Like many of us here in the Golden State, some of these bands are originally from elsewhere. We don’t complain about it.
When The Weather Underground lost gifted guitarist Sho Bagley, singer-songwriter Harley Prechtel-Cortez reformed the group as Red Cortez. Since the core of the new band remains the same, I have no doubt that anyone catching one of their shows will experience a performance as good if not better than the show that impressed us so much at the Echo last year (see here).
Red Cortez continues to play many songs from the Weather Underground’s catalog, one of which is the stunner “Trainwreck” I have posted below. Prechtel-Cortez lays his intellectual sensibilities over the kind of rock that won’t allow you to sit still. I’d love to see “Fell on the Floor” from their debut EP performed live.
Coming right from opening dates with Morrissey, Red Cortez are performing a whopping seven shows over the four main days of SXSW, so there is no excuse for not seeing them. Check their MySpace page for all the times and venues.
Red Cortez: Trainwreck from the Weather Underground’s EP Bird In the Hand (2008)
MySpace | Website | Label: ReapandSow (Independent)
Buy at ReapandSow Store, Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic
L.A. trio Gliss, a Speed of Dark favorite since 2007, deliver irresistible, grinding power-pop iced with Victoria Cecilia’s smooth vocals. With their new album Devotion Implosion set for release April 7, they’ll be showcasing their new material at their shows.
See them at three shows on Friday March 20: 1:30PM at Sonic Bids Showcase, 8PM at Guero’s Party, and 11PM at High Five Party. Also: on Saturday March 21 9PM at Mos Fuk Dupp Day Party, and Sunday March 22 1PM at Austin Art Garage.
Gliss: Morning Light from Devotion Implosion (2009)
MySpace | Website | Label: Rykodisc
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic
Psychedelic drone-rock soldiers Sleepy Sun, formerly from Santa Cruz, now based in San Francisco, are rated one of Esquire Magazine’s Top 10 Bands to See at SXSW. Don’t be surprised if they shout “Let’s Get Weird!”
I can’t find anyplace to purchase any of their songs except for their MySpace site, but their press release says they will have vinyl out soon: a 10″ single of “New Age” on March 24 and a debut LP, Embrace on May 26. According to ATP, New Age CD will be released on April 14, 2009. Can’t be soon enough.
Sleepy Sun are playing Tuesday March 17th at Emo’s Main Room (603 Red River), Wednesday March 18th 3PM at Scoot Inn Day Party and 11PM at Leafy Green Showcase at Emo’s, Friday March 20th 3PM at SFxSW Party at Wave, and
Saturday March 21st 12:20PM at Mess With Texas Festival at Waterloo Park.
Sleepy Sun: New Age from New Age single (2009)
MySpace | Website | Label: ATP Recordings/
I can’t say enough good things about Here We Go Magic (See my album review here). Luke Temple and HWGM will play five shows over four days, so check their MySpace page and squeeze them into your plans.
Here We Go Magic: Only Pieces from Here We Go Magic (2009), WOXY Live Performance
Listen to the whole show, which includes a new, unreleased song called “Surprise,” here
MySpace | Website | Label: Western Vinyl
Buy at Amazon, iTunes, and eMusic
Jeremy Jay, sad-eyed, dance-pop cutie and part-time resident of Los Angeles (Paris the rest of the time), drifts in slow motion on synths through electric fog. His full-length Slow Dance will be officially released March 24.
See Jeremy Jay Wednesday March 18th 1AM at K/Tomlab/Astmatic Kitty Showcase at Beauty Bar, Thursday March 19th at KVRX Showcase, Friday March 20th at The Smell Party and 3PM at Gorilla vs. Bear Showcase at Quacks Bakery, Saturday March 21 12:30PM at French Legation Museum and 4:30PM at Hot Freaks at Club Deville.
Jeremy Jay: Lite Beam from Love Everlasting (2009)
Find more downloads at RCRDLBL
MySpace | Label: K Records
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic
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