Epitonic Newsletter: Vol. 4, No. 8 'Month of the Music Conference: South by Southwest'
03/01/02
STREAM THIS PAGE
Before we get into the meat of the week's newsletter, a word on the Grammys. Last year that messianic Irish rock group known as U2 rode their album All That You Can't Leave Behind to awards in all three categories for which they were nominated. This year they went four for eight on the strength of the very same album, even capturing their second straight Record of the Year award (last year it was for the "Beautiful Day" single, this year for "Walk On"). How'd they manage that exactly? A neat trick.
Also, Alicia Keys's cornrows rule.
But if you're reading the Epitonic Newsletter, the Grammys probably aren't the most important thing in the world to you, so we want to tell you about some other stuff. Namely, that March seems to be the month of the music conference, with three significant events taking place in warm locations along the lower flanks of the U.S. (that's not counting Noise Pop, which we told you about last week and is going on right now). These are: South By Southwest in mid March in Austin, Texas, All Tomorrow's Parties around the same time in Los Angeles, and the Winter Music Conference in Miami in late March.
We'll tell you about each in the coming weeks, but this week we want to make mention of the venerable SXSW. A festival promotions company (also known as South By Southwest) has been putting on the internationally recognized event since 1987. Over the past seven years, SXSW has added a film and interactive media festivals. This year's panelists of note include singer/actress/provocateur Courtney Love and controversial RIAA President Hilary Rosen. Robbie Robertson, the former frontman of The Band, will deliver the keynote. There will also be more than 900 artists performing on 40 stages around Austin (20 of whom are featured below), and, undoubtedly, a whole heckuvalot of drinking. The film and interactive media conferences begin March 8; the music festival runs from March 13 through 17 (unfortunately going head-to-head with All Tomorrow's Parties). For registration info and lots more, visit the SXSW website. By the way, if you can't make it, South By Southwest, Inc. has also begun putting on a smaller festival called North By Northwest in Toronto in early June.
"Less Than A Moment"
by
Shannon Wright
Singer-songwriter Shannon Wright produces haunting, introspective, acoustic-oriented songs that shine a light on the frayed edges of life. Her ethereal voice creeps up on you like a sudden fog in a live oak forest.
"Heartbreakin Man"
by
My Morning Jacket
This is music that makes you feel that nice kind of lonesome. Louisville's My Morning Jacket plays gorgeous, achingly melancholy, country-derived pop music that keeps echoing through you long after you've stopped listening.
"Lines In The Suit"
by
Spoon
The young Texas clan known as Spoon has learned well from their illustrious post-punk forefathers. Truly have these precocious lads mastered the delicate art of the driving, skeletal, catchy-as-all-get-out pop-punk pearl.
"Intro"
by
Quintron
Straight from New Orleans' infamous Ninth Ward, Quintron holds court from behind his mighty Hammond organ or at the side of his pioneering "Drum Buddy," wielding melody and rhythm with delightful aplomb. It's fuzzy, funky, and completely irresistible. If Quintron doesn't get your hips shakin', phone the doctor immediately because you're probably dead.
"Get A Move On"
by
Mr. Scruff
Mr. Scruff makes wibbly-wobbly breakbeat-influenced music that ranges in tempo from hip hop to drum and bass. The 30 labels he has worked with include Warp, Disorient, Cup of Tea, and Ninja Tune. All hail the scruffy one.
"Cuando (King Britt Dub Mix)"
by
Si*Se
Si*Se blend drum and bass, hip hop, and Latin jazz to create a highly original and hugely infectious hybrid. David Byrne was swift to sign them to his burgeoning Luaka Bop label.
"Immortal"
by
Onry Ozzborn
West Coast MC Onry Ozzborn spits subterranean and spiritual in equal measures. An Oldominion crew member, he records solo for Portland's BSI Records.
"Static"
by
The Standard
Oregon's The Standard is yet another brilliantly twisted art-rock band from the Pacific Northwest, specializing in spacey, effects- and keyboard-embroidered guitar strangeness. Not really anything standard about 'em, but they sure are good.
"The Second Line"
by
Clinic
Clinic's a dynamic garage- and punk-tinged rock band from Liverpool with a sound as exciting as standing outside in a lightning storm. They touch on many of rock music's seminal reference points, but their vibrant, energetic, ingenious music sounds like no one else.
"Come Baby Come"
by
Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Former Chisel frontman Ted Leo gets behind the wheel of a new rock band, the Pharmacists, with buddies from the Make Up, Warmers, and Secret Stars. Raw, soulful, and sometimes political punk-inflected rock in the vein of The Jam.
"Chinese Star in Metal Shop"
by
The Pee Wee Fist
This diminutively titled Boston sextet shows off a shopping cart full of influences, skills, and styles with relentlessly inventive pop that simply refuses to do what you expect it to, but insists on entertaining no matter what it does.
"On The Last Ride In"
by
Pinetop Seven
A Chicago trio with a stunningly desolate, minimalist sound that's been endlessly scuffed up, kicked around, and abandoned, and in the process has acquired a weary broken-down beauty. Folk, country, and old-fashioned Kentucky bluegrass form the backbone of Pinetop Seven's sound, even as the group employs a wealth of sounds you'd never hear in any of that traditional music. So poignant and so good.
"Arizona"
by
The Constantines
A passionate firestorm of a band from Ontario with a raggedly powerful, punk-inflected sound and a striking way of throwing ideas around like ninja stars.
"Won't Cook Fish"
by
The Immortal Lee County Killers
A couple killers on the loose making ferocious mean-as-hell blues-punk. What more could you ask for? Hide your valuables and lock up your daughters.
"Won't Go Out"
by
Holly Golightly
Turn down the lights and turn up the heartache as Holly Golightly and friends offer up dusty country- and blues-tinged love songs that are often as creepy as they are sultry. Her music is straight out of the noir movie gin joint -- so pull up a barstool!
"j.b.n."
by
Three 4 Tens
This Philadelphia quartet channels the pop zeitgeist of the late '60s to create a diverse palette of fun retro-flavored tunes.
"The Only One"
by
American Analog Set
Lovely minimal indie rock stripped free of pretense so you can revel in the warm perfection of soft vocals and hypnotic guitars. Reminiscent of Bedhead and the quieter side of Yo La Tengo.
"Anesthesia"
by
Luna
One of the seminal independent rock bands of the '90s, Luna forged a distinctively drowsy, gauzy style which influenced the shoegazer and slo-core aesthetics. They're still plugging after half a dozen albums, still just as dreamily wonderful as ever.
"Listening To Otis Redding At Home During Christmas"
by
Okkervil River
Out of Austin, Texas, Okkervil River offers stark, searching, slightly gothic indie rock with deep folk and country roots.
"Life In The City"
by
The Mother Hips
This criminally underexposed Northern California country-rock quartet plays earthy, optimistic, heartfelt music aptly described as "California Soul."
