By Jesseca Bagherpour

To tell you the truth, I am too stressed out about getting ready for NX35 right now to write much about this track. But Slaraffenland, an experimental pop band from Copenhagen, will be playing at SXSt.Patrick’s Day and here’s one of their songs:

Slaraffenland–Polaroids

Verdict: I promise this song is less likely to give you sensory overload than the DD/MM/YYYY track I posted on Tuesday. In fact, it’s downright relaxing.

(Note: Due to the sheer number of submissions we receive there is no way we can give each and every album the attention (and word count) they deserve, but we can devote time to at least one song from each. So we started this feature to give worthy bands, and their music, a spot to shine. We hope this helps you discover new and exciting acts, and as always if you enjoy the music please make an attempt to support the artist by either attending a show or buying a record. Also, occasionally one of our favorite bands does something new, and we geek out about it.)

I assume a discussion went something like this:

Vivian Girls: ” We want to do a cover.”

Vivian Girls Manager: “Ok, who? What song?”

VG: “The Chantals “He’s Gone”.”

VG Manager: “Sounds good, it’s in you’re wheel house.”

VG: “We want to do it acapella.”

VG Manager: “Wait, what?”

And, scene.

Vivian Girls- He’s Gone (Chantals cover)

Verdict: Really, for a band that’s know for their bass, a fuzzed out guitar heavy pop, a acapela cover simply accompanied by tambourine is as out there as you can get. Thankfully the girls of Vivian Girls are able to capably handle the song, which honesty was a bit of a surprise. I can only hope they do this bit for us next Wednesday.

This week our TOD picks will revolve around bands playing at our SXSW day parties on the17th and 19th.

Because I’m sick and tired of answering the “Where do we get our wristband?” question, you get this.

“Registration for attendees, bands, press, VIPs, sponsors, venue staff, God and anyone else who wants a wristband is at 314 E. Hickory from 12-9p.m. TH – SU. Yes, this is the ONLY place to get a wristband, even if you pre-paid online. No, you cannot pick up wristbands for other people since we have to use a crimping tool to secure the wristband around your wrist. Now go read the FAQs like good little conferetters.”

Also, here is the Lips/Midlake FAQ.

Now everyone leave me the hell alone, and have a good time.

-Jaime

Brunswick, the official NX35 mascot

There had been some debate amongst us if we should even bother doing a Rundown this week, what with those of you who care about music already knowing who you’re going to see and why you’re seeing them. But, being who we are, we’ve each decided to suggest two acts you should see every night. Take a look after the jump.

Thursday

Jaime’s picks

I’ve talked almost non-stop about Parata for years. The pet-project of Denton’s TJ Smith has evolved from the dark, horror-movie-referencing music of Keating to the Built to Spill-esque guitar and bass-heavy songs that Parata occasionally graces us with today. That being said, the morphing of the music has lead to some wonderfully catchy hooks that worm their way into your mind. Make sure to catch their set at J&J’s

The best email I’ve received this year was from one of The Bizarro Kids. It ended simply with “Fuck Bryce Avery.” And if that wasn’t enough to sell me on the band, their blend of trip rock & psychedelia makes me not want to miss their performance at Texas 8 Ball.

Jesseca’s Picks

I’ve been a fan of Evangelicals for a few years now but I have yet to see them live. So there is no way I’m missing their set at RGRS. They’re one of many bands playing at NX35 who make me realize that Oklahomans are much cooler and more intelligent than most Texans are willing to admit.

Delmore Pilcrow is one of the coolest bands in Denton. They’ve changed their lineup, and from what I’ve heard their live shows, since the last time I saw them (which I think was two years ago). As I’ve said before, they play real rock’n'roll. I’ll definitely catch them at Jupiter House before I head to Rubber Gloves for Evangelicals.

Nina’s Picks

I’m probably the only music-lovin’ Dentonite that hasn’t experienced an RTB2 show yet, but this is going to change in a few days, folks. I can feel the energy they emanate simply by watching one of their recorded shows online, so my mind can’t even comprehend what it will be like to see them live.

The first time I saw Jacob Metcalf was unintentional. I was actually taking my time to get to the The Local Edge show in Dallas because I hadn’t heard much about him. But I got there right as they announced him and his surprise: a string section. His beautiful arrangement of folk tunes captivated me. The thing about Jacob is that you don’t know what to expect next, and I look forward to see what surprises he has up his sleeve this time.

Friday

Jaime’s Pick

I’m not giving two bands here, because to me the night is all about Houston’s Indian Jewelry, a band I’ve seen some 10-odd times. Their blend of noise and psychedelia is something you’ll rarely see, as their live show pushes all boundaries by going above and beyond crowd participation and whipping a venue into a frenzy of sweat, screams and strobe lights. Either you love it, and live it, or you’re getting the fuck out. If you’re brave we’ll see you at RGRS.

Jesseca’s Picks

I know I’ve talked about how Record Hop is one of my favorite bands. They’ve nearly busted my eardrums every time I’ve seen them live (even when I’m smart enough to bring earplugs) and I love them for it. Their sets are stellar and highly addictive, meaning their set at Andy’s is a must-see if you’ve never witnessed them live. And they have arguably the best drummer in Denton.

We all know Jaime’s opinion on Fergus & Geronimo (a snide reference to The King Khan & BBQ show, if you missed it) and I have to admit it’s well-founded. But, regardless of their similarities to other bands, these kids play great music and I highly recommend catching their set at Hailey’s, along with the rest of Weekly Tape Deck’s showcase.

Nina’s Picks

Matthew Milia’s voice is the main reason I want to see Frontier Ruckus. It is so mournful and honest on top of the beautiful banjo lines. Plus, they have a singing-saw.

There’s something about The Rocketboys that reminds me of the beautiful West Texas skies–big, grand and uplifting. Maybe it’s because they formed in Abilene under those West Texas skies, or maybe it’s their shimmering guitar sound. Either way, it’s straight, earnest indie rock that I look forward to seeing.

Saturday

Jaime’s picks

The Laughing is one of Austin’s best up-and-coming bands, and their damn near perfect pop music translates perfectly on stage. We saw these guys at FunFunFun Fest and have been a bit infatuated with their music ever since, and we can’t wait to see them at Andy’s.

HEY, DENTON KIDS! Green Corn Revival is just like everything you currently love but, you know, a little bit better! Make sure to catch them at Banter.

Jesseca’s Picks

Since Jaime only used one pick, for Friday, I picked an extra one for Saturday. I have seen all of these acts live, yet I still can’t choose which one I’ll see on Saturday. I’m obviously the most excited about The Flaming Lips, but they’ll be done (playing Dark Side of the Moon!) before these bands start.

Br’er can take you to a beautiful, magical place with their music. Jupiter House is the perfect, intimate setting to fully take them in, and I imagine their performance will be as captivating as it was the last time they played there.

I’ve seen Colourmusic once, a few years ago at Hailey’s. They were all wearing women’s clothing and had what was either a merch guy or an audience member (I showed up a tad late) pretending to iron on stage next to them. Their music is as weird and fun as their act. If that sounds like your kind of thing, catch them at Andy’s on Saturday.

I have a feeling The Black Angels will win this one, unless Hailey’s is packed and I’m not in the mood for a crowd (and if I’m not, NX35 probably isn’t the place for me).

Nina’s Picks

Telegraph Canyon won album of the year from several local publications last year, and for good reason. The first time I saw them at the Dallas Observer Music Awards showcase was memorable; the entire crowd remained quiet and in awe. That’s a pretty impressive thing to accomplish in Dallas.

I know Young and Brave just played at our Blogiversary, but I had never seen or heard of them beforehand. I’m the new kid on the block, remember? I love the bluesy feel of their rock and they were definitely a highlight of that show for me.

Sunday

Jaime’s Pick

I absolutely cannot get enough of Austin’s Follow That Bird! and their hard-charging retro-pop sound. Their bill on Sunday, where they share the stage with Pomegranates, Jookabox and The Walkmen, is surely the highlight of the festival.

Jesseca’s Pick

To be honest, even though I know some great local and national acts are playing on Sunday, all I care about is seeing The Walkmen. I’m only a casual fan, but I’ve heard nothing but great things about their live shows.

Nina’s Picks

Holy flippin’ smokes. I want to see everyone on Sunday. What show I end up going to depends largely on my mood, as I could dance, party or sit back and enjoy a good rock show. You really won’t be disappointed at any showcase you choose. I do want to catch the showcase at Dan’s as three bands will be traveling overseas to play at this music conferette and I think that’s a testament to the pursuit of growth by the NX35 programming team. In particular, I’ve really been digging The Middle East and The Kissaway Trail lately. I know it’s the softer choices of Sunday’s bands, but I’m going to claim it.

(Note: Due to the sheer number of submissions we receive there is no way we can give each and every album the attention (and word count) they deserve, but we can devote time to at least one song from each. So we started this feature to give worthy bands, and their music, a spot to shine. We hope this helps you discover new and exciting acts, and as always if you enjoy the music please make an attempt to support the artist by either attending a show or buying a record. Also, occasionally one of our favorite bands does something new, and we geek out about it.)

By Jesseca Bagherpour

This week our TOD picks will revolve around bands playing at our SXSW day parties on the 17th and 19th.

DD/MM/YYYY (said simply as “day month year”, if you weren’t sure) will be playing both of our day parties this year. They play fun yet fascinating experimental music and are constantly evolving and tweaking their sound. Get a taste of what they offer with “Digital Haircut”.

DD/MM/YYYY–Digital Haircut

Daybowbow and No Words are proud to present SXSaintPatrick’s Day, featuring underground superstars Vivian Girls. This unofficial SXSW day party will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17 at The Ghost Room (304 W 4^th St.) and will cost $5, which includes unlimited beer.

Beloved by critics and music fans alike, Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls are one of the hottest groups in the indie music scene. They’re known for their lush harmonies, tight instrumentals and punk-meets-girl-group sound. The Girls are currently touring to promote their second release, Everything Goes Wrong, which has garnered rave reviews from the Los Angeles Times, Uncut, Paste and Pitchfork Media, among many others.

By Jesseca Bagherpour

Yesterday I was devastated by the news that Mark Linkous (the genius behind Sparklehorse) took his own life. I thought this song would be appropriate because of the chorus: “I’m so sick of goodbyes, goodbyes … ” Too many brilliant artists have died in the past four months, many of them by suicide. And I’m getting sick of goodbyes.

RIP, Mark Linkous (1962-2010).

So here’s the deal: we’ve been fairly light on the NX35 coverage due mainly to, well, some “involvement” with the festival. In an effort to provide some level of “countdown” coverage, we are going to go through 20 tracks from 20 bands at a time every Friday until the weekend of the conferette. (For those of you who are a little slow, there are three weeks left until NX35, which means we will be sharing 60 tracks with you.) Let’s hope this helps all of you have a better understanding of the music that is quickly approaching. If you like any of the bands, check out when/where they’re playing and find more info at NX35.com.

I can’t believe NX35 is just a week away. It’s seemed like this distant event that everyone around me would be perpetually toiling and stressing over (and that I was involved in, to a more moderate degree). But now the hard work is about to pay off. I think this year marks a new chapter in the NX35 saga. Things are about to get big for Little D. Anyway … enough of my sentimental ramblings … Here’s the third and final installment of the never-ending NX35 track-by-track (I guess it had an ending after all). –Jess

Jaime’s Picks

Pattern is Movement-Light of the World

One of the better live acts I caught last year was Pattern is Movement. I say that not just because of their amazing Beyonce cover, but because the band is made up of two first-rate musicians. They capably ply their trade, while managing to push themselves towards something greater.

Robert Ellis- Foolish Blues

Every region has thier own Ryan Ellis, a musician of such excellence that he can’t help but be apart of as many projects as possible, while still maintaining a excellent project of his own. Well, Robert Ellis seems to be that guy in Houston. And his roots-based solo work is indicative of an artist who knows where he comes from, and where he could go.

Julianna Barwick- Anjos

It’s really difficult not to label this as “angelic”, what with the lush sounds reverbrating off the walls of my office as I type this, but to do so would be weak on my part. So I’m forced to describe this as something close to capturing the moment when the surf beats the coastline, and all you feel is the wind washing over you.

Fergus & Geronimo–Tell It (In My Ear)

Man, does King Khan ever fucking rock.

(Note: I adore Fergus & Geronimo. This is all Jaime. But … they do sound a lot like The King Khan & BBQ Show. –Jess)

Frontier Ruckus–Mona and Emmy

There’s a rather great list in the AV Club’s Inventory book called “10 Great Songs Nearly Ruined by Saxophone“. If I ever had the chance to make a book of my own, this track would make my “15 Good Songs Made Great by Trumpet” list, as the opening segue instantly captivates you into wanting to stick with the song.

Horse Feathers- Belly of June

How the hell did they manage to pick this song out? Honestly, I know it can be precieved to be  rudimentry “folk picking”, but I find it to be excellent. I listen to this song quite a bit, trying to figure out how exactly they did this.

Icarus Himself–Sometimes I Can’t Stand You, But That Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Want You Around

So. Much. Fuzz.

Jesseca’s Picks

The Flaming Lips–Silver Trembling Hands

I think I can safely say The Flaming Lips are the most highly anticipated act playing at NX35. I still can’t believe they’re playing in Denton. For free. They’re one of a handful of bands to be together for over 20 years and remain consistently relevant and exciting. This song is from their latest record, Embryonic, and, like the rest of the album, it makes me freak out (in the best possible way) every time I hear it.

Sabra Laval–Can’t Tell Why

My first encounter with Sabra Laval was at The Majestic Dwelling of Doom last Saturday. I may have been hallucinating due to exhaustion, but her voice and music transformed that damp, graffiti-ridden basement into a Paris cafe in the 1960s. I can’t really explain more than that. See her live and you’ll understand.

Zorch–Zut Alore!

I love these guys and their music and I cannot wait to see them again for NX35 (and then SXSW, as we’ve been collaborating with them for that). I spoke a bit about their recording technique, and how damn nice they are, in a feature I did on them in November.

Ola Podrida–Cindy

Despite the fact that I’ve been trying to avoid sad music lately, I keep wanting to play this song. It’s beautiful and heart-wrenching. Even more heart-wrenching: deciding between seeing these guys at the Western Vinyl showcase and seeing Fergus & Geronimo at the Weekly Tape Deck showcase next Friday.

Br’er–Painted Lady

This reminds me of a Björk song, like it would fit perfectly on Vespertine. Br’er (aka Benjamin Schurr) opened Sleep Whale’s Houseboat release show at Jupiter House a few months ago and it was absolutely captivating. The intimate venue will again showcase Br’er’s music at NX. Definitely an act to catch.

The Middle East–Blood

Australia has some astonishingly good musicians, and The Middle East is no exception. At first I thought this song was sweet, sappy even, with its soft acoustic guitars and sweet vocals, but it builds into this epic, gorgeous tune full of whistles, glock, horns and harmonies. And although it’s about death, it still makes me want to run out and enjoy life (perhaps that’s the point … to enjoy life while we can).

Glen Farris–The Edge of Town

At least half of the young women in Denton are in love with Glen Farris. I’m not one of them (which is a surprise if you know my taste in men), but I do love his music. He’s one of Denton’s finest lyricists and he’s got the vocal chops to do his lyrics justice.

Nina’s Picks

Birds and Batteries–Out in the Woods

This genre-blending group from San Francisco mixes a bit of rock, country, funk, electronica, and pop, never conforming to a specific sound. “Out of the Woods” is their funkier track, but make sure to hit up their Myspace page to listen to the variety of styles they have to offer.

Nicholas Altobelli–Northern Lights

It’s hard to believe that Nicholas Altobelli is originally from sunny Southern California. His dark, slow-tempo brand of folk is more of a soundtrack to the long winter we just experienced in Texas–sad, reflective, yet somehow a bit warm.

The Phuss–Preacher, Preacher

This duo formed two years ago with the intent of making “dirty Texas devil rock.” With their recently dropped debut album, Wanted, covering the life of a murderous outlaw through their fusion of blues, rock, and alt-country, I’d say they’ve definitely succeeded.

Stardeath and White Dwarfs–I Can’t Get Away

This song’s groove makes me feel like a badass.

Sore Losers–Bizarre Celebrations (Fizzy Dino Pop Remix)

What do you get when you combine one of the best hipster-hop acts in Dallas with the eight-bit beeps and boops of Fizzy Dino Pop? A flippin’ party, y’all.

This Will Destroy You–The World Is Our

Sometimes you just a little post-rock instrumentals in your life. The ability to invoke a range of emotions without lyrics is what This Will Destroy You accomplishes, and beautifully so.

A close musician friend of mine (whom I greatly admire and respect) once defended this band by calling them a “Denton Institution”, which pained me to hear as I  (and many others) have always felt their music was lacking and their moves exploitative. I, of course, was proven correct in my thoughts when the band went full-bore in their attempt to become the official jingle band for a restaurant I have always found lacking (and offensive). In summation, this is not going to be nice. Something about discussing stock bands who no-show venues, and are terrible, tends to put me in a foul mood.

Pro:

This band has literally conned people into thinking they matter, and this piece of marketing further perpetuates that lie.

Con:

Calling this easy listening is an insult to Seals & Crofts, this sounds more like what a middle aged white couple from Flower Mound, TX would consider a great act to catch at a park festival pimping Tom’s.

Pro:

Well … you know what? Fuck this. I’m going to watch Heaven’s Gate. It’s 3 + hours of absolute madness, and it killed the director’s age.

Con:

I actually decided watching Heaven’s Gate was a better option than writing about this shit.