Indie Music Blog – PartRocket.com

Disheartened over the ubiquitous popularity of twee pop? Fret not dear metalhead. SXSW does more than just cater to Dirty Projectors fans. Get your fucking thrash on with Madeloud’s SXSW Metal Guide.

Wednesday March 17-

High on Fire / 12:15am / Mohawk Patio 912 Red River St / Mohawk’s indoor and patio stages are filled to the brim with hard thrashing destruction to make your ears bleed. If you’re a metalhead without a wristband this is definitely the venue to find yourself.

Gagakirise / 9:00 / Red 7 611 E 7th St / J-Metal anyone? This showcase features two stages with punk-metal bands from Sacramento, Dusseldorf, Jerusalem, Toronto, and Austin. Also, comic genius Brian Poshen will perform on the Red 7 patio.

GAGAKIRISE - SpacesHip from Kickball_SxO on Vimeo.

Thursday March 18-

It looks like Habana Calle 6 Patio is the only venue to find metal Thursday night, although I cant personally recommend any band playing there. Head Hunters has good alternative in Black Cock and Migas, but both those bands are from Austin.

Friday March 19-

The Atlas Moth / 1:20am / Headhunters 720 Red River St / For all your black, thrash, and grind-core metal enjoyment check out the 20 Buck Spin/ Profound Lore showcase Friday.

Saturday March 20-

Black Cobra / 12am / Encore 611 Red River St / NOT TO BE MISSED. It’s a shame what passes for metal nowadays. With Linkin Park screamo knock-offs abound, Black Cobra grow metal's back roots into new levels of awesome. This Tone Deaf showcase sounds so brutal you might want to pack some emergency pants.

The SXSW Music Conference features a broad array of events catered towards musicians, industry wonks, and fans. Most events focus on the economics of new media and new marketing strategies emerging in the music industry. Take a gander at our guide to 2010’s massive listing of panels and workshops all happening the first two days of the music festival at Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez.

Friday, March 19

For Musicians-

DIY or Sign with a Label / 11am / Room 19A / Releasing music doesn't mean it will sell. In recent years, the number of releases has increased, while the number of releases selling more than a thousand copies has decreased. How can a label help an artist cut through the clutter? Are there instances where the DIY approach is preferable?

Building a High Value Fan List / 12:30pm / Room 15 / Releasing music doesn't mean it will sell. In recent years, the number of releases has increased, while the number of releases selling more than a thousand copies has decreased. How can a label help an artist cut through the clutter? Are there instances where the DIY approach is preferable?

Quickies 5: Artists / 12:30pm / Room 16 / Releasing music doesn't mean it will sell. In recent years, the number of releases has increased, while the number of releases selling more than a thousand copies has decreased. How can a label help an artist cut through the clutter? Are there instances where the DIY approach is preferable?

The Future of Online Music Videos / 12:30pm / Room 16B / Music videos are a critical extension of a record label's brand. Until recently, labels have found it difficult to mitigate online video piracy without alienating the user communities built around music. Now, labels are embracing sophisticated online video technology to do just that, while also introducing new revenue opportunities.

For Industry People-

It's So Big! Packaging Design from CDs to Vinyl to Merchandise / 2:00pm / Room 11AB / Examine the role of design of album artwork in illustrating the music through visual examples. Discuss the packaging design of value-added items to increase CD sales, as well as merchandise, T-shirts, and silk-screened posters for tours. Are these physical representations assisting in the longevity of the physical formats?

A&R and the Indie Label / 3:30pm / Room 18ABC / The industry's constant state of flux impacts A&R strategy at indie labels. The role of indie labels evolves as financial concerns impact creative decisions. A&R representatives will share their experiences and explore strategies necessary for these labels to not only survive but also flourish.

Saturday, March 20th

For Musicians-

Quickies 6: In the Studio / 11:00am / Room 16A / Great recordings start and finish with great people. Unravel the mysteries of the studio, and ask questions of producers and engineers who can make an artist sound great.

How a Timeless Artist Remains Vital / 2:00pm / 15 / (Presented by the Ponderosa Stomp and the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum) In the music world, there are highly influential, iconic artists who persevere though times of great mainstream popularity, dark obscurity, and everything in between. They are pure artists who continue to create regardless of personal success...

Artists: Getting a Digital Ass-Kicking? / 3:30pm / 15 / Is the web dominating you, or are you dominating the web? Be the master of your domain! All artists must face the daunting task of determining where, when and how to make their home on the web. As the various number of tech tools and social networks increases, so does the...

For Industry People-

CLE 5 - Music Law Ethics / 11:00am / 17AB / Entertainment law is a highly competitive practice in which lawyers often assume non-traditional roles and responsibilities akin to agents and managers. However, lawyers in every state are subject to professional conduct codes. The panel reviews how aggressive representation in the music business may lead to the violating these codes and explores...

CLE 6 - Music Court: Avoiding or Inviting Litigation / 12:30pm / 17AB / There are a number of situations that are repeatedly the source of litigation in band business including: leaving member disputes, band name ownership, ownership and valuation of entity interests, and songwriting rights, among others. If these issues are not properly anticipated with appropriate registrations and agreements, they may become the source...

Can China Build a Better Music Business? / 2:00pm / 13B / China has never had sales of recorded music to prop up its music industry, but one is emerging. Can China set a benchmark for the world?

Don’t bother with the headliners; they’ll be back to Austin someday. And why go see a band you heard of, or some derivative likeness? Take the plunge into cerebral obscurity with Madeloud’s guide to Avant/ Experimental SXSW concerts.

Wednesday March 17-

Hauschka / 11:15pm / Central Presbyterian Church 200 E 8th St / Hauschka is the principle attraction, but the rest of the showcase promises to be a mind bending extravaganza.

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO / 1am / Rusty Spurs 405 E 7th St / Blistering guitar and electronic psychedelia. ACM comes to Austin pretty frequently, so you’re a townie this might not be the show to see.

Thursday March 18-

These Are Powers / 10:40 / Club 1808 Patio 1808 E 12th St/ I have been dying to see “ghost punk” These Are Powers live, and I whole-heartedly give them top billing for Thursday. Get ready to have your mind blown.

Aa / 10:40pm / Beauty Bar Backyard 617 E 7th St / Drifting between minimalism and maximum noise, Aa put out a drum and voice heavy trance psychedelic barrage. This may be the creepiest show happening Thursday.

Toro Y Moi / 1am / Wave 408 E 6th St / Electronic and pop acts from several countries Animal Collective’s Avery Tare doing DJ sets in between.

Friday March 19-

Thurston Moore / 8pm / Red 7 611 E 7th St / Moore’s label ecstatic peace is having their showcase all night at Red 7. With Thurston as curator it promises to an evening of erudite musical adventures.

Ecstatic Peace.

Sun Araw / 12:45pm / The Hideout 617 Congress Ave / The Hideout typically hosts some daring electronic artist, and this Friday Not Not Fun records host a strong lineup all night.

Saturday March 20-

Tanlines / 12am / Paradise 401 E 6th St / Maybe more electro dream pop than avant-garde, but still maybe worth a listen.

Xiao He / TBA / Speakeasy 412 Congress Ave / If you’re looking for something way out of left field, you’d do worse than to stand through a whole set of this bizarre free form Chinese folk musician.

The SXSW Music Conference features a broad array of events catered towards musicians, industry wonks, and fans. Most events focus on the economics of new media and new marketing strategies emerging in the music industry. Take a gander at our guide to 2010’s massive listing of panels and workshops all happening the first two days of the music festival at Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez.

Wednesday March 17:

For Musicians-

A Guide to Recording Music Online / 11am / Room 17AB / Several online music collaboration sites have emerged to enable musicians to record, mix and distribute their music through the internet. What is the best place on the web to record multitrack music?

Quickies 1: Branding, Marketing & Publicity / 11am / Room 16A / Chat with and learn from experienced pros from the worlds of branding, marketing and publicity.

Shoot Your Concert DVD for Free / 11am / Room 16B / Find out how to get your concert shot for free.

Trends in Taking Your Music to Market / 11am / Room 15 / Learn about DIY trends in getting your music out to your fans.

Demo Listening 1 / 12:30pm / Room 19A / Demo Listening Sessions offer a unique opportunity for selected musicians to get direct feedback from music professionals, those who listen to demos as part of their job.

Paper Cuts in the Plastic Age / 12:30pm / Room 11A / How does a band release a record, play a gig, and generally let the world know who they are without using a single piece of paper?

Quickies 2: Publishers and Performance Rights Organizations / 12:30pm, Room16A / Chat with people who are committed to getting artists paid fairly and promptly.

Green Touring: Stupid, Dumb, or Best Idea Ever? / 2pm / Room 11A / Learn which ideas and tools can help you increase your profits, bring you closer to your fans, and help the environment, too.

Your Fans Are Your Livelihood / 2pm / Room 19A / Learn what the new intermediaries can and can't do for you and your fans.

Crowdfunding Music: Raising Money from Your Fans / 3:30pm / Room 17AB / Crowdfunding allows artists to create their own propositions and interact with audiences directly, giving fans the chance to decide their favorite musicians' futures.

Budgeted Tour Planning: Free and "Must Have" Resources / 5pm / Room 15 / Learn how to plan cost-effective, sell-out tours by using free Internet tools to communicate with core fans, gauge local demand, and spot unprofitable gigs before it's too late.

Making Money as a Songwriter in a World of Change / 5pm / Room 17AB / The authors of the best selling book "Music Money and Success: the Insiders Guide to Making Money in the Music Business", reveal the types of deals, the range of fees, and the main negotiating strategies for the use of music in a variety of platforms.

For Industry People-

Evolution of Concert Bookings and Programming / 11am / Room 19A/ Where is the concert industry at and where is it going? How can tours, artists, agents, managers and promoters create new business paradigms that will be financially successful?
The Cloud vs. the Paradise of Infinite Storage / 12:30pm / Room 15 / Ready or not, we are all about to enter the brave new reality of Asymptopia. Which version will it be?

The Convergence of Music on TV and Online / 12:30pm, Room 13A / Explore the opportunities and challenges that affect the creation, submission and engagement of featured music on television in the new media age.

1,000 Digital Tools & Strategies: Which 3 Work? / 2pm / Room 17AB / How do you figure out which tools and strategies can make a real impact, while keeping yourself from wasting time on everything else?

Latin Music on the Global Stage / 2pm / Room 15 / Find out what they've done to introduce Latin American music to international markets and how the industry has responded to their work.

Social Networks and the Future for Musicians / 2pm / Room 12AB / Thought leaders at the convergence of music and technology share what they are learning, and discuss where they see this all heading in the future.

Working the Press: Intellectual Intercourse & Interviews / 2pm / Room 11B / Learn the best interview techniques and ways to use the press attention to your advantage.

Primitive and Modern A&R Methods / 3:30pm / Room 18ABC / Esteemed talent scouts share their secrets.

What Comes Next in the World of Marketing Music? / 5pm / Room 16B / What can service companies do to keep ahead in the industry and provide the support required at a larger scale?

Promotional Value vs. Licensing Revenue / 3:30pm / Room 13A / With declining CD sales and a shift from "ownership model" to "pure listening model" of consumer consumption, new revenue streams and deals for monetary compensation are being negotiated.

Publishers - More Than Just Glorified Banks / 5pm / Room 12AB / Experienced pros "de-mystify" exactly what publishers do for their songwriters on a day-to-day basis and speak about some creative initiatives they are taking.

Why Hasn't the Record Industry Sued Girl Talk? / 5pm / Room 13A / Experts consider the changing state of fair use law in music through the lens of the question: why hasn't Girl Talk been sued for copyright infringement?

For Fans-

Lead Belly to Ludacris: From Analog to Digital / 12:30am / Room 13B / Alvin Singh, Lead Belly's great nephew, will discuss how folk music has influenced, evolved, and impacted popular music today.

Nerdcore 101 / 12:30 / Room 16B / Find out about the origins of nerdcore and where artists see themselves going forward.

How Will We Listen to Music in 2020? / 3:30pm / 16B / Look into the future to assess how different sectors of the recording industry are affected.

Recording Industry vs. The People / 3:30pm / 13A / How has the RIAA's litigation war against everyday people affected the music business?

Thursday March 18:

For Musicians-

Friendbase to Fanbase: Why You Must Tour Now! / 12:30pm / Room 13B / Turn your friendbase into a fanbase through low-cost touring, community building, and the act of being nice.

How to Make Money with Vinyl / 12:30pm / Room 11A / Folks in the vinyl world from the label, manufacturing and distribution side talk about ways to get your music on vinyl and still make money doing it.

Production Music as an Alternative Source of Income / 12:30pm / Room 11B / Composing and performing has become a viable source of money for many musicians.

Get Your Music Licensed in a Commercial Workshop / 3:30pm / Room 13B / This workshop will focus on how commercials are made, who the decision makers are, and how to market your music to them.

Meet Bookers for Top Festivals Worldwide / 3:30 / Room 18ABC / Find out what these promoters are looking for and how you can make your band stand out.

Music Publishing: Making Money in Your Sleep / 3:30pm / Room 17AB / Experts walk you through each of these areas and discuss what you should do to ensure you get your fair share.

For Industry People-

Global Music Marketing: How to Reach Fans Worldwide / 12:30pm / Room 13A / Learn about the most effective global marketing tools, what regions are worth your efforts, how to best use social media in other countries, what regions are mobile hotbeds, how to measure impact and much more.

Welcome to the Music Business - You're Fucked / 12:30pm / Room 17AB / Grow your brand and your band incrementally.

A Social Media Case Study of L.A.'s Sunset Strip / 3:30pm / Room 16B / This case study will examine the challenges, tactics, successes, growth and bottom line results of this leading edge community.

Creative Capitol: Music, Culture and Policy under Obama / 3:30pm / Room 15 / op staffers will discuss the key music-technology-policy issues on Capitol Hill and at the FCC, and how musicians are engaging.

For Fans-

Case Study: "New Moon" / 12:30pm / Room 18ABC / Take a unique look at how a high-profile soundtrack is assembled, start to finish.

Does Rock and Roll Belong in a Museum? / 12:30 / Room 15 / What efforts are being made to preserve this art form?

Music and the Revolution / 12:30 / Room 12AB / Noted participants in the social upheaval of the '60s discuss their art and advocacy.

Global Rock Show / 2pm / Room 15 / Explore how touring, festivals, nonprofit organizations, and the internet are used to overcome borders to make rock music the market place of intercultural exchange for students, young professionals, and working class people the world over.

Image Makers of Rock & Soul / 2pm / Room 17AB / The best images capture artists in moments of high style, drama, passion and tragedy.

The first date is pretty important; in fact, the first date is crucial if you ever want to have a second date. There are many and more different approaches to making the right kind of romantic impression, and setting the right mood takes more effort than merely brushing your teeth a little harder than usual. Sit back, relax, wipe the Cheetos dust from your fingers, and prepare to learn the art of not screwing up your first date with bad music.

A lot of things go into the momentous occasion of going out or getting together or – who knows? – hooking up for the first time. In terms of just making a good impression, there is no member of the same or opposite sex that is going to turn you down for being showered, shaved (get as creative with that as you want, I guess) and sober. After all, you could have the very best Sinatra has to offer on repeat through the finest Sony speakers your credit limit can support, but slurring along to the [possibly wrong] chorus will probably outweigh that - along with every abdominal exercise you’ve done for the past year - with some serious points in the “minus” category. And that is, by the way, the category we’re trying to avoid.

I can’t save you from yourself any more than I can smite the entire cast of Jersey Shore with sheer will, try as I might. The best I can offer is keeping you from blowing off your own foot musically by sending the wrong message. I can’t claim to know if your date is going to be a Slayer or Streisand fan, or if they just really enjoy the pan flute and glockenspiel - nor will I even attempt to adjust for that. Quite frankly, consider these general, helpful guidelines as what might be that 1% of difference between a nice evening out and getting an ounce of highly concentrated police-grade mace sprayed in your eyes.

Tip #1: Be Wary of Classical Music
You might think a more subdued, classy sort of ambiance in your apartment, house or dorm room would set the mood in a way that isn’t so much about the musical genius of Mozart as it is about coming across as intelligent, worldly and perhaps even financially stable with a 401k and aspirations of a Master’s Degree (with oh-so-subtle overtones of being worth having sex with at some point in the future). Well, not so fast. There are lots of people out there who are bored to tears with classical music, and if you are your date probably will be too. Plus, at the inevitable lull in the conversation that always comes, are you going to be able to say something engaging about the really neat harpsichord technique you’ve been pretending to enjoy?

You have to view music as a crutch, a “break glass in case of emergency” sort of conversation piece, and not just something you throw out there to try and score points with. And even if you’ve scored a date with a symphony buff, you better prepare yourself: Yeah, Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” was in Fantasia and it’s a really calming, soothing sort of work… right up until 2:45 when you’re liable to jump through the ceiling, crap your pants and maybe bite somebody’s tongue off (and it was all going so well!) due to a sforzando strong enough to induce premature labor. So if you’re going to go with classical you better know who you’re dealing with, and you better have some legitimate interest in it just in case.

Tip #2: Avoid Top 40 Charts
Yeah, it’s popular or at least we’re supposed to think so. Granted, the Top 40 Singles certainly do sell. And maybe you’re nervous, and maybe you’re thinking the smart move is the safe move, and the safe move is to just grab whatever is on the radio and burn it to a CD or make a playlist. It’ll be easy, familiar, and nonthreatening. Perfect, right?

False. Pay attention to what you’re doing because if you’re dating somebody who likes Miley Cyrus, demand a state-issued driver’s license proving age (also, don’t say anything to Chris Hansen) if nothing else. Garbage we all listen or have listened to at some point in our lives while we were stuck in traffic and didn’t have anything else to do doesn’t make it the stuff of seduction.

I mean, come on. Lady GaGa and “Bad Romance?” Black Eyed Peas and “Imma Be?” How fast can you say “table for one?”

Remember, 140,000,000 views on YouTube CAN, in fact, be wrong.

Tip #3: Your Rap Music Will Probably Piss Her Off

This can easily apply to the guys too, but it’s infinitely more true for females.

How many times does a woman want to hear “bitch” and “ho” ever in her entire life? Think about that for a second. Ok, now divide that number by five trillion, three-hundred fifty-five billion and six (round down). That’s how many times she wants to hear it on the first date.

Yeah, I know, women can enjoy rap. It’s not unheard of. Notice I didn’t say “Rap Music Will Probably Piss Her Off,” I said your rap music will probably piss her off. Name one woman in your life that has ever said, “Hey! Turn it up here! It’s to bitch and ho part! I love that!” Even if you know your date likes rap, you better pay close attention to the lyrics. But hey, if you want to be lazy and just queue up your “BLUNTZ AN’ BLING$” mix so you can hear “n*****” get dropped a few dozen times when you’re going for the critical arm-around the-waist moment, you just let me know how that works out for you.

And God help you if you think the N-bomb will fly. Sweet, succulent, honey-glazed Jesus is that a bad idea. The word might not mean much to you in music, but it can say a hell of a lot about you to people who might not know better. Avoid it at all costs. I swear to you, the person reading this, personally: you will never as long as you live look back and say, “I sure wish I played something more demeaning and racist.” Be smart.

In short, do not play this song or anything remotely like it:

Tip #4: You Don’t Want to See The Face That Says, “No, That is Not Funny.”

They say laughing by yourself is embarrassing, but I’ve never worried about that. Laughing by myself around other people can be, however. I know this list is purportedly for music, but I’m going to branch out a little.

Well, in a second I will. I’ll technically stay in theme here and say, “Do Not Play Weird Al, Ever, Even On Your Wedding Night if it Comes to That.”

Ok, so be careful with comedy. Yes, there’s still the potential for offense of course, but you’re taking a huge risk with stand-up comedians. You probably have listened to the same Lewis Black or even Dane Cook mp3s twenty-thousand times - and probably because you like them - and you want to play them yet again to make your date laugh. You might even be planning to bond over it.

You and I both know it’s inevitable that, at some point, you’ll interrupt whatever your date’s saying because you’re all pumped about the punch-line that’s coming up and you want to hurriedly point it out before it happens. And you and I both know that you’ll laugh, either real or faked, and that your date will not. They didn’t go out with you to hear grainy bootleg Jim Gaffigan, and the sound of your nervous, strained laughter isn’t going to help, either. I will be so bold as to say that, with whatever music or background ambiance you go for, it should not receive, on any level, more attention than your date.

Tip #5: Don’t Be Afraid to Drop a Hint

This guide isn’t all about retreating, covering your ass and praying to whoever or whatever that you won’t ruin things. Cheer up! It can’t hurt to show interest. Everyone, unless their heart is encased in stone and/or ice, wants to be wanted.

What I’m saying is, music can be a great tool to tell somebody you’re interested. I’m not talking Barry White (I mean, hell, if you can do it then do it), but seriously… how much music is about how much the singer is in love or wants to be in love or is falling into love? Sure, there are your Sinatras and your Louis Armstrongs and your Righteous Brothers, and you can work those in, but there’s plenty of room for you to fit your own music in there. As an example, you could go with something like “(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To.” Yes, I realize that is Weezer and I have publicly declared a dislike of Weezer, but as an example I can’t think of a better not-so-subtle message to send.

So good luck out there, and don’t forget to brush your teeth.

Hey everyone, we’re excited to once again cover the SXSW festival. Here’s a guide to some of the artists we’ve covered in the past, and their dates during the festival. Is YOUR band playing SXSW? Let us know!

Lullabye Arkestra

03/18 – Red 7 Patio, 10pm (Vice)
03/19 – Maggie Mae’s Rooftop

Surfer Blood

03/17 - Waterloo Records, 5pm
03/17 - Wave Rooftop, 1am (Kanine)
03/18 – Club Deville, 1pm (Insound SXSW Party)
03/18 – The Parish, 3pm (NPR)
03/19 – La Zona Rosa, 1pm (Village Voice)
03/19 – Emos, 5:30pm (Pitchfork)
03/19 – Lustre Pearl, 10pm (Filter)
03/20 – Mohawk Patio, 11pm (Panache)

Volovan

03/17 – Mi Casa Cantina, 12 am (REMZCLA/BMI Latin)

Avi Buffalo

03/18 – Mohawk, 4:30pm (Billions)
03/18 – Galaxy Room Backyard, 11pm (Sub Pop)
03/19 – Domy Books, 1pm (KXLU)
03/20 – Emo’s Annex East, 1:30 pm (Under the Radar)

Dum Dum Girls

03/18 – Galaxy Room Backyard, 12am (Sub Pop)

Toro Y Moi

03/17 – The Mohawk, 8pm

03/18 – Wave, 1am (Carpark/Paw Tracks)

The xx

03/19 – Central Presbyterian Church, 12:30am

Washed Out

03/19 – Klub Krucial, 1am

Crayon Fields

03/18 – The Ghost Room, 12:45pm (Austin Town Hall)
03/19 – Chupacabra, 8pm (Pegstar.net party)
03/20 – Maggie Maes, 12pm (Popfrenzy)
03/20 – Mi Casa Cantina, 9pm