- Student-run radio station KVRX will host four public concerts during SXSW. Most are free, located near campus and feature a variety of local musical acts. Below, The Daily Texan breaks down each event.
- KVRX Local Acts Showcase
- Featuring a lineup of eight local bands, the Local Acts Showcase boasts a wide variety of genres from pop to post-punk. Opening act Tilly Loom has a sound somewhere between The Black Keys and Tame Impala. Their song “Into I//Intro II//Free Roam” introduces the audience to their use of lo-fi guitar and psychedelic instrumentation, functioning as distinct songs grouped into one.
- Closing out the show is Dreamboat, a nine-person ensemble that features both orchestral string instruments and horns in addition to the traditional band staples. The result is a mix of folk, rock and funk led by the soulful vocals of Mary Bryce. In their song “Whoa Ho Ho,” the French horn steals the show, giving it a sound reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel.
- When: Sunday, March 13; doors open at 3 p.m., band starts at 4 p.m.
- Where: Hole In The Wall, 2528 Guadalupe St.
- Admission: $3 cover
- KVRX & WNYU SXSW Showcase
- KVRX is collaborating with New York University’s radio station, WNYU, for a show featuring rock and experimental electronic music. Two international acts to check out are Oscar and friendships, hailing from London and Melbourne, respectively.
- Signed to the indie label Wichita Recordings, Oscar’s sound is difficult to categorize. In an interview with T Magazine, Oscar describes the music as having “rap music beats, but there’s a melancholy that comes from the pop songwriting on top.”
- Melbourne electronic duo friendships boast a loud, sometimes frantic sound that draws from major electronic influences while remaining original in their obscure sampling. Putting as much focus into the visual aspect of their performance as their sound, friendships will be a great set to check out at the dance-friendly Pearl Street Co-op.
- When: Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m.
- Where: Pearl Street Coop, 2000 Pearl St.
- Admission: Free
- KVRXplosion 2016
- Located at the bookstore/art gallery Farewell Books, KVRXplosion 2016 will host both local and international acts. Though the bands’ genres vary, be sure to check out punk bands Thee MVPs and Unknown Relatives.
- Thee MVPs are from the United Kingdom, and the country’s influence on the band’s music is clear. Labeling themselves as a garage-punk band, Thee MVPs draws from UK punk influences like The Clash. While this is evident in their fast-paced, guitar-heavy instrumentation, the vocals are more indicative of a post-punk influence and a willingness to be experimental. Their song “Edgar” exhibits the modern sound with vocals sounding like Parquet Courts.
- Unknown Relatives is a local band, representing the post-punk scene in Austin. Though the similar punk influences are present, the band alternates between fast-paced heavy rock and softer vocal-driven melodies. Their song “Say What You Want” from their self-titled debut album features vocals and instrumentation that would be at home on Cage The Elephant’s album Melophobia.
- When: Friday, March 18 at 1 p.m.
- Where: Farewell Books, 913 E. Cesar Chavez St.
- Admission: Free
- Tacoland: A KVRX Hangover Brunch
- Featuring free breakfast tacos, $4 Bloody Marys and $3 mimosas, this event is sure to cure your hangover — or at least delay it. Featuring 11 different acts, the lineup is rock-heavy, ranging from heavy metal to melodic indie.
- Tangerine, an indie rock trio from Seattle, features upbeat melodies that blend soft rhythm guitar, punk-influenced lead guitar and melodic vocals from sisters Miro and Marika Justad. With influences such as The Strokes, The Clash and Haim, this trio is currently touring to promote their latest album, Sugar Teeth.
- Paper Bison, a four-piece progressive indie rock ensemble from New Orleans, has one of the most polished sounds of all the bands at the KVRX showcases. The lead single from their EP Anyone Else is titled “Rearranged” and features Kings of Leon-style guitar riffs, but with lighter vocals and background instrumentals.
- When: Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m.
- Where: Spider House Café and Ballroom, 2908 Fruth St.
- Admission: Free
KVRX to host free SXSW shows
March 11, 2016
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