SXSW

This is the time of year when I always wish I could be in Austin. That's because now is the time when some of the best bands from around the world descend on the city that defines "Texas hip" to be part of the South by Southwest Music Festival (which I believe is now called the "South by Southwest Music, Film, and Interactive Festival"...or something like that.

Anyway, each year's festival is a "happening" where all the great bands and musicians gather...from veteran bands to newer bands hoping to be discovered. In looking at this year's festival schedule I find myself drooling once again. Bands that interest me include (but are not limited to): The Watson Twins, Rickie Lee Jones, Apples in Stereo, Bloc Party, Cold War Kids, Cursive, Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly, The Lionheart Brothers, Headlights, Sondre Lerche, Listener, Lovedrug, Midlake, Mute Math, Pigeon John, Andy Pratt (ah...man that guy can write amazing pop songs!), Summer Hymns, David Vandervelde (from the Nooma soundtracks), and oh so many more.

In my last post I also mentioned Mute Math. If you haven't checked out this band, please do. Amazing musicianship and songwriting. Shades of very early Police with some Jazz undertones thrown in, and all blended into some serious in your face, yet laid back, rock. Check out the video of their performance last year on Jimmy Kimmel Live. For those of you in the Philly area, they are playing tomorrow night at The Theater of the Living Arts on South Street. Wish I could be there...