Urban Outfitters

Ridiculously awesome and so very 2008.

Just sayin.

No summer classes? Check. Shore rental with your peeps? Check. Beach chair? Check. Abs correct? Check. Stack of celebutrash magazines? Check. SmartWater? Check. Then you best have our Summer Essentials mix on your boombox and your nano when you hit the beach this June. Download it now.

"You can be a rapper....but you can’t be a gangsta...you don’t wanna be a gangsta.” More late 80s gold.

Oh, to be Sebastien Tellier.

Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) & Miles Kane (The Rascals) are The Last Shadow Puppets. Don’t know how Domino got this video budget to happen but they pull out the big guns (literally) for this one. Album out May 6 if you were curious.

This is exactly how we’d like our world to look when we go out on Friday nites.

I have flown in the rocketship. I have been shot out of the rocketship. I have landed in the water. I have seen the underwater cities. I have broken the surface. I have caught my breath. Big build and release dynamics from half organic, half electronic bands rule.

OK, not what you think, but twisted just the same. Excepter seem to have a knack of being disturbing at whatever they do but instead of pain this vid comes with some awesome visuals.

Not sure why there isn’t more buzz around this song. The choreography is nuts, the beat is silly (but fun silly) and the lyrics ("If I get cranky/then I get spankings”?!?!) are a perfect song trifecta.

More dancefloor/club heat from Yelle....she also brought the sexy on this video too. Her new CD drops April 1.

Portishead are back and decidedly darker (is that even possible?). Their new CD, “Third”, drops April 28.

Diddy is coming for you Miami! This Friday nite @ Cameo as a part of the Winter Music Conference he’s got Claude VonStroke, Steve Angello, and the Martinez Brothers on the decks. Not for the shy. 

Mississippi’s Colour Revolt kicked Saturday off playing to a crowd that made sure to make it just for them. They were heavy on guitars, heavy on shouts, and heavy on intense, driving rhythms in a Southern Rock vein.  It wasn’t music blinded by rage, it was lyrically smart and aggressive all at the same time.  They were definitely a nice addition to the day’s lineup.

I was glad to see the highly recommended Sian Alice Group because I missed them once before. Lush orchestral compositions featuring Sian Alice’s voice at the center resulted in a collaborative vibe that made me feel as if I was witnessing an event rather than a rote performance of a set list.  The drums were often enhanced with mallets or shakers to create a tribal sounding beat with a soft melody glaze on top.  Overall, it was very pretty and enveloping. 

With a name like Holy Fuck you might expect something other than an improvisational, electronic group.  Two drum kits and a table full of synths and pedals created a spontaneous collection of danceable noise that was totally impressive.  Their set was almost entirely instrumental (technically, there were two songs with blown-out vocals) but with enough blips and glitches to keep things space-modern.  Occasionally their arrangements creeped into a funk place but then quickly moved into whooshing builds and “Body Movin” beats.  This group was a surprise hit for me.

It’s hard to believe Plants and Animals aren’t U.S. of A-ers, what with all their twang and 70’s inspired/alt-country indie rock.  I knew I already liked this group of Canadians, but I didn’t know how much until I saw them at the in-store.  Lead singer Warren Spicer’s croon is capable of channeling Dylan or Petty. Choruses sung by all three members elevate and change up the pace of songs, going from fast and loud to soft.  The vocal agility of all three members is clear in these change-ups.  The one wish I have is that their recordings encapsulated the life and freshness that was showcased in their performance. 

I love the Radar Bros. I’ve loved them for years and years. Like, a really long time.  Which is why I’m thrilled they updated their sound for 2008.  They’ve pressed ahead, leaving their older, ultra quiet, wide-open prairie soundtrack behind in favor of more obvious and up-front pop songs.  It’s a welcome change, and one that became even more apparent when they threw in oldie-but-goodie “Rock of the Lake” from a previous release.  Love you, Radar Bros!

Murs got real. No shuttershades or bling, from his place on stage he just talked to people about life. This longtime underground rapper and producer was a great ending to a tiring but amazing few days.  SXSW 2008 was a BASH!  Thanks to the Austin store friends who made everything happen, and to Dryw for setting up such a delicious smorgasbord of talent.

Though I was feeling a bit tired from the previous nite, I was excited to experience today’s lineup.  It was expected to be out of control and did not disappoint. Port O’Brien was a good way to ease into the day; Van Pierszalowski’s singing had a comforting, warm and personal touch. His voice struck me as sounding like a young Jeff Tweedy before all the cigarettes.  Everything wasn’t all downbeat; their songs were punctuated with boy-girl unison shouts.  All in all, Port O’Brien was a pleasant mix of alt-country and acoustic folk.