Jonquil to play first US shows, SXSW

By Greg Swan, on February 13th, 2011%

Jonquil, the Oxford, UK four-piece are finally headed to the states — starting slow with two NYC gigs and handful of shows at SXSW. I’m hoping they make it to Minneapolis soon after.

MP3: Jonquil – “Fighting Smiles”

I got a review copy of their One Hundred Suns EP record awhile back (an 8-track EP, mind you) and have really enjoyed it. Kind of a Sigur Ros + The Smiths kind of sound that gets in your head and helps you forget it’s fundraising time on The Current.

The album is currently available on limited-edition turquoise marble vinyl via Dovecote Records. . . . → Read More: Jonquil to play first US shows, SXSW

SXSWORLD Magazine featuring Perfect Porridge and friends

By Greg Swan, on April 13th, 2010%

I finally got my grubby hands on a copy of the March Music issue of SXSWORLD Magazine.

It features my article on music blogs based on The State of Music Blogs in 2010 SXSW panel and borrows heavily from my 20 part interview series on the subject.

You guys were all super smart, so I quoted lots of friends here, including Junkyard Empire, Paragraphs, Andrea Swensson, David De Young, Taylor Carik, Marni Wandner and Jesse Ervin.

Except for the crazy big pictures of Jesse and me (I sent them others, I swear!), it turned out pretty well.

Check it out (click to enlarge, so it’s . . . → Read More: SXSWORLD Magazine featuring Perfect Porridge and friends

Devo's doing more focus groups

By Greg Swan, on March 25th, 2010%

Did you hear about the Devo panel at SXSW? They’ve decided to market themselves just like you would beer or tissues. And the marketing push starts…now.

Check out this letter I just got from the “COO of Devo”

Friends,

The response to our SXSW panel has been overwhelming and we thank all of you for your continued support. Representatives from our musical division, the band Devo, as well as our corporate partners, used the occasion to present the ongoing mission and plan for the future in an open forum where the public was given the opportunity to respond. And while, unfortunately, important business commitments . . . → Read More: Devo's doing more focus groups

SXSW State of Music Blogs in 2010 Panel Recap

By Greg Swan, on March 23rd, 2010%

This was my fourth year attending South by Southwest, and I had never been more excited to attend the premier conference dedicated to new music, tech, emerging media and social marketing. With music blogs jumping the shark, microblogging reaching mainstream, geo-location aware social networks reaching broader awareness and companies — both large, small, B2C and B2B — increasing adopting social marketing strategies, there has never been a more thrilling time to be involved in this space.

Not only did I get to present on a panel, I attended a ton of panels (see my notes here, here, here and here).

I’m pleased to . . . → Read More: SXSW State of Music Blogs in 2010 Panel Recap

Minnesota Music @ SXSW

By Greg Swan, on March 17th, 2010%

. . . → Read More: Minnesota Music @ SXSW

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 20

By Greg Swan, on March 15th, 2010%

Photo by Leslie Plesser (shuttersmack.com)

This is an interview series in preparation for my SXSW Panel: The State of Music Blogs in 2010. I reached out to a number of influencers, musicans, labels, marketers and music fans to get their perspectives on the topic and will be posting these in a series leading up to the conference.

Today we hear from musician Toby Cryns of Cryns #3, which is celebrating its second full-length album release at the Acadia Cafe on Friday, April 2nd.

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
I think music blogs are popular amongst folks who try to . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 20

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 19

By Greg Swan, on March 14th, 2010%

Today we hear from Matt Lombardi, co-founder of Hear It Local.

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
Music blogs are popular because they are so accessible. Fans like hearing about music from other fans – and blogs allow you to easily indentify like-minded writers with similar music tastes. . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 19

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 18

By Greg Swan, on March 10th, 2010%

Photo by Tony Nelson

Today we hear from songwriter, guitarist and self-described arrogant frontman Nick Leet of High on Stress.

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
I really enjoy music blogs. Fuel Friends is probably my favorite. I have a very similar taste in music as . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 18

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 17

By Greg Swan, on March 9th, 2010%

Today we hear from local Minneapolis musician Tim O’Regan of Darkfold.

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
Because they give people exposure to music they would not have heard of otherwise. Once you find a blogger with similar taste it becomes a no-brainer to follow their lead.

How do . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 17

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 16

By Greg Swan, on March 8th, 2010%

Today we hear from politically-charged hip-hop/jazz group Junkyard Empires

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
Brihanu: I think people are unconsciously sick of being fed the same formulaic music from corporate controlled media (mainstream radio, cable, etc.). The internet provides a space where we can have . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 16