The wait is finally over. Today, CoS and Sled Island Music Festival are proud to present the lineup for our first annual joint day party. On March 18th, 2010, we will take to the Republic Live in Austin, TX to kick off day two of South by Southwest with a severe bang.
This year’s festivities will feature a lineup made of some of the hottest up-and-coming outfits in music, including — drum roll!!! — Titus Andronicus, Surfer Blood, The Rural Alberta Advantage, James Husband (Of Montreal), Jukebox the Ghost, Garotas Suecas, Royal Bangs, and Brasstronaut!!!
And the best part? The entire event will be free! Yeah, you’re welcome!
That said, the capacity for the event will be limited to 750 lucky individuals, so it’s probably a good idea to get there early in order to guarantee admission for this intimate affair. Doors will open at 12pm and the party should run until 7pm.
Additional details, including set times, accommodations (liquor!), and maybe even another band!, 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! Again, how f’ing epic is this!?!?!
About the Bands:
Titus Andronicus: Hailing from Glen Rock, NJ, these lo-fi rockers drew rave reviews with the release The Airing of Grievances in April of 2008. Now signed to XL Recordings (the home of Radiohead, the Raconteurs, and more), the band is gearing up for the release of its much anticipated sophomore studio effort, The Monitor, due out March 9th. In addition to its appearance at our party, Titus Andronicus is scheduled to perform at Fucked Up’s official SXSW curated showcase with Dinosaur Jr.’s J. Mascis, Cold Cave, and others on March 20th.
Surfer Blood: One of the hottest names currently in all of indie rock, Surfer Blood has been catching everyone’s ears since a much acclaimed appearance at last year’s CMJ Music Marathon. The Florida outfit recently furthered the hype with the release of its critically acclaimed debut LP, Astro Coast, an album which CoS staff writer EN May described in the following way: [Surfer Blood] found a fresh way to reinvent the indie-rock sound in a way that was needed, something that wasn’t so bright and shiny from the first single to the inevitable car commercial. This is what makes the record so perfect for this moment in time, and finally it’s something with cojones.” Word on the street is that they’re just as good live!
The Rural Alberta Advantage: The trio of Paul Banwatt, Amy Cole, and Nils Edenloff is all about their hometown. Not only is the Canadian providence featured in the band’s name but many of the outfit’s songs are said to be “born out of images from growing up in Central and Northern Alberta.” This influence and these songs laid the basis for RAA’s stellar 2008 debut Hometowns. Since then, the band has signed with the legendary Saddle Creek Records, which subsequently re-released the album in 2009, embarked on a North American headlining tour, and opened for Passion Pit.
James Husband: Best known for his work as a member of the acclaimed indie outfit Of Montreal, James Huggins III also has a full-fledged solo career under the monkier James Husband. Last October, he released his proper solo debut, A Parallax I, on Polyvinyl and has since been touring the country playing double duty — opening for and playing with Of Montreal.
Jukebox the Ghost: The best thing to come out of Washington, DC in some time, Jukebox the Ghost emulates the brilliance of Ben Folds inspired piano rock while still offering an incredibly unique flavor and style. Speaking of Mr. Folds, Jukebox spent early 2009 touring with the indie star in support of its stellar 2008 debut Let Live and Let Ghosts. Now, as the band gears up for LP #2, it will take to Austin to offer a preview of what’s to come.
Garotas Suecas: When you have NPR touting you as a band that “should be absorbed,” you know you’ve got something going for you. This is exactly the case for Garotas Suecas, a Brazilian six-piece that blends the sounds of soul and rock. Basically one of music’s best kept secrets, and we couldn’t be happier that they’ll be donning our stage.
Royal Bangs: A write-up in Rolling Stone, an appearance at Bonnaroo, and an acclaimed studio debut, which has been described as “belting garage rock, quirky indie rock and bamboozling electronica, all served up in one smart and super-confident package, rather like a chirpier, younger, less navel-gazing Radiohead.” How’s that for a resume?
Brasstronaut: In a mere three years, the Canadian outfit Brasstronaut has already released an acclaimed debut EP (2008’s Old World Lies), topped the Hype Machine, and started its own blog. Having spent much of 2009 recording, the band will kick of what will surely be a busy 2010 with a much anticipated performance at our party.
About the Venue:
The Compound is located in Austin, TX at 1300 E 4th St. It’s less than a ten minute walk from the Austin Convention Center.
About The Presenters:
Sled Island Music Festival is an annual independent multi-venue music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta that attracts over 17,500 attendees each year. Entering its fourth year, it aims to celebrate, showcase and nurture the best emerging and established local talent alongside national and international independent music, comedy, film and art.
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.
