Typos and syntax errors not withstanding, this SxSW guide experiment has gone pretty smoothly so far. My fourth day this week extracting the value from that modest list on SxSW.com involves artists beginning with the letter D, predictably. This post also marks the first time of going live in conjunction with Artocker.com, the web-only version retaining the values of the original magazine, which has since gone on to greener pastures. To see the rest of my rantings tempered by considered evaluation go straight here: http://everysinglerevolution.blogspot.com.
Anyway onwards...
David Dallas (www.myspace.com/daviddallas)
Auckland rapper David Dallas does very little with the blueprint but follow it - soul sample, typical beats, cliched delivery yadda yadda. There's nothing wrong, but it'd be nice to have something that is rooted in real experience and culturally relevant rather than sounding as if it could've come from the USA at any time in the last 10 years.
Dappled Cities (www.myspace.com/dappledcities)
I was alerted to these Australians by an exceptional individual a while back, and while not appealing to my finer senses, I can appreciate their lush string-sewn pop music. Somewhere inbetween the occasional falsetto and earnest lyrics is a slightly manic dramatist aching to turn heads. Entertainment is almost guaranteed.
Daveman (www.myspace.com/davemanmusic)
The amusingly naive moniker doesn't betray the unexpected German take on reggae-flambe pop. However the formulaic, uninspiring rhymes and melodies mean that while it'll sound significantly spicy in the heat, in the cold wintery temperatures of England in December it sounds shockingly insipid.
The Daylights (www.myspace.com/thedaylights)
If you can imagine the musical backdrop to those indie-approved semi-love scenes in teen soaps like The OC and Dawson's Creek and match it transparency-style with the arena ambition of U2, you have the awful travesty that are The Daylights. Almost hilariously bad.
The dB's (www.myspace.com/standsfordecibels)
Perhaps the least new band here, the dB's were a short-lived proposition from the 70s-80s who reformed last year. They deal in fairly dated laid-back rock-pop with finger clicks, saxophone, and lyrical inanities. Nevertheless, they're still ten times more skilled than the majority of what I've listened to so far AND AT LEAST THEY CAN SAY THEY WERE THERE AT THE TIME YOU IDIOTS!!
Dead Sexy Inc. (www.myspace.com/deadsexyinc)
This French and German hybrid are barely worth a mention, seemingly formed as a joke - at least that's what these heavy synth-encrusted pieces of shit they call songs or remixes, and that horribly clunky name - indicate.
The Deaf (www.myspace.com/thedeafspace)
From one of the worst names to one of the best - unfortunately these Netherlands dwellers or a complete facsimile of The Hives, their dress and sound bleeding black and white. Having said that, this 50s/60s garage hybrid is pretty timeless, and it'll be a riot anyway. the teasingly named Miss Fuzz has an excellent voice too.
Deer Tick
(www.myspace.com/deertick)
As the world lumbers under the combined weight of every Bella Union-inspired folk-rooted harmony group that has sprung trapdoor-spider like from Bon Iver's and Fleet Foxes' accomplishments, Deer Tick at least lend a Two Gallants country-esque roll to what they do. It's seriously listenable, and that harder edge at least distinguishes it from those unimaginative acoustic troubadours.
Delhi 2 Dublin (www.myspace.com/delhi2dublin)
Perhaps the most self-explanatory name ever, Delhi 2 Dublin's bhangra via Celt electro-folk is the ultimate culture clash. With Punjabi vocals rubbed across flourishes of fiddle playing, it's a shockingly natural mix. It could've sounded forced but it blends well. Nevertheless it still somehow sounds a novelty, however serious they may be. Might be worth visiting to up your culture points.
Paul Dempsey (www.myspace.com/pauldempseysolo)
From Melbourne band Something For Kate, Paul Dempsey is tedium personified with his lightweight, unambitious acoustic singer-songwriter pop songs. So dispiritingly dull it's hard to express my boredom in a vaguely exciting way. Sorry.
Diplomats of Solid Sound (www.myspace.com/thediplomatsofsolidsound)
Jazz and hip-hop flecked soul music, fronted by the iron gloved, bellowing vocals of two leading ladies it's gloriously funky stuff, but sounds devoid of any touches which will make me anything other than reminiscent for soul's golden age. Still glad they're trying though.
DJ Car Stereo (Wars) (www.myspace.com/carstereowars)
DJ Evil Dee (www.myspace.com/djevildee)
DJ Revolution (www.myspace.com/djrevolution)
Probably best if you listen and make your own minds up before I utter the immortal words "This isn't even music". Coz obviously it is, they're just spinning records is all.
Daniel Francis Doyle (www.myspace.com/danielfrancisdoyle)
Ever felt like you've been slapped right in the face but you don't care because you deserved it and you've been waiting for it in masochistic style for a while? Well when I finally reached DFD's myspace after the swathes of awfulness today, I applauded this sudden rush of awkward guitars and untrained croon. Thoroughly original, frenetic yet almost soothing, DFD's music is almost as unweildy as his full name. An excellent surprise and a must see. Lovely.
Adiam Dymott (www.myspace.com/adiamdymott)
Swedish solo artist Adiam Dymott throws a ragged garage-punk swagger in with her sugary vocals, a surprisingly enticing mix. Ultimately the vocal melodies are far too radio-attuned to really engage with, but it's still a refreshing nod to the commercial possibilities of guitar driven sound. Still one to miss, but perhaps with a guilty feeling of "indier-than-thou".
That's the D's over with. Next will be a double barrage of E's and F's, so bring your best mac lest you get splashed with disapproval.
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