Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin (Springfield, MO)

 

Once in awhile a band comes along channeling what Simon Cowell calls the “It” factor.  SSLYBY brings the “It” factor as well as a playful attitude and infectious love of music to all they encounter. 

 

Getting the word out about the new album, band members created an entertaining preview of it with “Pershing.”  It’s definitely not the type of video produced by a label or PR person; it’s more like a video diary.  You’ll hear a couple new tracks in the background and see what they’ve been doing.  Most of all you don’t want to miss the reason why (according to the band) the new album “doesn’t suck!”  

 

It’s so nice to see a band having fun.  Friday, March 14^th, 12:45 am, Habana Calle 6

 

 

 

Tiny Masters of Today (Brooklyn, NY)

 

Pre-teen duo (and siblings) Tiny Masters of Today are sure to make more friends and fans by appearing at SXSW. These youngsters have chops, and they’ve received raves from a wealth of influential publications and artists. 

 

David Bowie has written about his love for the band.  Karen O. and Barney Clay even directed a video (Hologram World) for them. Along with some of their friends, musicians from bands like the Mooney Suzuki and Yeah Yeah Yeahs even show up in the clip.

 

With such a bright future lurking, we can’t imagine Tiny Masters of Today fading into the background. To have something to express at such a young age makes it clear they are a group worth watching. Saturday, March 15^th, 8:00 pm, Cedar Street Courtyard  

 

 

 

Uh Huh Her (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Combining efforts to create music with their own vision are veteran musicians, Camila Grey (Mellodrone) and Leisha Hailey (The Murmurs and now appearing in TV’s “The L Word.”)  They put a collection of songs together called “I See Red” last year and are currently working with producer Al Clay (Frank Black, Blur.) 

 

Their sound is a modern update to the dark, haunting music associated with the 80s. Not too dark; not too soft. The duo offers a clear alternative to much of the indie-fare being released at the moment. Get a glimpse at Uh Huh Her’s sound as SpinDaily interviews the ladies and gets reactions from a few of Hailey’s castmates. Thursday, March 13^th, 11:00 pm, Creekside EMC at Hilton Garden Inn  

 

 

 

Vampire Weekend (New York, NY)

 

Vampire Weekend describes themselves as a punk group. If so, they are the nicest punks with the mellowest sound ever. Their sound also puts them in the running for coolest New Yorkers in recent memory. Really, they put us in mind of a more focused Fiery Furnaces: they have an idiosyncratic approach to rhythm that falls into an area just north of reggae, just left of pop, and with vocals that crack and strain as the slightly surreal lines turn. And they don’t even need a stage to impress folks.

 

 

 

Wax Fang (Louisville, KY)

 

Wax Fang's songs build and build until you’re biting your nails, waiting for the tension to break. Fortunately, it doesn’t. This band draws you in and leaves you hanging as they synthesize classic rock guitar forms with song structures modeled after Brian Eno. They got their first touring experience as the opening act for fellow Louisville band My Morning Jacket in 2006 and have also played with Spoon. In the best tradition of making things work, Wax Fang founded their own label, Don’t Panic! Records. Randomville isn’t sure if the label’s name is homage to Doug Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) or if it simply reflects their attitude:

          “We don’t have a record company!”

          “Don’t panic. We’ll just do it ourselves.”

Galactic hitchhiking would suit these guys, if the spacey sounds and smart puns in such songs as “Avant Guardian Angel Dust” and “Bi Polar Bear” are any indication. Wednesday March 12^th, 10:00pm, Maggie Mae’s

 

 

 

 

The XYZ Affair is a charming power-pop outfit with some of the quirkiness that seems to have become requisite in some sub-genres of modern rock. If you were watching Nickelodeon in the early Nineties, you’ll enjoy their music, not least because this unsigned band named after a 19^th century diplomatic scandal managed to recruit Marc Summers and a few old-time Nick actors (including Big Pete) for their video of “All My Friends.” We’re not sure how they managed that, but it’s a pretty good summation of the XYZ’s sound; innocent and creative, yet somewhat self-referential. Judging by their latest road journal, the band could use a little love right now. We certainly wouldn’t be taking it nearly as well if the transmission fell out of our van mid-tour.

Provided the van is better, Thursday March 13^th, 9:00pm, Creekside EMC at Hilton Garden Inn

 

 

 

Yakuza  (Chicago, IL)

 

 

While the genre of “Metal” is an appropriate landing spot for this windy city crew, don’t just think of them as another speed-core band with a screaming singer and a guitar turned up too high. A song like “Egocide” on their Myspace page introduces the listener to a genre that is really hard to pinpoint. A wicked sax and middle-eastern touch combine for this rollercoaster of a song.

 

When he doesn’t have the horns in hand, singer Bruce Lamont brings the prowl and growl vocals that have kept this band stomping on top of the metal-core game for nearly a decade. They will be in Austin for three nights in support of their 2007 release Transmutations. On Thursday, March 13^th, 8:45pm, at La Zona Rosa they will blast the audience before Serj Tankian (System of a Down) takes the stage, and the SXSW gods did a great job by matching these two together. Also catch Yakuza on the 14^th and 15^th, though you’ll need to check back to their Myspace page for those details.

 

 

 

Zambri (New York, NY)

 

 

Melissa Auf der Maur on her solo album is a reminiscent feeling while listening to this 3-to-2, girl-to-guy band. The confusing tendencies of seduction, relation and living are topics routinely streaming through their pop-sensible, intelligent melodic arrangements. Then at other times, chunk guitar riffs join up with electro experiments.

 

Last year at the prestigious CMJ Festival in New York, Zambri made a whopping impression on many in attendance and that performance certainly helped to bolster their “buzz band” status. There isn’t a lot of information out there about this band. If you really want, we can spend some time researching about how cool it is that two sisters are in the band together, but let’s face it, the music is what really matters. Wednesday, March 12^th, 8:00 pm, the Parish