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SXSW 2008 is here!

Another year, another March, and another SXSW is finally here! Yes, the time is here for our city to be swamped by the music industry, the everyday fan, and enough musical talent to last generations. While not one person can guarantee where they might end up on the Wednesday the 12th morning, or Friday the 13th night, or how many of their pre-festival “must-see” acts they’ll actually get to see, here is a list of recommended artists, some Texan, some from far off lands, but all with the panache to make your 2008 SXSW an enjoyable one.

Top 10 acts not-to-be-missed:

1. British Sea Power – Fresh on the heels of their stunning new record, Do You Like Rock Music?, this English act comes to Austin to please loyal fans and garner new ones, no doubt. British Sea Power has been around for nearly a decade but the band is yet to really hit it big Stateside, which is perplexing to say the least. Pop melodies collide with an expansive rock sound to conjure up moments of musical magic, and their live shows are known to be quite stunning. Don’t miss it!

1. The Cribs – These brothers rocked our world at SXSW 2006 and now with 2007’s acclaimed record (Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever) making the rounds and also being remixed occasionally, the band should be in fine form when they return to Texas. Ok, so they sing about the same ol’ stuff that other Brit acts do – youthful debauchery, unattainable lasses, and what not, but their pop hooks and sing-along chorus’ are undeniable. Oh, and they kick ass live!

1. Longwave – It’s been too long since this New York act was last in Austin. 2003’s Strangest Things was probably the best record you never heard that year; tracks like “Tidal Wave”, “Everywhere You Turn”, and “I Know It’s Coming Someday” are perfect examples of the band’s guitar infused soundscapes -- they also represent their music’s somewhat gloomy feel while retaining that faint hint of optimism.

1. Nada Surf – Far too many fans and critics had written this talented band off after their so-called one hit wonder “Popular” in the mid-90’s. Far from it, this band constantly improves and redefines their pop melodies. Let Go (2003) was an impressive coming-of-age record for Nada Surf, removing the unfortunate afore-mentioned tag off the band finally, while also opening up their music to a new legion with a plethora of poignant pop songs marked by Matthew Caws’ astute lyricism. Caws, who has also performed solo in town in the past (SXSW 2004), is a legitimate icon in his own right.

1. The Raveonettes – This Danish duo is now based out of the States -- founding member and chief songwriter Sune Rose Wagner lives and assembles the band’s songs in New York before LA based Sharin Foo joins the process to add her vocal and bass contributions. The Raveonettes’ are inspired by legendary American acts such as The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly, while their sound also incorporates elements of noisy acts like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. Their deliciously soothing harmonies lit up Emo’s and Antone’s during SXSW 2005, and they return to play multiple shows this year as well.

1. Shout Out Louds – This Swedish act is constantly compared to The Cure (mostly for good reason) but their delightful pop gems will surely stand the test of time on their own. “Tonight I have to leave it” and recent single “Impossible” are fit for radio stations anywhere in the world, in any decade, and their incorporation of wide variety of instruments (like the xylophone, tambourine, piano) accentuates their melodies and harmonies perfectly. Although lyrics tend to be bittersweet, this band evokes pure joy and their live show does not disappoint.

1. The Stills – Canada’s The Stills went from new-wave inspired guitar bliss (Logic Will Break Your Heart) to Dylan-esque folk rock (Without Feathers) over the course of their first two records but their talent remained omnipresent. Another act with past SXSW credentials – they played stellar shows in town during the festival in 2003 as well as 2006 – it remains to be seen what direction their latest offerings have taken them, but there’s no denying that Tim Fletcher and Dave Hamelin should have some wonderful new concoctions for all to enjoy.

1. White Denim – Spoon, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Ghostland Observatory… and now White Denim. The latest in a host of local acts that have made the grade of late, White Denim is almost impossible to pigeonhole into any genre. Their debut EP Let’s Talk About It fast become a blog phenomenon and the trio has also warranted coverage from SPIN and Rolling Stone recently. The band’s sound is part garage part punk, with jazz, blues, and pop elements included, but a better, easier classification might be “all energy all the time.”

1. Vampire Weekend – Incorporation of World music into popular western styles has been commonplace over the course of the last few decades. New York’s Vampire Weekend take a page out of Paul Simon’s Graceland book, fusing African beats with good ol’ American indie-rock to manufacture a lively product chock full of easy-on-the-ears melodies. They played to a pack crowd at The Mohawk in town late last year, we can only imagine the hype that will accompany their SXSW gigs.

1. R.E.M. – This legendary band should not need any introduction. They closed the 2003 Austin City Limits Music Festival magnificently and their first SXSW appearance should be another “I was there” type experience. Rumor has it that the show will take place at Stubb’s, although we reckon they could have done better at the newly renovated Austin Music Hall. Anyway, get in line early! And enjoy classics like “Losing My Religion”, “Man On The Moon” and “Fall On Me” (but probably not other classics like “Radio Free Europe”, “Driver 8”, and “Try Not To Breathe” – fingers crossed though).

Top 10 Texas acts not-to-be-missed: Zookeeper, Young Heart Attack, Tacks, the Boy Disaster, The Black Angels, Zykos, Ghosthustler, Future Clouds and Radar, Lions, Oh No! Oh My!, & Okkervil River.

Top 10 International not-to-be-missed: Annie, Cut Copy, Digitalism, Fuck Buttons, Ed Harcourt, Simian Mobile Disco, Tremor, Jens Lekman, Los Campesinos!, & MSTRKFRT.

And don’t forget to complete your SXSW experience with an El Pastor taco from El Rapido taco wagon or a grilled cheese from Go Bites (both in the vicinity of 6th and Red River).
                        -  Adi Anand