Scots Invade SXSW - Again!
This is the fifth year that The Scottish Arts Council in conjunction with BBC Radio Scotland has sponsored Scottish bands to attend South By Southwest in Austin, TX. Their support has brought a total of over 50 bands (16 were sponsored for SXSW 2007), including Franz Ferdinand, Paolo Nutini, the Delgados, Emma Pollock, and the Fratellis, to the attention of rock music lovers in the U.S. I admit to being a total sucker for a Scots accent.
Here are four of the Scottish bands, all from the vicinity of Glasgow (Glaswegians! I love that word), who will be featured at SXSW this year. A special event, Showcasing Scotland, will take place on Friday, March 14 in the heart of Austin's Warehouse District.
Sons and Daughters
I started getting into Sons and Daughters when their new album This Gift was released this year. I like the give and take exchange of female and male vocals with hard-driving guitar. You can hear the influence of the Smiths' Johnny Marr in the way they go at a song.
Sons and Daughters: The Bell from This Gift (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: Domino Records | SXSW Info
Buy at Sons and Daughters Store, Domino Store, iTunes, and Amazon.com
Frightened Rabbit
The threesome of Frightened Rabbit make their second appearance at SXSW, following up last year's successful album Sing the Greys with a new album in May called The Midnight Organ Fight.
Frightened Rabbit: Head Rolls Off from The Midnight Organ Fight (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: FatCat Records | SXSW Info
Buy at FatCat Store, iTunes, Amazon.com, and eMusic
The Dykeenies
Influenced by Blur, Bloc Party, late 70s Bowie, and 80's bands, The Dykeenies took their name from the race of humanoids in the fantasy film, Willow. A new single called "Waiting For Go" is due out on March 10. Hopefully their albums will start becoming available in the States soon.
The Dykeenies: Stitches from Nothing Means Everything (2007)
MySpace | Website | Label: Sony BMG | SXSW Info
Buy at Amazon.com (Imports)
Popup
Popup have the distinction of being known as "Scotland's biggest unsigned band." They have just completed their debut album a time and a place, which will be self-released later this year.
Popup: Love Triangle from a time and a place
MySpace | Website | Label: Unsigned | SXSW Info
5 comments:
oooh i'm super-excited to see sons and daughters. i’m also stoked to see the wombats, grand ole party, switches, dr. dog, the ting tings, david bazan and the duke spirit. can't wait!
Oh, lucky you! The only one of those I've seen is David Bazan. I am really digging Sons and Daughter's entire This Gift album. Come back and tell me how they are in performance, OK?
Oh, and check out my review of the Builders and the Butchers. You WANT to see them! They're playing Friday, Mar 14 at 9 PM at Club DeVille.
i love popup's song, lucy what are you trying to say. very clever.
colin (and before the first kiss) has introduced me to several of these bands, important glaswegian blogger that he is!
I need to check him more often--there's just something wonderful about Scottish rock!
Post a Comment