radio barz

SXSW announces first round of bands for 2010

SXSW Music just announced the first round of bands that will perform at SXSW 2010:

• Giulia y los Tellarini; Barcelona, Spain
• The Hong Kong Blood Opera; Hermosillo, Mexico
• Archie Bronson Outfit; London, England
• The Temper Trap; Melbourne, Australia
• Japandroids; Vancouver, Canada
• CHEW LiPS; London, England

 

SXSW newsXnotes

No, I won't make it to SXSW this year, but that won't stop me from reading and writing about it and sharing the SouthBy news. See you in 2010.

• Meet Jedd Hughes, performing at the Rock Camp/BMI show March 18. (Austin360)
• The latest SXSW schedule by date and venue.
• What's NPR up to at SXSW? (Austin360)
• Angus and Julia Stone to play KCRW showcase. (Plug In Music)
• Links to help you follow SXSW on the Web courtesy of Austin360.

Watch Radio Barz for more SXSW link, news and tears (from me, because I won't be in Austin this year).

Live Poltz may cure what ails you

Stressed about the economy? Tired of all the electioneering? If you live near Rock Island, Illinois, check out the October 21 show sponsored by Daytrotter at Huckleberry's Pizza Parlor featuring Steve Poltz and Becca Rice.  Poltz is great live. I caught two of his ka-jillion sets at SXSW 2008, including his appearance at Mojo's Mayhem at the Continental Club where he almost suffered decapitation by ceiling fan after a stage dive.

It's an all-ages show and begins at 7 p.m. Central Time.

And if you're not in the vicinity, get your virtual dose of Steve Poltz -- singer of Jeep jingles and former Jewel paramour.

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Catch REM live at Stubb's in Austin

Did you miss REM's blazing live set at Stubb's during SXSW last month? So did I.

But no worries, thanks to NPR, you can listen to the complete show online.

6th Street scene, SXSW, Saturday evening

6th Street x SXSW, Saturday Night
Originally uploaded by mjbarz

Standing on the corner of Sixth and Trinity streets, Saturday evening, March 15.

James McMurtry at Mojo's Mayhem

James McMurtry at Mojo's Mayhem
Originally uploaded by mjbarz

The Continental Club "Sisters" do their best to distract James McMurtry during a rousing performance of "Choctaw Bingo." James is a pretty cool character, but I think I saw him smile once.

Jon Dee Graham at Mojo's Mayhem

Jon Dee Graham at Mojo's Mayhem
Originally uploaded by mjbarz

Jon Dee Graham (right) performs at Mojo's  Mayhem).

I've listened to more of Jon Dee Graham's music since SXSW than I have music by any other artist.  His songs and performances compel you to listen. While the characters and situations often seem bleak, there is an unmistakable vein of hope that courses through his songs. Bleak is something most of us deal with at some point in our life. Hope is something we all need.

Check out the trailer for the upcoming documentary, Swept Away.

Buy the Swept Away and Full CDs today (what are you waiting for?) and if you don't live in Austin and can't catch Jon Dee Graham at his  "home office," the Continental Club, most Wednesdays, be sure to see him on his spring tour with Matthew Ryan:

May 2 Eddie's Attic, Decatur/Atlanta, Georgia
May 3 The Evening Muse, Charlotte, North Carolina
May 4 The Berkely Cafe, Raleigh, North Carolina
May 6 Iota Club, Washington DC
May 7 The Living Room, New York, New York
May 8 World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 10 Sam's Saloon, Indianapolis, Indiana
May 13 Schubas, Chicago, Illinois
May 14 Beachland, Cleveland, Ohio
May 15 The Ark, Ann Arbor, Michigan
May 17 The Mercy Lounge, Nashville, Tennessee

Jon Dee Graham and The Fighting Cocks

Jon Dee Graham and The Fighting Cocks
Originally uploaded by mjbarz

Austin's amazing singer,  songwriter and guitarist Jon Dee Graham (right) followed the Mother Truckers at Mojo's Mayhem.

Mother Truckers

Mother Truckers
Originally uploaded by mjbarz

The Mother Truckers live at the Continental Club, Saturday, March 15.

Mother Truckers at Mojo's Mayhem

Mother Truckers
Originally uploaded by mjbarz

It was one great set after another during Mojo's Mayhem as the Mother Truckers  followed Steve Poltz.