SXSW Coverage

I realize that most of what people want out of SXSW has been covered by now, but that’s only if you were interested in the Cold War Kids and whatever other huge bands that everyone already knows about. Which isn’t to say that you’ve never heard of any of these bands, but that is largely besides the point! So, here’s some of the songs I enjoyed using SXSW’s music player.

Ane Brun – To Let Myself Go – (MP3, 3 MB)

I’ve meant to talk about Ane Brun on here for quite some time, and finally there’s a song I can post. She’s a folk-pop songstress out of Norway who’s won a few Norwegian Grammies, and yet she doesn’t suck. I guess they just have better taste over in Europe.

Art in Manila – Our Addictions – (MP3, 3.3 MB)

For the fans of Azure Ray out there, this one’s for you, as Art in Manila has one of their members. For the non-fans of Azure Ray out there… this song’s still great.

Calla – Swagger – (MP3, 4 MB)

Calla’s another band I’ve been meaning to talk about. They’re a great band out of New York that plays atypical rock, in the sense that you haven’t heard (much) music like theirs, but it’s still immediately accessible. They also have the distinction of being the 2nd band that 3hive ever posted.

Dawn Landes – Bodyguard – (MP3, 4.4 MB)

This is a nice alt-country banjo ditty, and is not all related to the Kevin Costner movie… hence why I like it.

Hank IV – Hole In My Eye – (MP3, 6.7 MB)

This song is fairly representative of why San Francisco bands are so awesome. Which isn’t to say Hank IV is my favorite band from San Francisco, but even if they were my least favorite, they’d still be awesome. Must be something in the water down there.

Hymns – It’s A Shame – (MP3, 5.2 MB)

I can’t think of anything to say about this band, other than that they do not actually play hymns, unless you can have alt-country hymns. That would be wild.

Jessica Fichot – Le Grenier – (MP3, 4.1 MB)

Hands down my favorite song in this mix, and it will be yours too if you enjoy saucy French vocals with some jazz backing (the music reminds me of Paolo Conte). But then to make it even more awesome, there is an accordion.

Melissa McClelland – Passenger 24 – (MP3, 5.6 MB)

Here’s my second favorite song on this mix… you’ve got great singing and enough music layers to interest you without so many that it overwhelms you. Pianos, guitars, banjos, oh my.

Rafter and Friends – Zzzpenchant – (MP3, 6 MB)

If you don’t find this song to be disconcertingly catchy and fun, there is definitely something wrong with you. Seriously, it is infectious.

The Ettes – No More Surprises – (MP3, 2.9 MB)

The Ettes remind me a lot of The Epoxies, what with the cute lead singer who sounds cute, and then the punx music.

Uncle Monk – Mr. Endicott – (MP3, 2.7 MB)

This song reminds me a lot of some song that I can’t think of at the moment, unfortunately. Regardless, it is pretty smooth country… and yes, it has a banjo.