SXSW Tonevendor

Since everyone and their mom is posting things about the upcoming SXSW (South By Southwest) extravaganza on their music blogs, I figured we might as well get in on the action. But we’re going to focus exclusively on the Tonevendor/Clairecords SXSW shindigs.

A word about them first: Tonevendor is one of the best indie distribution houses (as well as physical music store) around. Dan and Heather run a really tight but friendly ship. They WILL give smaller bands the time of day, amazingly. They also PAY artists what they’re due, unlike many others. I don’t have many nice things to say about other distros in general, but we’ll save all the negative thoughts for later.

Anyhow, they also release records on their own Clairecords label and they are holding a few musical get-togethers at thie year’s SXSW. Hm.. Hey wait-a-minute SXSW is this week already! Oops, we slacked so this newspost is just barely on time. Hate when that happens.

Their first get-together is a SXSW Daytime Party which is sponsored by them and Thirty Ghosts and Ace Fu. It takes place on March 15 at the End Of An Ear Records shop. Listed on the bill are: Tuung, My Education and Rachel Goldstar.

The actual Tonevendor / Clairecords showcase is that same night at 8PM till 2AM and takes place at Habana Calle. Interestingly, the show will double bill with the Absolutely Kosher showcase outside and Tonevendor inside. Featured on the bill are My Education, Sciflyer, The Brother Kit, Belong, Rachel Goldstar and Luminous Orange.

I actually haven’t heard all of the bands before though I do know that many will fall into the noisy shoegaze category (a la MBV, etc.). I actually have heard the deliciously buzzy and drony Sciflyer before though. The latest release from this Alameda, CA band is “The Age of Lovely, Intimate Things” and I believe they are touring the Western part of the U.S. currrently.

I got a chance to listen to Japan’s Luminous Orange just now, and they were quite good… very MBV/Swirlies/Stereolab.

Here are links to songs by the participating bands available for download on the Official SXSW website:

Tunng - Tale From Black
Rachel Goldstar - Christmas Day
My Education - Snake in the Grass
Sciflyer - Like An Ion
The Brother Kite - Death Ray
Belong - October Language
Luminous Orange - Drop You Vivid Colours

The full posting for the Tonevendor SXSW schedule is available on their website at: www.tonevendor.com/sxsw.

by Palebear