Aurgasm

SXSW
SXSW Day 3: March 20th 2009.

Started off Day 3 at the Brooklyn Vegan’s “Sweden goes SXSW” day party (which Aurgasm favorite, Theresa Andersson played). My night ended at the Central Presbyterian Chuch with Laura Marling and Lisa Hannigan. Lots of fun music in between!

Some bands from Day 3 you might want to put on your radar:

Wildbirds & Peacedrums: First brought to my attention by Hanne Hukkelberg in her interview with us last year, the Swedish duo played an impressive (but short!) set at the “Sweden goes SXSW” day party. Mariam Wallentin and Andreas Werliin’s folk/blues experimental fusion was the perfect way to start off Day 3!
Wildbirds & Peacedrums’ MySpace

The Tallest Man on Earth: The Tallest Man on Earth (otherwise known as Kristian Matsson) played a set at the Austin Convention Center Day Stage. His tenuous voice leaped and jumped, a wonderful accompaniment to his classic country-folk guitar playing. (You’d never guess he was from Dalarna, Sweden.)
The Tallest Man on Earth’s Myspace

Ana Silvera: The room was still mostly empty at Creekside at the Hilton Garden Inn when Ana Silvera hit the stage. However, her lush and powerful songs filled the entire space. The haunting melodies and lyrics of Ana’s songs were a surprise and pleasure to hear. She was also accompanied on stage by cellist Laura Mooney, which only added to the intensely captivating performance.
Ana Silvera’s MySpace

Tom Brosseau: Introduced as “a true American gentleman,” at the 18th Floor at the Hilton Garden Inn, they failed to mention Tom is also a storyteller at heart. Each song was a heartfelt story, delivered in his signature minimalist folk style. At the end of his set, he decided to forgo the microphone entirely, ending with two songs performed acoustically with a friend, standing in the first two rows of the audience.
Tom Brosseau’s Myspace
(At Tom’s set, I ran into Sylvie Lewis, another Aurgasm favorite! It appears Tom’s got the Sylvie Lewis stamp of approval!)

SXSW
SXSW Day 2: March 19th 2009.

The day started off with the “Bloggers Are Now In Charge” panel at the Convention Center. Interesting discussion about the impact of blogging and music today. After that, I got to stop by the KCRW mobile studio, while they broadcasted “Morning Becomes Eclectic” with Jason Bentley live from Austin. We’re big fans of KCRW here at Aurgasm, so it was great treat to hang out for a short while!

Day 2 was filled with tons of fantastic music, and far too many artists. Here were some favorites:

Justin Townes Earle: His honest voice and lyrics, pared with his particular blend of folk, bluegrass and country made Justin’s set a phenomenal surprise.
Justin Townes Earle’s Myspace

Holly Conlan: Holly Conlan’s sweet indie pop was a great start to the night, at the Hotel Cafe’s showcase at the Parish. Her articulate songwriting and grace at the piano was a delight to catch live.
Holly Conlan’s MySpace

Mumford & Sons: The latest bluegrass/folk group emerging from London’s growing folk scene. Skillfully blended instrumentals and vocal harmonies, Mumford & Sons were a powerful (and fun) presence to watch on stage.
Mumford & Sons’ MySpace

SXSW
SXSW Day 1: March 18th 2009.

[Editor's note] Michelle is at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin for the next few days. She’ll be posting quick updates here as well as keeping the Aurgasm Twitter feed humming. -paul

After a flight delay got me into Austin a bit later than I originally planned, I landed only in time to grab my badge and make it to some showcases. SXSW started with a bang, and a number of impressive showcase lineups (unfortunately, I think it is physically impossible to make every show you want to!).

Some great artists that played Day 1:

The Boat People: Got the night started at KCRW’s showcase with their unconventional and bursting indie pop.
The Boat People’s MySpace

Sandi Thom: The Scottish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist brought the indie folk vibes to the 18th Floor at the Hilton downtown.
Sandi Thom’s MySpace

deadmau5: He brought the pounding beats and his unique blend of techno and electro beats to La Zona Rosa. Who says Austin’s only for the rockers?
deadmau5’s Myspace

Booka Shade: An Aurgasm favorite. They ended the night at La Zona Rosa, with their signature experimental electronic-pop.
Booka Shade’s MySpace

My good man Tom Korkidis (of Eksi Ekso) asked last week me to join him playing some music at a local pub, River Gods, in Cambridge. The night had a great vibe, a full house and plenty of worldly tunes. I wanted to offer my sets to you guys as well.

Aurgasm - Fukstronaut Mix (part 1) (47min):

1. Marlena Shaw - California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent Remix)  Verve Remixed 4 (2008)
2. Kultiration - Ur Jord Om Gaia (2004)
3. Nitin Sawney - Shadowland (feat. Ojos de Brujo) Shadowland (2008)
4. David Holmes - Rodney Yates Let’s Get Killed 1997
5. Cinematic Orchestra - Flite Everyday (2002)
6. Da Cruz - Sarah Nova Estação (2007)
7. Lightning Head - NPG Afrobeat EP (2007)
8. TM Juke - Electric Chair (instrumental feat. Elmore Judd) Electric Chair EP (2008)
9. Hint - Snake Patrol At the Dance EP (2007)
10. Astrud Gilberto - Bim Bom (Psapp Remix) Verve Remixed 4 (2008)

Aurgasm - Fukstronaut Mix (part 2) (55min):

1. The Pharcyde - Runnin’ (Philippians RMX Instrumental) Rmxxology (2008)
2. Natural Self - Faultlines (Aurgasm edit) The Art Of Vibration (2008)
3. Lettuce - Blast Off Rage! (2008)
4. Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa Soul Makossa (1972)
5. Radiohead - 15 Stepz (Amplive Remix feat. Codany Holiday - Aurgasm quick edit) Rainydayz Remixes (2008)
6. Bonobo - The Fever Days to Come (2006)
7. Parov Stelar - Kiss Kiss Daylight (2008)
8. Biosis Now - Indepdent Bahamas Calypsoul 70 (2008)
9. Mr. Scruff - Stockport Carnival Ninja Tuna (2008)
10. Dubben - Karameller Kollectoren Dub (2007)
11. Mr. Scruff - Hairy Bumpercress Ninja Tuna (2008)

My good friends at Betahouse, a coworking space in Boston, asked me to put together a mix for their latest party. I was delighted to do so. My mate Tom Kershaw and I boiled down our fave tracks to a solid set.

I continued in the same vein as the Breeze & Sweat mix from 2006 - a sultry, funky, jazzy, chill to hot mix of tunes.

A few funky ones have debuted on Aurgasm before (Bahamadia, Flevans & Freddie), Kraak And Smaak deliver both the hot Max Sedgley and their own brand-new track, and Boston-natives Soul Clap close with some techno heat.

Click over to Muxtape for the tunes:

Tracklist:

1. Bahamadia - uknowhowwedo (Ski Remix)
2. Freddie Cruger - Pushing On feat. Linn
3. King Britt - Superstar
4. Beanfield - Re-ac-tion
5. Peace Orchestra - Meister Petz (Beanfield Remix)
6. Mr. Scruff - Donkey Ride
7. Max Sedgley - Devil Inside
8. Barakas - Kes
9. Flevans - 12 Apostles
10. Kraak And Smaak - California Roll
11. Soul Clap - The Giraffe