It’s been too long since we’ve talked about Blair here at MoB. If you’re unfamiliar with her album, Die Young, you’re missing out on one of the year’s best. Check out the video of “Rampage” from “a bar/flower shop in Brooklyn” via Van Lou Media. Great stuff

Buy: Blair – Die Young

If you’ve been to the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin before you know the drill. Sore feet, bags under the eyes, hearing slightly damaged, voice lacking from talking over loud music constantly, slight hangover, and mandatory delays on your travel home are all some of the guarantees that attendees put themselves through. What could possibly make humans put themselves through such perils? What bands would be willing to endure days worth of driving and unimaginable parking hassles for the chance of playing in front of an unknown audience that chances are doesn’t know anything about your band. Simple, a mutual love of music by both artist and attendee.

I’ve spent many a nights in Austin. Had some of the best times of my life there. I’ve discovered some of my favorite bands there out of absolute obscurity. Each time, I come home with a huge smile on my face thinking back on fresh memories and ears fresh with new favorites. This was a landmark year for the blog in that we threw ourselves in the proverbial black hole of day parties and found out what works, what doesn’t and what we’ll carry forth next year in our planning process. I can’t go any farther without thanking each and every band that performed at our Thursday showcase at Habana Calle 6. I was supremely impressed with the musical talent found both withing my hometown and Milwaukee and the rest of the bands on the bill. From there, I huge thank you to MindPool Live, MillerCoors, Koss, and Songs to Synch for helping the process. A final hat tip to my friends at Radio Milwaukee for immersing themselves into the festival for the first time and bringing back home some wonderful coverage for all of us to enjoy.

Underground:

11:00 – Peter Wolf Crier (mp3)
12:00 – Blair (mp3)
1:00 – Charlie Parr (video)
2:00 – Invade Rome (video)
3:00 – Juniper Tar (mp3)
4:00 – Roadside Graves (mp3)

Patio:

11:00 – Group of the Altos (myspace)
12:00 – Conrad Plymouth (mp3)
1:00 – Strand of Oaks (mp3)
2:00 – Common Loon (mp3)
3:00 – Pezzettino (video)
4:00 – Kings Go Forth (listen)

We have a bunch more audio, video, and photos coming for you along with our favorite performances from the festival. Stay tuned, and drop a comment letting us know what bands you enjoyed at this year’s festival.

Photos: Matt Schwenke

The year is young, but one of the best things I’ve heard so far is the forthcoming release from Blair. Arriving January 26th on Autum Tone, Die Young is a pop album for this generation. We received some great feedback on Blair when we dropped her song “Candy In The Kitchen” into our podcast last week.

Die Young was recorded in New Orleans where Blair grew up listening to Nirvana and learning guitar by listening to John Frusciante’s first solo records. This year is already swept up with major releases by big-named bands. Don’t let that hype let you pass up a chance to pick up one of the year’s most promising surprises.

Buy: Blair – Die Young
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Myspace: Blair
MP3: Blair – “Candy In The Kitchen”
MP3: Blair – “Hello Halo”