Bands to See @SXSW 2010
A sampling of 2010 SXSW bands - out of 1,700 in all - worth checking out in Austin during St. Patty's week.

Free SXSW 2010 Sampler Browse playlist mixes with hundreds of free, legal MP3s. Stream all songs on any page by clicking the first track.

best indie albums 2008

popular indie songs 2008

SXSW 2010: Coverage Before, During and After

updated: March 21st
IRC is providing pre, during and post South by Southwest coverage.

• SXSW Day One Coverage - March 17, 2010
• SXSW Day Two Coverage - March 18, 2010
• SXSW Day Three Coverage - March 19, 2010
• SXSW Day Four Coverage - March 20, 2010

We've got band profiles, show times and venue details, featured artists, videos, photos, and more. In addition to the posts feaured above, we have links, videos, playlist mixes, photos and more about and from SXSW 2010. This page will be regularly updated from approximately March 12-26th, and throughout the year if you want to bookmark or Digg it, or wherever you keep your handy links. Of course you can always find it later by clicking the logo on the homepage or doing a site search. If you have your own personal stories, photos, videos, etc. from SXSW 2010 email us at indierockcafe at (gmail) dotcom (sorry have to do that because of spam bots) with the subject line SXSW 2010, and we'll definitely check out and probably publish what you send. Please make sure to provide the name or source for all media. We will pick some of your submissions for special prizes from IRC.

Quick Links for SXSW

Resources for SXSW

• See IRC's SXSW Bands' Music Video Picks
• Interactive Map of Downtown Austin
• Alphabetical List of Venues in Austin
• AustinTownHall.com
• Rollo & Grady's A-Z guide to SXSW bands
• Official SXSW.com Show Schedule
• Free/RSVP SXSW Shows
• Austinist.com Guide to SXSW 2010 - Venues Maps & Day-by-Day Sched
• Mashable's SXSW Page
• Customize Your SXSW Schedule
• DO512 SXSW 2010 Scheduler/News
• SXSW.com: Getting Around Austin
• SXSW Insider's Guide from Ning
• Guide to Free Food @SXSW
• Follow the official SXSW.com Twitter Posts
• SXSW.com's Official Facebook Page
• Stream NPR's The Austin 100

Austin-centric blogs:

• Austin Music Photos
• Austinsurreal
• Do512 Weblog
• Austin Sound Check
• The Corner
• Texas Music Office
• Austin Hip-Hop Scene
• Austin Music Calendar
• Austin Live Music
• Austinnitus
• The Screw Shop Message Board
• Crowd Control Records Forum
• Central Texas Country
• Austinist
• SIMS Foundation
• Showlist Austin
• Austin Sound

Austin Venues

*working on this next list

• Beauty Bar/Palm Door (Address: 401 Sabine St.)

SXSW 2010 Bands to See, Vol. I: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Princeton, Real Estate, The Drums and Surfer Blood

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

It's not a stretch that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club would be high on the list of bands to see at SXSW in 2010, even though they are definitely not indie (they're signed to a major label), yet rule in the minds of many alternative-to-heavy rockers. The band's new album proves their status in the rock world. The band keeps pumping out exciting rock songs with all the right elements to keep their original fan base engaged, and reach new fans. The music speaks for itself.

"Conscience Killer" - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club from Beat The Devil's Tattoo

BRMC SWSX Shows:

March 19th at 11:00 at La Zona Rosa
March 19th at 4:30 at Cedar Street Courtyard

- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on MySpace


Princeton

Kanine Records (Grizzly Bear, Surfer Blood, The Depreciation Guild) has steadily been building a solid roster of bands in the past few years. One of their most recent family members, are the shoegaze pop band Princeton of Eagle Rock, California.

The band has climbed up quickly since the release of their 2006 DIY EP debut, A Case of the Emperor's Clothes, followed in 2008 with their second EP, Bloomsbury. Last year, their debut LP, Cocoon of Love was released to critical acclaim and a growing following of fans.

"Calypso Gold" - Princeton from Cocoon of Love (2009) "Korean War Memorial" - Princeton from Cocoon of Love (2009)

Bonus tracks:

"Ms. Bentwich" - Princeton from Bloomsbury EP (2008)
"The Waves" - Princeton from Bloomsbury EP (2008)

Princeton shows at SXSW:

Mar 17 2010 10:00P KANINE SHOWCASE @ WAVE ROOFTOP
Mar 18 2010 12:30A CREEKSIDE LOUNGE
Mar 19 2010 12:00P BROOKLYN VEGAN PARTY@ CLUB DEVILLE
Mar 20 2010 4:00P KEVCHINO PARTY @ CAFE MUNDI


Princeton on MySpace

Real Estate

New Jersey band Real Estate are returning to SXSW for their second year. Plus, the band released their much anticipated debut LP in November to a great deal of positive reviews. The LP is definitely one of the best debuts of 2009. Check out our review of the LP and then come back here to listen to two additional songs not included in the release review. This band is truly amazing and unique and just about every track on the LP is a keeper - can't say that about most debut albums. Anticipate big crowds for their shows at SXSW next week.

"Suburban Beverage" - Real Estate from s/t debut (2009)

"Black Lake" - Real Estate from s/t debut (2009)

Real Estate Shows at SXSW:

Mar 17 2010 1:00A Underwater Peeps house show
Mar 17 2010 4:30P Forcefield Party @ Red 7
Mar 18 2010 3:00P Other Music show @ French Legation Museum
Mar 18 2010 9:00P 2908 Cole Street w/ Woods, Pocahaunted, Beach Fossils, Eternal Tapestry, Silent Land Time Machine
Mar 19 2010 12:00P Ground Control Party @ Urban Outfitters
Mar 19 2010 2:00P Pitchfork Party @ EmoÕs Jr.
Mar 19 2010 11:00P Gorilla Vs Bear/ Mexican Summer @ Klub Krucial
Mar 20 2010 2:00P The Mohawk, Mog Party
Mar 20 2010 6:45P Fader Fort
Mar 20 2010 11:45P Woodsist Showcase @ Red 7


- Real Estate on MySpace

Surfer Blood

Surfer Blood definitely fall into the new wave of surf rock bands during the past year or so. The West Palm Beach, Florida area band broke through last August after putting on a much-talked-about show at Brooklyn's Bruar Falls, and subsequently, during last falls' NYC CMJ festival. The band relentlessly toured throught 2009, including bills with Art Brut and Japandroids. Within months of literally becoming a band, Srufer Blood were making it on to many music blogs' and sites' "Bands to Watch" lists. Heather Phares of the All Music Guide wrote warmly that Surfer Blood "fuse sunny surf rock charm with indie rock cool." In January, the band released their excellent debut LP, Astrocoast.

"Swim (To Reach The End)" - Surfer Blood from Astrocoast


Surfer Blood SXSW Shows:

Mar 17 2010 4:00P Waterloo Records (live free instore)
Mar 17 2010 11:45P The Wave Rooftop, Kanine Records SXSW Party
Mar 18 2010 1:00P Club Deville (Insound SxSw Party)
Mar 18 2010 3:00P The Parish (NPR SXSW Party)
Mar 18 2010 5:45P Sled Island Party
Mar 19 2010 1:00P La Zona Rosa: Village Voice SxSW Party w/ The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Superchunk, The XX
Mar 19 2010 5:30P Emos (Pitchfork SxSw Party)
Mar 19 2010 10:00P Lustre Pearl (Filter, Dickies SxSw Party)

- Surfer Blood on MySpace

The Drums

The Drums have busted through in the past year to praise from bloggers and the music press, not to mention enthusiastic fans. It's easy to get lost in the vast ocean of "hot, new" indie bands from Brooklyn nowadays, but The Drums have definitely carved out their little piece of home turf with their decidely catchy, post punk/pop sound. The Drums are considered by some to fall into the so-called "surfer indie rock" that has been attributed to other bands like, ironically enough, Surfer Blood, Real Estate, Holiday Shores, all of which are also favorites to be seen at this year's SXSW fest in Austin.

"Let's Go Surfing" - The Drums from Summer Time EP
"I Felt Stupid" - The Drums from Summer Time EP

The Drums SXSW Shows: Mar 19 2010 1:00am NME Showcase @ Latitude
Mar 19 2010 3:45pm FADER FORT
Mar 20 2010 10:00pm StubbÕs Showcase


- The Drums on MySpace

Bands that Should be at SXSW 2010: The Swimmers: We plan to feature this band in the near future. They are good. Also, The Canon Logic; see our review for perspective on that. Other bands that would have been cool to see at SXSW, but apparently won't be there, include Pete and the Pirates, Frank Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, The White Stripes. Getting conflicting messages of whether The Ruby Suns are showing or not. While they are doing one show, more slots at SXSW of The Morning Benders would be a good thing.

2009 SXSW Coverage

Videos, Music and PHotos from SXSW 2009 Deastro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ZSFENqeqg Blind Pilot performing at Club DeVille in Austin, TX for SXSW '09. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ9dDxfLwds Shortcut Videos from SXSW 2009 R3TV in SXSW - Elliott Brood Pete and Pirates - the big hit Matt and Kim at the Green Label party at Opal Devine's Thursday night. Their only SXSW show this year. Shot on a Canon 5d Mk II with a Sennheiser MKE 400 mic. Posted by YouTuber melstetten Janes Addiction Jane's Addiction performing at Playboy's Rock The Rabbit Party during SXSW 2009. Use this video wherever you want. Credit to Ultra8201.com. The ThermalsSt. Rosa and the Swallows (@SXSW 20-Mar-2009) Dinosaur Jr with Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene Mumford & Sons performing on the Day Stage at SXSW in Austin, TX Evangelicals @ SXSW. Check ohmpark.com for more. One of the great things that happens with each South by Southwest music conference is discovery. I'm talking about finding out about sick artists and bands that you previously didn't know about. While most of the SXSW blog and press parades druel over the latest buzz bands and 'indie' veterans (I know that 'indie' has a loose definition, but The Decemberists lost their 'indie' when they signed with Capitol), there are many other artists and bands that played at this year's SXSW that, for the most part, are under appreciated for their talent. During the week of SXSW last month, IRC launched a series of playlists with songs from some of my personal favorite artists and bands performing at this year's conference. Here are a few others Local Natives Willie Nile White Lies SWSX bands "Commonplace Feathers" - Gangi from A (NEW?) http://www.fanaticpromotion.com/projects/gangi/mp3/gangi-commonplacefeathers.mp3