NJ acts head for SXSW

By CHRIS M. JUNIOR
Staff Writer

Whether by design or coincidence, the music lineup for this year's South by Southwest conference/festival is a little light on superstars and living legends.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, seeing the likes of R.E.M., Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and Pete Townshend perform at intimate venues is special. But the opportunity to check out buzz bands and way-under-the-radar acts — we're talking hundreds upon hundreds from around the world playing myriad musical styles — is the main reason to head to Austin, Texas, every year in mid-March for SXSW. (The warm weather and great barbecue make the experience all the more enjoyable.)

As one might expect, the Lone Star State is well represented during SXSW, and among the Texas notables playing this year are The Gourds, David Garza, Joe Ely and Alejandro Escovedo.

Greetings from NJ

New Jersey always makes its presence felt at SXSW, too. This week, Garden State-based acts Val Emmich, Titus Andronicus, Solace, Cash Cash and Disaster Us are scheduled for evening showcase performers. Jersey Shore-raised Steven Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band will be a featured speaker Friday morning as part of SXSW's conference schedule, and that night at the Red Eyed Fly club, various artists from his Wicked Cool label will take the stage. The new supergroup Tinted Windows, featuring Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger (who grew up in Montclair), will play its first major gigs during SXSW '09.

Not every performance takes place after the sun goes down: SXSW also has what's called "day parties," which are afternoon concert events held indoors and outdoors. Authentic Records, Near Records and Hey Cole Presents have joined forces to present a Thursday afternoon of music that's dominated by Jersey-connected acts: Anthony Fiumano and the Medicine Chest, April Smith and the Great Picture Show, Jillian Rhys, Rick Barry, Jerzy Jung and Readymade Breakup.

Nicole "Cole" Lipman, whose Pennsylvania-based booking/promotions/management company Hey Cole Presents works with Smith, Fiumano, Barry and Readymade Breakup, says the guest list for Thursday's show is around 1,200.

"That includes industry people as well as badgeholders," she says. "We're really just trying to keep in contact with a lot of the industry people and make sure they come out so our artists can get in front of the right names, and hopefully some good things can happen from that."

Even with a sizable guest list in place, Lipman's work promoting the show is far from done.

"When we're down there (in Austin) on Wednesday, we'll definitely be handing out fliers," she says.

Longtime Austinite and KGSR-FM radio personality Andy Langer also will be busy during SXSW. In addition to checking out myriad showcases this week, he'll join KGSR's Bryan Beck each weekday morning when the station broadcasts performances by SXSW artists from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel (listen online at www.kgsr.com). Scheduled acts include M. Ward, Peter Bjorn & John, Erin McCarley and Sam Roberts.

"Each one performs two songs, full band," Langer says. "It's the kind of live radio I wish there was more of."

Langer, who also writes a music column for Esquire, is especially excited about checking out Canadian singer/songwriter Roberts, whom he raved about in the magazine's March issue.

"I've been a big fan for a few years now, and seeing him live must be like what it was to see a young Bruce Springsteen," Langer says. "He's that good."

The South by Southwest music conference/festival officially begins Wednesday.

Visit The Rhythm Room blog at www.app.com this week for Chris M. Junior's SXSW reports.