My favorite live band is playing SXSW. They're called Birdmonster, and here's a link to a video from last time they were in town:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8857787320805982735&q=birdmonster&pr=goog-sl

Also, Wild Light are playing a few shows during the fest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mWrOPrlUjQ

I really don't know how you'll choose, though. Every time I look at the SXSW web site, my head explodes! But you are right that many of the bands on the list don't turn out to be as good as you hoped. Still, it's worth digging to find the gems. Every year, I go through the band list for CMJ and make wonderful discoveries.

http://www.myspace.com/wildlight
htto://www.birdmonster.com

Sent by Hannah | 11:17 PM ET | 03-03-2008

It'll be a few years before I can escape the gravitational pull of law school and get to SXSW, but if I was there I'd be sure to see Horror-Folk-Punk band Harley Poe.

If you look through the SXSW torrent they've got a song called "Corrupting My Better Half," but it's actually "What's a Devil to Do?" Great live band, check out youtube if you like the song.

Sent by Johnpatrick | 11:13 AM ET | 03-04-2008

I've seen Tally Hall a few times and they are always great live. Their first album is coming out via Atlantic on April 1st.

The band made a music video for their single 'good day' (directed by one of the band members).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNgyFJOzbs4

Very creative bunch. Nice guys too.

They're playing:
Wednesday, March 14 11:00 p.m.
Habana Calle 6 Annex (708 E 6th St)

Good luck seeing as many bands as you can! SXSW sounds amazing.

Sent by Antony | 12:08 PM ET | 03-04-2008

I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of new bands, I'm looking forward to Stubb's BBQ, but I'm most looking forward to seeing Paul Kelly.

Sent by Mike Barzacchini | 4:57 PM ET | 03-04-2008

don't mess around with planning it out or lowering your quality of life by trying to sift through all those bands. it's all about that word of mouth once you get there. i hear there is some promising noise coming from columbus, oh. not kidding.

Sent by scrimpy | 11:34 AM ET | 03-05-2008

Tally Hall are alright, but the better acts from MI by far:

Chris Bathgate (prepare to be haunted; jaw on the floor and heart in your throat)
http://www.myspace.com/chrisbathgate

Great Lakes Myth Society (harmonies + geography + history + accordion = love)
http://www.myspace.com/greatlakesmythsociety

Frontier Ruckus (Neutral Milk Hotel-meets-bluegrass instrumentation and the Rust Belt)
http://www.myspace.com/frontierruckus

Sent by Brandon | 5:40 PM ET | 03-05-2008

Hey. I'll be going to SXSW too. I noticed you had Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden and The Oaks on your list. I LOVE Kate and the Sons of Sweden. They're so amazing live, and because of you, I am into the Oaks too. I noticed they are on the same bill at The Wave on March 12th. I am going to be there defintiely. you?

what time on Wednesday?
bb

Sent by Diego Brownsville | 8:54 PM ET | 03-06-2008

I saw Times New Viking open for Yo La Tengo a few months back. I really enjoyed their set. Also, I know that KEXP will probably feature them, but you should check out The Black Angels and Cloud Cult! Also, Dizzee Rascal is a great UK rapper. Jandek is... well... Jandeck, and worth a listen. Le Loup is great, and how could you pass up seeing the Old 97s... Damn. I wish that I could be there!

Sent by David Oldenkamp | 12:28 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I've not seen Paul Kelly since I lived in Sydney but he will be so SO worth it - I wish I lived closer to TX than VA, but there you go. You really should try and see him, he is excellent!

Sent by kathy k. | 2:47 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I was happy to hear you profile Fanfarlo on the podcast. I discovered them last Fall and really like them. The singer's voice reminds me of the singer in the band Seafood (also British).

Seafood, what an awful name for a band!
thanks for the encouragement to go see Fanfarlo.
take care H.

Sent by Hannah | 3:19 PM ET | 03-08-2008

BB,

KT and the Sons of Sweden are playing at 8pm at the Wave on Wednesday. The online schedule has it at 10pm, but it's changed as I just got a notice from Fanatic promotion about it.

here's a link to the details from them:

www.fanaticpromotion.com/projects/sxsw08/ecard/fanaticflyer-sxsw08.pdf

hope to see you there. They really are amazing live.

Love your show!

Sent by diego brownsville | 4:58 PM ET | 03-08-2008

SXSW is just the same 40 years old-retro, last century, rehash of boring bands. Where is the post-bands music from Dallas? If you are in a band now you are guaranteed safe and boring. Post Bands too scary for the sanitized band lovers to even talk about hey?
When rock and roll becomes all it started out opposing, it's time for a revolution in music.

Sent by Tom Hendricks | 9:25 PM ET | 03-08-2008

I'd recommend catching Delta Spirit. Their songwriting is deep and heartfelt. They are fantastic live, giving a powerful and polished performance, leaving it all on the stage.

Sent by Kevin Mathis | 2:08 AM ET | 03-10-2008

Tom is being crass, but he makes a good point.

There are quite a few highly touted underground/indie bands these days that sound quite like Neil Diamond or Paul Simon. Delta Spirit, my previous recommendation, as well as Vampire Weekend can be lumped into this category. Even Spoon, the great songwriter that Brit Daniel is, sounds a bit like a rehashing of the pop of the past.

Does innovation and experimentation take a back seat to musical skill and songwriting in todays underground music scene?

Sent by Kevin Mathis | 5:28 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Seeing Mission to the Sea on this list is a wonderful thing. I've seen this band play in Dallas several times. Their music sounds like the feeling you get when you're on a island/beach vacation. Frontman/songwriter Decker Sachse continues to write dreamy and intimate songs, and the latest batch of tunes (which I caught a sneak preview at a show) are sure to be their best yet. Decker has developed his own way of injecting feelings of heartache and hope into larger stories of non-pop issues...like bees, phonebooths, and submarines. The guys are just cool. The music is certainly worth a listen if you make it SXSW.

Sent by Reagan | 3:12 PM ET | 03-13-2008

I live in Dallas. I say when music goes 'south' you end up in Austin. When it's good you stay in Dallas.
Long live Post-bands music, and the art revolution! Music is exciting again!

Sent by Tom Hendricks | 10:19 PM ET | 03-13-2008