SXSW 2012 Preview: Favorites (not to be confused with a band that might have this name)

Most of SXSW is a chance to hear new artists that I can't wait to finally see or to discover bands that I don't even know about but will fall deeply in love with. Then again, SX is also a time to be giddy about bands I've seen before or maybe even many times, but will stand in any line just to see them again.

Enter Trampled By Turtles, one of my absolute favorite bands I saw at last years SXSW. They are fast paced, high energy, all kinds of rowdy awesomeness! They take traditional folk and bluegrass elements and make them their own, pushing their instrumentals, harmonies and the sweeping sound of the fiddle to new places. Their official showcase is March 15 (Thurs) at the Cedar Street Courtyard, and will no doubt be playing several shows around town.

The Wheeler Brothers are the kind of band that drive me crazy during a week like SXSW. I fell in love with them at Utopia Fest, loved them so much that I celebrated my birthday with them, and while so much of me wants to use my precious time at SX to see bands that I have never seen before, I can't help but want to see them again! They are folk-rock americana, with diverse instrumentals that beautifully complement their lyrics. If you haven't seen them, be sure to add them to your list of must sees.

Cowboy and Indian are a veteran group to SXSW, their inception as a band coming out of a show performed by Jazz Mills and Jesse Plemons a few years back. Jazz's voice is haunting and beautiful, lending itself perfectly to their uniquely vintage folk sound. They have sine grown as a group, adding musicians and instruments, but maintaining their simple but rich sound.

New Wheeler Brother Video: Spent Time

I adore this band.

Favorite Albums of 2011

So much great music came into my life this year, including a number of kick ass albums! They are the albums that I have played on repeat in obsessive ways, or forced upon my loved ones, readers and strangers on the street screaming, “Seriously, you HAVE to be listening to this!”

To be clear, this is not a ‘best of’ list. I am in no way qualified to determine what has been better or worse than others. Bon Iver seriously doesn’t do it for me no matter how many times I have played his pre-pubescent voiced album, but apparently he’s fantastic. No, this is a list of my favorite albums. These are albums that in 2011 I fell deeply, madly, hopelessly in love with. Interestingly, the majority of my favorite albums are freshman albums. They are in no particular order. 

Torches: Foster The People

Torches has been a serious addiction this year. I even met one of the boys while listening to their album on my ipod. Foster The People have a captivating sound, danceable melodies, strange and poetic lyrics, and completely weird music videos. Their stories range from the socially controversial “Pumped Up Kicks” to the sentimental, “Waste.” It is a dynamic, rich, fun, upbeat, kick ass album from start to finish. I am anxiously anticipating their sophomore album and what the boys will come up with next. In the meantime, I’m still waiting for them to choreograph their entire next music video (Warrant, please!) with Mark Foster’s shouldery dance moves. I think it would be brilliant!

21: Adele

Seriously, have you listened to it? The girl is unreal! I have openly wept at least twice while listening to her perform songs off of this heart wrenching album. Adele's crossover into Top 40 has been a breath of fresh air to those stations and a testament to how brilliant she is. She took writing about heartache to a whole new beautiful level and I can't stop belting her out while driving in my car, or just about anywhere. 

In Light: Givers

In Light is a whimsical dance party by Givers. I love the quirky, rich, and percussion-heavy instrumentals. The percussion often adds a tribal celebratory feel, especially in songs like “Saw You First” and “Up Up Up”. Taylor and Tiffany belt out soulful harmonies and it is easy to hear their giddy smiles through my speakers. Aptly named, this album is about light and I dare you not to actually start bouncing with delight when you hear "Up Up Up"! In fact, I will take this opportunity to apologize to my downstairs neighbor as every listen (and there have been oh so many!) has usually erupted in crazed, euphoric dancing. 

Pickin Up The Pieces: Fitz And The Tantrums

Pickin Up The Pieces is a modern, retro, pop album that makes me want to dress up in sequence and heels and go dancing somewhere hip and glamourous. The wail of the organ and the jazzy sound of the saxophone blend with Fitz and Noelle‘s harmonies, creating a rich, soulful groove. Fitz and the Tantrums are all kinds of fun and so is this album.

Nothing is Wrong: Dawes

There really is nothing wrong with this Dawes album, and if push came to shove I would have to choose this as my absolute number one favorite album of the year because it is just so damn good. While so many albums on my list I love for the dance parties that usually erupt while listening to them, Nothing Is Wrong strikes at a much different place. Taylor Goldsmith is a poet and a brilliant songwriter. I get something new out of his lyrics with every listen and his melodies are their perfect complements. (the video is grainy, but it's my favorite song off the album and I had to share)

The Head And The Heart: The Head And The Heart

This self-titled album by The Head And The Heart has a beautiful folk sound, rich in harmonies and undertones of melancholy. Many of the songs start simply and build up in emotional and beautifully instrumental ways. This album is music that fills me up to the very core and songs like, “Down In The Valley” make me homesick for a place I’ve never even been to. This is a band I am eager to see grow and mature.

Portraits: Wheeler Brothers

Representing Austin on this list, Wheeler Brothers are definitely a favorite this year. Portraits is a well rounded folk-rock album with Texas rock inspirations. Like so many of the albums I have loved this year, this is their first LP, but with an incredibly mature and cohesive sound. You may not have heard of them yet, but you will. 

What were your favorite albums this year?

New Video from The Wheeler Brothers: Home For The Holidays

The Wheeler Brothers might be one of my favorite bands out of Austin right now. They are amazing and wonderful and have a style of music that is easy to fall in love with. They are playing a show on November 18th at Antone's that is bound to sell out, so get your tickets now. I guarantee you'll dance and fall in love with them as much as I have. I will also be celebrating my birthday that night, so come out and celebrate!



Also, as part of their Home For The Holidays Tour, the boys will be holding a video contest and sending a lucky winner home to see their family for the holidays. Check out all the info here.

Falling in love with The Wheeler Brothers

The Wheeler Brothers are a budding group out of Austin, TX, green in so many of the ways that a new band can be, feeling their way around the world of touring and working to grow their name. Yet, what they lack in establishment and a long list of LP’s, they make up for in an incredible sense of confidence and maturity in their debut album and performances that will get even the most skeptical dancing. 

I have spent a great deal of time sitting in front of my computer trying to decipher exactly what it is that has allowed The Wheeler Brothers to capture such a large part of my heart. Their album, Portraits, is much more than their folk-rock designation thanks to the use a variety of unique instruments and styles that they meticulously blend into a cohesive sound. Their voices are clear and their lyrics quotable. I find new ways to love each song with every listen.

I met with the boys of The Wheeler Brothers before their set at Utopia Fest. They are fun and energetic, pleased to be playing at their first festival and full of optimism for where this will lead them. The Wheeler Brothers were one of the clear highlights of Utopia Fest, immediately playing the crowd into a dancing frenzy and generating a lot of buzz long after their instruments were packed up. They played a mix of songs off of their album and great covers. I love any band who celebrates the works of others while putting their own spin on it. They closed the night with Louis Prima’s, I Wanna Be Like You. Disney never imagined it played as fun as it was by the Wheeler Brothers under the stars with a crowd of music lovers singing along to every word. 

Standing with the crowd, my loud singing voice lost in the cacophony of an enthusiastic crowd, I couldn’t help but think what a great fortune we all had to be experiencing this band in this small, intimate setting. I am excited to see where this genuine group of boys take their music, for it will certainly be to great places. 

Photos from Utopia Fest: The Wheeler Brothers