SXSW Day 1 (Wednesday): Return To The Center Of The Universe


All photos by Clint Miller

We left Savannah, Georgia a few hours after the St. Patrick’s Day parade and made the cross country trek to Austin, Texas. Upon arriving at SXSW around noon, everyone in our crew was already exhausted from traveling, but there is certain adrenaline that carries you through upon arriving to such a magical experience, and we were poised to tackle the day regardless of our condition.

We started things off at Paste magazine’s day show, and it was a fantastic way to kick this thing off. First up, I finally got to see Anathallo and they were everything I had hoped for. They churned out a set mostly made up of Canopy Glow tunes, and they sounded spectacular. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the day.

We hung out a little while and then checked out Port O’Brien. I had listened to their last album and enjoyed it, but it didn’t really blow me away. Live, the songs took on new life, and the dueling solo contest between the two guitarists was fun to watch. In typical SXSW fashion, the band had arrived in town about 10 minutes before their set and even said their manager was driving their van around in circles during their set because they didn’t have time to find a parking spot. It was apparent they were “winging” the set, but it sounded tight despite that.


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My Favourite Songs of 2008: Ohmpark Mixtape #6

So here is a playlist comprised of many of my favourite songs from the year. Not all of my favs are here, but I think all of the essentials are in it. I tried my best to build this as a flowing playlist more than just a collection of songs, so the order and even some of the selections reflect that. I really need to do more mixtapes. Based on Hypemachine/elbow popularity, I know everyone loves that Fleet Foxes song, but I decided instead to treat you to a better song from one of the bands that FF is ripping off. Anyways, here is an hour and half of the best songs of 2008. Jam them hard while you can, because in about 3 days they aren’t hip anymore:

Islands : The Arm
Sigur Ros : Gobbledigook
Atlas Sound : Recent Bedroom
Kaki King : Life Being What it Is
MGMT : Weekend Wars
Department of Eagles : No One Does It Like You
Animal Collective : Water Curses
Antony And The Johnsons : Another World
Mount Eerie w/ Julie Doiron & Fred Squire : Voice In Headphones
My Morning Jacket : Touch Me I’m Going To Scream pt. 1
Beach House : Used To Be
Portishead : The Rip
Summerbirds In The Cellar : Now We Are Ugly Inside
Hot Chip : One Pure Thought
M83 : Kim & Jesse
Bon Iver : For Emma
Plants And Animals : Guru
Destroyer : Shooting Rockets (From The Desk Of Night’s Ape)
Deerhunter : Nothing Ever Happened
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead : The Betrayal Of Roger Casement And The Irish Brigade

I Heart Department Of Eagles

Daniel Rossen’s Department Of Eagles creates a slightly different breed of music than Grizzly Bear even with three of the four members involved, but one that is equally as incredible. There is more of a pop sensibility in this stuff. The songs stand up stronger individually despite the album not being as cohesive as Yellow House. You can listen to an entire show from them (10/6/2008) here. Listen to some DOE goodies and keep up with the newest incarnation of one the best bands of the last few years:

Department Of Eagles : Around The Bay

Department Of Eagles : What Is Your Deal (new song live via I Guess I’m Floating)

Department Of Eagles: “No One Does It Like You” (Don’t Look Down)

Department Of Eagles: “1997″ (Don’t Look Down)

Buy In Ear Park here

Department Of Eagles myspace

A Random MP3 Tetralogy

I got four hott tracks for you:


The Raveonettes

I jumped on The Raveonettes bandwagon earlier this year after loving their newest LP Lust Lust Lust. Now they are releasing a series of 4 EPs digitally before the end of the year, starting with one that just came out this week ,The Raveonettes Remixed. You can get it for free here. A preview:

The Raveonettes : Aly, Walk With Me (Nic Endo remix)

One of the blog sensations right now is Empire Of The Sun, a pairing of two dudes from other blog sensations. Currently there is only one song available complete with a video and remixes from these guys, but I hear an album is coming soon. The song itself, though, is an all-around crowd pleaser that I think anyone should be able to enjoy:

Empire Of The Sun : Walking On A Dream


Deerhoof’s Offend Maggie

The new Deerhoof album is dropping October 7th, and if you are one of the first 500 people to pre-order it, you get handwritten sheet music for the entire album included. Interesting first listen. If you haven’t looked into this band yet, you are seriously missing out.

Deerhoof : Offend Maggie


Department Of Eagles

Finally, Grizzly Bear is one of the bands that I obsess about more than almost any these days, so I’m pretty intrigued by this Daniel Rossun project called Department of Eagles. Their newest LP, Ear Park, is available early next month and I can’t wait. Be amazed:

Department Of Eagles : In Ear Park