SXSW 2012

Kick it before your night out with live music, free appetizers and drinks, contest giveaways, and more.

You Can't Win, Charlie Brown is a Portuguese band formed in early 2009 by Afonso Cabral, Salvador Meneses and Luís Costa, but quickly turned into a 4-piece with the addition of David Santos (a.k.a. Noiserv) to the band's lineup. They released their self-titled debut EP through Optimus Discos in February of 2010, which features 6 home recorded songs that combine a Portuguese sense of melancholy with the British/American musical aesthetic of such artists as Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Nick Drake or Sufjan Stevens. The EP received great reviews from the local press and web circuit and the next months were dedicated to live performances, for which they recruited Tomás Sousa and João Gil, both of which they already knew from previous bands. It didn't take long to realize this 6 piece version of the band was the best they've ever sounded, so with this complete lineup the band began to work on their debut album.

Silver Swans take their name from the group of super-villains in the Wonder Woman comic book series. The evil Swans have the ability to create a powerful “swan song” of sound waves using their voices that is capable of devouring a small area of land with its destructive force. By creating a low-level humming, the Silver Swan can also form a protective shield around herself to deflect bullets and o...ther projectiles. The musical counterpart Silver Swans, however, are far from the evil and destruction of their namesake. The electro dream-pop project captures the haunting dramatics and the pure beauty of life and dreams to build a dynamic, exultant sound all their own.

Music had always proved to be a huge influence in young Tom Jordan’s life, while classmates were still listening to playground tunes Jordan had a mature ear, captivated by the tunes of AC/DC.

We are The Ropes. We want to fight you.

Mahogany is an electric music-based multidisciplinary media ensemble currently working in Philadelphia, New York, and other locations. A combination of vocals, cello, massed guitars, pianos, melodicas, sequencers, synthesizers, samplers, tape, percussion, and other instruments makes for Mahogany’s sound.

Just like the next season of Mad Men, some things need a bit of time to stew. Such is the case for the upcoming album from The Spinto Band, titled Shy Pursuit. Forged in their Delaware studio, the latest release from the band promises to be their most exciting and inventive set of recordings to date. Since 2006, The Spinto Band have been providing fans with their own unique style of pop music that has been compared to everything from The Strokes to Sparks. Now, as we prepare to breathe the air of 2012, the band's third worldwide release comes to our ears.

The Copper Gamins area garage musical outfit originating in Zinacantepec MX, Mexico.
The duo consists of guitarist/vocalist J. Carmen and drummer Claus Lafania.
The Copper Gamins gave their first show one year and some months ago, soon relocating the band to San Antonio and then Austin some months ago.
The duo's sound is heavily rooted in simplicity and improvisation found in garage rock, and pre 70s music.
They have released a self tittled EP recorded on analog tape in an abandoned house, and are currently working in conjunction with Saustex Records.

Chief Fuzzer is a three piece, slightly psychedelic hard rock band stationed in San Marcos, Texas. They recently signed with Saustex Records and expect to release a vinyl EP and full-length CD in February of 2012. The band was formed in 2008 by frontman Cody Richardson (Pure Luck, Fluffers Union, Half Snake, Wailing Walls, Gary P. Nunn). With the addition of Shane Herring on bass (The Beaumonts, Hognose, Myra Manes), and drummer Spencer Swietek (Blackholicus, Wailing Walls, Featherweight Burden), Chief Fuzzer has been winning over audience after audience with their high-energy, opiate induced rock stylings. They also have a green light that they are very proud of.

The Scoundrels are Bianca Bananas (vocals), Steve DeZarn (guitar), Antonio Mojica (bass), Luis Mendez (drums), and the newest member, Brandon DuVall (trumpet/ keyboard). They are a pure rock n’ roll band out of the fabulous city of Las Vegas, NV formed in the fall of 2007. They have played at numerous venues in the Las Vegas and SoCal area including the House Of Blues, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, The Palms Hotel and Casino, and The Viper Room just to name a few. Their latest album is Let ‘Em Rot, but they are currently in the studio working on their second album, both produced by Mike Szuter.
The Scoundrels' high energy rock 'n' roll is as in-your-face as singer Bianca Bananas' bright pink 'hair . They sound like a modern retro explosion of awesomeness. The shows are a great experience and always full of energy. If you combine Brian Setzer, Misfits and No Doubt you might get close to their sound. They’re like the U.S. mail, delivering the goods.
The Scoundrels aren't evil. Just Bianca is and the boys are muses for her wickedness. A wickedness that knows no bounds. Anyone that comes to a Scoundrels show is subject to Bianca's love and/or wrath. The guys in the band are hard pressed to contain her fury and are not responsible for the fire that belches from her lips.
There are a few bands with the same name and that can be expected, but none of those pretenders can bring the energy, style or danger that The Scoundrels of Las Vegas deliver.
Some of their influences include: Cake, The Damned, RX Bandits, and Dr. Dre.

What’s in a name? With the band Glambilly, exactly what it says: Music with genuine roots that truly rocks with balls, flash, sass and style. Hailed by the Austin Chronicle as “wicked cool” and “pure rock-roots, not the other way around,” the San Antonio, Texas trio rip it up righteously and seamlessly mix myriad musical styles on White BBQ Sauce, their third album and Saustex Media label debut.

On a hot July night in 1999, five grown men dressed as old ladies crossed 11th St in San Francisco and hit the stage at the Paradise Lounge. 12 years, 7 Jack Endino produced albums, 2 European tours, more than a few beer soaked house dresses, some delighted fans, some not-so delighted soundmen, an 8’ x5’ oil painting by German artist Frank Bauer (that sold in Cologne for $25,000), some good press, some bad press, and these self-acclaimed masters of Quality Edutainment are STILL at it.
Featuring former members of Ain’t(SF), Black Furies(SF), Hollow Heyday(Boston) and Hullabaloo(Boston). Mixing the frantic three chord riff rock of G.B.H. with the in-your-face danger of the Dwarves and the fashion sense of Divine, THE GRANNIES have released all their albums on their own labels, Dead Teenager & Wondertaker. Wildly original and fun as hell.

The Hickoids

in 1982, Pat Todd led the Lazy Cowgirls from obscurity in Indiana, to infamy in Los Angeles. As frontman and songwriter, the Lazy Cowgirls toured the world and put out albums for 20+ years. The Cowgirls called it quits in 2003, but Pat was just getting warmed up. Since 2005, Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders have put out two albums produced by former Sparks guitarist and songwriter Earle Mankey on Rankoutsider Records: one double CD ("The Outskirts of Your Heart") and another, 2007's "Holdin' Onto Trouble's Hand", with two more on the way within this next year!

ANR is a music-making duo based out of Miami, Florida. The duo consists of Brian Robertson (Keyboards, Vocals) and Michael-John Hancock (Vocals, Drums). The sonic influence of childhood heroes Brian Wilson, Prince, and Keith Emerson as well as the music of the psychedelic warriors of today are very evident therein and continue to inspire the band as they work on new releases and remixes.

Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, the band Haim consists of, "Three sisters" that have been playing music in the city of Los Angeles for the past two years. The sisters pride themselves on being able to switch from instrument to instrument with complete confidence and ease, as well as blending their voices in the unique way that only family can.

Haim grew up playing classic rock songs with their parents in a family band, called "Rockinhaim," which played for charity events and street fairs. The Haim sisters attended performing arts schools which helped cultivate their love of the arts, including Theatre, Opera, and visual art. It was not long before the girls decided that it was time to strike out on their own, and began writing their own material. With the knowledge they gained from ten years of performing some of the greatest rock songs of the century, the Haim sisters set out to write songs that incorporated strong vocal harmonies, and great melodies with a pop sensibility. Their experience with Rockinhaim is also seen through their fun and charismatic stage shows. All of the band members personally engage the audience, creating a truly unique experience for anyone at their shows.
To date, HAIM has written and produced all of their own material without the help of any outside source. Este, the eldest of the bunch, plays bass guitar and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Music. Danielle, the 21 year old lead guitar player, who previously toured with Jenny Lewis and more recently with Julian Casablancas. Alana, the youngest and feistiest of the three, plays rhythm guitar and recently graduated from the high school for the performing arts this past June. During their live performances, all three girls ditch their respective instruments and display their talents on drum sets. Recently, Este and Danielle were asked by Jenny Lewis to go on tour as part of her back up band, which culminated at the Greek Theatre opening for Levon Helm. In the last twelve months HAIM has opened for Julian Casablancas, No Age, The Bird and the Bee, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Chief and The Henry Clay People.
Currently, HAIM is working on new material which they hope to record for an upcoming LP. To see more from HAIM, download their debut EP: www.haimtheband.com and check out their many youtube videos.

A wise man said: Pick your tenants wisely. Fort Lean, the New York rock band you apparently like so much that you sought out the official literature, are a tenant of mine. This is not poetry. I am their landlord. The first of every month, with remarkable diligence, the Fort wires 200 American into my bank account for the use of a cramped and water-damaged rehearsal space I still haven’t gotten around to soundproofing. I like these guys. They’re respectful of other people’s belongings. They clean up after themselves, usually. I have my suspicions that Keenan Mitchell, the band’s wild-eyed singer, has slept in the space without my permission, maybe even with women–but it’s all good. The band owns expensive vintage amplifiers. They’re open to sharing (usually). As far as tenant/landlord relationships go, ours is copacetic.

If you're not familiar with the back-story of Savoir Adore, what began as a 48-hour challenge between two best friends blossomed into one of Brooklyn's most exciting and unique young bands.

St. Lucia is what happens when the long and bleak winters of New York recede and summer emerges; giving birth to memories of childhood holidays, faded photos of exotic places and the dream of recapturing this. Inspired by his homeland of South Africa, his journey through the UK and relocation to Brooklyn, St Lucia could reference the sonics of Temper Trap, or the infectiousness of Empire of the Sun, but ultimately it is a wall of atmospherics crafted with an inordinate amount of time-consuming precision.

Everyone can now make music. The increasing access to music related technology and the liquid flow of music and information is a blessing to aspiring musicians, but a curse to those who have to sift through the terrible mash-ups and tunes in order to find quality music. Based out of New York City’s Lower East Side, The Knocks are taking a stand and reclaiming good music for all.

“Ones To Watch” – The Fly

From Michael Bertin, The Austin Chronicle:

Haven, the debut of the consonantly abundant Chllngr, was some type of dub as yet undefined until the subsubgenres fully populate. Suitable for trances.

Almost out of nowhere, Los Angeles' Dillon Francis has broken from the throng of young electronic music dj/producers. With a stream of world-class remixes and releases, Dillon has caught the attention of some of the top players in club land, including Steve Aoki, Diplo, Will.I.Am, Drop the Lime, Sinden and Tittsworth, to name some.

Lunice Fermin Pierre II has taken over the asylum because his sound is crazy, his vibe is inconceivable, and his appeal boundless. 
 
In a little over a year, Lunice had managed to capture the attention of the world, with an eclectic sound and out‐of‐the ordinary production capability. Lunice is a natural born entertainer who has the drive, sound, and dexterity to make us move. 
 
He was able to get a firm grip of the electronic beats scene across Canada and the United States with his live mixing of beats, bass, and splintered electronica. While taking cues from Autechre, Bangladesh, Dilla, and the Ed Banger clique, Lunice managed to craft his own recipe which makes dance floors bump and bass bins thump. 

Dutch duo Mason make the kind of records that often defy being pigeon‐holed and given a label. Their productions have been destroying dance floors to tearing it up the World’s charts since 2006, laying the foundations for more forward
thinking music.

ABBY are a four-piece band from Berlin, fusing electronic, alternative and classical styles with perfectly crafted pop songs.
January 2011 saw the release of their debut EP 'Welcome Home' and since then they have enjoyed national radio play, numerous packed-out shows at clubs all over Germany, France, Iceland and more recently, London.
After spending the summer of 2011 in London recording their upcoming album with swedish producer Andreas Olsson, ABBY are now getting ready for the release of their upcoming album in Spring 2012. Following support shows with Everything Everything, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, The Virgins, Bodi Bill and Get Well Soon. ABBY just ended the year with a pre-Christmas Tour of Germany.
Not afraid to put the concept in the hands of their fans, ABBY have an interactive website full of rich HTML5 and online content, which is both the best way to stay tuned with the band and the perfect place to get involved as parts of the story is unveiled.
Follow ABBY on
www.searchingforabby.com

j.viewz, a multi-genre electronic project brought together under the direction of Brooklyn based producer and songwriter Jonathan Dagan, was named this week’s “NPR World Café: Next” artist. Host David Dye describes the new album rivers and homes. as “a hard to define but totally beguiling work.”