If you were to scroll down this very page (and I don't suggest that you do it just yet), you would see some hardcore proof of all of the amazing experiences we had at SXSW this year. From interviewing some of Radio K's favorite bands, to bringing some of those bands in for exclusive in-studio performances, and all that happened in between (showcases, obscure foodstuffs, "celeb" sightings)- we wanted to capture it all. We didn't go just for fun- we went to take you with us, to give Radio K listeners and fellow Minnesotans a chance to experience the festival almost as if you yourselves were there, too. Here are some highlights from our trip:
Why should you care about Radio K at SXSW? Jon puts it nicely:
The trip down to Austin:
(You're lucky this video is 3 minutes, and not 22 HOURS long!)
Tuesday's visit to WOXY, one of the country's finest online radio stations (they're sadly have some funding/broadcast issues as of 3/25, click here for more details).
There were plenty of wonderful memories created during this trip, but here are our favorites:
Amy: When we first got in to Austin. Just knowing that we were finally there and could get out of that God-forsaken van for the next six days was an amazing relief.
Sam: Getting to interview Wye Oak- I liked their music before the interview, but now I'm a total fanboy.
Alex: Meowing during the van ride down to Austin, watermelon smoothies, and sitting at the next table over from Pink Eyes (of 'Fucked Up' fame) at Red 7 and trying to play it cool.
Ellie: Being less than an inch away from Dose One's miraculous spitting of rhymes at the Anticon showcase.
Anna: I don't have a favorite moment- the sleep deprivation, pseudo-indie rock celebs and junk food made everything seem like a *freaky dream!*
Jon: Going to the Woodsist showcase, because they are my favorite label and I got to see four bands that haven't come through Minneapolis yet.
Genevieve: Peter Wolf Crier's answer to what they think of when they hear 'Minnesota' (smiles, genuine people, and sincerity.) Plus, the Avey Tare Sandwich formed by Anna & Me while in line for breakfast tacos.
Thanks for following our trip down to SXSW. We hope you enjoyed our broadcast and all of our content. These are the opportunities that we cherish as students and staff members of Radio K, and it wouldn't be possible without your support. Thanks to everyone who made this broadcast possible. We heart you!
Local Minnesotan duo Peter Wolf Crier stopped by our studios here in Austin for a fantastic set of songs from their debut full-length, Inter-Be. The album is being re-released on May 25th on Jagjaguwar, which they were just signed to. We talked about their show at Emo's down here at SXSW, their new found bond with fellow native Minnesotan, Craig Finn, and what it means to be a Minnesotan.
1. Crutch and Cane
2. Down Down Down
3. Saturday Night
4. Untitled 101
5. Interview
A Sunny Day in Glasgow stopped by our studio for the third time in three years, and performed an insanely good session for us which included new material and the title track from their new EP, “Nitetime Rainbows.” These guys are so sweet, and really know how to put on a good show- their live performance has come a long way and they’ve totally pulled together as a six-piece despite massive line-up changes in recent years. Following up their critically acclaimed second album, “Ashes Grammar,” we talked about how one of the members volunteered at Radio K when she lived in Minnesota, as well as the format for their 22-song album, and the huge amount of shows they are playing at SXSW this year. Here’s a snippet of the interview and the tracks.
Sigh, Inhibitionist/So Bloody, So Tight/Nitetime Rainbows
The Canadian 4-piece stopped by our studios in Austin for a 3 song set of all new tracks from their forthcoming release, Latin, due out May 11th on the Young Turks/XL label. It was their first performance down here at SXSW, and it was also the first time they had performed these particular songs live. Genevieve caught up with Graham Walsh, who does keyboards and effects for the band, to talk about SXSW, Latin, and the debut of their first single "Latin America" on Chatroulette. This album is a little bit different than 2007's LP. Brian Borcherdt, who also does keyboards and effects, said it was his first time playing guitar in the band. We are really excited to bring you these songs- all of which are fantastic! Enjoy.
I caught up with Olga from the Montreal qaurtet 'The Besnard Lakes', after they performed at the Soundcheck Magazine day party at Emo's Annex. We talked about the group's new album, and a recent project doing a score for a film. Olga was really sweet, and we can look forward to the Besnard Lakes coming to town for a show on Tueday, April 27th at the 7th St. Entry. -Anna
Liars
One of my minor life goals was to meet Liars, and I guess I accomplished that when I got the chance to interview them in a creepy dirt alley across the street from the Convention Center. Along with Malachai, Liars are probably the nicest people I met all weekend. What gents! We chatted about their new album, their Record Club collaboration with Beck, St. Vincent and Os Mutantes (!), touring, recording, Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett, and a questionable motorcycle rider. I'll miss ya, Liars.
Wye Oak
I walked nearly two miles from our hotel to Homeslice Pizza, where I got the chance to catch the last 20 minutes of Wye Oak's performance before I interviewed them. The Baltimore duo know how to work an audience, everyone stopped eating their free pizza for long enough to see Wye Oak do their thing. After the performance, we talked about the Baltimore music scene, strategies for staying sane at SXSW, their new EP, and more. -Sam
Courtesy Keith Grieger
Midnight Masses
I met up with Midnight Masses at Buffalo Billiards in downtown Austin. As the name tells you, Buffalo Billiards is a pool hall, but it is probably the nicest pool hall you have ever been to. Totally not what I was expecting. Midnight Masses were ever so patient as we searched and searched for a place that was quiet enough to conduct the interview (the one thing about pool halls, they are NOISY). When we finally got the chance to talk, the band opened up about their lyrics, how to form a band with members of other bands, and their plans for the future. -Sam
Tempo No Tempo
I sat down with Tyler from Tempo No Tempo by a little stream that ran incongruously underneath the congested streets of Austin's music venues. We discussed the Bay Area music scene and Tempo No Tempo's recent sound-shift. -Anna
Courtesy Ellen Dahl
Lookbook
Local duo Lookbook were nice enough to meet me early in the morning for an interview. We sat down in one of the quietest places we could do an interview, a nice little park (waterfall included!). Before the interview,we talked a little bit about Minneapolis and I'm still cursing myself for not getting that on tape. What I did get on tape, however, was still great. We talked about slowly becoming more well-known, their tour schedule, and how it works to be a two person band. -Sam
I found SXSW newbies and local favorites The Blind Shake as they arrived in Austin on Thursday afternoon. We hung out in their van and talked about their impressions of Austin, fellow Minnesota bands playing the fest, and some very strange snack discoveries. -Anna
The Blind Shake:
Polariod coming soon!
How very apropos, that it was chaotic trying to find and meet up with much buzzed-about newcomers Free Energy. After meeting at Austin’s downtown convention center, we found respite in a janitor’s closet (and lucky for me, they were good sports about it). I talked to Paul and Geoff from the Philadelphia 5-piece about their debut album, their veritable marathon of SXSW performances, and their year recording with James Murphy.
Free Energy:
Polaroid coming soon!
I interviewed Ryan McPhun from The Ruby Suns outside the We're All Floating party. Ryan had had a busy a day before and was excited to only have 2 shows to play the rest of the week. I have to say, this was the interview I was looking most forward to doing this week, as I am a huge Ruby Suns fan. Before we ate some delicious cart food on the street proceeding their performance, we talked about life on the road, the new album Fight Softly, musical influences and more.
ZOMG! We have been so busy preparing our broadcast for you, that we neglected to let you know about our activities out and about. Don’t worry though - we’ll get you up to speed.
Thursday:
Amy, Jon, Alex, Genevieve, and Ellie were at the studio allllll day. Sam and Anna went out and collected some more great interviews (and had a little fun as well).
Sam kicked the day off with Joan of Arc at their hotel (he thinks he might have woken them up). Then it was on to Spider House Café where he got to see Thee Oh Sees and A Sunny Day in Glasgow before he sat down to interview UUVVWWZ. Sam and the members of UUVVWWZ are both from Lincoln, NE, thus bonding occurred. Later on, he met up with Jeremy Messersmith at the Minnesota Music party which featured 8 local bands.
Heading back to the hotel, he heard Phantogram, only to find that they were playing a show to less than 50 people there. CRAZY!
Phantogram
Meanwhile, Anna found Free Energy at the convention center downtown. She then hopped in a van with The Blind Shake for a quick update on their experiences as SXSW first-timers. Later, she headed to Emo’s Annex for an interview with Olga from the Besnard Lakes.
Then it was off to the French Legation Museum for Other Music’s showcase - audience members enjoyed popsicles and lemonade while laying in the sunny grass. The crowd was thinner for Austin group Yellow Fever, but it continued to build as Dum Dum Girls went on. The headliners, British 3-piece The xx took the stage late, but no one seemed to mind.
The xx
After the craziness of the day, we all met at the Whole Foods in downtown Austin, if you’ve never been there, it is absolutely massive. We decompressed for a while before we made our way to the night’s showcases.
Anna, Ellie, Sam, and Girl Germs host Dana all went to the Sub Pop/Hardly Art showcase, while Genevieve and Jon went to the Paw Tracks showcase. At the Sub Pop/Hardly Art show, we saw Le Loup, Dutchess & the Duke, Dum Dum Girls, and The Ruby Suns. All were totally great and we were really glad that Dum Dum Girls seem to be living up to all the hype that has been built around them.
The Ruby Suns
Dum Dum Girls
Meanwhile, at the Paw Tracks showcase at The Wave, Avey Tare of Animal Collective was doing a fantastic vinyl DJ set, and his wife, Kria Brekkan, formerly of Icelandic band Mum, also performed a very experimental set. She used acoustic guitar, pedals, and a computer, but her voice was really the driving force of the performance. And what is an experimental set of music without the body language to compliment it? There was much crouching, bobbing, pointing, and wide eyes. Several other Paw Tracks and Carpark Records artists played as well, including Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez, Adventure, Ear Pwr, and Toro Y Moi.
Kria Brekkan & Avey Tare
Adventure
And if you thought we were done, you’re wrong. Told you we were busy! After everyone got back from the showcases we had to stay up all night putting together the next day’s broadcast. Yay for never sleeping!
Friday:
Friday kept us unbelievably busy (all 24 hours of Friday- we got a cumulative 12 hours of sleep between the 7 of us). Amy, Genevieve, Ellie, Jon and Alex were holed up in the studio preparing for Friday’s broadcast. Meanwhile, Anna took off to find Tyler from San Fransisco group Tempo No Tempo while Sam talked to the Lookbook. He then went to chat with The Ruby Suns and ate some delicious cart food, and talked with Baltimore duo Wye Oak.
We all convened after Friday’s 11-3 broadcast, too excited to think about how exhausted we were (plus, with some excellent showcases on Friday night, we couldn’t afford to be sleepy). Jon, Alex, Anna and Sam chose a showcase at Emo’s – although we thought we were getting Cymbals Eat Guitars and Crystal Antlers we were in fact mistaken (such is life at SXSW). We didn’t mind too much, since we caught Bachelorette, Delorean, and a Danish duo called WhoMadeWho.
WhoMadeWho
Genevieve and Ellie went to the Anticon showcase, where local Minnesotans Martin Dosh and Mike Lewis were playing. Dosh performed some mesmerizing songs off of their forthcoming album, Tommy. (FYI: Radio K is sponsoring Dosh's CD release show for Tommy on April 9th at the 7th St. Entry! Dosh will also be stopping by Radio K on that day to kick off our Spring Fund Drive. Stay tuned for more details!) Other Anticon performers included Son Lux, Tobacco, and Themselves. Tobacco was a little out of control. He touted a mask, which was not so surprising, but he also didn't really play any instruments. Instead, two others played instruments while he switched between crowd surfing (again and again and again) and pumping his fist in the air. "Let's party! Let's just have fun!" he shouted.
Themsleves didn't come on until way late and only had 20 minutes, but they definitely made it worth it. The duo of Dose One and Jel showed incredible dexterity, using only their hands and electronics to make some of the best beats you'll ever hear. They played Radio K favorite "Roman Is As Roman Does" and Genevieve got a special surprise when Dose got up in her face, spitting rhymes and poking her accusingly. (Ellie was jealous) Needless to say, it was fantastic.
We wandered back to our hotel around 1 am, happy to be enjoying the finer aspects of SXSW. We hope to make the most of our last day by cramming in as many shows as possible and soaking up the Austin vibe a while longer.
Be sure to check back for our final accounts of our SXSW extravaganza!
-The SXSW K Crew
Malachai performed a 2 ½ hour show for us at our studio, playing most of their first album. These guys were the nicest people we've had the chance to meet in a long time- totally humble and beyond talented. When we say their performance was a spitting image of their debut The Ugly Side of Love, we really mean it. There were no flaws, and lead singer Gee and DJ Scott flew through their set with breathtaking perfection. We talked about being discovered by Geoff Barrow of Portishead, how they choose the samples they work with, and what they think when they hear the word Minnesota (soup + the Vikings apparently). The guys are making their American debut at SXSW and their first performance in the United States was done with us!
We love ‘em- this was really a treat. Enjoy!
Warriors
Only For You
Snowflake
Another Sun
Fading World
Black Bird
Shitkicker
Lay Down Stay Down
Interview
Dengue Fever stopped by the studio here in Austin, TX for a session. The 6-piece band based out of L.A. plays rock n roll inspired by the Cambodian music scene from the 60's and 70's. A truly successful and nostalgic capturing of sounds from artists like Sinn Sisamouth and Ros Serey Sothea. The band played 4 songs, 2 of which lead singer, Chhom Nimol, sang in khmer. She is the only member of the band actually from Cambodia, and explained the significance of these artists, which appear on their latest release Sleepwalking Through the Mekong. She mentioned that most of the artists from the 60's & 70's Cambodian scene had died during the reign of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. The band actually had the pleasure of performing with a few surviving musicians on Sleepwalking, namely Master Kong Nay and Master Tep Mary. Check out the full session of Dengue Fever below!
Gendjer Gendjer/Tiger Phone Card/Tip My Canoe/1000 Tears of a Tarantula
We started our morning with the critically-acclaimed band Shearwater. Jonathan (formerly of Okkervil River), Kimberly, and Thor woke up bright and early to perform stripped down versions of several tracks off their newest album The Golden Archipelago. What a beautiful session it was, with songs like "Meridian" and "Castaways" being particular highlights. The trio are veterans of Austin, and their comfort within the city shows. Jonathan spent a long while doing research for this album, island hopping as part of his former career as an ornithologist. We talked about that as well as the art concepts behind the past three albums, and their love for Minneapolis and Austin. Great people for a great album. Take a listen to this session, and revel in their musicianship alongside us.
1. Castaways / Meridian / Landscape At Speed / Mother of Violence (Peter Gabriel)
I found The Antler's Peter Silberman at his hotel on Wednesday, the official first day of SXSW-it proved to be a rare opportunity to relax for the artist, who'll be playing a few showcases in the upcoming days. We discussed Hospice (one of Radio K's favorite albums of last year), the artists' emotional music, and moving from solo songwriting to full-band collaboration. -Anna
*The Antlers will be playing a show with Phantogram at the Varsity Theater on Tuesday, April 20th
Peter of The Antlers:
On day one of the festival I met up with Basia Bulat, one of Radio K's favorite folk singers. Bulat kicked off Paste Magazine's day party on Wednesday afternoon, to be followed by Free Energy and Frightened Rabbit, among others. After playing a spunky and well-received set, she sat down with me to talk about playing SXSW, touring with her brother and her love of The Simpsons. -Anna
Basia Bulat:
I met up with Sam from Le Loup after their performance at the Austin Pets Unite! party. The event took place at the EPOCH coffee shop's parking lot in North Austin. It was really different to get away from all the craziness of downtown Austin. We sat down and talked about Le Loup's new album Family, touring, the harsh Minnesota winters, and more. -Sam
Le Loup:
Local musician Jeremy Messersmith and I talked with each other at the Vita.mn sponsored Minnesota Music Party. The vibe at the party was most certainly Minnesotan, in other words, everyone was incredibly friendly. We talked about the camaraderie between Minnesota acts, what SXSW means to musicians, growing as an artist, and much much more. -Sam
Jeremy Messersmith:
Stay tuned tomorrow and throughout next week as we share more of the boatloads of interviews we gathered here in Austin!
Greetings K friends!
Wednesday marked the first official day of the music portion of SXSW, which meant that the streets became inundated with music fans. Both sidewalks and streets were difficult to navigate as showcases picked up.
Most of us went to tour the studio in which we will be recording bands. It's a great space that we're thrilled to work in and will be perfect to record the six bands we have coming in over the next two days.
While we were touring the studio, Anna went to the first of her 3 (!) interviews that she did on Wednesday. She talked to Basia Bulat about The Simpsons, Peter from The Antlers about their album Hospice (one of her favorites of 2009), and The Rural Alberta Advantage about their work with Saddle Creek.
The most amazing cookie we've ever encountered, purchased at La Mexicana Bakery in South Austin.
Sam spent some time with Golden Triangle and his kindred spirit Sam from Le Loup. He talked to Golden Triangle after their in-store performance at End of an Ear Records. Apparently their SXSW schedule consists of 11 performances in 5 days. We don't really know how to wrap our heads around that. After seeing Le Loup perform songs from their latest album Family, Sam caught up with Sam (aww, twins). His favorite part of the interview was talking about the differences between playing live and recording in a studio.
The record store in which Golden Triangle and Happy Birthday played and behind which really cute cats lounged on gravel.
Sam squattin' for a chat with Golden Triangle.
Later in the evening, Alex hung out with, or was possibly abducted by, local legend Mark Mallman. He got to see Mark's band Ruby Isle soundcheck and perform at Lambert's. The band recently finished recording a cover of "Appetite for Destruction," and according to Alex, it sounds amazing. We had to listen to him talk about Mallman for the next 3 hours, so apparently it was a good time ("Mallman was cray-cray" in the words of Alex).
Alex outside of a contradictorily awesome store.
Finally, Sam and Anna ventured out to the Stones Throw record label showcase. Peanut Butter Wolf and the rest of the Stones Throw gang were spinning their favorite 45s, and if you know the label that means some rare hip hop and R&B records. Needless to say it was a dance party. We know DJ Phizzy of "On The Corner" would've loved every second of it.
Peanut Butter Wolf and co. at the Stones Throw showcase.
A peek at 6th Street, packed for both SXSW and St. Patrick's Day (which we nearly forgot about entirely).
Today, we continue the madness with tons more interviews and showcases this evening. We hope to make it to the Paw Tracks showcase as well as one at Beauty Bar, partly owned by ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead's Jason Reece.
Tomorrow is a HUGE day, as the first day of our broadcast will be upon us! We kick things off back in Minnesota, where The Big Pink will be performing in-studio at 10a.m. Then from 11a.m. to 3p.m., check out SXSW in-studios from Shearwater, Dengue Fever, and Malachai. Sprinkled throughout, you'll hear some sweet interviews we've gathered while down here in Austin.
Our homemade "wigloom" for pristine recording quality.
Editing and blogging! Blogging and editing! Hooray!
Stay tuned as we keep pumping out the coverage!
-The SXSW K Crew
We are beginning Day 2 in Austin, TX, and people are gradually filtering into this beautiful city as the film portion closes out, and massive showcases from Brooklyn Vegan, Terrorbird, Pitchfork, and more start today.
We toured WOXY early in the day, the landmark radio format for internet. They just moved down to Austin from Cincinatti, and the studio was too badass for words. We talked music jargon for quite a while, video of which is coming shortly. We then got the opportunity to sit in on the Via Audio session, which was brilliant. Their new record Animalore was produced by Jim Eno, the drummer of Spoon.
Sitting in on the Via Audio session in their second floor listening space.
Matt Shiv (Music Director) DJing at WOXY as we talk to him about WOXY's format, move to Austin, and their studio.
Last night, Genevieve, Alex and Jon headed out to Veggie Heaven, the restaurant in Austin that everyone must go to, regardless of whether or not you are a vegetarian or vegan. You never know what is in your food besides a dousing of sweet and sour sauce, but it is oh so good. They wandered Guadalupe street surrounding the University of Texas, saw Daniel Johnston's mural ("Nice to Meet You"), which is supposedly the most photographed landmark in Austin, and meandered through the gardens in front of the gigantic state Capitol.
Daniel Johnston mural
The State Capitol. Everything really is bigger in Texas.
Alex and Jon later headed on over to Waterloo Records where they picked up some shirts, Gonjasufi, The Besnard Lakes, and a Science Fiction Dance Party compilation on vinyl because it was Vinyl Tuesday (10% off on all vinyl!). Three of our instudios are doing sessions at Waterloo (Shearwater, Dengue Fever, and A Sunny Day in Glasgow), so we're really pumped for that.
Anna, Sam, Amy, Ellie, and Genevieve wanted to start the festival early, so they went to the Panache Pre-Festival Show. They got to see three awesome bands blister through 1/2 hour sets. Thee Oh Sees started them out; they were a ton of fun and played in the middle of the crowd. Next up were The Strange Boys, a group out of Austin, TX. You can tell they were getting a lot of hometown love. The final band of the night was Golden Triangle, the newest act signed to Hardly Art, the sister label of Sub Pop. They were LOUD and had crazy amounts of energy. Definitely a great way to end the night.
The women of Golden Triangle.
Thee Oh Sees (playing in the middle of the audience!)
Austin-based band The Strange Boys plus Jenna Thornhill-DeWitt who is also in Mika Miko at the Panache Pre-Party.
The Strange Boys
Tomorrow we'll have updates from the Terrorbird showcase where The Fresh & Onlys, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Real Estate, and Neon Indian are playing, as well a slew of interviews from Basia Bulat, Neon Indian, Golden Triangle, and The Antlers. Stick with us!
Monday morning, our K crew took off down I-35 towards Texas for the South By Southwest Music Festival. We had no plans to stop, aside from gas station breaks and the occasional meal. A hefty goal, but the seven of us were determined to truck through the U.S.
Clearly, we had a BLAST. Thank goodness for Scrabble snacks.
Iowa? Kansas? Oklahoma? No offense, but they all looked the same to us. Sigh.
Some of us often accidentally napped. Good thing we were super cozy in our minivan!
Muuuuch better.
Rock and Roll Over host Alex, in an effort to perfect his southern accent, recited lines from A Streetcar Named Desire. The usual. Care to hear the silliness ensue? 'Course ya do:
We took a tip on Arthur Bryant's for dinner in Kansas City.
It was all you could ever dream of. If you dream of being assaulted by meat.
Buck O'Neil, first basemen from the Kansas City Monarchs, watched over us as we recovered.
How welcoming.
Our trip was grueling, but we're so excited to be here. Today we plan to visit our friends at WOXY and explore our surroundings a bit. Be sure to check back for the next chapter in our travels together!
-The SXSW K Team
The Radio K SXSW '10 crew
