SXSW just keeps getting better and better. Given that last year gave us the multi- Oscar nominated Hurt Locker, it’s best you stay on top of what’s playing the festival this year to get a jump on things. The line-up is always eclectic and this year is no exception. Finally, we get to see “Lemmy“, the documentary chronicling the enigmatic Motorhead frontman and then there’s “One Night In Vegas” about a 1996 Mike Tyson comeback fight that includes advice from his friend Tupac Shakur. Take a look at some other choices highlighted by the New York Times here. Stay on top of everything that’s happening in the SXSW film worldhere and view the complete film line-up on the SXSW site here. And, for the love of rock and roll, enjoy the trailer for Lemmy below!
What a great week for DVD’s and a perfect time to catch some major award winners you may have missed.
We first told you about The Hurt Lockerhere and it’s been collecting awards and accolades ever since. While the film is powerful just based on the subject matter of the Iraq war alone, the style of the filmaking is equally impressive. The film is certain to be nominated for a bunch of Academy Awards, including some in smaller categories. And now, you’ll have the edge in your office Oscar pool you see it pop up in categories like Sound Editing.
Sam Rockwell is “Sam”, in director Duncan Jones sci-fi thriller, Moon. We loved this movie and appreciated it’s storytelling and throwbacks to thrills that involve human drama rather than scary space creatures. And check out our interview with director Duncan Joneshere.
One of our music correspondents came back from Bonnaroo raving about Justin Townes Earle. His dad is singer-songwriter Steve Earle and this guy deserves to be big. Deeply personal songs, crooner chops and a vibe that is uniquely his, he’s all we want to hear right now. There is so much junk blaring out of radios right now, take a minute and enjoy this live performance of a real artist and a real find. Click here to see where he’ll be touring in the next few months.
Click here to learn more about Justin. Enjoy the video of Jason performing at SXSW below:
Mandy Moore is nobody’s Britney Spears wanna-be anymore. She is a more mature singer-songwriter who has released her most intimate album yet, Amanda Leigh (which is also her real name). Mandy has said that this music is more reflective of who she is now and she is finally getting to make the her own musical choices. It probably doesn’t hurt to have a guy as talented as Ryan Adams (the two married recently) hanging around the house potentially influencing your artistic choices.
Brooklyn indie favorites Grizzly Bear are back with a new album, Veckatimest. They wowed the crowds at SXSW and in a review of the CD, Spin magazine wrote, “Steeped in Wilco’s bittersweet Americana, and adding a northeastern gothic twinge, Grizzly Bear sound like they’re trying to break your heart.” If you like The Band and The Beach Boys “Smile”, give Grizzly Bear a listen. Or, try some of these other hipster bands: The Decemberists, M. Ward, and Vetiver. Enjoy a live performance by Grizzly Bear at SXSW below.
New Releases this week offer a great opportunity to discover a new artist or re-aquaint yourself with an old one.
Silversun Pickups, an indie band from Los Angeles, release their second album Swoon on Tuesday. Swoon already has major momentum, and the band even got a shout-out from Didddy on Twitter last week. Silversun Pickups also have a Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour. Below is Lazy Eye which you’ll probably recognize. More info on the band here
John Doe of the legendary punk band X has teamed with The Sadies to release Country Club. This album “is the result of a drunken promise or threat I made to Travis and Dallas [Good, of The Sadies] the first night we played together in Toronto. These happen all the time but it’s rare that anyone remembers them the morning after, let alone follows through and makes it a reality. I’m really glad we did,” says Doe. Covers and originals all get a Bakersfield/Nashville mash-up sound. See what we mean below. More band info and tour dates here.
The great country of Norway has given us Ida Maria(pronounced Ee-da) who is being called “the next big thing” by some. We caught her at SXSW and were blown away. She is one of those artists who puts her soul into her performing and it only heightens the meaning of the lyrics she sings about. Her song Keep Me Warm was featured in the season four finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” and we are digging her song Stella. Check her out at Coachella on the 18th. Enjoy her new single Oh My God below. More on Ida here.
Observe and Report is not your typical comedy. It pushes the boundaries of tasteful and tasteless. It makes you question what you think is funny and what skeeves you out…just know that going in. Here one reviewer’s thoughts or take a peek at the trailer below and see what you think.
We are a bit partial to the Anvil movie around here… because it’s awesome! What makes the movie unique is that it’s not so much a movie about heavy metal, but more about staying true to yourself , friendship and following your dreams. And not in a Casey Kasem “keep your feet on the ground, but keep reaching for the stars” kind-of -way, but a balls-to-the-wall-I-gotta-do-this-thing-because-it’s-in-my-DNA-kind of way.
Let’s start with the big guns Adventureland and Fast and Furious 4. Adventureland had a great preview at SXSW and people thought it might be better than Superbad. Yes it’s a comedy, but there’s a sweetness and poignancy to Adventureland that Superbad didn’t have. There’s more here.
Fast and Furious 4 is back louder and faster with the original stars. Stuff blows up, people blow up at each other and all the while a pulsating soundtrack blares in the background. Cool. Check out the trailer below.
The Escapist is a British jail break thriller starring Brian Cox. (If you’ve never seen Manhunter, rent it on DVD and enjoy a masterful performance by Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter). Sometimes the accents are a little thick to wade through, but the film is no less compelling or absorbing. As this reviewer says, “If you think the only possible endings to a prison escape movie are “They get away” or “They don’t get away” then you haven’t seen The Escapist.” The Escapist, from IFC Films, opens tomorrow in New York and is also available throughout the U.S. via IFC’s on- demand service.
Our crack team (Ok, Bob) is back from SXSW and here’s three new artists he’s putting on your radar.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down. First of all, how great is that backing band name? Thao is from San Fransisco and she looks like a really sweet girl, but when she straps on her guitar, she becomes a charasmatic performer who’s got the musical chops to back up her swagger. Here’s what the New York Times recently said: “Thao Nguyen and her band might draw some comparisons to both Regina Spektor and Modest Mouse, but how is that really a bad thing?”
Ben Sollee. Here’s how this one goes: Your friend says, “You gotta see this guy. He plays cello and he sings and he’s awesome”. You say. “I gotta do laundry.” But, one listen and you’re hooked. People weep at his shows they’re so moving. It’s a talent you don’t often see and so is Ben. Very different and very worth it.
Local Natives is one of those rare bands who is defined by their ability to deliver live. In fact, it has been more of challenge for the group to translate the vibrant and exciting nature of their performances to a recording than vice versa. Take a little Talking Heads, throw in some Broken Social Scene and mix with Sufjan Stevens. Shake it all together and you have five guys from Los Angeles doing percussion driven indie rock their way.
Silversun Pickups, an indie band from Los Angeles, release their second album Swoon on Tuesday. Swoon already has major momentum, and the band even got a shout-out from Didddy on 
John Doe of the legendary punk band X has teamed with The Sadies to release Country Club. This album “is the result of a drunken promise or threat I made to Travis and Dallas [Good, of The Sadies] the first night we played together in Toronto. These happen all the time but it’s rare that anyone remembers them the morning after, let alone follows through and makes it a reality. I’m really glad we did,” says Doe. Covers and originals all get a Bakersfield/Nashville mash-up sound. See what we mean below. More band info and tour dates
The great country of Norway has given us Ida Maria(pronounced Ee-da) who is being called “the next big thing” by some. We caught her at SXSW and were blown away. She is one of those artists who puts her soul into her performing and it only heightens the meaning of the lyrics she sings about. Her song Keep Me Warm was featured in the season four finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” and we are digging her song Stella. Check her out at Coachella on the 18th. Enjoy her new single Oh My God below. More on Ida 
