Fortunately, Look Mexico avoids both of these pitfalls. Having not seen the band in two years and thus never witnessing live incarnations of any tracks from the Gasp Asp EP or To Bed To Battle (both sonic leaps for the group), I wasn’t sure how their latest studio output would transfer to the stage. But they managed to capture the tightened, orchestral aggression of their recent albums (“I Live My Life A Quarter Mile At A Time” scorches even without the wall of strings) while still retaining the playful jam aesthetic of their earlier work (both band and crowd still sit Indian style for “Guys, I Need A Helicopter”), all the while adding pleasantly unexpected tweaks to the entire set. Dave Pinkham’s lulling keyboard solo in “They Only Take The Backroads” and Ryan Slate’s altered slide guitar picking in “You Ever Get Punched In The Face For Talking Too Much?” were only a handful of the welcome changes to familiar songs. Frontman Matt Agrella’s voice continues to grow leaps and bounds in confidence and musicianship, and check out his murky trumpet solo on “Just Like Old Times”, the band’s moody answer to “Tomorrow Never Knows”.

Solid and speckled with surprises, Look Mexico’s current live act is bound to satisfy old fans around the globe and hopefully throngs of fresh faces in their new home base of Austin.

Setlist
You Stay.  I Go.  No Following.
They Offered Me A Deal (I Said No, Naturally)
You Ever Get Punched In The Face For Talking Too Much?
Guys, I Need A Helicopter
Call Off Your Lapdog
You’re Not Afraid Of The Dark, Are You?
Take It Upstairs, Einstein
Don’t You Dare.
They Only Take The Backroads
I Live My Life A Quarter Mile At A Time
Just Like Old Times

“When Josh left in February before our release-tour for ‘To Bed To Battle,’ (Ryan) Smith and (Ryan) Slate’s longtime friend Alex Gooding came in like the cavalry and saved our collective ass. He dropped everything and learned all of the songs in three days.  We quickly realized that he was the man for the job. His lifelong study of music combines with his rock steady rhythm to create a palette of stylistic possibilities that we’ve never had until now. We are very excited about his addition to the band.”

Fans should be too. As they continue to support their latest sophomore effort, To Bed To Battle, Look Mexico also unleashed some fresh new tour dates, which takes them across the Midwest and back down home to Austin, TX. If you’re in the area, be sure to step in and say hello.

Look Mexico 2010 Tour Dates
06/04 – Red Deer, AB @The Vat
06/05 – Edmonton, ab @ The Haven Social Club
06/06 – Leduc, AB @ Burnsy O’Flannagan
06/07 – Saskatoon, SK @ The Bisoneer Lounge -
06/08 – Regina, SK @ The Club
06/09 – Winnepeg, MB @ Lo Pub
06/10 – St. Paul, MN @ Eclipse Records
06/11 –  La Crosse, WI @ The Warehouse
06/13 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
07/01 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s (acoustic show)

Simply put, the band sounds angrier. But it’s a balanced anger, a melodic rage that knows when to hold back and then swoop in for dramatic flair at all the right moments.  Lead singer Matt Agrella continues to dabble in the throatier side of his vocals (a balance he found nicely on 2008′s Gasp Asp EP), lead guitarist Ryan Slate alternates between sunny steel lap guitar (“Take It Upstairs, Einstein”) and walls of distortion (the haunting, orchestral “I Live My Life A Quarter Mile At A Time”), bassist Ryan Smith chugs along smoothly and riffs at all the right moments (check out the end of “No Wonder I’m Still Awake”), keyboardist Dave Pinkham tinges everything with an aquatic, ghostly ether, and former drummer Josh Mikel escalates the beat with breakneck adrenaline before hushing back down into a field music fog (you can almost hear the crickets during the first half of “Until The Lights Burn Out?”). Always a steamboat force in the band, he will be sorely missed on their next release.

However, the band’s dire shifts between aggression and sentimentality sometime get the best of them, particularly in the lyrics.  Although there isn’t a single weak track on the album, Agrella’s words often come off as a little too straightforward and melodramatic. Metaphors like “maybe a good friend is like a great story/you can pick up right where you left off” somehow feel both familiar and apathetic, and barbs like “in case you haven’t noticed, I’m wearing black again” are just plain heavy-handed. It’s tough to find that appropriate balance between burdensome, overt language and a vague splatter of lyrics rooted solely in imagery (a habit Agrella fell into on their first album) and to be fair, he manages to achieve it in the words for one of the album’s best tracks, opener and first single “You Stay.  I Go.  No Following.”.  Statements like “Falling through the cracks, we are dodging the radio waves/and thanks to all your promises, we’re picking up extra shifts up these days/and it’s not paying the bills, working for minimum wage” capture a frustration universal enough for listeners to relate to while still containing images that make it distinct, its personal angst and wonderfully cryptic politics reminiscent of Death Cab For Cutie’s We Have The Facts And We’re Voting Yes.

The band recently relocated from their native Tallahassee, FL to Austin, TX (as exhibited in “They Only Take The Backroads”, a soothing, bittersweet tribute to the Sunshine State). It’s familiar territory for them — after all, they’ve had their fair share of SXSW experiences — but it’s a little more rugged and risque than the small town Florida capital. With that in mind, it’ll be interesting (to say the least) to see how the band reacts. Odds are we’re in for a sharper sound and an angrier one, too. Let’s hope it’s not too angry.

Our travels took us to a slew of different showcases and parties with lineups featuring heavy hitters, old favorites, up-and-comers, and relative unknowns. We traveled to Stubbs on Wednesday to watch Sharon Jones bring the funk, Broken Bells make its SXSW debut, and Spoon deliver a hometown show. We checked out acts like Titus Andronicus, We Are Scientists, and Local Natives on Thursday. We ate cookies, played video games, jammed to The Protomen, and hung out with Rock It Out! Blog on Friday, all before stumbling into The Parish and watching Broken Social Scene deliver a two-and-a-half hour set of the week.

Please find the end results below, courtesy of Mr. Alex Young and Mr. Cap Blackard. Until next year Austin, good riddance/we’ll miss you.

Free Energy:
Paste Party, March 17th

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Freelance Whales
Paste Party, March 17th

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Here We Go Magic
Little Radio Presents, March 17th

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Born Ruffians
Canadian Blast, March 17th

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Jason Collett
Body Parts, March 17th

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The Walkmen
Stubbs, March 17th

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Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Stubbs, March 17th

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Broken Bells
Stubbs, March 17th

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Spoon
Stubbs, March 17th

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Shout Out Out Out Out
CoS + Sled Island, March 18th

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Titus Andronicus
CoS + Sled Island, March 18th

[nggallery id=13]

Elevator Fight
Phoenix, March 18th

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The Champman Family
Phoenix, March 18th

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We Are Scientists
Phoenix, March 18th

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Local Natives
Emos, March 18th

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Light Pollution
CoS + Rock It Out! Blog, March 19th

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Surf City
CoS + Rock It Out! Blog, March 19th

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Look Mexico
CoS + Rock It Out! Blog, March 19th

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Sweet Apple
CoS + Rock It Out! Blog, March 19th

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The Protomen
CoS + Rock It Out! Blog, March 19th

[nggallery id=23]

Billy Bragg
Mess With Texas, March 19th

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Zeus
The Parish, March 19th

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Broken Social Scene
The Parish, March 19th

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We should also note that if you’d like to check out South by Southwest from the perspective of a video blogger, you might want to check out the Rock It Out! Blog.

On Wednesday, we’ll team up with our internet buddies Elbo.ws and The Music Slut and the awesome Austin promoters Knuckle Rumbler to help kick off South by Southwest with a bang!

What: Body Parts
Where: Peckerhead’s (402 E. 6th St)
When: Wednesday, March 17th, 1 – 8pm CST
Who: Theophilus London, Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett, The Death Set, Drink Up Buttercup, Acrylics, Gemni Club, Maps & Atlases, The Depreciation Guild, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, and Dignan
Extras: Free So-Co + tacos!
How: Free, but please RSVP

We’re particuarly proud of our Thursday event, and for good reason. We teamed up with one of our favorite music festivals, Calgary’s Sled Island Music Festival, and put together a lineup that rivals all. At least, we and some 4,700 others seem to think so.

What: CoS + Sled Island’s 1st Annual SXSW Day Party
Where: Republic Live (301 W. 5th St)
When: Thursday, March 18th, 12 – 7pm CST
Who: Titus Andronicus, Surfer Blood, Rural Alberta Advantage, Of Montreal’s James Husband, Jukebox the Ghost, Garotas Sueces, Brasstronaut, and Royal Bangs + a ???.
How: Free, but please RSVP. Please note that this event will likely be at-capacity, so we suggest you get there early to ensure entry (First come, first serve).

Then, on Friday, we’ll look to cap it all off with a rather intimate event, personally curated by CoS’ Michael Roffman. “Lo-Fi Friday” presented by CoS and the Rock it Out! Blog, features music that lives up to the events name and lots of cool goods. Plus, we’ll have pizza!

What: CoS + Rock It Out! Blog present: 1st Annual “Lo-Fi Friday”
Where: Republic Live (301 W. 5th St)
When: Friday, March 19th, 12 – 7pm CST
Who: The Protomen, Sweet Apple, Hurricane Bells, Light Pollution, Surf City, Look Mexico, You Say Party! We Say Die!, The Happy Hollows, Male Bonding, and Chaperone
Extras: Blu Energy Drink + 8-bit gaming station + Pizza!
How: Free, but please RSVP.

We hope you can join us! Also, be sure to follow CoS on Twitter for all the latest SXSW updates as well as opportunities to score guest list access to all three of these events.

We should also note that because of our travels, regular programming on the actual website will be limited this week. Please check back next week for a complete recap of both our travels and any news we might have missed. In the meantime, whether you’ll be joining us in Austin or sitting at home in envy, please enjoy your week!

That’s why Consequence of Sound + Rock It Out! Blog put together the “Lo-Fi Friday” lineup! But since its announcement two weeks ago, we’ve beefed it up some. Don’t get us wrong… we want to relax and just enjoy our time, but we also want to go out with a bang. So, in addition to a line up you won’t get anywhere else — The Protomen, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Sweet Apple, Hurricane Bells, The Happy Hollows, Surf City, Look Mexico, Male Bonding, Light Pollution, and Chaperone — we’ve added some party favors.

For one, Blu Energy Drink has been gracious enough to supply the event with cases of liquid adrenaline, which should make survival all the more realistic! And for those who arrive early enough, you’ll be able to share a few slices of pizza with the CoS crew while we watch a raucous performance by Chaperone and Sweet Apple. Throughout the day, we’ll also have a full service bar and a vintage 8-bit gaming station, provided by the wonderful folks at Game Over Videogames. C’mon, who doesn’t want to escape the hard hitting sun and play some Mega Man while refueling and listening to hard-hitting, lo-fi, alt rock?

If you look closely at the lineup, you’ll notice a change, too. We’re now at a 10 band bill, as we’ve added Chicago’s hot up and coming act, Light Pollution! You might not have heard of them yet, but you will over the next few months, especially when their debut surfaces in June via Carpark Records. They not only have an extraordinary and hip sound, but promise to be a spectacle on-stage, too.

Last, but most important of all, the venue is now at Republic Live. This does wonders for us, considering it’s a larger venue and also in a greater location — it’s across the street from Antone’s! We anticipate lots of day traffic and we’re hoping you’re a part of it!

So, if you can pry yourself away from the 129,323,299 other parties and events going down, come give us a holler and see what will undoubtedly be the most unique lineup of the day. Just keep in mind, you haven’t seen anything ’til you’ve seen The Protomen.

Anyhow, here are the details, including the official schedule and RSVP info.

Official Schedule:

12:00: Chaperone
12:30: Sweet Apple
01:00: Male Bonding
01:45: The Happy Hollows
02:30: You Say Party! We Say Die!
03:20: Look Mexico
04:05: Surf City
04:50: Light Pollution
05:35: Hurricane Bells
06:20: The Protomen

RSVP:

Let us know you’re coming and RSVP here (via Facebook).

About the Bands:

The Protomen: An event not to be missed, The Protomen are less a band and more an engaging rock opera. As they insist, “They are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion on their way to deliver the most vicious rock ‘n’ roll fable that the world has even known.” Quite the statement, right? Their message has caught on, however. After last year’s electrifying performances at both Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and New York’s CMJ, where they supported their latest effort Act II: The Father of Death, the Nashville natives plan to take on 2010 with a vengeance. Not only will they be appearing at SXSW, but The Protomen will support their own tour that will take them to the better parts of the midwest. Do not miss what Wired Magazine calls, “unequivocally unique” and “positively inspired.”

You Say Party! We Say Die!: British Columbia has a lot of things going for it these days: The Olympics, actress Cobie Smulder, and of course, indie sensation You Say Party! We Say Die! (aka YSP!WSD!). Having reinvented themselves with their spirited style of New-Wave, and a new depth of material, the band returned recently with their much-anticipated third release, XXXX, which Pitchfork Media calls, “unexpectedly tender.” With sounds that trace back to 80′s favorites The Psychedelic Furs, The Go Gos, and ‘Til Tuesday, YSP!WSD! are an easy favorite on the dance floor, and this year they’ll be putting Americans back there as they tour the States for the first time in several years.

Sweet Apple: Side projects are one thing, but when a band forms out of love, you just gotta respect that. Sweet Apple is the new unit comprised of J. Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.), Tim Parnin and John Petkovic (both of Cobra Verde), and Dave Sweetapple (of Witch). This is not a supergroup, however, nor is it a little side project. It’s a labor of love that worked together as a close pocket of friends, all to create something emotionally-charged and downright honest. The result is their forthcoming debut, Love & Desperation, and while it’s not out ’til April 20th, the band plans to make one hell of a breakthrough at SXSW, which includes a performance at Waterloo Records on March 19th.

“Do You Remember”

Hurricane Bells: After touring the better part of last year around Longwave’s fourth effort, Secrets Are Sinister, Steve Schiltz set up shop to create a new project with little else than his MacBook and an Mbox. He wrote, played, recorded, and mixed every note himself, arranging what would become Tonight Is The Ghost, the debut album of his now new act, Hurricane Bells. It’s taken off tremendously. While a soundtrack inclusion (“Monsters”) to last year’s Twilight: New Moon soundtrack didn’t hurt, the band’s been stirring up a storm for itself, finishing up a tour in India and returning for a spring run of dates, where they’ll be supporting Blue October on a nation-wide tour.

The Happy Hollows: Los Angeles has a good reason to smile lately. In the past, they’ve delivered us some hip-as-hell rock ‘n’ roll (The Doors, Guns N’ Roses), and now they bring us The Happy Hollows. If the band’s current single “High Wire” sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. It’s the ultimately catchy song from the latest Samsung Mobile commercials. The best part? There’s more! The group’s debut, last year’s Spells, gushes of 14 flavorful indie-rock tunes that demand to be heard again and again. It only gets better live, too! That’s why we can’t argue with The Huffington Post, who calls The Happy Hollows, “A Band You’ve Got to See.”

Look Mexico: It’s been a strange and interesting journey for Tallahassee-turned-Austin’s own Look Mexico. After signing with Lujo Records, the band collected a small, but dedicated fan base across the nation that turned them from your favorite local band from another town to your favorite local band in your country. The band’s seen its share of line up changes, but that’s hardly hurt their music. From their debut, This Is Animal Music, to their critically acclaimed EP, Gasp Asp, the band’s swatted away enough drama that would sink the average mainstream act, and their music excels from this. New sounds and new faces make up a brilliant new unit that should make new label Suburban Home very, very proud. And with a highly anticipated sophomore follow up on the way, April’s To Bed To Battle, a recommendation from Alternative Press, and a second appearance at the Harvest of Hope Festival, it’s safe to say these Florida-turned-Texas folk have little to worry.

Surf City: New Zealand’s made some fine exports in the past few years. While we won’t throw any Tolkien references around, we are apt to say it’s a pretty magical place. Surf City is just one great example of its majestic powers. Birthed from a deep influence of The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Beach Boys, and The Zombies, this quartet is exactly what happens when distortion takes a vacation. It’s fast, it’s catchy, and it’s highly addictive. Their EP “broke waves” back in ’08 — Pitchfork Media found it “absolutely charming” — and since then they’ve been hitting the live scene hard, including a tight run through last year’s CMJ. They’re primed to continue this success down in Austin.

Male Bonding: It’s a pretty good day when Sub-Pop calls to pick you up. How do you think Male Bonding felt? The UK trio signed to the legendary Seattle label last year and since then they’ve been turning heads left and right. They’ve taken a traditional garage rock sound and just splintered it into several directions. Everything from grunge to surf-pop riddle their songs, and what’s more, they’re sloppy in all the right ways. It’s lo-fi at its finest and it should come as no surprise that the band’s been opening for the likes of Vivian Girls, Japandroids, Abe Vigoda, and The Soft Pack. Delectable? You’ll be asking for seconds before their set’s even finished.

“Pumpkin”

Light Pollution: While attending Northern Illinois University, Jim Cicero and drummer Matt Evertt shut themselves off from society in a rickety old warehouse. It was there that they tinkered around with enough reverb and distortion to create the hypnotic, psychedelic trance that is now Light Pollution. Since then, the band has expanded into a quartet, adding Nick Sherman and Jed Robertson, and although they’ve only hit the Chicago circuit, they’ve wretched enough eyes to land a label (Carpark Records) and great attention from The Windish Agency. Their first full length, Apparitions, is due out June 15th, and those lucky enough to be in Austin during SXSW would be wise to check out what will inevitably become the next indie sensation.

“Good Feelings”

Chaperone: After disbanding Chicago garage-blues fiesta Blueblood, Thomas Des Enfants swept up the ashes and carved something anew. Tighter, friendlier, and more intimate, Chaperone introduces new faces and an assured sound that draws influences from several eras, though you’re likely to recall The Avett Brothers. Sing-along harmonies and bucket-toting percussion do-see-do over finger licking bass lines that result in irresistable folk-rock. It’s caught on, too. Their unique songs and impassioned live act have generated a growing buzz in the Midwest with each performance, and while Chaperone spent much of 2009 recording, writing, and fine-tuning their set, 2010 will see the release of their EP and the road ahead.

“Witches & Sailors”

About the Venue:

Republic Live is located in Austin, TX at 301 W 5th St. (5th & Lavaca St.). It’s less than a ten minute walk from the Austin Convention Center.

About The Presenters:

Consequence of Sound is a global music publication averaging 50,000 daily page impressions. Now in its third year, CoS sports over 50 contributors, recognition from countless premiere media outlets, and a readership that proves to be one of the most active and dedicated in all of the online music blogosphere. The SXSW day party will also coincide with the launch of a brand new, professionally designed CoS website.

Rock It Out! Blog is a fresh face in the online music community, delivering rock music news from the fan’s perspective. Site owner Sami Jarroush (of Fuse TV fame) has hosted several rock shows on television and radio and with Rock It Out! Blog he brings his talents into the dawning age of video blogging. In its short existence, however, the site has already become a new internet sensation, landing interviews with highly respected talent and partnering up with several online publications. Rock It Out! Blog‘s co-sponsorship with Consequence of Sound marks the first live event for the site and kicks off an exciting year full of things to come.

Game Over Videogames is Austin’s go-to spot for everything vintage video gaming. This store’s aim is to bring classic video games back into the city, and give gamers a top quality, one stop shop for classic video games, systems, accessories, plus the coolest collectibles, t-shirts, etc and more. Game Over Videogames is a true example of how an independent video game store can compete and win against enormous competition and huge obstacles in today’s fragile business climate. The franchise will be heavily involved throughout SXSW, with several in-store promotions and events, including a performance by Descendants of Erdrick on Thursday, March 18th.

The Nerdy Show is a weekly podcast dedicated to nerd culture, nerd news, and nerd music. It’s a celebration of the multifaceted d20 that is the modern nerd presented in a weekly melding of talk radio and music. From comics and video games to science and technology — if it’s geeky they’ve got it covered!

Blu Energy Drink is the best and only choice in energy drinks today, namely because that’s what they set out to do. They strive for quality and with its variety of flavors, they set the bar high for anyone looking to keep the world awake.

But the band’s hip to the current times and they’ve offered their fans a new deal. Now, if fans pre-order the album via Suburban Home, they can get a direct download immediately, in addition to the physical release which is still slated for March 23rd. There are a few other goodies you can grab as well, including deluxe sets which will contain a CD, an LP, a pint glass, a goozie, a poster, a button, and even a t-shirt. Of course, those will probably be for the more die-hard fan.

However, if you already downloaded the album, and feel slightly guilty about it (considering they’re still a small indie act), you can donate some cash and help ‘em out while they’re on the road. Speaking of which…

Look Mexico 2010 Tour Dates:
03/03 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
03/04 – Charlotte, NC @ The Casbah
03/05 – Raleigh, NC @ Tira Na Nog
03/06 – Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club
03/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Balcony of Trocadero
03/08 – Boston, MA @ Middle East
03/10 – New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
03/11 – New Brunswick, NJ @ Court Tavern
03/12 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox
03/13 – St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope
03/14 – St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope
03/16 – Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s
03/19 – Austin, TX @ Republic Live (CoS & Rock It Out! Blog’s Lo-Fi Friday Day Party)

We’re pretty jazzed about SXSW — as if you couldn’t tell — and this year we’re really making the best of it. Since we’re not throwing our own showcase, we decided to “go all out” and take advantage of every day we’re down in Austin, TX. As promised last week, we have three events planned, and while you’re all well aware of Thursday’s festivities, we thought we’d splurge about our “relaxing” Friday plans.

Teaming up with the ever popular Rock It Out! Blog, we’re proud to present the line up for our first annual joint day party, which all goes down Friday, March 19th at Republic Live. This year’s festivities will feature a lineup made of some of the hottest up-and-coming outfits in music, including — second drum roll, please — The Protomen, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Sweet Apple, Hurricane Bells, The Happy Hollows, Look Mexico, Surf City, Male Bonding, Light Pollution, and Chaperone!

And as usual, the entire event will be free!

That said, the capacity for the event will be limited to 500 or so lucky individuals, so it’s probably a good idea to get there early in order to guarantee admission for this very, very intimate affair. Doors will open at 12pm and the party will run until roughly 5:30pm.

If that weren’t enough, the event will also be sponsored by The Nerdy Show and Game Over Videogames, who will be handing out exclusive coupons and setting up a vintage gaming station, where attendees can play classic 8-bit NES games — especially each Mega Man installment, in keeping with The Protomen theme.

Additional details, including set times, accommodations (Liquor! Red Bull! Waffles!), will be announced in the weeks ahead. We may also provide a few opportunities to get on the guest list. So, stay tuned!

Scroll down for band bios and venue information! How sweet of us, huh?

About the Bands:

The Protomen: An event not to be missed, The Protomen are less a band and more an engaging rock opera. As they insist, “They are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion on their way to deliver the most vicious rock ‘n’ roll fable that the world has even known.” Quite the statement, right? Their message has caught on, however. After last year’s electrifying performances at both Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and New York’s CMJ, where they supported their latest effort Act II: The Father of Death, the Nashville natives plan to take on 2010 with a vengeance. Not only will they be appearing at SXSW, but The Protomen will support their own tour that will take them to the better parts of the midwest. Do not miss what Wired Magazine calls, “unequivocally unique” and “positively inspired.”

You Say Party! We Say Die!: British Columbia has a lot of things going for it these days: The Olympics, actress Cobie Smulder, and of course, indie sensation You Say Party! We Say Die! (aka YSP!WSD!). Having reinvented themselves with their spirited style of New-Wave, and a new depth of material, the band returned recently with their much-anticipated third release, XXXX, which Pitchfork Media calls, “unexpectedly tender.” With sounds that trace back to 80′s favorites The Psychedelic Furs, The Go Gos, and ‘Til Tuesday, YSP!WSD! are an easy favorite on the dance floor, and this year they’ll be putting Americans back there as they tour the States for the first time in several years.

Sweet Apple: Side projects are one thing, but when a band forms out of love, you just gotta respect that. Sweet Apple is the new unit comprised of J. Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.), Tim Parnin and John Petkovic (both of Cobra Verde), and Dave Sweetapple (of Witch). This is not a supergroup, however, nor is it a little side project. It’s a labor of love that worked together as a close pocket of friends, all to create something emotionally-charged and downright honest. The result is their forthcoming debut, Love & Desperation, and while it’s not out ’til April 20th, the band plans to make one hell of a breakthrough at SXSW, which includes a performance at Waterloo Records on March 19th.

“Do You Remember”

Hurricane Bells: After touring the better part of last year around Longwave’s fourth effort, Secrets Are Sinister, Steve Schiltz set up shop to create a new project with little else than his MacBook and an Mbox. He wrote, played, recorded, and mixed every note himself, arranging what would become Tonight Is The Ghost, the debut album of his now new act, Hurricane Bells. It’s taken off tremendously. While a soundtrack inclusion (“Monsters”) to last year’s Twilight: New Moon soundtrack didn’t hurt, the band’s been stirring up a storm for itself, finishing up a tour in India and returning for a spring run of dates, where they’ll be supporting Blue October on a nation-wide tour.

The Happy Hollows: Los Angeles has a good reason to smile lately. In the past, they’ve delivered us some hip-as-hell rock ‘n’ roll (The Doors, Guns N’ Roses), and now they bring us The Happy Hollows. If the band’s current single “High Wire” sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. It’s the ultimately catchy song from the latest Samsung Mobile commercials. The best part? There’s more! The group’s debut, last year’s Spells, gushes of 14 flavorful indie-rock tunes that demand to be heard again and again. It only gets better live, too! That’s why we can’t argue with The Huffington Post, who calls The Happy Hollows, “A Band You’ve Got to See.”

Look Mexico: It’s been a strange and interesting journey for Tallahassee-turned-Austin’s own Look Mexico. After signing with Lujo Records, the band collected a small, but dedicated fan base across the nation that turned them from your favorite local band from another town to your favorite local band in your country. The band’s seen its share of line up changes, but that’s hardly hurt their music. From their debut, This Is Animal Music, to their critically acclaimed EP, Gasp Asp, the band’s swatted away enough drama that would sink the average mainstream act, and their music excels from this. New sounds and new faces make up a brilliant new unit that should make new label Suburban Home very, very proud. And with a highly anticipated sophomore follow up on the way, April’s To Bed To Battle, a recommendation from Alternative Press, and a second appearance at the Harvest of Hope Festival, it’s safe to say these Florida-turned-Texas folk have little to worry.

Surf City: New Zealand’s made some fine exports in the past few years. While we won’t throw any Tolkien references around, we are apt to say it’s a pretty magical place. Surf City is just one great example of its majestic powers. Birthed from a deep influence of The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Beach Boys, and The Zombies, this quartet is exactly what happens when distortion takes a vacation. It’s fast, it’s catchy, and it’s highly addictive. Their EP “broke waves” back in ’08 — Pitchfork Media found it “absolutely charming” — and since then they’ve been hitting the live scene hard, including a tight run through last year’s CMJ. They’re primed to continue this success down in Austin.

Male Bonding: It’s a pretty good day when Sub-Pop calls to pick you up. How do you think Male Bonding felt? The UK trio signed to the legendary Seattle label last year and since then they’ve been turning heads left and right. They’ve taken a traditional garage rock sound and just splintered it into several directions. Everything from grunge to surf-pop riddle their songs, and what’s more, they’re sloppy in all the right ways. It’s lo-fi at its finest and it should come as no surprise that the band’s been opening for the likes of Vivian Girls, Japandroids, Abe Vigoda, and The Soft Pack. Delectable? You’ll be asking for seconds before their set’s even finished.

“Pumpkin”

Light Pollution: While attending Northern Illinois University, Jim Cicero and drummer Matt Evertt shut themselves off from society in a rickety old warehouse. It was there that they tinkered around with enough reverb and distortion to create the hypnotic, psychedelic trance that is now Light Pollution. Since then, the band has expanded into a quartet, adding Nick Sherman and Jed Robertson, and although they’ve only hit the Chicago circuit, they’ve wretched enough eyes to land a label (Carpark Records) and great attention from The Windish Agency. Their first full length, Apparitions, is due out June 15th, and those lucky enough to be in Austin during SXSW would be wise to check out what will inevitably become the next indie sensation.

“Hand Crushes the Wheel”

Chaperone: After disbanding Chicago garage-blues fiesta Blueblood, Thomas Des Enfants swept up the ashes and carved something anew. Tighter, friendlier, and more intimate, Chaperone introduces new faces and an assured sound that draws influences from several eras, though you’re likely to recall The Avett Brothers. Sing-along harmonies and bucket-toting percussion do-see-do over finger licking bass lines that result in irresistable folk-rock. It’s caught on, too. Their unique songs and impassioned live act have generated a growing buzz in the Midwest with each performance, and while Chaperone spent much of 2009 recording, writing, and fine-tuning their set, 2010 will see the release of their EP and the road ahead.

“Witches & Sailors”

About the Venue:

Republic Live is located in Austin, TX at 301 W 5th St. (5th & Lavaca St.). It’s less than a ten minute walk from the Austin Convention Center.

About The Presenters:

Consequence of Sound is a global music publication averaging 50,000 daily page impressions. Now in its third year, CoS sports over 50 contributors, recognition from countless premiere media outlets, and a readership that proves to be one of the most active and dedicated in all of the online music blogosphere. The SXSW day party will also coincide with the launch of a brand new, professionally designed CoS website.

Rock It Out! Blog is a fresh face in the online music community, delivering rock music news from the fan’s perspective. Site owner Sami Jarroush (of Fuse TV fame) has hosted several rock shows on television and radio and with Rock It Out! Blog he brings his talents into the dawning age of video blogging. In its short existence, however, the site has already become a new internet sensation, landing interviews with highly respected talent and partnering up with several online publications. Rock It Out! Blog‘s co-sponsorship with Consequence of Sound marks the first live event for the site and kicks off an exciting year full of things to come.

Game Over Videogames is Austin’s go-to spot for everything vintage video gaming. This store’s aim is to bring classic video games back into the city, and give gamers a top quality, one stop shop for classic video games, systems, accessories, plus the coolest collectibles, t-shirts, etc and more. Game Over Videogames is a true example of how an independent video game store can compete and win against enormous competition and huge obstacles in today’s fragile business climate. The franchise will be heavily involved throughout SXSW, with several in-store promotions and events, including a performance by Descendants of Erdrick on Thursday, March 18th.

The Nerdy Show is a weekly podcast dedicated to nerd culture, nerd news, and nerd music. It’s a celebration of the multifaceted d20 that is the modern nerd presented in a weekly melding of talk radio and music. From comics and video games to science and technology — if it’s geeky they’ve got it covered!

]]> Update: Venue change! The party will now be located at Republic Live -- details below, including updated poster! We're pretty jazzed about SXSW -- as if you couldn't tell -- and this year we're really making the best of it. Since we're not throwing our own showcase, we decided to "go all out" and take advantage of every day we're down in Austin, TX. As promised last week, we have three events planned, and while you're all well aware of Thursday's festivities, we thought we'd splurge about our "relaxing" Friday plans. Teaming up with the ever popular Rock It Out! Blog, we're proud to present the line up for our first annual joint day party, which all goes down Friday, March 19th at Republic Live. This year’s festivities will feature a lineup made of some of the hottest up-and-coming outfits in music, including — second drum roll, please — The Protomen, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Sweet Apple, Hurricane Bells, The Happy Hollows, Look Mexico, Surf City, Male Bonding, Light Pollution, and Chaperone! And as usual, the entire event will be free! That said, the capacity for the event will be limited to 500 or so lucky individuals, so it’s probably a good idea to get there early in order to guarantee admission for this very, very intimate affair. Doors will open at 12pm and the party will run until roughly 5:30pm. If that weren't enough, the event will also be sponsored by The Nerdy Show and Game Over Videogames, who will be handing out exclusive coupons and setting up a vintage gaming station, where attendees can play classic 8-bit NES games -- especially each Mega Man installment, in keeping with The Protomen theme. Additional details, including set times, accommodations (Liquor! Red Bull! Waffles!), will be announced in the weeks ahead. We may also provide a few opportunities to get on the guest list. So, stay tuned! Scroll down for band bios and venue information! How sweet of us, huh? About the Bands: The Protomen: An event not to be missed, The Protomen are less a band and more an engaging rock opera. As they insist, "They are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion on their way to deliver the most vicious rock 'n' roll fable that the world has even known." Quite the statement, right? Their message has caught on, however. After last year's electrifying performances at both Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and New York's CMJ, where they supported their latest effort Act II: The Father of Death, the Nashville natives plan to take on 2010 with a vengeance. Not only will they be appearing at SXSW, but The Protomen will support their own tour that will take them to the better parts of the midwest. Do not miss what Wired Magazine calls, "unequivocally unique" and "positively inspired." You Say Party! We Say Die!: British Columbia has a lot of things going for it these days: The Olympics, actress Cobie Smulder, and of course, indie sensation You Say Party! We Say Die! (aka YSP!WSD!). Having reinvented themselves with their spirited style of New-Wave, and a new depth of material, the band returned recently with their much-anticipated third release, XXXX, which Pitchfork Media calls, "unexpectedly tender." With sounds that trace back to 80's favorites The Psychedelic Furs, The Go Gos, and 'Til Tuesday, YSP!WSD! are an easy favorite on the dance floor, and this year they'll be putting Americans back there as they tour the States for the first time in several years. Sweet Apple: Side projects are one thing, but when a band forms out of love, you just gotta respect that. Sweet Apple is the new unit comprised of J. Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.), Tim Parnin and John Petkovic (both of Cobra Verde), and Dave Sweetapple (of Witch). This is not a supergroup, however, nor is it a little side project. It's a labor of love that worked together as a close pocket of friends, all to create something emotionally-charged and downright honest. The result is their forthcoming debut, Love & Desperation, and while it's not out 'til April 20th, the band plans to make one hell of a breakthrough at SXSW, which includes a performance at Waterloo Records on March 19th. "Do You Remember" Hurricane Bells: After touring the better part of last year around Longwave's fourth effort, Secrets Are Sinister, Steve Schiltz set up shop to create a new project with little else than his MacBook and an Mbox. He wrote, played, recorded, and mixed every note himself, arranging what would become Tonight Is The Ghost, the debut album of his now new act, Hurricane Bells. It's taken off tremendously. While a soundtrack inclusion ("Monsters") to last year's Twilight: New Moon soundtrack didn't hurt, the band's been stirring up a storm for itself, finishing up a tour in India and returning for a spring run of dates, where they'll be supporting Blue October on a nation-wide tour. The Happy Hollows: Los Angeles has a good reason to smile lately. In the past, they've delivered us some hip-as-hell rock 'n' roll (The Doors, Guns N' Roses), and now they bring us The Happy Hollows. If the band's current single "High Wire" sounds familiar, there's a good reason. It's the ultimately catchy song from the latest Samsung Mobile commercials. The best part? There's more! The group's debut, last year's Spells, gushes of 14 flavorful indie-rock tunes that demand to be heard again and again. It only gets better live, too! That's why we can't argue with The Huffington Post, who calls The Happy Hollows, "A Band You've Got to See." Look Mexico: It's been a strange and interesting journey for Tallahassee-turned-Austin's own Look Mexico. After signing with Lujo Records, the band collected a small, but dedicated fan base across the nation that turned them from your favorite local band from another town to your favorite local band in your country. The band's seen its share of line up changes, but that's hardly hurt their music. From their debut, This Is Animal Music, to their critically acclaimed EP, Gasp Asp, the band's swatted away enough drama that would sink the average mainstream act, and their music excels from this. New sounds and new faces make up a brilliant new unit that should make new label Suburban Home very, very proud. And with a highly anticipated sophomore follow up on the way, April's To Bed To Battle, a recommendation from Alternative Press, and a second appearance at the Harvest of Hope Festival, it's safe to say these Florida-turned-Texas folk have little to worry. Surf City: New Zealand's made some fine exports in the past few years. While we won't throw any Tolkien references around, we are apt to say it's a pretty magical place. Surf City is just one great example of its majestic powers. Birthed from a deep influence of The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Beach Boys, and The Zombies, this quartet is exactly what happens when distortion takes a vacation. It's fast, it's catchy, and it's highly addictive. Their EP "broke waves" back in '08 -- Pitchfork Media found it "absolutely charming" -- and since then they've been hitting the live scene hard, including a tight run through last year's CMJ. They're primed to continue this success down in Austin. Male Bonding: It's a pretty good day when Sub-Pop calls to pick you up. How do you think Male Bonding felt? The UK trio signed to the legendary Seattle label last year and since then they've been turning heads left and right. They've taken a traditional garage rock sound and just splintered it into several directions. Everything from grunge to surf-pop riddle their songs, and what's more, they're sloppy in all the right ways. It's lo-fi at its finest and it should come as no surprise that the band's been opening for the likes of Vivian Girls, Japandroids, Abe Vigoda, and The Soft Pack. Delectable? You'll be asking for seconds before their set's even finished. "Pumpkin" Light Pollution: While attending Northern Illinois University, Jim Cicero and drummer Matt Evertt shut themselves off from society in a rickety old warehouse. It was there that they tinkered around with enough reverb and distortion to create the hypnotic, psychedelic trance that is now Light Pollution. Since then, the band has expanded into a quartet, adding Nick Sherman and Jed Robertson, and although they've only hit the Chicago circuit, they've wretched enough eyes to land a label (Carpark Records) and great attention from The Windish Agency. Their first full length, Apparitions, is due out June 15th, and those lucky enough to be in Austin during SXSW would be wise to check out what will inevitably become the next indie sensation. "Hand Crushes the Wheel" Chaperone: After disbanding Chicago garage-blues fiesta Blueblood, Thomas Des Enfants swept up the ashes and carved something anew. Tighter, friendlier, and more intimate, Chaperone introduces new faces and an assured sound that draws influences from several eras, though you're likely to recall The Avett Brothers. Sing-along harmonies and bucket-toting percussion do-see-do over finger licking bass lines that result in irresistable folk-rock. It's caught on, too. Their unique songs and impassioned live act have generated a growing buzz in the Midwest with each performance, and while Chaperone spent much of 2009 recording, writing, and fine-tuning their set, 2010 will see the release of their EP and the road ahead. "Witches & Sailors" About the Venue: Republic Live is located in Austin, TX at 301 W 5th St. (5th & Lavaca St.). It’s less than a ten minute walk from the Austin Convention Center. About The Presenters: Consequence of Sound is a global music publication averaging 50,000 daily page impressions. Now in its third year, CoS sports over 50 contributors, recognition from countless premiere media outlets, and a readership that proves to be one of the most active and dedicated in all of the online music blogosphere. The SXSW day party will also coincide with the launch of a brand new, professionally designed CoS website. Rock It Out! Blog is a fresh face in the online music community, delivering rock music news from the fan's perspective. Site owner Sami Jarroush (of Fuse TV fame) has hosted several rock shows on television and radio and with Rock It Out! Blog he brings his talents into the dawning age of video blogging. In its short existence, however, the site has already become a new internet sensation, landing interviews with highly respected talent and partnering up with several online publications. Rock It Out! Blog's co-sponsorship with Consequence of Sound marks the first live event for the site and kicks off an exciting year full of things to come. Game Over Videogames is Austin's go-to spot for everything vintage video gaming. This store's aim is to bring classic video games back into the city, and give gamers a top quality, one stop shop for classic video games, systems, accessories, plus the coolest collectibles, t-shirts, etc and more. Game Over Videogames is a true example of how an independent video game store can compete and win against enormous competition and huge obstacles in today's fragile business climate. The franchise will be heavily involved throughout SXSW, with several in-store promotions and events, including a performance by Descendants of Erdrick on Thursday, March 18th. The Nerdy Show is a weekly podcast dedicated to nerd culture, nerd news, and nerd music. It's a celebration of the multifaceted d20 that is the modern nerd presented in a weekly melding of talk radio and music. From comics and video games to science and technology -- if it's geeky they've got it covered! ]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/02/cos-rock-it-out-blog-reveal-2010-sxsw-day-party-lineup-mr/feed/ 9 http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/02/watch-look-mexicos-you-stay-i-go-no-following-cos-premiere/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/02/watch-look-mexicos-you-stay-i-go-no-following-cos-premiere/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:35:40 +0000 Michael Roffman http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=24738 We’re still a month or two away until Look Mexico unveils its sophomore effort, To Bed To Battle, but the band’s doing a pretty good job at keeping us busy. Last week, we revealed that they’d be issuing an exclusive 7″ single, and now they’re back with a music video to kick around, as well. How’s that for being downright wholesome? Well, maybe just smart in terms of PR, but let’s give ‘em the benefit of the doubt.

Directed by Bobby Marinelli and drummer Joshua Mikel, “You Stay. I Go. No Following” finds the band hunting in the dangerous, boggy Floridian wilderness. But, wait… aren’t these self-respected indie-rockers benevolent to nature? Of course they are, but it’s not the idea of hunting that’s wrong, it’s what you hunt for — right? Right? Regardless, follow the adventurers and you’ll be sure to scream, scowl, and most likely laugh. Also, don’t forget to stick around for the video’s prime, non-sexual “money shot”. It’s well worth the watch. However, beware folks, the song’s downright catchy.

Sigh, that March 23rd release date can’t come soon enough.

Look Mexico has also announced dates for a spring tour, which will be highlighted by an appearance at next month’s Harvest of Hope festival. Find all scheduled dates below.

Look Mexico 2010 Tour Dates:
02/21 – Austin, TX @ Red 7
02/24 – Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder
02/25 – Gainesville, FL @ 1982 Bar
02/26 – Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
02/27 – Brandon, FL @ The Porch (early show)
02/27 – Tampa, FL @ New World Brewery (late show)
02/28 – St. Augustine, FL @ Limelight
03/02 – Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge
03/03 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
03/04 – Charlotte, NC @ The Casbah
03/05 – Raleigh, NC @ Tira Na Nog
03/06 – Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club
03/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Balcony of Trocadero
03/08 – Boston, MA @ Middle East
03/10 – New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
03/11 – New Brunswick, NJ @ Court Tavern
03/12 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox
03/13 – St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope
03/14 – St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope
03/16 – Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s

With 10 tracks to tap to (say that ten times fast), the new LP promises a lot — at least according to the band’s press release. As it states, “To Bed To Battle ranges musically from anthemic pop/rock and explosive ballads, to alternately edgy and dreamy math-rock, to blistering, barreling modern rock, and even acoustic, chamber pop-laced Americana.” What’s it all about? The record “deals with struggle and pressing on in the face of adversity.”

Considering the band’s been holed up in the studio (a converted pizza shop’s basement, no less), this release should let out some tension. Look for it to hit streets March 23rd on Suburban Home Records. In the meantime, head on over to the label’s website to pre-order the single for “You Stay. I Go. No Following.”, which contains the B-side “They Only Take The Backroads”. It’s available in a variety of formats, everything from digital to rare 7″ vinyls — in assorted colors, no less!

Saving money? Listen below. (via AbsolutePunk.net)

Check Out:
“You Stay. I Go. No Following.”

To Bed To Battle Tracklist:
01. You Stay. I Go. No Following.
02. No Wonder I’m Still Awake
03. Take It Upstairs, Einstein
04. I Live My Life A Quarter Mile At A Time
05. Until The Lights Burn Out?
06. They Offered Me A Deal (I Said No, Naturally)
07. Get In There, Brother!
08. They Only Take The Backroads
09. Time For You To Go Do Your Own Thing
10. Just Like Old Times

Look Mexico 2010 Tour Dates:
02/21 – Austin, TX @ Red 7
02/26 – Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
02/27 – Brandon, FL @ The Porch (early show)
03/02 – Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge

Yes, the boys return with To Bed To Battle, their second full length album and their first with new label Suburban Home. Pretty exciting, huh? It is. If you’ve been following their MySpace updates and personal band blog, then you’ll know this record is going to be pretty damn special. The same goes for the tour, which has taken them everywhere from the Rockies in Denver to the ball busting confines of TX to the belt bursting girth that is the Midwest.

No release date yet, but the band insists to expect the forthcoming release before the year wraps up. Until then, catch ‘em on the tour, as they’ll be flooding the set lists with new material. They’re also decent conversationalists, too, so that’s an incentive to see ‘em, right?

Oh, we’re not partial.

Look Mexico Fall 2009 Tour
09/15 - San Antonio, TX @ The Ten Eleven
09/16 - Austin, TX @ Emo’s
09/17 - Fort Worth, TX @ Lola’s on 6th
09/18 - Dallas, TX @ Mokah
09/19 - Waco, TX @ Art Ambush
09/23 - Cincinnati, OH @ Know Theater
09/24 - Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Festival
09/25 - Grayslake, IL @ Oasis
09/26 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s
09/29 - Chattanooga, TN @ The Warehouse

Friday, March 20th:

It’s hard to cover Friday without sounding self-aggrandizing, so bear with us. Truth be told, CoS had too much going on to really reach out to anything else. With our Brodown Hoedown party taking up the majority of the day and the Listen! showcase stealing away the night, any other festivities took backseat for us, which is somewhat unfortunate given that the likes of Dinosaur Jr., The Hold Steady, DEVO, and even Metallica took the reigns of Austin for a night. But we weren’t crying, we didn’t have much time to, and that’s not to gloat, that’s just stating mere fact.

The fun kicked off a little past noon at the Back Alley Social when eclectic indie rockers Princeton kicked things off with a musically rich set. Of course, with 10 bands scheduled to play within a fiveish hour quota, impressions had to be made quick, something neither Princeton, nor most of the other Brodown participants had much trouble in doing.

A bit of Chi-Town followed as Sybris introduced Austin to its flourishing, Blondie-approved rock melodies, while the soulful Waitsian-esque John Wesley Myers, a Texas-born son of a preacher man, and his Black Diamond Heavies brought the dirt, grind, and some of the heaviest rhythms around.

Because of some time commitments, Gringo Star had to switch time slots and play a shorter set. That didn’t stop the Atlanta quartet from delivering a short but sweet set. The syrupy Southern psychedelia felt good as the afternoon settled in, and brothers Peter and Nicholas Furgiuele led the band through the new hits, including the always catchy “All ‘Yall”. The rockers clad in black might have kept things to a minimum, but they walked off the stage as if they had just played an hour and change.

After a long drive from the sunny confines of Tallahassee, FL, Look Mexico pulled up to the front of the Back Alley Social with their larger than life yet eco-friendly van. The drive didn’t seem to stunt their performance, as it was packed with adrenaline and energy — though, they did have an endless supply of Amp in their trunk. It certainly helped, considering the balmy air that drifted in from the venue’s open doors. Drummer Joshua Mikel felt the heat midway through, playing shirtless in the congested corner of the stage, and hardly stopped once in the set’s unfortunately quick twenty-five minutes. Singer Matt Agrella kept a tight key, nailing down most of the hits off of last year’s Gasp Asp, while Dave Pinkham fooled around with just about every instrument. The addition of Pinkham, Ryan Slate and Ryan Smith has done wonders for the Florida act, and the new material off their forthcoming LP is the band’s best yet, hinting at a potential breakthrough in the coming future.

Backed by only a laptop, a shot of Jim Bean, and enough energy to make all us tired on lookers watch in envy, Astronautalis bounced around both the stage and bar top as he offered a set featuring both songs from his recently released album, Pomegrante, and on-the-spot freestyles. Atlanta all female outfit The Coathangers followed with a quick 20 minutes of spunky punk anthems, while Catfish Haven dished out its psychedelic driven guitar riffs and a sound that perhaps could best be described as a mix between Michael McDonald and Dinosaur Jr.

Unfortunately as time dried up, Chicago’s Blueblood had to make do with a smaller set, and a somewhat rushed environment. It’s a shame really, because the bluesy, soulful sound was kind to the ears. The timing didn’t stop frontman M. Quinn Des Enfants from releasing all he had into the mic. On a song like “The Faster We Lived”, Enfants howled to epic heights, bringing to mind TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe. From behind some Wayfarers, guitarist Mark Bachara kicked things up a notch, while bassist Shaun Paul Jones and drummer Thomas J. Des Enfantshed a tight rhythm section. For what it was worth, they made it shine.

With wife Rachel Ray busy prepping for her own party, husband John Cusimano and The Cringe took to the Back Alley Social to shell out their bar rock infused melodies. Sure, there was no mac ‘n’ cheese or margaritas, but let’s just say the whole thing reminded us of something you’d see on the porch of Apple Bee’s on a Thursday night…

Following a quick walk down sixth street and stops at CVS and the Pita Pit, Consequence of Sound arrived at the Wave for our official showcase. Considering the eclectic nature of the evening’s bill, the showcase offered an opportunity for SXSW’ers to take in sounds and styles from all backgrounds and genres, an attribute that certainly look to draw in a crowd – at least from our perspective.

In the rather Jimmy Buffett-like confines of Austin’s Wave, Canadian rapper, Shad, stirred up enough energy to get things rolling for our Listen! showcase. The crowd surrounded the stage, consisting mostly of indie-music-loving hipsters that found the smooth rhyming rapper highly accessible. Songs “Compromise” and “I Don’t Like To” went over well, and everyone reacted accordingly to the rapper’s demands (e.g. hands in the air, various clapping, etc). Members of Hey Ocean backed the rapper and provided some live bass and drum beats, though much credit should be given to mixer DJ Teelo, who kept things moving nonstop, leaving little to no dead air space.

Things switched drastically when Eksi Ekso came on after. What’s surprising is the Boston sextet set up remarkably fast. Given their drastic set up (e.g. violins, flugelhorns, trumpets, and keys), the fifteen minutes it took to get things rolling was quite impressive. It was a clever turnabout, however, and the act’s moody ambiance (think Arcade Fire meets the Gutter Twins) held its own. Much of the crowd huddled in front of the group, whose rising and falling sounds could have otherwise been seen as a downer in comparison to Shad’s more engaging beats and rhymes. Though he wore an apprehensive frown most of the time, vocalist Nate Shumaker was modestly pleasant with the crowd’s reactions, and the set turned quite fruitful for the Bostonians.

While the island flavor and lively atmosphere of the Wave seemed to favor Shad’s energetic performance, the low-fi melodies of The Tiny seemed lost in it. Patrons at the front of the venue came off too loud, which made for an awkward atmosphere for the songs to find life in. It wasn’t the group’s fault by any means, though. The Swedish duo, consisting of pianist/vocalist Ellekari Larsson and cellist Leo Svensson, were remarkable. Their timid yet emotional songwriting is by far some of the most underrated material out there, and despite the scene, the two seemed absorbed in it. Svensson showed off his chops, nailing his cello parts, in addition to creating some eerie if not ambient sounds with a saw. The crowd might have been meager, but several fans were in attendance, and one even called out a request, the 2004 single “Closer”. Things ended a bit abruptly when Larsson, from behind her vintage Wurlitzer, smiled and waved everyone adieu.

Any remnants of the simplicity left by The Tiny were all but destroyed once Birmingham, Alabama’s 13ghosts took the stage. Furious alt-country rifts electrified flowed, or should we say, crushed throughout the wave as the band made its way through a 45 minute set, consisting mostly of material from 2008′s The Strangest Colored Lights.

If you’re a longtime reader of CoS, you probably know that we and Kittens Ablaze go way back, so perhaps it was only appropriate that the Brooklynites not only closed their set with “Wandering Sound”, a song the group first debuted on CoS’ One Year Anniversary mixtape, but celebrate their first and only performance of the SXSW week with the smashing of Michelle Young’s cello. Yes, Kittens Ablaze actually destroyed a cello on stage. If that didn’t make an impression of the large crowd gathered, surely the rest of the sounds played from the recently released The Monstorus Vanguard did.

With a Ben Kweller-like sound and a David Lee Roth-like look, Robbert Harrison and Future Clouds & Radar closed out the evening with a bit of Texas flavored alt-rock. Guitar solos were a common sight, as were catchy hooks in songs like “Eighteen Months” and “Feet on Grass”. If anything, Future Clouds & Radar made the 1 a.m. set time almost forgettable.

Saturday, March 21st:

Things started out hot, humid and garlicky on Saturday. Out on Austin’s city limits (literally), New Jersey’s own The Bouncing Souls held an early secret show at The Parlour, complete with acoustic guitars, tired punk rockers, and lots and lots of pizza. Originally scheduled for noon, the doors opened an hour and a half later, and within minutes, every fan was munching on a spinach, cheese, or pepperoni slice. It might seem odd to describe a punk show as “cute,” but it’s really proper here. When Greg Attonito sat down on his chair and started pumping out acoustic tunes, several fans closed in, sitting down Indian-style with greasy slices in hand. A few guests brought children, too. It was surreal. Tattooed, leather-clad punk rockers bobbed their heads to Brian Kienlen’s bass lines while their children danced about to Attonito’s catchy choruses. Cute. Mid-way through the thirty minute set, the band took some requests, which had fans shouting out various tracks from their now sprawling twenty-two year career. It was somewhat confusing, but eventually they chiseled the shouts out down to a select few, nailing down “’87″ off their ’99 album Hopeless Romantic and the rather fitting “The Pizza Song” from their last album, 2006′s The Gold Record. Twenty plus years later, these Jersey boys still know how to kick it like kids.

Back in town, things were already wi-wi-wild n’ crazy. It was Saturday, after all. With a sterile blue sky and a happy go lucky sun to boot, writers, fans and industry-alike took note and cluttered the ever popular 6th Street. Bars were bustling, beer bellies were getting some sun, and even “horse cops” were out on patrol. The most popular event of the day, without a doubt, was Rachel Ray’s Feedback Party at Maggie Mae’s. People love their food…and their Hold Steady, New York Dolls, Ra Ra Riot and The Thermals. With a killer lineup and a celebrity guest (the chef herself), Maggie Mae’s was stacked from top to bottom, and the line for those with media badges and wristbands wrapped around the block for a good half a mile. Needless to say, those who attended should have felt very, very special.

Across the street, however, Slip Productions held a day party, Slip+Lovitt=love, at the always awesome Radio Room. Sweating behind the venue’s scum stained, glass storefront, Chicago’s Auxes twisted through a grungy twenty-five minute set with not a second to spare. It was a mid-day gem. Singer-guitarist Dave Laney sang with a heart that belongs to Cursive’s Tim Kasher and a mug that might be mistaken for Paul Westerberg, leading his trio through a plethora of tunes. “Radio Radio”, off their current release Sunshine, went over well. The scatterbrain guitar work (thank you Fender Telecaster Deluxes), alongside the static drumming just felt right. It wasn’t tight by any means, but that’s not the point. Keep a close look out for these gentlemen, especially if you’re in the market to release some pent up angst.

The term indie-rock is misleading and quite possibly the industry’s worst mistake since the ’90s “grunge” label, but regardless, it’s a roundabout category that’s used day after day to generalize something that, well, sometimes is just general. Silver Scooter fits that category. Out on the Radio Room’s back patio, the Austin quartet held a hefty crowd, which seemed odd, as they carry a staple sound that isn’t too exciting. Singer Scott Garred looks and sounds like a bored Rivers Cuomo, while the band itself is a tad stock. It’s unfortunate. The lyrics are intriguing and the song’s seem inviting. Lyrically, “Albert Hall” is a very well written tune, and Garred’s introduction was exciting. He digressed on how the song was named after a dog, of which was named after the recording studio they cut their album at, but when it came down to it, the end product was stale. Even the following song “Dinosaur” proved interesting lyrically, but dull musically — sounding oddly alike Death Cab for Cutie (think: The Photo Album). Regardless, with some more energy, this quartet could do some damage on the indie circuit.

Back inside, Ben Davis & the Jets, which included two members of Auxes, quickly jumped into a short stint. The atmospheric rock sounded vaguely like Sparta a la Porcelain-era, but on stage, it was a quick bore. It was somewhat of a clutter too, and not in the positive sense that made Auxes work. Throughout their set, and back on the patio, post-hardcore New Yorkers, The Van Pelt, put out some music that seemed quite typical of its genre. The act, who broke up in 1997, was a popular choice by the organizer, but the crowd didn’t seem to share her sense of flavor.

Down the street, in the comfortable, air-conditioned confines of the Austin Convention Center, Liverpool’s very excellent Echo & the Bunnymen performed a forty-two minute set for SXSW Live!, a taped event that streamed live for Direct TV. Frontman and former rhythm guitarist Ian McCulloch stepped to the mic, and despite his signature shades, one could tell the Brit was enjoying himself at the festival. “I love being in America,” he said. “It always seems to bring out the best of us.” While awkwardly waiting for the live feed to kick in, McCulloch mumbled a few things to the capacity-filled crowd. Eventually, they started up, opening with the pivotal “Rescue”, which continued with the mellow rocker “Seven Seas”. Lead guitarist Will Sergeant spit out some excellent licks, committing the past tunes to bolder, more accentuated terms. This idea came to fruition with their past chart topper, “The Cutter”, which seems epic now. Even the crowd favorite “The Killing Moon” sounded different. They may be an older, more mellow act, but they’re just as creative as always. When introducing new tune, “Think I Need It Too”, McCulloch curled a sly smile, as if he were holding something from the crowd. He was, but fortunately not for long. The new tune was unleashed and it sounded great. Most importantly though, it seemed relevant, which is rare for an act of their caliber these days. It will be exciting to see where the rest of The Fountain, their upcoming new studio effort, will take them.

Later in the evening, the sun settled on the horizon, ricocheting some rays over Austin’s ambitious skyline. The golden specks on the city’s celebrated Lady Bird Lake highlighted an otherwise perfect day for weather, explaining why a short few thousand patrons flocked to the Auditorium Shores Stage. Whether they were chewing on some sensual funnel cake or guzzling down one Miller High Life after another (hell yeah), everyone was enjoying the scenic, dreamy sounds of Baltimore’s best, Beach House. Performing to one hell of a sized crowd, the North Eastern duo rolled through a breezy set that was inundated with tracks off of last year’s brilliant, Devotion. Following “Wedding Bell” and after drawing a blank on some of the upcoming acts, vocalist and organist Victoria Legrand modestly said, “I’m terrible today,” and further explained, “My brain fell into my taco.” Sadly, they left the audience alone, who would go on to wait day and night for Erykah Badu and later on, Austin’s hometown heroes, Explosions in the Sky.

Day and night isn’t an exaggeration, really. Things started balmy, warm and hopeful by the end of Beach House’s set, only to turn brittle, cold and angry an hour and a half later. For reasons undisclosed, Badu was nowhere to be found on stage, but that was only a part of the disaster. Her supporting act, the incredibly pathetic The Cannabinoids, took an hour to set up, and once they did, they came on with lackluster house jams and monotonous shout outs: “Uh huh”, “Yeah”, “Put yo hands up”, and “Ya’ll ready?” Their digital slogan that read, “The frequency that is controlling the universe” and “This is the human brain”, seemed like a horrible joke by the five hundredth time it flashed. What’s worse, the mix masters left the stage, only to return a shy fifteen minutes later with Badu in tow. It was a jumbled two song set(!), made worse with shoddy mixing. The bass was too high, the vocals too low, and considering the wait time before, the dead noise between each song didn’t remedy the situation much. To say a great portion of the crowd left would be unfair, especially since the line to get in spiraled across the bridge. However, fans and patrons weren’t too happy, and some were surprised a riot hadn’t started — though, that was a dramatic observation, of course.

Hours later, fireworks went off over Austin, celebrating the end to one hell of a week. If you listened closely, you could hear the faint sounds of Explosions in the Sky. Their native instrumentals coasted rather smoothly through the night skies, and although it was lost in the swinging parties and showcases downtown, it was thee best way to soothe the week-long headache the city must have been feeling — even if Kanye West & his Fader party might have argued otherwise.

Hat tip to Jose Ole for additional photo support…

Still in support of their phenomenal EP, Gasp Asp, Look Mexico will be following up SXSW with a month-long tour that will take them across the southwest and beyond. When these Tallahassee tunesters return home, however, they’ll be hard at work on their upcoming full-length sophomoric effort, the follow up to 2007′s This Is Animal Music. Exciting, huh? We couldn’t be happier (and more appreciative)!

So, if you’re looking for some early afternoon melodies, look no further. Look Mexico! Then be sure to stick around for the rest of the second annual Brodown Hoedown!

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience the cancellation of Titus Andronicus has caused, but we can confidently say, the band now playing in the 1:30pm time slot will blow you away just as much, if not more!

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This isn’t to say that it is devoid of the tricks that made Look Mexico so lovable in the first place. It’s all still here: the scatological bend of Ryan Slate’s guitar, frontman Matt Agrella’s peppered string arrangements, Josh Mikel’s galloping drums, and yes, even the song titles pulled directly from Vin Diesel quotes.  However, everything feels a bit faster, a bit meaner, and that’s just a bit, mind you. This isn’t metal by any stretch of the imagination, but thanks to a more driving rhythm section and heavier lyrical subject matter, the tracks are armed with a newfound bite, making Gasp Asp Look Mexico’s most cohesive release to date.

Things start off in surprisingly somber fashion with the introduction to “You’re Not Afraid of the Dark, Are You?” The silent movie strings of Alex Zacharias’ cello and Lisa Zoll’s violin will induce double takes from devoted listeners of a band known for capturing the orange twilight of a Tallahassee summer on disc. The music plunges into familiar territory soon enough though, as the brisk assault of Slate, Mikel, and bassist Tyson Kuhlhoff interrupts the melancholy dinner party, snapping the scratched film footage out of sepia shutter-speed and into sunny technicolor.

“You’re Not Afraid of the Dark, Are You?” is anchored by Look Mexico’s strongest lyrics of their career.  Where as the phrases and images of prior releases such as The Crucial EP and This Is Animal Music often evoked environments or feelings, the words here are more rooted in narrative, introducing us to a protagonist happy to leave the ghosts of his deceitful friends behind him. “Let’s go feed our dead or just talk to their heads…pay our respects and act like they’re fed,” Agrella belts in a polite snarl (think Sparta, not Underoath). Exhumed from any of his vocal hesitance found on earlier albums, Agrella sounds more confident than ever, truly easing into a voice that finally manages to successfully fluctuate between a gentle tenor and exuberant yelp.

Another welcome change is the addition of keyboardist Dave Pinkham. The hushed moan of his organ haunts “Don’t You Dare” with subtle, yet eerie undertones that, when accompanied with the cavernous chanting of the rest of the band, make the song sound like the twisted stepbrother to “I Can’t Today, I’m On Duty,” the bouncy second track off of The Crucial EP.

Special attention must also be paid to the rhythm section. Mikel and Kuhlhoff’s grooves are intertwined like strands of DNA, making for a unified snap that carries an almost punk rock aesthetic. The crack of Mikel’s drums is more rapid fire here than on This Is Animal Music, transforming from colt to Clydesdale in just one album, he expands his arsenal as well, using clanking, hollowed auxiliary percussion on “I’m Not Guilty, But I’m Used to It,” fleshing out an introduction that is tribal without being corny or new age. The momentum is carried by Kuhloff’s bass, enwrapping the band’s spine in muscle that knows when to flex into its own shapes and when to simply offer support.

The band reaches just a tad on closer “A Survivor’s Code.  My Code.”  Although lyrically resonant with its images of botched hide and seek games in darkened churches, Agrella’s falsetto sounds a little unsure, the only time his voice wavers on the record. The tweaking effects pedals and spacey keyboards at the end of the song make things feel a little crowded, but not enough to ruin an otherwise catchy, pounding slice of Pinback-worthy indie rock.

At a mere thirteen-and-a-half minutes, I wouldn’t be opposed to Gasp Asp being a bit longer. Then again, its length makes it the perfect record for the end of summer. Let it sink in before the season sheds its skin.

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“You’re Not Afraid of the Dark Are You?”

Think Weezer minus the deep electric guitar and you will receive Look Mexico. While many consider the Florida natives to be a carbon copy of Minus the Bear, they still have their own unique sound. A soft esoteric vibe radiates from their latest album, This is Animal Music. Not only is this album extremely enjoyable and listener friendly, Look Mexico display their strong musical diversity with every track. Their music leaves a warm feeling in your stomach and their track names leave you chuckling to yourself. Take for instance, songs “Dude, You Have a Bazooka”, “You Ever Get Punched in the Face for Talking too Much?” and ” I Like Being a Millionaire. You Will too, Believe me”, all of which are references to Vin Diesel movies.

There is no shortage of musical skill within Look Mexico. Singer Matt Agrella carries most of the tracks with his melodic voice; however at first listen, this group comes across as well skilled and tight musically. Each song is clearly different from the next, making This is Animal Music a very entertaining listen. Perfect for playing at the beach or cheering up a bummed out buddy. Even though most indie pop acts become annoying and draining after a few listens, Look Mexico still keeps the listener entertained. Even  instrumental tracks “Dude, You Have a Bazooka” and “You Ever Get Punched” are standout on this excellent album.

With a series of live shows across the U.S.A. until November, Look Mexico appear to be heading towards success. Hopefully this smooth sounding Florida group will be given a shot in one of the large festivals next year. Judging by their MySpace page and their track names, these boys have a great sense of humor. One would expect their live show to be full of entertainment and high energy, perhaps a flight to Florida is needed.

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