I won’t be going, but if I was, these would be my highlights. Now I know it will be impossible to see all of these bands/artists, I know how SXSW works. However, the SXSW website has a plethora of free songs for you to sample to assist you in your decision. If you are not going, go ahead and download them anyway; there’s obviously a reason why these bands were picked to showcase their music this year.
Abe Vigoda – Don’t Lie
AIDS Wolf – Tied-Up In Paper
Black Lips – O Katrina!
Boats – 500%
Cage – Shoot Frank
Cut Off Your Hands – Turn Cold
dredg – The Papal Insignia
Doomtree – FLEX
Fair to Midland – Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes
The Felice Brothers – Frankie’s Gun
Sage Francis – Conspiracy to Riot
Eugene Francis Jnr & The Juniors – Beginners
Laura Gibson – Spirited
Hamell On Trial – When You’re Young
Lisa Hannigan – Lille
HEALTH – Crimewave
Hot Lava – Apple+Option+Fire
Junk Science – Hey (the sequel)
Kraak & Smaak – Squeeze Me
Kylesa – Said And Done
The Mother Hips – Mission in Vain
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head – Slow Motion Tag Team
Want to find a reason to get out of the rain and into some amazing live events? I give you Noise Pop 09! The Noise Pop Festival, which runs this Tuesday, February 24th through Sunday, March 1st, 2009, is an ambitious iteration of San Francisco’s favorite indie music, arts and film. For their 17th anniversary, Noise Pop 2009 will honor what’s made it the best-loved celebration of indie music and culture since its humble birth in 1993. This years music will feature such indie superstars like Antony and the Johnsons, Martha Wainwright, Stephen Malkmus, Deerhunter, St. Vincent, A.C. Newman, French Kicks, No Age, The Submarines, and Ra Ra Riot, among many many others. Noise Pop also features a long list of artist/photographers whose work is currently being displayed at the Mini Bar at 837 Divisadero St in San Fran. Also, there are some great films being showcased this week including Wilco’s Ashes of American Flags, Andrew van Baal’s Largo (a movie I’ve been waiting to see for months), and independent record store documentary I Need That Record. Of course I’m leaving out a whole bunch more but that’s what I’m looking forward to. I plan on catching one or two films and hopefully see Kool Keith (Dr. Octagon vs. Dr. Dooom) at the Mezzanine. All listed Noise Pop shows will be highlighted in blue; so go grab a badge and have fun this week.
As for non-Noise Pop events; today is quite busy for the Bay Area. You’re got Far (live video below) at Slim’s, Modest Mouse at the Fox Theater, and Michael Zapruder at the Bottom of the Hill tonight. See you out there!
Motel De Moka: Stunning artwork mixed with the best minimalistic, experimental, and ambient music I’ve never heard of.
ipickmynose: His weekly song obsessions quickly become my song obsessions. Plus his view into the Bay Area indie scene helps me understand this strange new land I’ve found myself in.
Captain Obvious: His library of covers is unrivaled as well as his detailed and spot-on album reviews.
Kata Rokkar is a place where you can download free mp3 from artists and bands that I currently love and listen to. They are only for sampling purposes and to influence you to go out and support these artists by purchasing their records and going to their concerts. If you are a record company or an artist that is displeased with a song being displayed, feel free to contact me and I will remove it ASAP. Thank you and enjoy!
Abe Vigoda – Don’t Lie
Want to find a reason to get out of the rain and into some amazing live events? I give you 
