I promise I won't go all SXSW crazy on your ass because I'm not like that. But, as I was doing some research for an interview I did today I stumbled upon this preliminary lineup for the festival this year. To my great surprise I saw a lot of Latin American bands represented, which really turns my page. I can't say if any of them are any good but it still makes me happy to see the sounds of our southern brethren creep back up to what was once Mexico.
Latin American bands to appear at SXSW:
Banda de Turistas (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Bomba Estereo (Bogota, Columbia)
Choc Quib Town (Bogota, Columbia)
Division Miniscula (Matamoros, Mexico)
Doctor Krapula (Bogota, Columbia)
Gabi Almedia (Sao Paolo, Brazil)
Insite (Mexicali, Mexico)
Los Fancy Free (Mexico City, Mexico)
Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico City, Mexico)
Motel (Mexico City, Mexico)
Mundo Livre Sa (Recife, Brazil)
Pato Machete (Monterrey, Mexico)
Simplifires (Mexico City, Mexico)

I've seen bits and pieces of information about the Dark Was the Night compilation which as far as I was concerned just had a bunch of my favorite musicians pairing up for some cause or whatever.

Turns out, if you go to the website they provide you with a whole slew of information. Weird, I know.
But let's kill two birds with one stone and get that all out of the way here.

Dark Was the Night is a 31 song compilation that will be printed in CD, triple vinyl, and is also digitally downloadable. The proceeds go to the AIDS awareness charity Red Hot Organization.

Its official release date is February 16th, and the albums will feature tracks from the likes of Spoon, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo, The Books and plenty more. 

They've also made this widget available to preview some tracks and pass along the good word of a worth while cause.

This is one of those songs that makes me think, "shit, I shoulda written that."

Too bad the singer is way prettier than I am.

Girls

If you know me you know all I want to do is run away to Argentina and never return.

This just made matters much worse because these dudes are fucking my shit up right now.

Frikstailers are doing this digicumbia thing and they do it well. I especially like their remix of Kalise by El Guincho, another guy who's taken South American tropicalia (although he's from Spain) and married it with some intense harmonies, loops, and all that good stuff. You can find that remix on the Mad Decent MySpace

Frikstailers-Baile Frik (original mix)

Jeremy Jay certainly lives by the phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

His music blends the sounds of New Order, The Magnetic Fields, and even a little Hunky Dory era Bowie. 

He's also signed to K Records, how's that for a little throwback credibility?

Jay's voice is different and haunting, his tunes are sexy, his look is impeccable. 

A sophomore LP, Slow Dance is due out on March 24.

Jeremy Jay-Love Everlasting

Jeremy Jay

Bandcamp is a really interesting program. It is the future of the music business, and important for all of you out there who are in bands or are lucky enough to have a boyfriend in one. 

Bandcamp Screencast from Ethan Diamond on Vimeo.

Heard It Through the Grapevine.

One great song, three equally great versions. 

I heard Bon Iver early last fall. The song "Skinny Love" almost made me call my therapist, you know, I felt like I could use a check up.  I kept his first album For Emma, Forever Ago on repeat all winter. I even went to see him play at Johnny Brenda's when he stopped in town. A real wintery album, Bon Iver takes a cold grey evening and conveys it through his falsetto and squeaky acoustic guitar. 

Over night it seemed like everyone was feeling that desperate mid-western man's story. He went from being a mysterious self-recorded musician to a folk enthusiasts regular. 

Bon Iver just released his second record Blood Bank on Jagjaguwar and let me tell you he hasn't lost a bit of his icy chill. 

The four song EP is beautiful and simple, no departure from the lonesome sounds I fell in love last year. Yep, I think I'm gonna have to give the doctor a call.

Bon Iver

Everybody could use a little Prowler in their life. The funk filled music making machine that is this Philadelphia four piece will be rocking the Khyber this Friday evening.
What's in store you ask?
Let's just say the last time I saw Prowler at the Khyber I took my shirt off and waved it above my head like I was in a Petey Pablo video.


Prowler


Here's a video with Keith (lead singer of Prowler/cat lover extraordinaire) and Reef The Lost Cauze (grimey emcee/blunt enthusiast) for two.one.five Magazine.








Also, please help yourself to this track and its hot fire beats.
Free Blood-Never Hear Surf Music Again (Barfly Remix)

Philadelphia, you better thank your lucky stars that a store like Reward has graced our fair city.

Reward is located on N. 2nd St. in Old City. 

It has beautiful clothes and free in-store shows. Frightened Rabbit will be stopping by this Thursday. The first in-store show was in October with Chairlift and was better than any concert money could buy. Plus there were free drinks and shoes for days.

Frightened Rabbit

Reward

Chairlift

Roy Harper- Hors'Doeuvres

Follow with hot cup of tea and at least 10 hours of sleep. 

(via yvynyl)

Here I will share things with you as I see and hear them.

As an introduction here's a playlist I created not too long ago. Some new things and some old, just my way of introducing myself.

welcome to mr. gs room