Steve Aoki uses the word experiential liberally when discussing music. His engagement with the philosophy of the experience of existence is apparent from his crazed wild-eyed live shows, which feature regular stage-diving and crowd interaction. Live music as a medium is clearly a visceral force that should catalyze something transformative, or…
It’s no surprise that Dutch DJ demi-god Tiesto again headlines Ultra Music Festival this Friday. For him, it’s now a yearly ritual. “It’s actually the only festival in the world I can play every year. All the DJs over the world come together to go to Miami that week, so…
Australia native Tommy Trash might not yet be a household name for the average casual dance music fan — but give it time. The producer/DJ is currently only part of the way into his first headlining tour, ever, but he’s already got the support of some of the highest-powered names…
You were a little flat at the end of your performance of “Happy Birthday” there, Wolf ViolinistThe last few days, Village Voice Media’s indefatigable music staff has been regaling you with stories of the best from SXSW 2012. In the midst of these discoveries, we’ve been culling another list: the…
Soul Asylumwith Lavola, Chris Alvy Band, and Jennifer KaiserCulture RoomMarch 16Better Than: Staying at home and watching MTV Unplugged reruns The 90s were alive and kicking inside Culture Room on Friday Night as Soul Asylum took the stage for the first time in god knows how many years. (View full…
MuteMathwith Canon BlueRevolution LiveMarch 16Better than: Watching fireworks.There’s something magical about watching fireworks; the way they shoot up, lighting up dark skies, and the reactions you see from people of all ages as they ohh and ahh at all of the colors and shapes. There’s one downfall of watching fireworks, though:…
Steve Aoki speaks with the wired enthusiasm that can be attained only by being a relentlessly touring global DJ, acclaimed producer, owner of Dim Mak Records, and part of an organic nexus of artists including Diplo, Skrillex, and A-Trak, who are the current figureheads of the U.S. electronic dance music…
Nick RalloJustin Townes Earle at Stubb’s BBQSo, we come to it: the end of all things. Four days of madness, Doritos, Skrillex and finally, St. Patrick’s Day. Before we bid SXSW 2012 farewell, allow us to share our favorite moments from SXSW day four. Later, we’ll let you know which…
Marco Torres50 Cent and Eminem at the Austin Music Hall. More photos below.If you’re familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing a full day…
Photos Courtesy of SXSWBruce Springsteen’s Thursday started with a keynote speech in one of the big ballrooms at the Austin Convention Center, and ended with a mythic three-hour set at ACL Live across town, in front of a few thousand people cooing “Bruce”. The keynote and the show went hand…
With St. Patrick’s Day just hours off, it seems appropriate to start planning where to go on this day of celebration. Obviously, catching a band from Limerick, Ireland, should rank high on your list of things to do. Luckily, Hermitage Green, an authentic Irish group, is heading to Palm Beach…
Photo by Erik HessSome folks attend South by Southwest to look at bands, but a good many passing through the 2012 edition seem to enjoy the added benefits of being looked at as well. Even without haute couture, music fans and opportunists on the streets of Austin send a wealth…
Nick RalloOh nothing, just a guy in a wolf mask playing “Happy Birthday” on the violin.If you’re familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing…
In Steven Blush’s American Hardcore, the definitive oral history of the punk-offshoot genre, there’s a passage in which Corrosion of Conformity’s Reed Mullins made life as a punk in the South sound pretty grim. The band’s drummer recalled being chased by rednecks with baseball bats around the band’s native Raleigh,…
The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) highlights the opening of its exhibitions with a seriously memorable performance. For instance, Ryan Trecartin’s “Any Ever” featured an eyeful with artists Colin Self and Raul De Nieves, one donning a crafty fat man suit, both making dramatic gestures to “experimental” music,…
A few South Florida bands are currently floating around Austin — from Broward and Palm Beach Counties, we’ve got the Band in Heaven and the Jameses, and from Miami, we’ve got a few acts like Plains and ANR. The Band in Heaven is perhaps experiencing the most intense trial by…
By the time the sun rose on the final day of Aura Fest, heavy clouds had filled the sky, shielding recovering partiers from its brutal heat. A steady drizzle continued throughout the morning and for much of the day. This made for optimal sleeping conditions, which were much needed for…
The 33rd annual Hatsume Fair will have everything from cosplay contests and sake stations to martial arts demonstrations and bounce houses. This year, they’ll also be bringing in DJ Heavygrinder, too, straight from her turntables in LA. The actress, model, and spinner of music is an appropriate choice for the…
Nick RalloSharon Van Etten, at the NPR showcase, was a stunner. Plus, there was a box accordion.If you’re familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with…
Experience Hendrix March 14, 2012 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood The Experience Hendrix tribute concert last night was a mixed bag. Much of the show was flat and unimaginative, but there were moments that touched on the spirit of Hendrix, rather than just his songbook. The cast of players was ever-shifting,…
We have a little confession to make: We didn’t discover MuteMath in a traditional sense. They discovered us. They were opening for another band at a show a friend dragged us to back in 2007, and as grumpy-faced as we were, staring into our cocktails at the University of Miami,…
Saturday morning, folks woke up to clear skies, and the daylight hours were spent minimally clothed, soaking up the sun. Festival children frolicked barefoot, enjoying dry grass where there was mud the night before. Many started their day with yoga on the main stage at noon, and hung around to…
