Todd Martens used to work at Billboard but now blogs and does “random stuff” for the LA Times. You can keep up with his SXSW experience here.

A former Northwestern grad student (this means he is smart, right, even if he was willing to pose in front of beanie babies… Buffy the Vampire Slayer beanie babies, no less), and current Cubs fan, SXSW means that baseball season is right around the corner, and since it’s March, he’s still 100 percent convinced that this is the year they’re going to win it all.

Martens is hoping to sample some decent Texas microwbrews (that’s beer, right?) so if you have any suggestions, please send ‘em on over to musicblog@sxsw.com.

His Pick Three went something like this…

Los Campesinos!: Curiously wacky, and frantically upbeat, SXSW is a bit of a coming-out party for England’s Los Campesinos!. The band’s debut, Hold On Now, Youngster, is a workout, with colorfully cartoon-ish vocals bouncing off peppy guitars and cheery keys and glockenspiels. Plus, who can deny a song for the anti-algebra set – “Don’t Tell Me To Do the Math(s)”?

Tim Fite: Based on some of the early songs released from Fite’s upcoming Fair Ain’t Fair, the New York-based artist has moved away from the sarcastic hip-hop of his Web-only release, Over the Counter Culture. Instead, songs such as “Yesterday’s” and “Big Mistake” show Fite embracing a more delicate, pop-informed side, one that might finally bring him the wider audience he deserves. He’s still adventurous, as instruments and electronics skit in and out, and he still knows how to poke fun (see “Sing Along,” in which he pleads that the tune would sound good in a commercial for cars or maxi-pads).

Sons & Daughters: The folk-rock of Scotland’s Sons & Daughters always went down easy, and the band’s latest, This Gift, is relentlessly irresistible. The band’s rock ‘n’ roll side is emphasized on the new effort, and vocalist Adele Bethel comes off as a budding star, slicing through sing-along background chants, and smoothly riding over a torrent of crashing guitars with a retro coolness. Since the band’s L.A. date is at a festival (Coachella), I can’t miss them in a club.

I hope you’ve been enjoying all the Pick Three goodies. I know I have!

Back shortly with the J-No love, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 10th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

I’ve mercilessly cropped out the rest of Tapes ‘n Tapes (even though they’re pretty cute) in an effort to get to Josh Grier. It’s just that kind of night.

I used to think Minneapolis was the coolest place on earth… I spent my late teens/early 20s listening to bands like Soul Asylum, The Replacements and Run Westy Run… Then there seemed to be a lull, and no one from that fair city came around to lay claim on my heart. A few years ago Andy Flynn gave me a Tapes ‘n Tapes cd and my love affair started anew.

Their Friday night show at Cedar Door has all the kids (and media if my shooting schedule is any indication) atwitter.

Josh Grier was awesome sauce and did The LP Questionnaire and Pick Three. It’s even awesomer that he picked the hub’s band (how cool is that?)

Name: Josh Grier
Pro Wrestling Name: I am Lex Zombie

1. Pretend you’re 15 (and tell us what year it is, if you don’t mind). Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend. I totally didn’t have a girlfriend when i was 15, way back in ‘95. I was awkward. But if I had a girlfriend then, I would have put “Soma” by Smashing Pumpkins, “All Apologies” by Nirvana, and “Holiday” by Weezer. I was way into the “rawk” music.

2. Which evil villain would make the best president? Gargamel. Because you know he still secretly loves the people he’s trying to kill. And Azreal seems like a strong runner for VP.

3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? Transformers

4. What superpower do you wish you had? Time travel. Invisibility and being able to fly run a close second and third, but I’m just too curious to pass up time travel.

5. What would the title of your autobiography be? Josh Grier: Cliffs Notes. I’m not much of a writer, so it would be real short.

Pick Three

My Morning Jacket: I’m a big fan of My Morning Jacket, and I’ve never seen them live. Jim James is amazing.

Dr. Dog: I’ve probably seen the dog 6-7 times, and I love it more every time. The sweet harmonies and killer hooks can’t be beat.

Times New Viking: I’ve heard a couple of their songs on the radio, and I really like what I hear. It’s always fun for me to see a band live when I haven’t heard many of their songs. I just get to experience what’s going on, instead of trying to relate it to what I’ve heard on their record (hopefully, that makes sense…)

That’s the second vote for Gargamel and Azrael. I kind of like that combo. I can’t believe things start tomorrow. Can’t I lobby for an extra day? I’ve got midnight laundry going and a marathon blog session coming up. Thanks for reading. You may write to me at musicblog@sxsw.com (although you never do. The only people who love me are people who want me to buy their Canadian Viagra. Ho hum). No prescription needed, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 10th, 2008 under LP Questionnaire, Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Tonight is gonna be a political one during SXSW, so don’t miss some of these amazing films with timely issues. At the Paramount Theatre, at 9:45 p.m., don’t miss Stuart Townsend’s entertaining and exciting ensemble film “Battle in Seattle.” Over at the ACC Theater, you can cast your vote for high school election doc “FrontRunners” or the war profiteer profile “Bulletproof Salesman.”

Original post by melissa

Posted: March 10th, 2008 under Film News.
Comments: none

The lovely and effervescent Tift Merritt brings her sterling voice and monster songwriting skills to SXSW Live this Thursday and to The Parish on Saturday.

I’ve been hearing great things about Tift for years from our mutual pal Ryan (My Morning Jacket’s FOH engineer who’s worked with Tift and Zeke, her super nice guy drummer) so I’m hoping to catch one of her shows at the fest.

And here’s who she’ll be catching while she’s here…

My Morning Jacket: Jim James’ voice is heaven and they always go all out live. If I see just one show, I really really want to see this one.

Jason Collett: We have had Jason’s records in heavy rotation at our house for some time now…he has a great great band too. I would really like to have a beer and see this one, but I bet the line will be really long. Well, it should be, really.

Chatham County Line: These guys are some of our dear friends, and they are great people as well as great musicians. And they have made a great new record. And they are really famous in Norway. The world should catch up to Norway on this one.

There seems to be a lot of Norway love going on at SXSW this year. Back in a bit with Tapes ‘n Tapes, Todd Martens of the Los Angeles Times an John Norris of MTV and Jonah Ray. Stellar, right? I sure think so! Email enchiladas to musicblog@sxsw.com. You can ride ride on down with your head in the dark, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 10th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Online registration will close tonight at 6pm CST tonight. You’ll still be able to register to attend SXSW 2008 on site at the Austin Convention Center.

Original post by melissa

Posted: March 10th, 2008 under Latest News.
Comments: none

Welcome to Day Three of the 2008 event. Said another way, no rain can dampen the SXSW spirit! If you didn’t get a chance to visit the Trade Show & Exhibition yesterday, be sure to drop by today. This space is located on Level 4 of the Austin Convention Center. Hours of operation for Sunday are noon to 6:00 pm. While in the Trade Show, be sure to check out interviews at Studio SX and the various author appearances at the South by Bookstore.

Monday marks another full day of SXSW programming. The keynote speaker for today is Postsecret founder Frank Warren, who will speak from 2:00-3:00 pm in Ballroom A (with simulcasts in Ballroom B, Ballroom C and the Day Stage area). Got a SXSW secret you want to let loose on the world? Write it down and put it in the drop box outside Ballroom A. An incredibly compelling speaker, Warren will be reading several of the more intriguing postcards as part of his presentation.

Finally, if you want a completely different approach to the panel programming matrix, visit the SXSW Open Format session from 3:30-6:00 in Room 6 (on Level 3). SXSW Open Format offers you a chance to run a short demo, presentation, discussion, or Q&A. This is your opportunity to shine, share your innovation, creation, or even gripes. If you miss SXSW Open Format today, catch it from 3:30-6:00 on Tuesday (also in Room 6).

Original post by melissa

Posted: March 10th, 2008 under Interactive News.
Comments: none