Last week was fairly exciting what with Micachu and the Shapes giving it their all at Proud in Camden for a Haiti benefit gig, The Invisible performing excellent new material to those at the Borderline and an Audra Mae showcase at Gibson Guitars Studios, not to mention the extra curricular activities (okay drinking) involved at those shows. Now settling down for the next installment of SxSW's showcasing bands, we begin with a charming Americana-countryesque band...
Ha Ha Tonka (www.myspace.com/hahatonka)
Blending reliable strum with a rawer electric stamp, Ha Ha Tonka deliver that country-tinged Neil Young sound with added harmonies and a harder attack. Authentic.
Halves (www.myspace.com/ahomeforhalves)
Continuing the tried-and-tested theme of weaving the traditional with the refined, cybernetic strands of the modern, Halves from Dublin sacrifice a pastoral folk sound to the itching electronics and elongated structures of ambient post-rock. With great results.
Grant Hart (www.granthart.com)
Just out of respect as much as his song really - founder member of the amazing Hüsker Dü. ENUFF SAID.
Hauschka (www.myspace.com/hauschka)
Beautiful piano compositions with cello and other orchestration. Fluctuating embellishments and stripped-away virtuosity. Really lovely.
Hey Colossus (www.myspace.com/heycolossus)
Doom-addled ferocity. Basically the only music anyone ever needs...if they live in Hades. Definitely go listen as it'll probably be the last thing you'll ever hear again. Luckily their songs go on for an eternity.
Home Blitz (www.myspace.com/homeblitz)
Borderline genius amateurish shit - but in an amazing way. Ramshackle, badly recorded, unnecessarily atonal in places making it fantastically vital and refreshing. Solo pop thrash that cares less about musical technique and more about squeezing every inch of energy and half-tune into each second the song exists.
Hopewell (www.myspace.com/hopewell)
The excellent Hopewell provide us with a bewildering spray of serene grooves and utter chaos. It all borders on gospel-tinged glimmers with adrenaline rush endings. Brilliant.
Hyperpotamus (www.myspace.com/hyperpotamus)
One of the worst names for a musical project ever, but this acapella ONE MAN group (listen and see why this had to be written in shouty capitals) is like Battles without any instruments. Thrilling stuff, and exceptionally composed, this should be a riot to be a part of.
That was fun but took longer than usual. I've booked my flights though so there's no going back now...or stopping me either. Motherfuckers.
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