SCHED* SXSW 2011

Shit Horse began as a street performing "guerrilla" style attack band. They played on a sidewalk during Merge Fest in Chapel Hill, NC three nights in a row with the help of a battery-powered guitar, garage-sale amplifiers, an extension chord, a small drum set, a megaphone and fireworks. The size of the crowd seemed to double every successive night. These uninvited early performances were the only form of "practicing" Shit Horse ever got. The band recorded an EP called "They Shit Horses, Don't They?" on a 4-track tape recorder. After all of the music tracks were done live, Danny Mason showed up and invented all of the lyrics on the spot, earning him the nickname Danny "Magic". He later had to listen to the finished recording and memorize his own words. While some (incorrectly) consider Shit Horse a gimmick or perhaps a novelty act, others like Tom Ravenscroft (son of the late great John Peel) of BBC6 have embraced the album. The first two-three songs of any live Shit Horse performance are almost always met with confusion which eventually dissolves into ecstatic enthusiasm.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS11757

Red Queen Band is an experimental electronic rock band formed during 2005 in Mexico City by twin brothers Daniel and David, since their early days, Red Queen was well known for their aggressive, electronic and frenetic live shows. These exciting shows ended up calling the attention of Alan Mcgee (Oasis, Glasvegas, The Libertines) dubbing the five piece Red McQueen during one of his visits to Mexico City. During 2007, Red Queen Band recorded their first studio EP, consisting of a three track album produced by Yamil Rezc. During this same year, Nike (Latin America) launched a campaign using the bands first single “Baby Machine” as the main theme for their TV advertisements. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine (Latin America) published an article about new upcoming Latin American bands. Red Queen was included as one of the most promising mexican underground rock bands. Sonidos Urbanos (Urban Sounds), a book that covers the underground rock scene in mexico also recognized the band as one of the most influential groups in the mexican underground scene. In 2009, "Hombre Vegetal" and "La Palida", two singles from the band's spanish EP "Adult Frutman", were constantly played through out the year and received great acceptance by latin audiences through Mexico´s top Rock/Alternative radio stations, Reactor (105.7 FM), Ibero (90.9 FM), RMX, Grita Radio and others. This exposure helped the band launch an extensive tour across Mexico. During 2010, Red Queen Band recorded and produced their first full length album “Talk Show Ghost”. The album’s frenetic glitch punk sound helped the band develop a new and exciting live show that has been referred constantly as a “must see show” by the mexican indie music scene and local media over the past few months. Red Queen Band are currently recording their next album and are preparing a U.S. tour.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS12224

Chapter 24 are Claire (vox), Mel (bass) Mark (drums) & Joe (guitar) - a London, UK based quartet. They are becoming renowned for explosive & eccentric live performances (NME & Artrocker have published glowing live reviews). Described as ‘…the Slits playing psychedelic rock…’ they are set to release their first 4 track EP in early February 2011.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS10834

Total Brits abroad and avoiding the electric chair. Chips for the Poor are twirling their lasso's and hopping off the wagon. They been visited by the kung-fu of Christmas past and shaken by the prospect of a future future talking with the fishes (note they swim 3 times a week at East London’s York Hall). They've got grabbed up by a fresh-like-the-daisy-age vibe and have grappled the one armed bandit drum machine and bounced their bread boxes off weekends suppin diesel leaks and home made margaritas to vom up the spring/summer/autumn/winter hits of 2010/11/12…
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS13817

Taipei four piece band The White Eyes are Dirty and MAD!!! Female lead singer Gao Xiao Gao always be misunderstood that naked on stage. They are famous on energetic, sexy and violent live perform in Taiwan. Since 2004, The White Eyes have formed almost six years. They have supported The Music and These New Puritans in their Taiwan tour. Influenced by Bikini Kills, Iggy Pop, PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth etc., The White Eyes play music sound like Garage, Punk or any elements with psychedelic and wildness. The White Eyes are always riot on stage, while the vocal Gao Xiao Gao sings from wild to murmuring. They are unpredictable stage performing is quite unique from other bands in Taiwan. The band appeared at the most famous music festivals in Taiwan, included Hohaiyan Festival, Formoz Festival and Spring Scream. In 2008, they won the Hohaiyan award, which is one of the most important award for Taiwanese bands. The White Eyes published their first EP .. in 2008, and the single .. in 2009. In September 2010, they released their debut album .., and started their Asia tour across Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and Japan since late September. The White Eyes say "We don;t want your true hearts, but come and let me kiss your eyes" and sing out load for the confusion and truth of youth.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS13923

Of all the artists that have sprung up from Toronto's eclectic music scene, Neon Windbreaker may be its most paradoxical (which, considering their competition includes Drake, Crystal Castles, Fucked Up and Broken Social Scene says a lot). A band rooted firmly in the indie scene yet produces melodic hardcore and pop music which espouses the core values of engaging DIY. Neon Windbreaker has, in an alarmingly short amount of time, managed to win over the faith and support of their city through crucial, carefully chosen support slots for Marnie Stern, Monotonix, Lullaby Arkestra and Do Make Say Think and the charitable actions of giving their debut EP away for free as a sandwich, fruit and mixed drink. Which is all to say that these former teen phenoms are a wildcard worth holding because, whether it's during their 200 shows leading up to and including SXSW or on their debut LP (recorded with Owen Pallett producer Leon Taheny) they will blow up just when you need them to. Please visit the attached link to hear newer versions of songs, including a better recording of the song in our profile - http://soundcloud.com/neon-windbreaker
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS12213

Forest City Lovers are nature-loving urban dwellers spinning lingering, lyrical melodies across the landscape of Canadian folk-pop. Born a fledgling pseudo-solo project of young songwriter Kat Burns, Forest City Lovers took flight in 2006 with the independent release The Sun and the Wind. The band grew up into a fully-realized collaborative outfit and in 2008 launched their critically acclaimed sophmore album Haunting Moon Sinking (Out of This Spark), a collection that bolsters FCL's signature tunefulness with talented musicianship, strong guitar lines, and swelling string arrangements. Phodilus and Tyto, a 7' vinyl released at the end of 2009, paved the way for the full-length follow-up, Carriage, released in July 2010. Carriage picks up where Haunting Moon Sinking left off, marching forward with arrangements and melodies that go from acutely vulnerable to downright sinister. A collection that drifts sonically across decades, Carriage laces folk tinged 1970s whimsy into contemporary pop gems to keep your feet tapping as you go singing down the sunny street. In Praise of Carriage: 'Kat Burns and co. have ramped things up a few notches, and the results are simply spectacular.' [I Heart Music] 'the confidently off-kilter [song] 'Minneapolis', whose two minutes and forty seconds boasts one of the most infectious choruses you're likely to hear anywhere this year' [Chromewaves] 'Unheralded songsmith Kat Burns has composed her finest work in Forest City Lovers with the engagingly ambitious Carriage, which showcases her alluring voice and a fearless knack for emotive pop hooks.' [Exclaim] 'Burns has mastered the art of telling stories that portray innocence under threat. Her quiet, nuanced vocal work makes the protagonists in her lyrics seem delicate while the landscapes they traverse are frequently ominous.' [Canadian Interviews]
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS11208

"Airick Woodhead is making a band called Doldrums. Or a VHS. Or a band and an album. Or a GIF." It's clear from his own description that Airick is using the term "band" as a mast to tie himself to while his consciousness leaves port and heads into the storm; his Doldrums project floats faceless in a sea of chopped up samples, disembodied vocals, tribal percussion and mind-bending visuals. After debuting live earlier this year at Toronto's Whippersnapper Gallery, Doldrums have become one of the city's most mysterious and buzzed-about new names, performing alongside similarly-minded US acts such as These Are Powers, Past Lives, Japanther, and Pocahaunted, as well as releasing a VHS-only mixtape of music set to hallucinogenic videos compiled by Airick at his warehouse space in Toronto. Just returned from a tour of the west coast US, Doldrums is set to tour further around north america this fall, with a single on the way from We Are Busy Bodies.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS11231

Described as a “Performance Galaxy” by Vanity Fair and “Super hard, incredibly fast and overall inspiring” by Thrasher, Japanther has always been a band apart, running the gamut from performance art to punk rock and back again. Pushing parties to the limit and only stopping short of riots.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS12547

Comprised of members from some of LA's most distinctive DIY bands (TPF!, Puppy Dog, Luna Is Honey), Batwings Catwings is cutting a path for themselves straight through the high dollar hustle of Hollywood to the art galleries and punk houses that are known by only the most discerning ears. Batwings Catwings is fronted by the tiny, yet fierce dance commander Dana Poblete, an everygirl with the ability to entrance audiences from LA to the hellmouths of Mexico's border towns with her frenetic energy and deceptively powerful howl. Backing her is guitarist and UCLA professor Pepper Glass, a master of the squelch who wields his axe with the devastating accuracy of his feared red correction pen. On the drums is LA blogger Clay Johnson, who cut his teeth drumming for about every metal band on the northern Midwest's arctic front. The newest member, Josh Crampton rounds out the lineup on bass, diversifying the sound even further with his sexy funk and shoegaze influences. January 11, 2011 signified the release of Batwings Catwings' first EP, œPeacock Collection, released digitally by Indian Gold Records. Recorded at LA's famous Infrasonic Studios by Daniel Haworth and engineered by Pete Lyman (No Age, Best Coast, Abe Vigoda), œPeacock Collection is a totem of modernist punk - noisy as hell with a tinge of pop and a nod to the punk rock roots of the LA underground.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS15050

THE ZOOBOMBS were formed by DON Matsuo (vocals/guitar), Matta (keyboards), and Moostop (bass) in Tokyo in September 1994 and -- together with various drummers -- have been amazing rock audiences in Japan, North America and Australia ever since. The Zoobombs brand of rock and roll is unique: hardcore-punk blues spiked with explorations of funk, rap, prog-rock and even traditional Japanese folk. "The first time we played together, it was a full moon -- our music style has been crazy from the start," says Matsuo. The Zoobombs incendiary live performances quickly shot them to the top of Japan's indie-rock scene and opening concert performances for The Flaming Lips and Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion. Signed by the Quattro/Ricetone label in 1996, the band swiftly unleashed three albums -- "Super Funcy of Zoobombs"(1997), "Welcome Back Zoobombs"(1997) and "Let It Bomb"(1998) -- and introduced themselves to the U.S.A with a headlining slot on Japan's official SxSW festival showcase in 1998. Like the press in Japan -- several magazines called "Let It Bomb" the best Japanese rock album ever -- American media (including The New York Times and Rolling Stone) took notice of The Zoobombs, inspiring Emperor-Norton Records to release two of the albums internationally, "Welcomeback, Zoobombs!" chosen as Amazon.com's best album of 1998. That same year, while in Toronto on a full North American tour, the band so impressed legendary Canadian promoter Dan Burke that he flew them back from Tokyo in June 1999 to play his "Neon Palm Festival" at the El Mocambo. "Flew them in for one show -- their 'one night in North America' tour," laughs Burke. "They were that good when I first saw them." During the band's Virgin/EMI years -- "Bomb Freak Express"(1999), "Dirty Bomb"(2000), "Bomb You LIve (2000)" and "Love Is Funky"(2002) -- Australian audiences loved the Zoobombs so much that the band moved there for a year. But where The Zoobombs have truly soared is in Canada, having once headlined five shows in eight days in Toronto, where their "triple-heading" of The Silver Dollar Room's Canadian Music Week showcases in 2005 earned them a place in The Toronto Sun's "Best Club Shows of The Year." "The Zoobombs are just about the greatest live indie-rock club act in world -- on an off-day!" says promoter Burke. "Put them on stage one night and people will be back the next with more friends to see them. Few bands -- very, very few! -- are capable of that." Now in 2010, The Zoobombs are using their ever-growing popularity in eastern Canada to launch a new assault on America on a summer tour which includes dates in New York, Philadelphia, Rochester, Toledo, Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City. "It's time we returned to America," says Matsuo. "I'd like to develop a relationship with the U.S. indie-rock scene and next year bring an American band to tour with us in Japan -- help them break into the Japanese indie-rock world. "It would be great to develop an alliance like that which bridges the two countries and cultures and builds the future for us all." Adds Toronto's Burke: "The Zoobombs are an international-touring act waiting to happen. They've been blowing minds live in Canada for 11 years now. The rest of the world deserves to find out how great they are." PRESS and INTERNET CLIPS: The supersonic Tokyo band somehow morphed from Stonesy punk-rock maniacs to freaky jazz-rock jammers without missing a beat, or losing a tad of their record-breaking intensity. Band leader Don Matsuo repeatedly risked everything, pushing the audience to the brink with endless jams before dissolving into a gloriously noisy release. (Toronto Sun,Dec2005) Zoobombs (Tokyo, Japan) @ Velvet Underground, Saturday, as part of the Next showcase: This spacey Japanese quartet accumulated so much buzz over the weekend that people crammed into the Velvet Underground on Saturday like there was a meteor shower outside and it was the last bomb shelter on earth. The Zoobombs lived up to the hype with a spacey psych-jazz meltdown akin to Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Rich, and the Mars Volta having a barroom brawl...on shrooms. (ANG,CA,2009) I was up in Toronto this past week and caught a bunch of bands at the NXNE music festival, Canada's answer to Austin's SXSW. Saw some good stuff, including Dillinger Four, but the best by far was a Tokyo band called Zoobombs. Sick performance. I'm not good at the intricacies of genre specifications (I tend to like "music"), and these guys make it really difficult. I heard old soul and blues influence, some funk bits...live it felt like some odd psych garage experiment or something. Call it whatever you want, they were sick. (Smashing Mag,Ca,2009) Dutch and I went out for the NXNE (North by Northeast) festival last night and the best band we saw, by far, was Zoobombs at the Velvet Underground.Zoobombs was described to us as a Japanese punk band but their music was more like a tight, extended Jimi Hendrix-flavoure d electric rock. The lead singer, Don Matsuo, seemed to have a punk sensibility, though: during one of the rare moments when I could see him, I saw a massive, wide stream of spit (or some other liquid) fly through the air. Matsuo's vocals were raw and I couldn't understand a word of what he was singing but it was great. From what I could see of him, Matsuo is energetic and charismatic. (Teo web mag,Ca, June, 2009) ZOOBOMBS DISCOGRAPHY Albums SUPER FUNCY OF ZOOBOMBS (Ricetone,JP,1997) WELCOME BACK, ZOOBOMBS (Ricetone,JP,1997) WELCOME BACK, ZOOBOMBS (Emperor-Notron, US,1998) LET IT BOMB (Ricetone,JP,1998) LET IT BOMB (Emperor-Notron, US,1999) BOMB FREAKS EXPRESS (Virgin EMI,JP,1999) BOMB FREAKS EXPRESS (EMI,AU,2000) DIRTY BOMB (Virgin EMI,JP,2000) DIRTY BOMB (EMI,AU,2001) BOMB YOU LIVE (Virgin EMI,JP,2001) BOMB YOU LIVE (Teenage USA,CA,2001) LOVE IS FUNKY (Virgin EMI,JP,2002) NEW SAN FRANCISCO (P Vine,JP,2004) VAMOS A BAILAR(2005)--For Fanclub only WAY IN/WAY OUT(Valve,AU,2006) B*B*B (Ultra Vybe,JP,2006) B*B*B(Valve,AU,2007) BEAR'S BANQUET-LIVE FROM DEEP NIGHT IN TORONTO- (Ultra Vybe,JP,2007) Nightfriend of ZOOBOMBS(Donuts Worm,Ultra Vybe,JP,2009) Singles & EP MO'FUNKY (Ricetone,JP,1998) BOMB THE BOMB (Ricetone,JP,1998) HOT LOVE (Virgin EMI,JP,1999) DOO BEE (Virgin EMI,JP,2000) Jumbo (EMI,AU,2001) FUNKY MOVIN'(Virgin EMI,JP,2002) FEEL UR SEX FROM FUNKY,FUNKY MUSIC (Virgin EMI,JP,2002) PISCES (Zbon-Sya,JP,2005) COLOMBIE(Zbon-Sya,JP,2005) ZOOBOMBCRAZY EP(Zbon-Sya,JP,2006) Highway A Go-Go(WE ARE BUSY BODIES,CA,2008)
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS12391

Metal Hammer Magazine: "TarantisT can be the next big thing in Rock and Roll" Austin Chronicle: "Why Metallica don't ask TarantisT to tour with them, so more people get to see TarantisT" TarantisT project started on year 2000 in Tehran.Title of the band, TarantisT, was made based on “Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zoroaster- chapter 19- about the Tarantulas”. Tarantula is the spider and TarantisT means bitten by Tarantula. The bitten, poisonous person or TarantisT gets Dance Disease or Tarantism (title of band’s first album) and tries to get rid of the poison through by dancing, which the band consider that dance as Head-banging. Poison also, in the band’s dictionary, defines as the sufferings coming from the world around! Private, real underground shows in the rehearsing basements, Half-away-canceled-On-The-Ground shows in Tehran, Self-produced and self-published albums and singles, Receiving Gold prize after participating in Avaye Hambastegi Festival (Sound of Solidarity) held by Tehran’s Municipality, Competing in Tehran Avenue Underground Music Festival (UMC, TAMF 1, TAMF 2), Touring in Europe, North America and the Middle-East, Participating in some world famous festivals like South by Southwest, Canadian Music Week, CMJ, Mehregan, Intergalactic Festival, etc. and having shows with the legends and high-profiles like Metallica, Motorhead, Stone Temple Pilots, Cheap Trick, Muse, Voivod, My Ruin, Sum 41 and many others, Moving to the United States and Hollywood scene from Tehran’s basements on 2008, Getting selected to compete for Motley Crue and KISS tours as an opening act, Becoming the Best Indie Rock Band in Asia by AVIMA Entertainment Group, Getting the title of the Best Metal Band out of Iran by the world famous Metal Hammer Magazine… and a lot more to say, were all TarantisT was busy in, during all of these years, even in the worst possible situations.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14146

Hanni grew up in San Franscisco, California. The son of Palestinian and Filipino immigrants and the first American in his family, he became obsessed with classic Americana and pop culture of the 1950s and 60s. Influenced by pioneers of early rock and r&b (Johnny Burnette, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash), El Khatib created a musical aesthetic to match his vision. The multi-instrumentalist serves as singer, songwriter & producer for his one-man band (live he is joined by a drummer) that is part blues, part garage rock, part soul, part folk & part doo whop. As the creative director for HUF and lifelong skater, El Khatib professes to a love for well-crafted objects: classsic cars, cans pomade and stiletto switchblades. This craftsmanship carries over into his music, where El Khatib is inspired and informed by the specificity of a guitar tone or the fuzziness of an amp sound . His background in DIY and skate culture manifests as a desire to “keep mistakes in” and make things “as raw as possible.” Merging primitive rock sounds with punk aesthetics, El Khatib toes lines between all genres and ends up firmly in his own. His diverse interests in music, zines, art, photography, and film, converge around his singular personal aesthetic, which reveals itself in all of El Khatib’s work. Combining the old weird America with the brave new frontier of home recording, El Khatib bridges the past and the present to create music that already sounds timeless and were written for anyone who’s ever been shot or hit by a train.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14217

Most bands do not play their first live show ever in a sold-out venue supporting a main act by the name of Glasvegas. But Giana Factory did. The trio consists of Loui Foo (vocals, drum pads), Sofie Johanne (bass, synth) and Lisbet Fritze (guitar), and since the release of the debut EP, Bloody Game in 2009 (Label: Music For Dreams), they've been picked up on the international blogosphere, as well as Pitchfork and Nylon Magazine, who fell for their unique noir-pop. The single 'Rainbow Girl' has been in A-rotation on national radio, and both Danish newspaper Politiken and the esteemed music magazine Soundvenue have featured covers of the trio. With the band's distinct sense of creating tense, yet subtle pop gems, 'Bloody Game' became the promising head start for Giana Factory. This is where it starts for most bands. But then again, it was different for these ladies. In 2008, Lisbet and Loui were touring Europe with fellow Danes, The Raveonettes, while Loui's big sister, Sharin Foo was on maternity leave. In London they accidentally bumped into James Allan of Glasvegas, who asked them if they had their own band, and if they were perhaps interested in supporting the Scots on their first show in Copenhagen. Finding it hard to refuse an offer like this, Giana Factory faced the crowd for the first time as a group two weeks later. They hadn't even released any music yet, but followed Glasvegas in Scandinavia and Germany. Subsequently, they have also supported bands such as Autolux, The Raveonettes and The Asteroid's Galaxy Tour. In the fall of 2010 Giana Factory finally released their first full-length album, 'Save The Youth' (Label: Music For Dreams), in Denmark. The album was very well-received, and their talents for combining gloomy synths and crisp drum pads with atmospheric guitars and sparklingly fresh melodies marked that Giana Factory had found a sound that was entirely theirs - that here were three women, who did their own, unique thing. In 2011, Giana Factory sets out to conquer the rest of the world by intense touring and releasing their debut album 'Save The Youth' worldwide. Currently, the girls are counting down to this by releasing a monthly 7'' vinyl containing a track from the album plus a remix made by musical friends from the road such as Glasvegas, Trentemoller and The Asteroids Galaxy Tour!
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14443

The music of We Are Hex recalls classic Joy Division, the Cure, Killing Joke and PJ Harvey, but combines those sounds with the modern ferocity of the Liars or Grinderman, without losing the urgency of classic punk. We Are Hex came together in 2008 and moved into a foul Indianapolis neighborhood where they locked themselves away in their studio space, dubbed the Hex Haus. In the spring of 2009, the band released their self-recorded debut full-length, Gloom Bloom, to positive reviews. After a summer of touring, they returned to the Hex Haus to create a new, very different record.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14676

Art vs Science are an indie dance-rock three piece from Sydney, Australia who were 'unearthed' by national broadcaster, Triple J.. They have released 2 EPs in their home country, both of which have gone Gold. They are perennial live favourites and have ascended to almost-headline status at festivals and regularly sell out their own national tours. They are preparing to release their debut album The Experiment in Australia in Feb 2011. Rolling Stone awarded the record 4/5 stars. Art vs Science are booked by CAA in UK/Europe and Windish Agency in the US..
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS15174

At just 19 years-old, Marz Lovejoy has emerged as a frontrunner on the Los Angeles music scene. After gaining notoriety for her breakthrough performance on "Shine" by Pac Div (Universal Motown), Marz was recruited by the group for her first national tour. On the heels of the tour, Marz wasted no time in refining her sound alongside acclaimed producer and fellow Los Angeles native Polyester (Dom Kennedy, Too Short, Chaka Khan). iHipHop Distribution took note of Marz's talent and unique style and promptly signed her. Making her mark on the hip-hop community with the release of her debut EP, "This Little Light Of Mine," Marz continued to perform across the country, eventually sharing the stage with Wu-Tang Clan members GZA and Raekwon in New York City during a CMJ showcase. In addition, West Coast legend DJ Quik went on to invite Marz to perform at his Quik's Grooves concert series in Hollywood. Marz earned critical praise for "This Little Light Of Mine," as members of the press championed the release: "Marz Lovejoy stands out with a unique style that combines fun pop-hooks and sharp lyricism... Lovejoy definitely has a bright future ahead of her, as she has the ability to craft catchy hooks to make some noise in the mainstream crowd, and she has the lyrical prowess to hang with the best of the underground." -- Zach Gase, Okayplayer.com
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14972

THE R'S – BIO The R's (formerly The Record's) formed in the summer of 2002 in Brescia, Italy. They are Pierluigi Ballarin (vocals, guitar), Gaetano Polignano (drums), and Pietro Paletti (bass, vocals). Early on the band released a series of self‐produced recordings that helped build a cult following. In 2007 they won a music contest sponsored by Italy's most widely read newspaper and released their first official EP, Joyful Celebration. The record contained the single 'Move Your Little Fingers,' picked up by the most prominent national radio stations. In 2008 The R's released the album Money's On Fire with the collaboration of the venerated musician/producer Giovanni Ferrario (P.J. Harvey). With one of the tracks from the album featured on a major national advertising campaign and prominent exposure on MTV Italy the band began reaching a wide audience. By the end of the year they were on best‐of lists of the most important newspapers and music publications in Italy. The R's music crosses genres and eras with hints of the early days of rock – from the 1950's to garage rock – alongside indie pop and psychedelic folk. In 2011 The R's signed with Nat Geo Music, the record label of the National Geographic Society that specializes in contemporary international music. The R's are preparing to make their U.S. debut in the late spring / early summer of 2011 with the release of their latest album De Flora Et Fauna.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14985

Artist Information Biography The stratospheric rise of The Cambodian Space Project has caught those witnessing the spectacle of this cosmic cross-culture rock band (CSP) as it blasts across the dusty highways of Cambodia by surprise. In Cambodia, The CSP has landed like an unexpected meteor and has made an immediate impact on enthusiastic local audiences with its festival-like live shows. To date, the CSP has performed in venues ranging from chic city clubs to rural villages, schools and orphanages, even an elephant’s 50th birthday party! For the musicians, The Cambodian Space Project is a troupe bonded not only by the diversity of its members’ backgrounds but by an artistic vision to bridge cultures while exploring new musical frontiers. _______________________________________________________ The Cambodian Space Project I’m Unsatisfied Metal Postcard Records 7” Article written by Ged M - Aug 8, 2010 The Cambodian Space Project: I’m Unsatisfied The label claims this is the first single by a Cambodian band since 1975, when the Khmer Rouge killed all the singers (and the teachers, and the doctors and…) in the Killing Fields. There are diaspora bands like Dengue Fever but this is a Phnom Penh-based outfit put together by an ex-pat Australian and including Cambodians and French players, and fronted by the incredible voice of Srey Thy. It’s a culture clash of sorts – they play like the 5,6,7,8s but their sound is faithful to the spirit of the 60s/ 70s music that itself was a fusion of traditional Khmer songs and the rock’n’roll imported by GIs. ‘Knyom Mun Sok Jet Te (I’m Unsatisfied)’ is staggering, from its warped psych-rock to the unearthly vocals of Srey Thy, who stays true to the spirit of singers like Ros Sereysothea and Pan Ron (who originally wrote this). ‘I’m Still Waiting For You’ is another mindfuck, with lyrics by another dead Khmer pop legend Sin Sisamouth played over the tune to ‘House of the Rising Sun’. The incredible picture disc imagery just rounds it off nicely. If you’ve ever heard any of the Cambodia Rocks compilations, or just want an out-of-body experience, you’ll find this perfect. _______________________________________________________ HITTING THE HIGH NOTES - Thai Airways Magazine story Srey Thy’s journey from the rice fields of Cambodia to lead singer of one of the hottest bands in the kingdom – The Cambodian Space Project – is truly an inspirational success story TEXT BY CHARLOTTE LANCASTER Srey Thy cried for the duration of her flight from Phnom Penh to Hong Kong in March this year (2010). As she sat with a brand new passport in hand, she allowed herself tears of fear and joy. Fear because she was flying into the unknown. Joy because her life had, finally, taken off in a new direction. A departure from a life of difficulty, to one filled with hope and new possibilities. She was leaving her country for the first time to perform with her band at an international gig. Born into a poor family in Cambodia’s poverty-stricken province of Prey Veng, nearly forced into the sex trade, and trapped in a violent relationship for a year, life had been tough on Thy. Yet, with some good luck and natural talent on her side, she has successfully moved on to become the lead singer of the Cambodian Space Project, a band that has managed to cause quite an impact with its music in the region in just one year. While the band covers Cambodian hits from the 1960s as part of its cross- over Khmer rock Western psychedelic jungle sound, Thy’s own lyrics comment on modern and traditional Cambodian society as well as reflect on her own past. “Music – both the act of singing and performing – allows me to express my emotions, confront the demons of my past and convey the happiness I feel now,” admits Thy. The articulate 31-year-old talks candidly of her past and of the dishonesty, desperation and poverty that have until recently defined her life. Thy was first introduced to music listening to her mother sing when she was a child. As a teenager she sang in restaurants in her home town, where audiences claimed she reminded them of the iconic Ros Sereysothea and Pan Ron, two stars of the short-lived pre- Khmer Rouge Cambodian rock’n’roll scene. In search of a better future, Thy left home to work as a maid in Phnom Penh, and while there was kidnapped and nearly forced into a sex trafficking ring. She was only 18 at the time. With deliberation and care she points to a small discolouration on her right wrist that is the only physical reminder of the hours she spent tied to a bed by electrical cables in a small room until an unknown woman freed her and gave her US$2.50 to run away. It was one of the defining moments in her life and she now uses her recently found fame to raise awareness of human trafficking in Cambodia through workshops and public talks. After that, at the age of 24, Thy was in a tough and violent relationship with a man that resulted in their son. “We lived together for over a year, and separated after seven months of my delivery,” she reveals. Finding herself working in the capital once again, she was desperate to send money home to her ageing parents and young child, and felt forced to take up odd jobs around the city earning whatever she could manage. From working as a labourer on a construction site to an employee in a garment factory, Thy has done it all – and has the scars to prove it. But things were meant to soon change, and in late 2009 Julien Poulson, an Australian musician and film producer, was in Phnom Penh looking for Cambodian music talent to work with when he stumbled across Thy singing in a karaoke bar, and was immediately taken by her. A couple of months later she was part of a band, and within a year of its forming The Cambodian Space Project has played more than 20 gigs – including, rather bizarrely, playing at an elephant’s 50th birthday party – and has garnered fans on home soil and overseas. Its participation in a Hong Kong music festival earlier in the year laid the foundations for two international tours set to take them around Australia and France by the end of 2010. “A lot has happened in the last 12 months, but we still have a way to go,” says the lead singer confident of the band’s future success. Her ambitions for her own future, however, betray her difficult past and speak of a desire for stability and security. “As for me, I only hope for financial wellbeing and happiness for my family.” With a career just taking off, these ambitions may materialise sooner than expected for the rising starlet, whose melodic voice, determined ambition and playful personality have taken her from rice fields to regional rock star in a short period of time. Who knows what’s next in store? For more information on The Cambodian Space Project check outwww.myspace.com/thecambodianspaceproject Instrumentation Srey Thy - vocals, percussion Gaetan Crespel - accordion Bong Sak - drums Gildas Maronoud - bass guitar Irene Choun - electric guitar Julien Poulson - electric guitar Scott Bywater - various Discography I'm Unsatisfied is The CSP's first vinyl ep and is out now through www.metalpostcard.com Deja Voodoo is the title of the debut album of The Cambodian Space Project and this will be ready for release December 1st this year. Sample tracks can be heard at www.myspace.com/thecambodianspaceproject
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS11897

Skiggy Rapz (pronounced “Skid-jee Raps”) is a Dutch-born rapper and producer who’s developed a glossy, love-filled mix of hip-hop and pop. Before his first album was even realized, he won the Grote Prijs van Nederland (Grand Prize of the Netherlands), a national award for emerging artists. Skiggy used this notoriety to unveil his debut, Boat Drinks, on the Japanese label P-Vine Records in 2005. In 2007, he released another full-length, Record, as a member of Keynote Speakerz with Master Surreal. He produced two albums for Dutch rapper Diggy Dex in 2006 and 2008, and in 2009 he co-produced Diggy Dex’s “Slaap Lekker,” a number one single in the Netherlands, featuring Eva de Roovere. In 2009 he also released the Bang To The Boogie EP on Beats Broke. Serving as a prelude to his upcoming full-length Bang To The Boogie, the EP highlights Skiggy’s blending of genres, up-beat rhythms, and sing-along hooks. Skiggy hit a licensing windfall in 2010 when MTV, VH1, and FUEL TV latched onto his ever-growing buzz. He has since been featured on a slew of programs like Jersey Shore, Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, and The Real World. The rapper has also been featured on the other side of the camera, appearing on the Dutch television program Raymann is Late. He has produced commercial tracks for McDonalds, Martini, and Samsung, and has licensed tracks to over 15 Japanese albums since 2005. Skiggy has toured extensively as a solo artist and as support, backing Diggy Dex and fellow Dutch producer Arts The Beatdoctor. His collaboration with Arts was highlighted in an official showcase at the 2009 SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Skiggy Rapz has also had the honor of opening for notable hip-hop legends KRS-One, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Guru, and Kanye West.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS11014

Building a reputation as a must-see band on New York's Lower East Side, Rocky Business is certainly a breath of fresh air. Headed by frontman/emcee Strictly Business and guitarist/producer Jonny On The Rocks, Rocky Business brings together a diverse range of sounds, ranging from Hip Hop to Indie Rock. Both members come from very different backgrounds; Jonny is a Toronto native, while Strictly Business hails from Bed-Stuy Brooklyn. The two first met when Jonny was engineering a studio session for SB in early 2009. While recording SB's tracks, Jonny took an interest in his style, further collaborating artistically, starting a partnership that would become Rocky Business. Since then, Rocky Business has hit the stage with artists such as Diplo, GhostFace Killah, Redman, Rick Ross, HEARTSREVOLUTION, Hey Champ, Theophilus London, Maluca, Ninjasonik, Anton Glamb and Death Set. Rocky Business has made a name for itself in NYC's underground nightlife. Playing at major music venues to dance clubs to illegal loft parties, Rocky Business has also played many festivals such as Northside, SXSW CMJ and events in Europe as well. Most recently, "Army Of Love" and "Find Away," both from their debut EP, shot to the top of Hypemachine charts. Rocky Business' debut EP, A Rebel's Roar, drops March 22nd on FrankRadio/Babygrande Records.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14647

A global citizen with a globally minded focus, Chief Boima is an electronic musician/DJ and cultural activist currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He started his international career traveling the world recreating the African house parties he knew growing up for new and willing audiences. As a resident of Little Baobab in San Francisco and as a touring club DJ has played in Europe, Africa, North America, and Australia becoming an respected figure in the promotion of various local styles from around the globe such as Coupe Decale, Cumbia, Kuduro, and Champeta. The past few years Boima has immersed in the world of music production, and has released original tracks and remixes alone as well as part of Banana Clipz with DJ Oro 11. He's also done numerous collaborations with folks like DJ Orion, Lamin Fofana, DJ Rupture, Matt Shadetek, and Uproot Andy, as well as producing tracks for international singers and rappers such as Los Rakas, Black Nature of the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, and Khady Black. Chief Boima is at home on the stage as much as in the studio, so come to his shows expecting to dance, interact, and have fun!
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14265

UPROOT ANDY is a Brooklyn based DJ and Producer of bass heavy and melodic dance music derived from the diverse global rhythms of immigrant New York. The sound is sharp, exciting and emotional rooted in tradition and the brand new. In 2008 Andy made a name for himself with the mixtape Guacharaca Migration . It was a pioneering example of what is now being called Global Bass and was named ‘one of the best mixtapes of 2008’ by New York Magazine. Since then, Uproot Andy has produced remixes for Thievery Corporation, Radioclit, The Very Best, Poirier, MC Gringo, Forro in the Dark amongst others. As a DJ, Andy has shared the stage with Major Lazer, Ninjasonik, Douster, Maluca, Solo, Toy Selectah, Mowgli, 77 Klash, Schlachthofbronx,The Very Best, and Radioclit. In South America he has played several shows in both Colombia and Argentina and is recently returned from a 17 city European tour this summer. He is currently working on his first full length album. Andy is co-founder of the weekly Tropical Bass party ‘Que Bajo’ at Santos House Party in New York City which has been nominated for the 2010 Paper Magazine Nighlife Award for Best Party. He is also a resident at the world famous balkan music club Mehanata Bulgarian Bar on New York’s lower east side.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14427