I'm in Austin, TX this week at the SXSW music conference and festival.  Austin claims to be the live music capitol of the world and at least this week it is absolutely not marketing hype. Below is a list of bands I've seen.  Sleep is a precious commodity this week, but it's not a bad thing.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Elvis Costello gave an interview at the end of the conference today.  He discussed the numerous record labels he's been on through the years.  He doesn't hold any grudges because he understands it's a business run by large corporates.  Let this be a lesson to you kids out there that want to make a living doing this. The people that run this business now don't care all that much about music - profit is king in this world. If you can help increase their bottomline then you too could be a 'golden god.'

The Amazing Pilots (Belfast, UK) - Really good Britpop band from Ireland.  The frontman Paul looks and sounds a bit like a young Thom Yorke.

Willard Grant Conspiracy (CA/Boston) - Despite going on late and sound problems this bicoastal band gave a solid set of original music that's hard to classify, but leans toward folk and americana.  Lead singer Robert tells stories of death and darkness with his huge, deep voice.

The Donnas (Palo Alto, CA) - These four girls from 'a city of the future' know how to rock.  The lead singer Brett gave me the most disarming smile when I told her they gave a great set as she passed me on her way to their tour bus.

The Album Leaf (San Diego, CA) - Beautiful instrumental mood music similar to Sigur Rous.

Sleater-Kinney (Portland, OR) - Intense performance from three punk rock girls who have stood the test of time together.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

A music conference is like any other conference except it starts later, people look way more hip and you have speaker's like Robert Plant who gave the keynote today.  He was presented with his Grammy for lifetime achievement by the Recording Academy since he wasn't able to make the award show in LA last month. He told some great stories about the beginnings of Led Zeppelin and meeting Elvis.

Long-View (Manchester, UK) - Part of the British invasion this year at SXSW. They have a good look, but a dumb name.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives (Gothenberg, Sweden) - Unoriginal garage rock for those of you stuck in the 60s.

Missy Higgins (Melbourne, Australia) - Very pretty singer/songwriter from downunder who was 'discovered' at SXSW 04. She played a quiet but solid solo set on guitar and piano.

The French Kicks (NY, NY) - Awesome set from this pop/rock band with wonderful melodic tunes. I talked to their frontman Nick afterwards who told me they will be recording a new record starting this summer.

Earlimart (Los Angeles, CA) - What a difference a year can make.  I wasn't all that impressed last year, but this indie rock band has come a long way.  Their sound now has softer side that gives their music more depth.

Kathleen Edwards (Ottawa, ON) - A fiery performance from this roots rockin' singer/songwriter currently in route to LA to do TV gigs promoting her new disc . She told me afterwords she feels a bit like a 'trained monkey...go play now, monkey..."

Friday, March 18, 2005

Napster creator Shawn Fanning came to SXSW to talk about his experiences with Napster and the future of peer to peer file sharing.  I also went to see the premier of The Flaming Lips documentary called 'The Fearless Freaks' which will soon be released on DVD. I listened to Eric Johnson, Mary Lou Lord, Robyn Hitchcock and other artists share advice and experiences on the music biz during the artist panel.

N

Embrace (UK) - Anthemic British rock band playing in the US for the first time.

Amy Smith  (UK) - She has one of the best voices I've heard in a while and she has an incredibly charming stage presence.

Eileen Rose (Boston, MA) - A solid set from this roots rockin' singer/songwriter.

Jolie Holland (San Francisco, CA) - A voice from another time that goes back to a sound that was played long before most of us were born.

The Frames (Dublin, Ireland) - An awesome set by these Irish rockers. Yes kids there are other Dublin bands besides U2 making great music.   

Calexico (Tucson, AZ) - My favorite band from SXSW 04 turned in a less than stellar performance this year.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Erykah Badu talked about her new label and her experiences of becoming a huge success overnight in the music biz.  She also talked about all the work she has done for the community of Dallas through her non-profit organization. Despite all her success she seems to be an amazingly grounded person due in no small part to her spirtuality.

John Butler Trio (Australia) - John Butler is a great guitar player in the same vein as Ben Harper and his band fuses roots, reggae and funk.

Vienna Tang (San Francisco, CA) - This songstress combines pop and jazz elements that perfectly fit her silky smooth voice. I saw her on the top floor of the Crowne Plaza which has one of the best views of downtown Austin.

Ben Lee (Australia) - He wants to be John Mayer, but he doesn't sing well or write songs with any originality.  If you are over 18 don't bother.

The Winter Pageant - Mostly instrumental mood music with a rock edge.

Stars (Montreal, QC) - Some cleverly crafted dance pop for the masses. When mixed with the band Metric they become Broken Social Scene.

Son Volt (St. Louis, MO) - For Wilco fans who are looking for more of the roots rock and less experimentation this is your band. They are led by former Uncle Tupelo frontman Jay Farrar.

Nada Surf (NY, NY) - My friend Ed and I barely got in to see this trio rock the house and close down the festival.  Musically they have moved way beyond the days of their quirky hit 'Popular' to the beautiful 'Inside of Love'. It was a great way to end SXSW.

SXSW Top 5 Performances

1. The Frames

2. Nada Surf

3. French Kicks

4. Amy Smith

5. The Donnas/Kathleen Edwards (tie)