New Albums and Yes, SXSW

So, the following are a few artists who have new albums coming, and like every band in the universe, will be going to Austin next week. We've heard these records though, and all "buzz" aside, they are definitely worth listening to. See after the jump for tour dates and SXSW deets.

Artist: The Low Anthem
Album: Oh My God Charlie Darwin
Release Date: Secret. (Secret label) watch the hot sheets after SX for info
MP3: "Charlie Darwin"

The beauty of this album is immediately arresting upon first listen. It has easily shot into contention for our favorite album of '09. There are gorgeous folk ballads mixed, sometimes unfortunately, with louder more raucous Americana rockers. Singer Ben Miller's voice carries the record, with the timbre of Bon Iver and the loveliness of Fleet Foxes' harmonies. Absolutely see them in Austin. OMGCD is available at CD Baby and their live shows, with wider distribution coming later this year.

Artist: We Have Band
Album: TBD
Release Date: This Fall (50 Bones Records)
Video: "Oh!"

Hola fellow EMI veterans We Have Band. Yes, it may be another dance-synth-mind-explosion, but what can you say when their tunes are this good? This London trio's first single "Oh!" is out in the UK on 50 Bones, who is also putting out the new Little Boots and has had amazing success with The Virgins. So, you can kind of get the picture right there. Uber-melodic dance rock from England + ace band name = success. They are all over SXSW and (I think) we may be hitting them up this weekend in NYC. Band to watch?

Artist: Helicopters
Album: Sizing up the Distance
Release Date: April 28 (available now digitally)
MP3 coming soon

Somehow, the NY Post scooped us on this. Well, good for you guys. Good luck with the rest of your fear mongering, facist conservatism. ANYWAY. Post trashing aside, we are really loving what we have heard from Chicago band Helicopters. Our friends at RCRD LBL put it best when they said "Helicopters sounds like Flock Of Seagulls if they'd actually had some game." Their sound is somehow a mash-up of pop, rock, (ugh) auto-tune, dance, and folk (?). No one seems to know what to say about them, but we all are definitely enjoying the music. Yet, for as catchy and great as they are, some focus could be in order for 2010.



THE LOW ANTHEM

TOUR DATES

March 14 11PM - NX35 Conference, Banter - Denton, Texas
March 15 8PM - House of Blues - Bronze Peacock - Houston, Texas**
March 16 8PM - The Pontiac Garage @ House of Blues - Dallas, Texas**

Check them out @ SXSW!

Wed March 18th:
3PM - Mad Dragon Party @ The Thirsty Nickel
Thu March 19th:
12:30 - Music By The Slice @ Homeslice Pizza
3:00PM - End of the Road Party at Lambert's
1AM - Bella Union Showcase at The Ranch
Fri March 20th:
10PM - Central Presbyterian Church
Sat March 21st:
4PM - PureVolume House @ 2nd and Trinity

March 31 - 8PM - Wellmont Theatre - Wellmont, New Jersey*
April 2 8PM - Wellmont Theatre - Wellmont, New Jersey*
April 3 8PM - Palace Theatre - Greensburg, Pennsylvania*
April 4 8PM - Tower Theatre - Upper Darby, Pennsylvania*
April 5 7PM - Tarrytown Music Hall w/JOSH RITTER - Tarrytown, New York
April 6 - 8PM - The Egg-Hart Theatre - Albany, New York*
April 7 - 8PM - Calvin Theatre - Northampton, Massachusetts*
April 8 - 8PM - Shubert Theatre - New Haven, Connecticut*
April 10 - 8PM - Merrill Auditorium at City Hall - Portland, Maine*
April 11 - 7:30 PM - Merrill Auditorium at City Hall - Portland, Maine*
April 12 - 8PM - Flynn Center for the Performing Arts - Burlington, Vermont*
April 13 - 8PM - Langdon Street Cafe - Montpelier, Vermont
April 14 - 8PM - Metropolis - Montreal, Quebec*
April 15 - 8PM - Massey Hall - Toronto, Ontario*
April 24 - 8PM - Lupos w/ELVIS PERKINS + DEERTICK - Providence, Rhode Island
June 11 - 12PM - BONNAROO - Manchester, Tennessee
June 12 - 8PM - BONNAROO - Manchester, Tennessee
June 13 - 8PM - BONNAROO - Manchester, Tennessee
June 14 - 8PM - BONNAROO - Manchester, Tennessee
September 11 - 8PM - END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL - North Dorset, England
** with Lisa Hannigan*with Ray Lamontagne


WE HAVE BAND

NYC
Friday March 13: 11:00pm - TRASH at The Studio @ Webster Hall (LIVE)
Saturday March 14: 9:00pm - Piano's (LIVE)
Saturday March 14: 12:00am - Le Royale (DJ SET)
Monday March 16th at The Delancey (9.30pm)

SXSW
WEDNESDAY, March 18th
4:PM - Urban Outfitters Party (2406 Guadalupe St)
11PM - Monstrosity Party (2514 Wilson St)
THURSDAY, March 19th
12PM - Gigantic Music Party at The Scoot Inn (1308 E 4th St)
5:30PM - Lose Control at Canvas Bar & Gallery Party (105 E 5th St)
12AM - NME Party at Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto Blvd)
FRIDAY, March 20th
1:30PM - Hot Freaks Party at Mohawk (912 Red River St)
4:30PM - Levi's / Fader Fort Party (1101 E 5th St)
SATURDAY, March 21st
11AM -Woxy Session
12AM - Clash Magazine Party at Volume (614 E 6th St)