SXSW 2008 Preview
To prep for the 2008 South By Southwest music festival in, I’m arming myself with an alphabetical list of the groups performing and an active Internet connection with the goal of listening to top tracks from as many bands as possible and offering my impressions here.
The reactions will be quick and dirty, reflecting my own musical taste and ignorance, but if they save me or anyone else from accidentally sitting through a performance of Hey, How’s Your News, then they will be worth it.
They are: an “indie/folk rock/crunk” band from Ottawa.
Sounds like: a looser, messier Bright Eyes
The tracks (MySpace)
Flood Part 1
Lightly warbled vocals and Byrds-esque guitar riffs play over a handclapped background. It sounds like something Rusted Root would play, only less tribal and less driving.
Low Gravity
Quick guitar arpeggios give way to light drones and low rhythm. The lyrics sound like free association space rock—“the darkness of your vacuum/your body bleeds in infrared…”
The verdict: A little shapeless for me—the different patterns never fully cohere into a musical whole.
They are: a metal band from Brooklyn
Sounds like: a less throbbing Metallica (ok, I don’t have many metal references to pull out of my pocket)
The Tracks (MySpace)
Shackle
A clean metal backing with a nice groove and surprisingly melodic vocals. There’s even an upper octave metal solo.
Suffer Leader
More hardcore, with more of a driving pace and lyrics verging on shouted. Still, it feels tight and cohesive.
The verdict: If metal’s your thing, you could definitely shake your neck to this. It’s a little heavy for me.
They are: an electronic act from the Netherlands
Sounds like: a haunted Nine Inch Nails, without the industrial bombast
The Tracks (MySpace)
2night
Four-four drums and a repeating bass line anchor the occasional guitar moan and softly wailed vocals.
The Wrestle
Ticking drums and a repeating organ pattern introduce the track, while a dancing bass line and understated snare patterns soon follow. The vocals fit nicely into the empty spaces, lending the song an angry, mournful air.
The verdict: Enjoyable to listen to, but I’m not sure how well it would take the forefront in a live performance. Possibly perfect for an afterhours show—one last beer as you talk to your friends.