Aurgasm

Bumbershoot

Hey Marseilles
Hey Marseilles, previously mentioned on Aurgasm as one of Michelle’s SXSW discoveries, warmed the hearts of the crowd on a cold and cloudy morning. Seattle’s Hey Marseilles play fresh and magical orchestral folk tunes that are both melancholic and genuinely cheerful. With piano, violin, trumpet, cello and accordion their stage presence is a miniature extravaganza. Barely known outside Seattle, these guys are definitely worth to keep an eye on.

Hey Marseilles - From a Terrace

The Dusty 45s
Another pleasant discovery today was the Dusty 45s. Their energetic performance covered a variety of styles ranging from rockabilly to powerful Balkan notes (think Devotchka), from alt-country and Americana to classic Rock & Roll fun.

+ Purchase/Visit

Bumbershoot

Dyno Jamz
A funky hip-hop 8 members Seattle based ensemble was the highlight of the morning. Their lively horn lines, cleverly phrased rap lyrics and overall soulful vibe makes this act worth to keep an eye on as they’re starting to record their first studio album.

Mayer Hawthorne & the County
Mayer Hawthorne mixes funky catchy old school soul with a post-modern nerd chic. Producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer, Mayer recently released a new album and is currently touring the country. Recommended to Jamie Lidell advocates.

Matt & Kim
Bursting with energy, Brooklyn duo Matt & Kim certainly did not disappoint. The crowd went wild and crazy when they finished the show with Aurgasm’s favourite track “Daylight”.

A note from Yoav (our photographer): Young bands out there, take a good lesson from Matt & Kim on how to give a show and love your audience. And remember, boys and girls, Aurgasm was there first!

Matt & Kim - Daylight

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indie folk // harmonic folk pop

Silverlake’s Local Natives have been making their way around the blogs lately, and understandably so. The quintet’s unique brand of indie folk highlights their tight vocal harmonies without sacrificing on rolling guitars, keys and percussion or sharp lyrics. Their laid-back and layered folk is a perfect way to wind down the rest of summer — a warm, blooming cocoon of sound. The boys were kind enough to take some time from their hectic schedule to lay down this exclusive acoustic version of “Camera Talk” for us.

Soothing and gorgeous vocal melodies meets sparse folk.
Local Natives - Camera Talk (Acoustic Aurgasm Exclusive)
Local Natives - Airplanes
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My good man Tom Korkidis (of Eksi Ekso) invited me back our local River Gods, in Cambridge, for a night called Jukebox Mélange. Here are the sets I played; jams from the 70s, early 00’s and 09.

Aurgasm - Jukebox Mélange mix (part 1) (51min):

1. The Rip Off Artist - What Kind of Blue [2004] blu tribunaL
2. The Soul Fantastics (Ain’t No Sunshine) [2009] DJ Beto - Panama! 2
3. Beau Love - Pacific [2007] Untitled
4. Urbs & Cutex - Up & Down [2002] Breaks of Dawn
5. Digable Planets - Dog It [1994] Blowout Comb
6. Natural Self - In The Morning (Paul White remix) [2009] Tru Thoughts - Shapes 0901
7. Hot Stuff Band - Juju Man [2006] Brazilian Breaks & Beats LP
8. Eddie Bo - Hook and Sling [1969] Hook and Sling pt 1+2
9. Diplo - Krunk (Variation #2) [~2003] Sound and Fury {bootleg}
10. Mark Ronson - Diversion [2007] Version
11. The Whitest Boy Alive - Keep a Secret [2009] Rules
12. Love Grenades - Tigers In The Fire [2008] VA - Accidental Rhythm (Mix One)
13. Quantic - Transatlantic [2002] Apricot Morning
14. Baby Mammoth - Final [2003] Octo Muck

Aurgasm - Jukebox Mélange Mix (part 2) (59min):

1. Quantic - Not So Blue [2002] Apricot Morning
2. Ratatat - Mirando [2008] LP3
3. Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesada - Ora Como Rey, Manana Como Guey [2006] El Nino y el Sol
4. The Dining Rooms - Fluxus (The Cinematic Orchestra World Goes Round mix) [2004] Versioni Particolari
5. Wando - Nega De Abaluae [2001] Brazilian Beats 2
6. The Dining Rooms - La Citta Nuda (SoulPatrol Afrolicious Mix) [2004] Versioni Particolari
7. Kanye West (feat. Kid Cudi, Common, Lady Gaga) - Poke Her Face [2009] LVs & Autotune 2 mixtape
8. Robin Jones (feat Bosco de Oliveira) - Royal Marcha (Raj Gupta Vocal mix) [2001] Turntables on the Hudson Vol 3
9. Unknown track
10. MOVITS! - Fel Del Av Gården [2008] Äppelknyckarjazz
11. Instituto Mexicano Del Sonido - Yo Digo Baila [2009] Soy Sauce
12. Dabrye - Smoking the Edge [2002] One/Three
13. Jack Penate - Tonight’s Today [2009] Everything Is New

SXSW
SXSW Day 4: March 21st 2009.

After 3 days packed with music, food, and more bands than you could count, SXSW ended with a bang (and some flashing lights). The packed day started with the SxSeattle day party/show which featured up-and-coming bands from the Seattle area. The rest of the day included the Hotel Cafe/Blue Mic event at the Gibson Showroom and two day sets at the Convention Center (with Aurgasm favorites: Ferraby Lionheart and Wallis Bird). There was an afternoon showcase in a park, and a big mix up on my part between the three different Emo venues on 6th Street (Emo’s, Emo Jr’s, Emo’s Annex). I caught the last bit of Elizabeth and the Catapult at the Ale House, then ended the night with some phenomenal performances by Little Boots and Ida Maria (as well as a short surprise set by Kayne West) at the Dell Lounge/Perez Hilton party.

SXSW was a phenomenal experience, with far too many bands playing in too few days. Maybe next year I can find a way to clone myself, so I don’t miss anything! :)

Some bands from Day 4 you may want to take a peek at:

Hey Marseilles: They started off the SxSeattle day party set, and was a complete surprise. I had not heard of them before, and was impressed by their performance at The Palm Door. The violin and cello brought a unique edge to what could easily have been a typical “folk pop” sound. Throw in a trumpet, mandolin and you’ve got a pretty pleasant way to start the day. Not too shabby for a band that’s never played outside Seattle until this week!
Hey Marseilles’ MySpace

Chris Pierce: Chris Pierce played a stripped down set at the Hotel Cafe/Blue Mic day event. Surrounded by guitars, the Gibson Showroom was an eerily appropriate setting for his soulful vocals and blues-inspired guitar melodies and riffs. He brought up Brother Sal to accompany him on piano with the rousing and upbeat, “Keep On Keepin’ On”, even getting the small crowd to sing the “whoo hoo” callbacks!
Chris Pierce’s MySpace

Wallis Bird: We’ve already featured her, but Wallis’ performance was one of the most charismatic and engaging shows I saw yesterday. Backed by her full band, Wallis played with a frantic and seemingly limitless energy at the Convention Center that afternoon, breaking a string on her guitar on the first song (and continuing with some hilariously ad-libbed lyrics, “I am so professional, playing with a broken string”) and not missing a beat. While her studio work is phenomenal, it was an unbelievable treat to see her live.
Wallis Bird’s MySpace

Matt Hires: The Florida native played to a growing crowd in Brush Square Park, for the Atlantic Records/Chop Shop day party. His sparse acoustic folk was a breath of fresh air, playing a short set of sweet and endearing melodies, including “Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song”.
Matt Hires’ Myspace