The coolest thing about SXSW credentials is that people have name tags. These are quite nifty and tell you not only the person’s name, but what they do. So when you’re chilling out watching a Chop Shop Records band like that label’s first signing, the Republic Tigers, it is quite handy to glance over and see the person who is dancing next to you happens to be Alexandra Patsavas, the creator of Chop Shop Records.
Now of all the industry people at SXSW, Patsavas is my personal hero. She is living, what I consider to be, the dream. She is the music supervisor for shows praised for their great music. Perhaps, you’ve heard of The OC , Grey’s Anatomy or Gossip Girl? Well, now she has a new project with Josh Schwartz– a web series for the WB called Rockville, CA. The show follows a group of people around a rock club and it features performances by some of the hottest bands out there. Now for a taste of the “hottest bands” I checked out the Chop Shop Records showcase that was spotlighting some of the artists to be featured on this new show.
I’ve seen the Republic Tigers many times, but there was something special about seeing them outside of Kansas City. Strangely enough, they seemed more relaxed in front of this crowd of strangers than in front of the hometown crowd. With the many drums they use and all the loops, I’ve seen them get a little off in songs, but this was one of their tightest sets yet. They played several Keep Color songs like “Buildings and Mountains” and “Fight Song” as well as a new song “Kingsley”.
Following the Tigers was The Little Ones, a group often likened to The Shins. With their summery sounds and harmonization, I could see some comparison, but I think there are a lot of differences, too. They had some fun with a small pig figure [Popwreckoning's own "Gig Pig"] that was set near the stage moving it from amps to microphones. It is always nice to see a band that can have fun like that and not take themselves too seriously.
After The Little Ones was the lovely Anya Marina, but I unfortunately had to settle with just listening to her, while IÂ conducted interviews from behind the tent. I can say that from back there it sounded good and the crowd seemed quite pleased with it, so I’ll have to be sure to catch her some other time. After the interviews, I headed back in and heard some of Janelle Monae. She set the atmosphere with some fog machines before filling the venue with her soulful crooning.
Chop Shop’s showcase was the place to be, assuming you were lucky enough to get on the list. If you couldn’t catch these bands lives, the next best thing would be to prepare for the webseries Rockville, CA to hear who should be on your radar.
The Republic Tigers: myspace
The Little Ones: website | myspace
Anya Marina: website | myspace
Janelle Monae: website | myspace
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