The Folks at Blind Ambition Management and Easley Management extend a warm invitation to you to join us for their 28th Annual SXSW Kickoff Party Tuesday March 11, 2014 from 7 to 10 PM at The Safe House, 800 West 5th Street ATX, Poolside! Since the very first year of SX we've hosted a Kickoff Party for the SXSW music conference, inviting SX staff, friends and industry insiders from music, film, and interactive to enjoy up and coming acts playing the Conference in a fun, relaxed and intimate setting - originally in our loft home, but later beside our pool. The Kickoff Party was written up in a front-page story in the Philadelphia Inquirer a few years ago, which praised the party's ³laid back but still insider vibe.
Each year the music seems to be more fabulous, the food more tasty, the drinks more refreshing, and the people more interesting. At least three of this year's acts have been dubbed "SXSW Buzz Bands" by NPR's All Songs Considered, the USA Today, Paste Magazine, or the NY TImes - and the fourth band is every bit as good - so it should be a special night! Please see details on the attached invite.
Lineup:
7:15 PM - The Bruce Smith Band (Austin, Texas) The Austin Chronicle writes, "Austin's Bruce Smith Band impresses, ...his songs bring together a wide-screen view that defies his youth." Bryan Beck of KGSR Austin says Bruce Smith is a "great singer/songwriter," and Austin agent extraordinaire David Cotton observes that "Bruce Smith is the fastest rising star at the Saxon Pub since Los Lonely Boys.” We’re excited about his tasty new CD “Till the Wheels Fall Off,” featuring “59 Stratocaster”! “ http://thebrucesmithband.tumblr.com
8:00 PM - Gina Chavez
As one of Austin’s most beloved world music/indie artists, GINA CHAVEZ is known for her impressive multi=instrumental performances and an inimitable sound inspired by cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton and other genres. With accolades such as the 2012-13 Austin Music Award for Best Latin Traditional Artist/Band (along with placing in three other categories), two tours in Japan as the Official City of Austin Music Ambassador, and praise from National Public Radio‘s All Songs Considered and Alt. Latino as one of eight “New Latin Artists at SXSW,” Chavez has claimed a prominent stake in the Live Music Capital. As NPR observed, “her voice stops you in your tracks”! http://ginachavez.com
8:45 PM - Saintseneca (Columbus, Ohio) NPR darlings SAINTSENECA follows in the footsteps of heartland bands that have sought to twist the music of the old weird America into new shapes, performing songs that sound familiar and uniquely original, all at once. The group utilizes a wide range of acoustic instrumentation (balalaika, mandolin, dulcimer, Turkish Baglama, floor percussion) with more contemporary elements such as synthesizers and electric guitars to create a seamless blend of soaring vocals and vibrant post-punk energy. The rural hills of Appalachia infused the band's songs with a sense of introspection and some striking narratives. The band's poetic lyricism and folk instrumentation is consistently enhanced by elements of pop, post-punk and psychedelia. As Nashville Scene writes, “Saintseneca spins isolation into folk gold, while Pitchfork.com offered, "bandleader Zac Little writes stompy folk songs that are more artfully crafted than all the bands you probably just thought of when you read the words “stompy folk songs.” http://saintseneca.com
9:30 PM - THE BALLROOM THIEVES (Boston, Massachusetts) Truly a high-energy rock trio performing under the guise of well crafted, emotionally sincere folk, white-hot SXSW buzz band THE BALLROOM THIEVES have released two well-received EPs since getting their start three years ago. The Blogosphere raves about the Thieves live: “The intensity and passion The Ballroom Thieves had for the songs they delivered- it was hard to believe it was just three of them.” The heartbeat of the group is their soaring three-part harmonies, which explode with a bang. As their songs grow, the band transforms from a folk three-piece in a small room into an arena-filling orchestra of soul, spilling their raw emotions into every microphone and corner. Audiotree said of the performance, “Three unique voices separate and intertwine to emit one call, channeling sounds from the Delta and bits of old Gospel guises and transcends this Boston trio’s urban roots.” http://www.ballroomthieves.com
To RSVP, mailto:
stepheneasley@mac.com
