It was a bold move: Introduce the world to your ambitious concept record by performing it in its entirety to a national audience, a week before the CD release. But The Decemberists did just that at SXSW this past March, and now you can watch some beautifully shot videos from the album's live premiere.
Watch six videos from the live premiere of The Hazards of Love at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Nigerian singer-songwriter Asa makes soulful, heartfelt music that mixes weighty themes (spirituality, the environment, race) with lilting pop melodies. While attending the 2009 South by Southwest festival and conference in Austin, Texas, she met with NPR Music for a short acoustic set with her guitarist, Nicolas Mollard.
See the Nigerian singer-songwriter perform two tracks from her self-titled debut album.
Mica Levi fronts the wildly playful and inventive British rock band Micachu and the Shapes. Normally, the group plugs in, turns up the volume and plays as a trio. But for this video performance at the South by Southwest music festival and conference, Levi plays by herself, with just a child-sized acoustic guitar. Watch how she stretches the limits of six nylon strings and a magic marker.
See Micachu, a.k.a. Mica Levi, in a solo acoustic performance from the South by Southwest festival.
After an extensive negotiation involving three cups of hot green tea and a late change of venue, PJ Harvey and John Parish agreed to a performance and video shoot. The two showed up, sat down, produced a steel guitar and two amplifiers, and performed two beautiful songs from their new album, A Woman a Man Walked By.
Watch the two perform an intimate two-song set at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Lots of artists mix digital and acoustic sounds, but Mirah does it with remarkable control and grace. Her songs are never overly produced or overly sentimental. They're just a little dark, with something bubbling quietly beneath humming electronics and gently strummed guitars. See Mirah perform three new songs from her latest album, (A)spera, at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Watch Mirah perform three new songs from her lovely new album, (A)spera.
All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen and producer Robin Hilton visit a practice studio outside Austin, Texas, where Annie Clark and her band St. Vincent rehearsed for the South by Southwest music conference and festival. See video of St. Vincent performing two new songs from the group's upcoming album, Actor.
See video of the band playing a short session during the South by Southwest music festival.
Through the '90s, until the group disbanded in 2006, Grandaddy built a loyal audience by making beautifully orchestrated, neo-psychedelic space-pop. Former frontman Jason Lytle returns this year with his debut solo album, Yours Truly, The Commuter. He showcased some of his new songs for this NPR Music video session.
See Grandaddy's Jason Lytle perform songs from his solo debut, Yours Truly, The Commuter.
Every night during South by Southwest, Bob Boilen, Robin Hilton, Carrie Brownstein and Stephen Thompson gathered in the wee hours to recap their days and get pumped about bands they'd planned to see next. In these discussions from Austin, you can hear all the excitement and joy of four intrepid music lovers set loose in the annual bacchanal of songs, discovery and breakfast tacos.
Hear all the excitement and joy of four music lovers set loose in the annual bacchanal of songs.
K'Naan questions the credibility of American hip-hop: After all, even the toughest American neighborhoods aren't as dangerous as his hometown of Mogadishu. His background informs a style that hits hard, with a message that hits even harder. K'Naan's latest album, Troubadour, features the talents of Mos Def, Chali 2na and Metallica's Kirk Hammett.
The Somali-born rapper performed at NPR's SXSW day party, playing songs from Troubadour.
The Portland, Ore., duo finally acquired a van to reach SXSW this year, ditching its usual touring transportation: a pair of bicycles. Now filled out with additional players for a national tour, the band will showcase its rustic folk-pop stylings in full effect.
The Portland band's folk-pop songs are both sturdy and sweet, replete with charming harmonies.
