All photos by David Greenwald

[Rawkblog @ SXSW 2010: Complete Coverage]

Following Dustin O’Halloran’s performance, German composer Hauschka taped all manner of screws and coils and nails to the church piano on the spot in order to replicate the prepared piano groans and whirs of his recordings. His next effort, he announced, is finished and due in October—after his transcendent set in the hallowed hall, it can’t come soon enough. [Via my Cokemachineglow review; both artists will be at the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Friday.] More photos after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

The National at the Troubadour, 2006 / photo by David Greenwald

When I first started following The National, after the release of Alligator in 2005, dudes weren’t exactly the toast of indie-ville. Their brooding, slow-burning sound took a while to catch on — it wasn’t until a tour with blogosphere then-phenoms Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and the eventual release of 2007′s even mellower Boxer that the band began to get the recognition they deserve. (In the span of just two years, I saw them jump from the Troubadour to the Wiltern.) Now, May’s High Violet is primed to become this year’s Veckatimest, if not its 125k-first week Contra. You’ll remember that Alligator was my absolute favorite album of the last decade, and I’ve got nothing but high hopes for the new record — but given the spotlight they’ve acquired, you probably don’t need me to gush about every minor news item a few hours after Pitchfork/Stereogum/etc. does (If you do: I will happily do so, post in the comments!) However, I can’t miss posting their first single, the essential “Bloodbuzz Ohio” — as steadily anthemic a track as we’ve come to expect from the New York act. Enjoy.

The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio”: mp3

(High Violet is due May 11 on Beggars Banquet)

Previous Posts: The National | New Music

All photos by David Greenwald

[Rawkblog @ SXSW 2010: Complete Coverage]

Dustin O’Halloran’s meditative melodies, backed by a string quartet, were a fine appetizer for the meaty main course of prepared pianist Hauschka, who followed his set at the Central Presbyterian Church. (Both artists will be at the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Friday.) More photos after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

[Rawkblog @ SXSW 2010: Complete Coverage]

At this point, I was on a flight home to Los Angeles with Method Man, but hours earlier, I’d been hanging out in Austin with my friend Jordan as he prepared for his annual post-SXSW vegan BBQ later that night — a party he was hoping Snoop Dogg would attend. Looks like Bill (who was spotted hanging out at SXSW all week, including a bartending gig at Shangri-La) did him one better. (Word on the street is that Bill shotguns a Tecate like a pro.)

More : Concert Photos | SXSW 2010

All photos by David Greenwald

[Rawkblog @ SXSW 2010: Complete Coverage]

Out-of-the-way club Malverde was a packed house by the time IAMSOUND showcase opening act VOICEsVOICEs took the stage, perhaps due to the Hollywood-style atmosphere or the killer lineup. But with less dance-y acts playing across town, fear of the apocalypse in VOICEsVOICEs’ gothic electro-ambient had me leaving the revelers to their fun early. More after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

All photos by David Greenwald

[Rawkblog @ SXSW 2010: Complete Coverage]

Local boys International Waters were my favorite new band of the whole festival — I premiered their latest single, “Salt and Sea,” earlier this week. More photos after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

All photos by David Greenwald

[Rawkblog @ SXSW 2010: Complete Coverage]

Real Estate’s forlorn guitar meanderings were perfect for an afternoon in the Austin sun, though the band could’ve played with a bit more passion. Blame the free Red Stripe. More shots after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Exclaim reports that Wolf Parade will return with their third album for Sub Pop on June 29, but the best news is that Howard Bilerman — who worked on the Arcade Fire’s Funeral and recorded an early Wolf Parade demo was well as helming Ravens & Chimes’ debut — is behind the boards.

Previously: Live: Wolf Parade at the Henry Fonda Theater, 7.19.08

More album news and MP3s on the 2010 album release calendar.

(Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade; photo by David Greenwald)