The flood of day parties, showcases, and other artist appearances have begun pouring in for this year's South by Southwest, and so, naturally, has news of which of those artists will trickle down to SA. Here's a quick guide to the top five to watch out for:
The Big Spill Festival at the Korova (March 9-17)
Now in its fourth year, the Korova's Big Spill Fest continues to balloon in size, now encompassing a 10-day, three-stage bonanza likely to feature around 100 bands of both the national and local variety. Confirmed so far are party-activist Andrew W.K., folk-rock freaks Akron Family, punk pranksters The Spits, emo-pop punk holdovers Less Than Jake, bassist Nick Olivari (formerly of KYUSS/Queens of the Stone Age) and his Mondo Generator outfit, Norwegian black metal icons Marduk, and Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore's latest project Chelsea Light Moving. Local and regional fare so far includes the Nat'l Parks, Mrs. Howl, El Campo, Parenthetical Girls, and conceivably every other SA band not already in Austin. And for those of you who recall the clusterfuckery of last year's fest, the Big Spill organizers have responded to last year's constant noise complaints by spilling over (*ahem*) to the adjacent Bonds 007 Bar, rather than tempt angry downtown residents with another outdoor stage.
$10-$40, 10pm, The Korova, 107 E Martin, facebook.com/thebigspillsa.
2nd Annual Texas is Funny Showcase at War Room (March 9, 2718 N St Mary's)
On top of their obligatory Austin showcase, the fine folks at Texas is Funny Records will be bringing the thunder to the War Room, with a bill highlighting some of the top shelf of their roster. The Saturday showcase features local acts The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, Deer Vibes, and the Vetter Kids (new project from former Sohns member Marcos Grossi). Also on the bill: Austin's Diving, Fort Worth's Modern Monarch and Bowling Green, and Kentucky's Sixteen.
$5, 9pm, (210) 291-7920, War Room, texasisfunny.com.
Aquired Music Preferred Hip-Hop Showcase at War Room (March 10)
Something for the hip-hop heads among you, Acquired Taste Preferred will be bringing in a slew of artists from across the country. Headliners include Seattle space-rap duo Dark Time Sunshine, Chicago electro-alchemists Void Pedal, and Minneapolis rap-revivalists Moodie Black. The Alamo City's own Chisme will also grace the bill, along with Austin-based beatmaker Anthony Maintain, and indie MC Evolve 1980. Captain Morgan is also sponsoring, meaning SA revelers should get a little taste of the great Austin-SXSW tradition of free booze.
$5-$7, 10pm, (210) 735-1313, War Room, satxmusic.com.
Los Rakas at War Room (March 16)
Los Rakas, a Bay Area-based pair of Panamanian cousins who meld a barrage of styles including dancehall, hip-hop, reggae and Latin into their sound, will share the bill with Latin electronica outfit Royal Highness and SA tag-team duo SAPD.
$10 ($7 with Facebook Event RSVP), War Room, satxmusic.com.
Useless Eaters, Fungi Girls, Eet Feats, The Wiggins, The Rich Hands at War Room (March 12)
A final offering of the garage rock variety, Nashville lo-fi enthusiasts (and Ty Segall disciples) Useless Eaters will be headlining this War Room showcase, with backing from Fort Worth garage rock revivalists Fungi Girls, Austin sludge-pysch trio Eets Feats, Houston noise-punks The Wiggins, and SA upstarts The Rich Hands. Creep and Swedish Erotica will also be on hand at the mixers to keep the music going between sets.
$5, 9pm, War Room, warroomsa.com.
