The Last Bison's New EP "Dorado" Is Incredible

Chesapeake, VA band The Last Bison is coming to Austin for SXSW, and I, for one, am quite excited. The band just released an EP, Dorado, which is four songs full of catchy, folksy, aural paradise. They're playing in Austin on Wednesday, March 18 with two separate shows that are absolutely worth checking out:

3/18 - Conscious Immaturity @ Shiner's Saloon (1:30pm)

3/18 - SXSW Official Showcase @ Esther's Follies (4:30pm)

Lead singer Ben Hardesty was gracious enough to take a few minutes to chat with me about life on the road, his dream tour, BBQ, and the strangest place The Last Bison has ever played. All terrific stuff. Check out the interview below, and pardon the occasional technical difficulty. That's what I get for trying a new recording setup!

Freebirds Hosting Four Day SXSW Extravaganza At St. Vincent's

One of the best parts of SXSW is the chance to hear new music. Thanks to Freebirds, you have a VERY good chance of doing that next week. Their sixth annual live music fundraising event is going on from March 18-21 at St. Vincent de Paul (1327 South Congress). Browse local artisan booths and enjoy Freebirds fare while 40 different bands jam over the course of four days.

Funds from donations, food and beverage sales at this year’s showcase will go towards a new a mobile store and distribution center that will supply clothing, personal hygiene items and household necessities to underserved parts of Austin. Check out the lineup below:

WEDNESDAY, March 18th  

Noon - 12:30  - John Arthur Martinez

12:45 - 1:15  - Luke Bell 

1:30 - 2:00 -   Chris Porter 

2:15 - 2:45 -  The Seratones 

3:00 - 3:30 -  Kristin Diable 

3:45 - 4:15 -  Brian Whelan (from Dwight Yoakam's band)

4:30 - 5:00 -  The O’s

5:15 - 5:45 - Whiskey Shivers

6:00 - 6:30 - Sol Driven Train 

6:45 - close  - Two Tons of Steel 

THURSDAY, March 19th

Noon - 12:30 - Jake LaBotz 

12:45 - 1:15 - Paul Renna 

1:30 - 2:00  -  The Memphis Dawls

2:15 - 2:45 -  Shurman

3:00 - 3:30 -  Ian Moore 

3:45 - 4:15 -  Kevin Kinney & Friends (from Drivin' N Cryin')

4:30 - 5:00 -  Jonathan Tyler

5:15 - 5:45 -  The Mastersons

6:00 - 6:30 - American Aquarium

6:45 - close -  Roxy Roca 

FRIDAY, March 20th

Noon - 12:30 - Song Swap with Rodney "The Pie Man" Henry & Mark Edgar Stuart 

12:45 - 1:15 -  Liv Mueller

1:30 - 2:00  -  Annie Marie Lewis & Danny B Harvey

2:15 - 2:45 -   Ronnie Fauss 

3:00 - 3:30 -  JP Harris & The Tough Choices

3:45 - 4:15 -  The Bar Brawl III

4:30 - 5:00 -  Rosie Flores 

5:15 - 5:45  - Jesse Dayton, John Evans & Mike Stinson

6:00 - close -  Ray Wylie Hubbard

SATURDAY, March 21st

Noon - 12:30   - Song Swap with Rodney "The Pie Man" Henry & Mark Edgar Stuart 

12:45 - 1:15 -  Middle Class Murder 

1:30 - 2:00 -   Lucette

2:15 - 2:45 - Josh Buckley 

3:00 - 3:30 - Charlie Overbey & The Broken Arrows 

3:45 - 4:15 -  Nocona

4:30 - 5:00 -  Buggaboo

5:15 - 5:45 -  The Berkshire Hounds

6:00 - 6:30 -  Deadman

6:45 - close - T Bird & The Breaks 

Music Export Canada Presents Canadian Blast At SXSW 2015

What's better than music and BBQ? The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing. Luckily, our friends from up north at Music Export Canada are putting on a pretty terrific showcase during SXSW that features both said music and copious amounts of smoked meat. 

This year, the Canadian Independent Music Associate is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the event, so you know it'll be a good one. Check out canadianblast.com for full lineups, and come say hey if you stop by. I'll most likely be hovering around the brisket.

SXSW Showcases at Banger's and Liberty Tavern

It's March, so any Austinite worth his or her salt knows that SXSW is upon us. And the best way to embrace the festival is by planning ahead. That's what we're here for. Check out a pair of the finer showcases below:

DESCRIPTION: Banger’s, home to the city’s widest selection of hand-crafted sausage plus more than 100 beers on tap, will present a full week of live music in celebration of SXSW. All shows are FREE and provided by local talent with the exception of two bands based in the U.K. and New York. Performances take place in the outdoor beer garden and start at noon with the exception of Monday, 3/16 and Saturday, 3/21.

WHERE: Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden (highlighted acts = new additions)

79 Rainey Street, Austin, TX 78701

       

Description:

Liberty Tavern will again host SXSW’s Second Play Stage, featuring a diverse lineup of up and coming bands starting nightly at 6pm. Entry is FREE and open to all ages; arrive early as space is limited.

Liberty Tavern will kick off the music festival on St. Patrick’s Day serving pints of Guinness with Chef Carlos’ crispy Fish n’ Chips.

Where:

500 East 4th Street Austin, TX 78701

Garage parking is available at the Hilton and Convention Center. Street parking is also available.