Underground Bands and Indie Music Reviews

Many of you may already be aware of the great underground, indie conferences and festival going on in Austin, Texas. This exhilarating event for both musicians and music lovers alike, is known as the South by Southwest (SXSW).

This year will mark the 24th annual Music and Media conference. This event has grown in years to become a MUST attend show for any and all networking in the music world. If you are in a band that is wanting to get big, if you are a booking agent looking for gigs, if you are a manager or a record label company and looking to sign on new musicians, the SXSW is where you need to be. And if you aren’t there and I just described you, get on a plane asap.

This years SXSW event will be showcasing nearly 2,000 bands/musicians from around the world. Each day will be filled with musical acts performed throughout roughly 80 stages in downtown Austin, TX.

During the day managers, promoters, press, record labels, artists, booking agents, etc. gather for business. For some this is a first-look at the future musicians.

This has got to be one of the most thrilling events of the year. I have got to admit that I am extremely jealous of my friends who are able to be there and I wish I could be there. So if you go, tell me how it is.

Check out the highlight of the festivities: http://sxsw.com/

A love for keyboards, synthesizers and vintage drum machines was the beginning of the musical harmony that brought three female indie artists together. Au Revoir Simone, the hot new indie group is composed of Erika Forster (vocals/keyboard), Annie Hart (vocals/keyboard) and Heather D’Angelo (vocals/drum machine/keyboard).

The journey began when Erika and Annie met on a train while traveling from Vermont to New York. After getting to know each other they discovered that they both had a common interest in beginning an all-keyboard band.

On their return to New York they began playing together and Heather D’Angelo soon joined in on the hot new indie sound that they were producing. Another member, Sung Bin Park, joined the band but left soon after allowing the three remaining members to start again as a trio. They started playing concerts in New York and quickly picked up speed in popularity.

The music of Au Revoir Simone is primarily up-beat and fun in it’s tempo. In a NME (New Musical Express) article, the magazine went on to say that “Au Revoir Simone must have beamed in from a land where lace clouds breeze over crystal lakes and icicles grow from the warm earth. This New York three-piece’s glorious synth-lead alt-folk will leave you crying on the stairs in the middle of the night.”

Au Revoir Simone released their debut album “The Bird of Music” though Moshi Moshi Records in the UK in 2007. And their latest work is the new “Still Night, Still Light” album released on May 19, 2009. Au Revoir Simone is currently touring the world and is planning on making a local stop on their concert tour.

Local Au Revoir Simone Concert This Summer
Friday, June 19: Salt Lake City
Kilby Court

Happy Groundhog’s Day!  Looks like we have another 6 weeks of winter! Today groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow  and is ready to get back to some more of his hibernation.

In celebration of this famous groundhog, underground instrumental band, The Opposite of a Train, is holding a benefit concert tonight! They are hoping to raise money for the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston, South Carolina. The concert will be held tonight in the Memminger Auditorium at 8pm.

The Opposite of a Train, has a unique sound.  I just listened to them for the first time today and find them quite enticing.  Obviously their music has no lyrics,but it has a very interesting jazz, Cuban, rock sound to it. It seems that what makes this band worth while, is the fact that they are playing really unique and fascinating instruments. Their music takes you into a new way of thinking.

The band is composed of three members: Bill Carson on guitar and tenor banjo, Nathan Koci on accordion, brass and keyboards, and Ron Wiltrout on marimba, drums, and crash cymbols.

If you are interested, check them out on their myspace to hear their unique sound yourself and then let me know what you think. I am curious of the feedback.

And get a chance to watch Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, just to celebrate and to hibernate.