I’ve ever seen in my life. Their bum rushing me for my McDonalds was by far scarier than any of this guy’s neck tattoos but he does manage to rap and sing like fellow Canadian Drizzy, so he does have that going for him. The one true knock I have is that he falls into trap music hell one too many times for my taste but he does have a propensity to keep the party going, so I would suggest popping in on him if you have the chance. He’s barely FRESH! HomeAway Stage 5:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKAh4V6ASFM

Ok so I’ll give you one more for the road. Flying Lotus gets honorable mention because he’s a legend when it comes to blending jazz, hip hop, and soulful beats. The only problem is I’m not so sure that this is such a great live act to see at a festival. Samsung Stage 6:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oUx6wGCekM

"Avoid the clap" Jimmy Dugan

The Best of SXSW 2016

So there I was stuck at the end of an unbelievably long line to get into the Pitchfork party when I decided that it would probably be a better use of my time to look into what the other SXSW parties had to offer me at that point. And I was I scrolling through the dozens of other RSVP’s I had in my phone, I all of a sudden realized that I had no clue what day of the week it was. My head was so cloudy from all of the partying I had done to that point that I honestly had no idea if it was a Wednesday or a Friday. So I proceeded to ask the girl in front of me and this is what transpired:

Me: I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound like a total degenerate but do you happen to know what day of the week it is?

Random dazed girl (after a brief moment): Shit man! I have no idea!

That’s SXSW in a nutshell for you. The two of us, clearly representing the worst of humanity at that point, spent the next four to five minutes trying to figure it out on our phones. It was Thursday by the way. So as you’re reading this, just realize that I may leave an experience or two out solely based off the fact that my brain isn’t fully functioning just yet. But having said all of that, here’s the best of what I saw during this incredible week.

The first two acts that left me floored were Kacy Hill and Jack Garratt at the Spotify House. Simply put, Kacy Hill is a young pop superstar in the making. She looks like she’s 12, she weighs about 40 lbs. and she’s a ginger, so that means she’s sensitive to sunlight much like a Gremlin is. But when she opens her mouth, she has one of the more powerful voices in the industry; this is why Kanye West signed her to his label. She doesn’t move much while she’s performing on stage mainly because she’s still young and you can see that nerves get in the way but her turtleneck wearing bandmates provide more than enough flare to keep you occupied. They look like Flock of Seagulls rejects but the drummer is a mad woman on the kit. I’m not that much into pop music but I did find myself subconsciously doing the "stanky leg" during a song or two of hers. Just keep in mind though that if you hear her screaming "Bright light! Bright light!" during her show, throw that woman a robe or something so she doesn’t die on stage.

Jack Garratt came on right after Hill did and he stepped up with a praise worthy performance as well! It was his first show of SX and you could tell early on as he was struggling to keep the beat on his first song. But once he worked the nerves out and got his rhythm going, he had my skeptical friends closing out their social media apps for a change and dancing to his electronic and guitar driven beats. He’s a one man band, so it takes his songs a bit to build up to their climax but once they do, the payoff is definitely worth the wait. Garratt is British with a beard, so watch your girlfriends when they’re around him; but as long as he’s on stage and she isn’t, you’re for the most part safe. Just make sure those handcuffs are on super tight!

If you like punk music, you should do yourself a favor and check out Honduras out of Brooklyn, NY and Tennis System out of LA. Honduras’s recorded tracks don’t come close to doing the band justice as their live performance rivals that of any classic punk act you can think of. Watching them is like watching a cross between Iggy Pop and the Sex Pistols. I of course had to see them twice. Tennis System is like the rebirth of My Bloody Valentine but harder! My ears were bleeding by the end of their performance but in spite of that they somehow had 50 year old grandpas moshing around like they were teenagers on acid! I’m not sure how big either of these acts will be as they aren’t really set up for main stream festivals like Coachella or ACL but make sure you catch them when they hit your town. I’m a huge fan of punk music and these two are definitely FRESH!

As far as hip hop goes, Anderson.Paak may have been the best show I saw all week. He has been waiting a long time for this moment and you could tell that he was ready to seize it the second he took the stage! He is a showman in every aspect of the word as he sings, raps, and even plays the drums. Thankfully though it’s not like he’s Phil Collins and performs from behind the kit the entire time; he still has a DJ that plays his beats for him, but when the song needs to be taken up a notch he hops back there and absolutely destroys it! He has a band with him, which is typically not a good idea with a hip hop act, but in this case it works. His album Malibu is already winning people over and I definitely see him ruling the festival circuit for the next year or two.

Next up is Vince Staples out Long Beach. You should just know going in that he likes to make people feel as uncomfortable as possible during his shows. He has no issues calling out the evil corporations that paid for him to be there (see Spotify) or the drunk idiots that do stupid things at his show(randomly shouting his name for no reason or climbing a tree to get a better look at him). But he does so with such wit that you can’t help but laugh and give him your undivided attention for fear that you will be the butt of his next joke. He doesn’t really have club bangers but his socially conscious tales of corruption, greed, and police violence will have you shouting right along with him like you’re at a political rally. It’s like listen to Public Enemy without the giant clocks around his neck. This kid definitely has the "it" factor.

At one point he called out the primarily white crowd for not recognizing certain urban slang and then he noticed me waving my hand in the crowd (one of the only Black people not on stage) and said to me "I see you my brother! Raise a fist in the air!" I didn’t have the heart to tell him that earlier that day I spent $20 to have $10 tacos delivered to my door; now that’s Black privilege right there!

I would go on and on telling you how awesome The Deftones, Big Grams, No Age, and Erykah Badu were but you already know that. Just know that the grunge act from Toronto Dilly Dally and the British pop act Haelos also delivered and are worthy of you checking them out.

I hope you found this helpful and to the poor girl that I somehow convinced to go on a date with me Friday night, I sincerely apologize! After partying 4 straight days, I had to look, act, and smell like a homeless alcoholic! Until next year my friends, until next year!

SXSW 2016 Preview: Rock n Roll

With Obamageddon about to hit Austin and SXSW this coming Friday, I think the best thing for me to do is to go into hibernation until then just so I can be properly rested for the 10 day drug and alcohol binge that’s about to descend upon this city. I myself don’t do any drugs but after pounding 20 Red Bulls and eating 45 Ritalin laced breakfast tacos, I feel as though I’ll be ready to check myself into rehab just in time for Good Friday once the festival does actually end. This way you won’t find me stumbling alongside any fellow SXSW stragglers who will be shamelessly fighting kids for their eggs on their Easter egg hunts because they think they are getting the next clue to get into the Illmore party. What can I say? Cocaine is a hell of a drug!

Well in between all of this partying, you should do yourself a favor and check out a few of the talented acts that will be rolling through Austin in the next week or so. And to help you out a bit, I broke down some of the best rock bands I discovered while sifting through all of the scrubbiness that also comes along with this fest.

First up is the Canadian rock band Dilly Dally. If Courtney Love wasn’t such a douchebag, this is the kind of music she’d make. It’s 90’s grunge that’s drenched in distorted guitars and whiny vocals, and when they want it to be, their music can certainly be punishing (in a good way) with their overpowering sound. As far as hard rock bands go, I’m really excited to see how they’ll deliver live. They are playing everywhere over the next ten days, so be sure to pop in on them as they get a rating of FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/dilly-dally

Next up is Tennis System, a trio from LA who is trying their best to keep reverb heavy music alive. They are known for their live shows and their noisy sound takes you back to the days the Mary Chain and Nirvana. You should definitely give these guys a shot as I think they are pretty FRESH.
https://soundcloud.com/tennissystem

After them is the loud anthem pop rock band Pretty City. Let me say up front that they are the very definition of a guilty pleasure but that doesn’t mean they don’t rock! I guess this is what it feels like to be a Kiss fan. The only thing these Aussies are missing is the makeup. I rate them as FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/pretty-city

Next up is Acid Dad. These New Yorkers play no nonsense punkish rock. They utilize stripped down guitars to give you a feel of what punk was like in the late 70’s. And while you’re listening to their music, you can’t help but feel as though you’re in an episode of the TV show Vinyl. I’m not completely sold on them as they appear to be a bit inconsistent at this point; when they hit they really hit but when they miss, they’ll have you going to the beer and bathroom line. For now I give them a rating of kind of WEAK.
 https://soundcloud.com/aciddadnyc

The last artist to check out is actually an electronic artist but whatever, his music is so good that I had to give him a preview. I’m talking about Jack Garratt. This British singer-songwriter is an electronic artist who happens to be a healthy mix between Sohn and Miike Snow. He has definitely grown on me as I can’t help but find myself dancing to his grooves. He gets a rating of FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/jackgarratt

 

SXSW 2016 Preview: Pop and Indie Acts

When SXSW rolls around every March, I basically turn into the Michael Jackson of concert goers. I’m not sure if you remember the story or not but Mike’s father Joe Jackson infamously robbed him and his brothers of their childhood by having them stay up all night singing and dancing their way to stardom. Well once Mike finally became an adult he went absolutely ape shit and bought anything that popped into his head in some desperate attempt to try and get those years back. It started off simple with Ferris Wheels and cotton candy machines but eventually grew into the purchasing of pet giraffes and spider monkeys. And the rest as they say is history.

Well as it turns out, I’m too had my childhood taken from me as I was forced to grow up in a terrible little small town in south Texas. No cool bands ever came to my awful section of the Earth and normal things like MTV or anything harder than a classic rock radio station was instantly banned from the airwaves. So now that I am older and have escaped my cultural bondage, I tend go a little crazy like the aforementioned pop superstar did whenever springtime finally arrives. Now I won’t be looking for any little boys but I for damn sure will try and find me a hot little 19 year old girl to make out with; and what better place to find one than at a pop show. So with that said, here’s a quick look at some of the best pop and indie acts that will be playing SXSW this year.

Oddly enough the first act I’m previewing today (Declan McKenna)who hails from the great country of England. This teenage Brit is winning the hearts of hipster bloggers everywhere as his potential appears to be off the charts. Now typically whenever most 16 year olds write songs or poetry, an adult’s normal reaction is to simply smile and say something encouraging like "good job" or "way to go"; knowing that all they really wrote was nothing more than a bunch of two syllable words strung together in a manner that barely passed the basic rules of writing (and this is coming from me). But this kid appears to be different. Even though he clearly has room to grow, he still makes good pop songs that you can relate to and more importantly songs that you can sing along to. Check out Paracetamol and Brazil. He gets a rating of barely FRESH.
https://soundcloud.com/deccoooo

Next up is The Range; he is a DJ whose music reminds you of what it was like to dance in the late 90’s. He doesn’t make Trap music or songs that completely rely on the drop, he instead simply makes cool beats that will have you grooving and grinding like R. Kelly did before he met Aaliyah. His music has elements of hip hop and RnB in it and he has quickly turned into one of Pitchfork’s darlings. Check him out as he is definitely FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/therangemusic

This next act is starting to grow on me for the simple fact they make poppy grunge music that complains about pretty much everything. From people who brag about their band or their favorite hangout to well… people in general, Diet Cig doesn’t seem to leave any stone unturned when it comes exploring what’s causing their angst. It’s clear to me that these girls need to find a cute dude to make out with stat and hey, what do you know, I’m available! They’re worth checking out but get a rating of a little WEAK.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=diet%20cig

Next up is Hinds. I don’t really like bad mouthing artists but let’s be honest, the only reason these girls are getting a lot of pub is because they’re cute and they’re Spaniards. And I get it, I’ve been to Spain and I fell in love every five seconds, so I wanted to love them for the same reasons everyone else does. But in the end there is absolutely nothing special about their bland guitars, their monotone singing, or their lyrics. They honestly sound like they just started playing their instruments a few months ago. I’d avoid them as they get a rating of WACK.
https://soundcloud.com/hindsband

The last act to check out is They. They are producers from LA who make 90’s RnB music; not quite Bell Biv Devoe 90’s but think more Usher or H-Town’s Knocking the Boots 90’s. What helps them stand out is the fact they sneak a little rock n roll in the undercurrent of their beats. I rate them as barely FRESH.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=They.

Other acts that are sure to blow up and will be all over the festival circuit this year are Lapsley (electronic), Kacy Hill (electronic pop) and Porches (pop).


 

SXSW 2016 Preview: Hip Hop

Remember a few years back when Macklemore and Iggy Azalea were the self-proclaimed king and queen of hip hop? For about a ten to twelve month period they were ruling the airwaves, winning awards, and cunningly adding to their subversive cult by playing their way into the hearts of MDMA soaked children at music festivals. All the while real artists were continuing to struggle to make their way to the forefront. Well thankfully those dark days, or I guess I should say light days (sorry, I couldn’t help myself), appear to be behind us.

Hip hop looks to be back in the capable hands of those who can actually handle that kind of responsibility; Kendrick’s game was taken to yet another level with How to Pimp a Butterfly, Future continues to release club banger after club banger, and even though he’s basically an actor in rappers clothing, Drake has once again taken the reigns as the group’s leader. And then of course there’s ego maniac Kanye West who continues to command attention no matter where he goes. Well thankfully for us the game is still picking up some promising newbies in the form of Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper and this year’s crop will certainly look add to the list. Here’s a quick peak at some of the best hip hop artists playing SXSW this year.

First up is Vince Staples out of Long Beach, California. He’s not technically a newbie as his album Summertime 06 has been out for a while but his ability to make you nod your head to his signature West Coast sound, in spite of the fact he’s rapping about some pretty depressing shit, is something that may be a new experience for most. His use of tight, bass heavy, and stripped down beats forces you to put your focus on his grimy rhymes and his vivid storytelling. He’s like your ghetto tour guide to the hood. I rate him as FRESH and suggest you pop in.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=vince%20staples

Next up is another California native that goes by the name of Anderson.Paak. The best way to describe him is to imagine if Jamiroquai could rap. He makes nice soulful music that you can groove to and possibly have your girlfriend give you a strip tease to; if you have that kind of game that is. He’s already worked with the likes of Schoolboy Q and BJ the Chicago Kid and he’s well on his way to earning a rating of FRESH.
https://soundcloud.com/andersonpaak

Speaking of BJ the Chicago Kid, I previewed him for last year’s SXSW festival. He was just getting his feet wet then but now it looks as though he may finally be ready to take his act to the next level. This Manny Fresh look-a-like obviously hails from the Windy City and he’s already put in work with heavy hitters like Kanye and Kendrick. He’s a deep singer-songwriter who used to only write depressing songs but I guess he finally realized that Frank Ocean already has the Black Radiohead vibe on lock, so now he’s starting to write songs that can actually be universally received. I’m still not sure if his live solo show will be any good given the fact his best songs involve guest appearances by actual rappers; so for now I will give him a rating of kind of WEAK.
https://soundcloud.com/bjthechicagokid

Next up is Odd Future veteran Domo Genesis. He brings the usual alternative flow that you’d normally expect to hear from this crew; he rhymes about how fresh his style is, how much he loves to party, and the fact that he smokes weed on the regular…oh wait, that’s not alternative, that’s just hip hop. But it’s his approach to these subjects and the underground beats that go along with it that helps separate him. When I first heard Go Outside, I found myself openly dancing in front of a classroom full of stunned children without even noticing it, and that’s real hip hop right there. I rate this kid as FRESH and suggest you check him out before he realizes the industry is bullshit and he decides to return to the skate park.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=domo%20genesis

And the last artist to check out is Tory Lanez. I give him props for trying his best to be the ghetto representative of Canada but it’s hard for me to buy his act since I’ve been to East Vancouver and saw some of the scariest white heroin fiends I’ve ever seen in my life. Their bum rushing me for my McDonalds was by far scarier than any of his neck tattoos. But he does manage to rap and sing like fellow Canadian Drizzy, so he has that going for him. The one knock I have is that he falls into trap music hell one too many times for my taste but he does have a propensity to keep the party going, so I would suggest popping in on him if you have the chance. I’m withholding a rating for now. https://soundcloud.com/search?q=torey%20lanez

SXSW 2016 Preview: British Artists

Some random teenager "Mister, you’re a writer and you dress like a hipster? I bet you live downtown and like punk music too!"

Me "Damn right son!"

Now even though I’m not sure about the hipster part, I do like the fact that me being so transparent lets you know right up front what you’re going to get from me. It’s like when the townspeople in Blazing Saddles saw that they were getting a Black sheriff; right away they knew they’d be dealing with someone who was a bit of a trickster and probably had a big dong and liked white women too.

Well as you’re reading this, you should just know off the top that I too am a bit of a trickster and I too like white women. But along with all of that, I also happen to love the British and the music they produce; especially Brit punk, post punk, and goth. I however am not a big fan of singer-songwriters. I mean, I respect them and all and there are even a few that I’ll listen to when I feel like committing suicide but I wouldn’t expect to see a slew of them previewed here today.

And given my recent encounters with the Brits, I can’t believe they like them either. They seem like they’re always too drunk or too loud to have the patience for that kind of show. I kid, I kid…but not really. So with that said, this preview is for those who are looking for British artists that will make them dance or will have them jumping around like a crazy person. I sifted through all of what the British Music Embassy has to offer and here are the best of the bunch.

First up is JoJo Abot; she’s an artist from Ghana who somehow successfully manages to combine a multitude of musical styles. Her art is simultaneously a presentation of soul, funk, and reggae with a bit of electronic thrown in just for freshness. But having said all of that, It still feels as though she’s a more accessible version of Eryka Badu. When Badu first came out with Baduism, she just had this raw energy that immediately pulled you in and I get the same type of vibe from Abot when I listen to her music. You should know going in that sometimes she mixes in different languages in her songs but don’t let that keep you from experiencing what she has to offer. Check out her songs Pi Lo Lo and To Li to get a good feel for her. I rate her as FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz9o3FOkQ_Y

Next up is Clean Cut Kid, he is the low rent version of Phil Collins, and by that I mean solo Collins, not Genesis Collins. The fact that he seems to be using M83’s b-side beats in his music makes you want to dance to it from time to time but overall I’d have to say that he’s not for me. You might dig him as his music is kind of fun but the only reason why I’d see him is because he’s a British hipster who has a beard that makes him look like he brews shitty beer. I rate him as kind of WEAK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRumUyadht0

I find myself getting really excited about next band Autobahn. Now sadly they’re not the German nihilist band from The Big Lebowski. But if they were, I’m pretty sure this is what they would sound like if they ever released real music. They have rapid fire drums, post punk guitars, and a lead singer who sounds like he’s the first cousin of The Horror’s Faris Badwan. Now they’re not as good as the Horrors are but they are just getting started. I rate them as FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D7XJ5HXXQs

Next is Loyle Carner; he’s a British rapper whose style reminds you of the Digable Planets. I say this because his laid back flow and his Songs in the Key of Life esque lyrics manages to blend in perfectly with the lazy and almost jazzy beats on his records. If you have some down time in your schedule, you should pop in and check him out. I rate him as sort of FRESH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HiB-hNt_mw

After him is Haelos; a fun indie electronic pop band that has a cute chick singing one of the leads. It feels like they’re a group of kids from the 90’s who are trying their best to hold on to the sound of the 80’s. I’m not completely sold on them yet but they’re starting to grow on me. Rating- barely WEAK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWyGO0x1Uo

Girls Names is another band that I started to like after giving them a second and third listen. They’re an alt-rock group who can sometimes get fairly dark and heavy with their sound. They can be really good at times but can certainly lose their way if someone isn’t there to pull the reigns in a bit for them. But from what I’ve heard thus far, they are worth a pop in. Rating- potentially FRESH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa1TshNz8YA

The last band to see is Honne. I previewed these guys on this site a year ago and it looks like they finally have enough material to take their show on the road. They’re two Brits who sound as though they listened to way too much Cameo and the Gap Band when they were kids. The weird thing about that is, even though they love old school Black RnB, the lead’s voice sounds like Coldplay’s Chris Martin. So much so in fact, that I seriously thought they just sampled his voice and put it over their music. The Bootsy Collins guitar solo in the middle of All in the Value is a pleasant surprise. Ok, so it wasn't really Bootsy but they're still FRESH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX5f0NcqlMs

Other bands to check out are Pins, Fews, Demob Happy, and Fizzy Blood.

Car Seat Headrest, Moses Sumney, and Strange Wilds : Mini SXSW Preview

As I find myself trying harder and harder to remain relevant among people who aren’t already preparing their retirement packages, it’s becoming clearer to me that I only have a few years left in my deceptive youth before teenagers start asking me how old my grandchildren are. Just the other day I tried to introduce the movie Troy to a classroom full of kids by telling them that the girls should at least like it because Brad Pitt was in it, and the response I got was "Who’s Brad Pitt?"

Seriously?!?! How do kids not know who Brad Pitt is? Have they become so saturated by the rash of awful Young Adult movies that the only heroes they know either listen to One Direction or snort cocaine with Taylor Swift on the weekends? Well I feel as though it’s my calling to introduce to these lost children some kids who at least have some semblance of talent, with the hopes that this will one day inspire them to do grow out of their sense of entitlement stage and lead them to develop something truly groundbreaking. Who know, they could come up with something like a time machine that will allow me to go back in time to the 80’s so I can bang a young and pre hippie Lisa Bonet.

So with that in mind, here’s a look at a few new artists to check out. First up is Car Seat Headrest. I first heard about this kid six months ago and I really liked his stuff, but I decided to wait on giving my take on him just so I could make sure I didn’t fall for any fool’s gold. Well after taking some time to digest what I heard, I have to say that my take remains the same. This 22 year old from Virginia could be the next big thing in music. He makes hippie garage rock music, which is normally a bad thing, but in this case actually isn’t. This is Lo-fi rock with some truly introspective lyrics. Thankfully not all of his songs are 14 minutes long but even those that are take you on a wild ride that you’ll never forget (and yes I’m fully aware of how cheesy that sounded). This kid was just confirmed for this year’s SXSW, so pop in on him while you can. I rate him as FRESH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvZM33nevfU&list=PL7QnZeqb0x2BFuuGty8UDHkXTI8_E6Xz6

Next up is Moses Sumney; he’s a 25 year old who utilizes an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal to bring out his 60’s soul singer stuck in the hipster era sound. It’s a good thing for him though that he is around during this era because his dark, gothic style would have never flown back in the day unless he had Joni Mitchell performing his songs for him. This is space acoustic rock that hints of old school David Bowie in it. I rate him as FRESH!
https://soundcloud.com/mosessumney

Last band for the day is Strange Wilds and simply put, this is post grunge punk music with ripping guitars and screeching vocals; stuff that’s right up my alley. I like them but I know that with their sound they’re only going to reach a limited audience, so I have to give them a rating of barely WEAK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYpRXK_sHN8

The Best of Fun Fun Fun Fest 2015

As I woke up to go pee some of the 325 ounces of Shiner Cheer out of my system last night, I noticed that my pathway to my bathroom was lit with all of these randomly discarded fluorescent glow sticks. It was great! My apartment looked like a clip from the latest Tron movie! The only thing that was missing was the wonderful sounds of Daft Punk and a half naked Olivia Wilde laying on my living room floor. But it got me to thinking, why doesn’t my apartment always look like a Tron movie? And does Olivia Wilde have a thing for Black guys? I really need to move to Hollywood to find out this vital information!

Anyway, so there I was dancing and peeing (probably not accurately) in my nightclub/bathroom and I began reminiscing over all of the wonderful and weird things that took place at this year’s 2015 Fun Fun Fun Fest. Here’s what I came up with:

Friday

The Good

I’m not really sure where I should start but Parquet Courts came out and absolutely owned the Black Stage. They had both kids and old men dancing and moshing like idiots as they ripped through frenetic classics like Black and White and Master of My Craft. This was definitely one of their tightest shows in years as they effortlessly oozed coolness with each roaring riff. But Bomba Estereo might have taken the cake with their hot Colombian dance party. Their mix of electronic and traditional Latin dance music was a breath of fresh air for this festival. I mean I’ve heard Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes angrily shout indiscernible Spanish at FFF Fest before but not at this rapid of a rate. Liliana Saumet (Bomba’s lead singer) sounded like the Colombian version of Twista. Sadly though, my friend later informed me that Bomba Estereo was indeed not Spanish for big boobs; it actually means Stereo Bomb. Go figure. Rae Sremmurd and Schoolboy Q did work too.

The Bad

Nothing really to report here except for maybe Mutoid Man’s terrible jokes in between songs. After hearing them talk I couldn’t help but wonder how these guys actually get laid. Don’t get me wrong, they played a great set but they sounded more like your out of touch drunken uncle who only shows up to embarrass you at graduations than they did rock stars.

The Unnecessary

Peaches. If you’ve experienced one of her shows before then you already know what I’m talking about. However if you haven’t been a part of this spectacle in the past then you should just know going in that she is quite the showman. She’s still in great shape for age 46 but it’s kind of like that scene in Sex and the City when Miranda decides to have sex with a sugar daddy; once she saw his old balls it was all over. Yes, sadly I used to watch that show from time to time but that’s beside the point. The point is, once the camera gave us an up close look of her old saggy but cheeks in high definition, right after she stopped licking the oversized cloth replicas of vaginas on stage, I stopped paying attention to anything she had to say. It was a great performance but unfortunately that wrinkled booty will forever be engrained in my brain.

Saturday

The Good

I was too hungover to make it out there in time to see Shamir but I was able to drag myself to the Blue Stage for Joey Bada$$. This native of Brooklyn took you back to the old school days of hip hop with his razor sharp lyrics and stripped down beats. The way he was able to connect with the crowd made it feel like you were supporting your younger cousin who somehow snuck his way on stage. It was the perfect primer for the legendary Wu Tang Clan who came out later on in the night and brought the house down. Only 5 of them showed up however and not surprisingly it was the 5 that needed the money the most. Rza was out there mainly because he needs money to finance The Man With the Iron Fists 3, GZA and Ghostface were there so they can keep the Wu Wear site up and running, and Inspecta Deck and U-God showed up because they needed to purchase new cots for their spots at the local YMCA. It didn’t really though because anytime I get to hear Triumph live, I consider that a win for me. Oh and also props to the Rza for being too lazy to say all three funs; he just kept calling it Fun Fest the entire set. Broncho also put on a killer show at Cheer Up Charlies as they absolutely destroyed for 40 minutes.

The Bad

This was a tie between Anamanaguchi and FFF Fest’s scheduling. Anamanaguchi makes this list because their name is stupid and it’s hard to spell; and music that mainly consists of video game sounds is cool in theory but in actual practice it’s a disaster. Second, I missed Jane’s Addiction because they had them playing opposite of Wu. I heard it was an amazing performance and that the old dudes still have it.

The Unnecessary

The goes to Side Bar for being so cool and so close to the FFF after shows. This bar is known for its cheap and unbelievably strong drinks, so heading here after eight hours of drinking was the worst decision I made all weekend. My night ended with me standing on one of their tables on the patio, holding up the Wu W, and shouting "Suuuuuuuuuuuuuu" as loudly as I could.

Sunday

The Good

Lauryn Hill. At first I thought this show was going to be a flop when she came out and started playing mellow songs on an acoustic guitar while sitting on a futon from the 70’s. I mean, this is a fine way to open your set in a normal environment but she was at a festival where people had been smoking, drinking, shrooming, and snorting coke all day long (wait a second, where the hell was I??? This sounds like the pre party for the bus ride to hell). In this setting, you have to bring energy early on to keep the vibe going. Well mid set she finally stood up and absolutely started going in! The second she started Lost Ones, the crowd was hers for the rest of the night. And hearing all of the Fugees hits, her stellar Bob Marley and Nina Simone covers, and of course Doo Wop made this one of the most memorable shows of all time.

The Bad

Chromeo. I have tried for years to give these guys a chance but they are just so flat live. They were so bad in fact that they made me forget that earlier in the day the Growlers had me feeling like Michael J. Fox from Back to the Future. Remember the scene when he was playing guitar and started physically fading from existence? Well that was me for about 40 minutes on Sunday! Their set was so boring that it literally felt like I was losing my soul with each chord. I respect these guys but man, just play the hits.

The Unnecessary

This is a tie between all of the guys who thought that twerking at a Big Freeda show was all of a sudden socially accepted behavior and the strategic segregation of the FFF Fest organizers. My friends and I popped in on the Steve Gunn show for a quick second and we immediately noticed that every person who was over the age of 40 just so happened to be under that tent. I was halfway expecting there to be an organized suicide party to put them out of their misery.

2015 Fun Fun Fun Fest Preview

Just the other day someone had the audacity to ask me if I was going to the My Morning Jacket show. My response to them was "Will there be any distortion or any fresh hooks that mention strippers?" They replied no, so my response to that nonsense was "Absolutely not!" Now I know that they were already aware of the fact that I knew what kind of music Jacket played but I wanted to make a point; bearded dudes playing acoustic guitars may be ok for some but for me I’d rather spend my money seeing the oiled up saxophone guy from The Lost Boys rather than suffer through two hours of manufactured melancholy.

So with that in mind, don’t expect to get too many suggestions for folk artists in my Fun Fun Fun Fest preview this year. Now this year is considered to be a bit of a down year for the Black Stage entuisiasts out there and sadly that’s the reason why the fest appears to be giving tickets away at this point. The Black Stage hipsters basically fill up Auditorium Shores but these same hipsters must realize that you can only book The Descendants, the Murder City Devils, and Glen Danzig so many times. So might I suggest they actually expand their horizons a bit this year and venture on over to the Blue and Orange stages to see what they have to offer. Here’s a look at some up and comers you should check out next weekend.

Friday

You should pop into the fest early on Friday to check out the not quite as nerdy versions of Weezer, otherwise known as Creepoid. I only call them Weezer because their lead looks like an older version of Rivers Cuomo, not because they sound anything like them. This is slow building fuzzy indie rock that somehow manages to deliver on every song. And thankfully for everyone in attendance, it will remind you of the days when it was actually cool to use heroin. Um…those days existed right? Orange Stage 1:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ehCNFutJvA

But before you pop in on Creepoid, you should go check out Two-9. They’re six young brothers (that’s 70’s talk for Black people) from Atlanta who definitely bring that Southern crunkness to the stage with them. They’ve worked with heavy hitters like Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign before, so you can see that they’re already getting respect in the game. Some of their stuff is pretty raw but it feels like they’re already pros when you listen to tracks Full House and World Go Crazy. They’ll be on the Blue Stage at 12:55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3rG6UtaoLI

This next suggestion is something that you’ve probably never seen before or will ever see again at FFF, so you may as well pop in while you can. Bombo Estereo is dance music with a Latin feel. Just imagine if Pitbull didn’t suck, this is what his music would sound like. Also ignore the alarming fact that they have a song with Will Smith and go check them out anyway on the Blue Stage at 2:55.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQnOHx--AVk

After sifting through the detritus that is the Black Stage, I finally found someone worth popping in on Friday and that is Mutoid Man. This band is made up of members from Converge and Cave and they have a sound that reminds you of a harder version of Queens of the Stoned Age. They come on the Black Stage at 2:10.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKh-Nf2NeEY

And I saved the best for last in Rae Sremmurd. These two country boys out of Mississippi definitely know how to command a crowd. They’re music is both fun and funny to me and they will have you dropping it to songs about only liking bad bitches and dropping money in strip clubs. What more do you want in a hip hop show? They’re on the Blue Stage at 7:35.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITpET0puPcQ

Saturday

You should start off your Saturday afternoon by trying to regain your youth like every other old person out there who just left Luby’s. And how do you accomplish that? By pounding a Red Bull and going to see Joanna Gruesome and their 90’s pop punk sound. They are a 5 piece from Wales with both a male and a female lead and their music reminds you of the time when you scored your first 12 pack and had your first beer as a teenager. While they’re not quite a One Direction or Haim guilty pleasure, they're still something that you’ll like but will be ashamed to admit later. Check out Lemonade Girl and Secret Surprise. They come on the Orange stage at 1:20.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMHbn8fQLlk

Next up is Shamir, a singer-songwriter from Vegas who makes electronic disco music you actually want to dance to. His set starts at 2:10, which is way too early, but I suggest getting lit and dancing like a madman anyway. It’s FFF for f*^% sake! Blue Stage 2:10.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK0daD853Do

If dancing isn’t your thing, go check out Head Wound City. They are a screaming hard core punk band with members from the Blood Brothers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Listening to their music is like taking a punch to the face while pounding a lukewarm tallboy of Budweiser; maybe not your first choice but it will definitely wake you up and get you moving. Their sound is full of heavy hitting guitars and drums that are banged so hard, it feels like they need to be replaced after each session. Black Stage 2:20.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfkIprjyqbU

After that, go pop in on Fuzz. Fuzz is old school "the world is doomed" late 60’s, early 70’s rock. And while I hate to use this adjective, they do have quite a bit of fuzz in their sound. Honestly they’re a bit hard to be playing the Orange Stage but it’ll be nice to see the future yuppies dance before they become our bosses in the next 5 years. Orange Stage 4:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twylUtWKdt4

However if you’re looking to get grimy go see Joey Bada$$ instead. It feels like he’s the illegitimate son of one of the Wu Tang Clan members. His music is all about the rhymes and nothing else. This is stripped down hip hop at its finest. Blue Stage 4:10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stoLqWXsIOY

Sunday

I’m not sure who hasn’t heard of Broncho at this point but these weirdos from Oklahoma make fun indie rock music that will have girls throwing their tops on stage while dancing to it. Ok, well maybe most of that is a dream of mine but they always put on a good show. Check out It’s On and Class Historian as they are full of fuzzy guitars and beats from the kit that will remind you of New Order’s Age of Consent. Orange Stage 3:10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL3dkdKn53o

I’m excited for Title Fight simply for the fact that their music reminds me of high school. It’s alternative music that takes you back to the days of early grunge where it was cool to dress sloppy and smoke weed all day. And if you were lucky enough, you got to end up with Brittany Murphy once she realized that Stacy Dash and Alicia Silverstone were bitches. Black Stage 2:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT2mf0RAkv0

The last band to check out is Odesza, two hipsters out of Seattle who make electronic pop music. Some of it is simply chill out music to bob your head to but a lot of it will have you jumping around like you're on the Maury Povich show as they have figured out the perfect balance between electronic and pop. It’s not the kind of music that will have you whipping your hair like Willow Smith does but it is universal enough to hit up that market and still allow you to keep your self respect, if you find yourself digging it that is. And to help separate them from some of their counterparts, I like the fact that they bring in guest vocalists on quite a few of their tracks; so hopefully this will keep them from falling into the bargain bin section of electronic artists in the next two to three years. Blue Stage 8:45
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdzI-191xhU