SXSW Music: March 18-22, 2009

On Friday, March 20, performing right society BMI will partner with SXSW to present new wave progenitors Devo at Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St). The show marks the climax of BMI's focused presence at SXSW 2009: Throughout the week, the organization will also stage indie rock showcases, orchestrate film and songwriter panels, and host its annual invitation-only mixers, the details of which will be announced soon.

In addition, Devo will follow up their Friday performance with a Saturday, March 21 interview at the Austin Convention Center as part of the SXSW Music Conference. Those seeking The Truth About De-Evolution are advised to attend.

Devo's thorough understanding of the ability of precise, multi-faceted artistic expression to relay relevant social commentary elevated the band from quirky cult icons to mainstream players in the late 70's and 80's. Co-founders Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh dubbed the band "Devo," shorthand for their wry philosophy of the "de-evolution" of humanity they most readily observed in cultural shortcomings of the United States. Devo sought to bring attention to the crisis of individuality through a finely executed musical and visual experience that was equal parts satire and synth-beat-savvy: They paired austere uniforms capped off by signature upside-down red flower pot hats with urgently confident vocals and infectious if somewhat cantankerous rhythm. 1978's Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! ignited a devout underground following, and thanks to their smash "Whip It" and its corresponding video directed by Casale, the band emerged as early MTV heroes. Hits including "Beautiful World" and "That's Good" followed before the members splintered off into numerous creative outlets including video direction and film and television music composition. In October 2008, Devo reunited in hometown Akron, Ohio, for the band's first live show in more than 30 years.

• Clear Channel plans a revamp
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• Boy George jailed for 15 months
  Story from CNN.
• Indie 103.1 signs off the airwaves, goes web-only
  Post from LA Times.
• IFPI report notes 95% of downloaded music is illegal
  Story from BBC News.
• MySpace Music expands ad content
  Story from AdWeek.
• How jazz helped hasten the civil rights movement
  Story from Wall Street Journal.
• News of an Iranian pop music festival
  Story from The Guardian.

Thinking about attending SXSW 2009? Well, you should get your badge today, so you save some money.

Registration rates for all SXSW conference and festival badges will increase after today, January 16th. Click over to our Registration page to review your options and register and book your hotel. Please remember that registration fees are non-refundable once processed.

• Facebook music initiative stalled
  Post from Tech Crunch via Washington Post.
• Gary Kurfirst dies
  Obituary from FMQB.
• Users, not labels, silence YouTube videos
  Post from CNET.
• Net first: RIAA file-sharing case to be webcast
  Post from Wired.
• Jeff Beck, Metallica are among rock hall inductees
  Story from Reuters.
• Heartless Bastards ready new record
  Post from LA Times.
• Global recession linked to David Bowie
  Post from No More Loud Music.

Austin's 8-year long politically-based, Farfisa-driven mod rock project The American People are living up to their bargain with the Bush Administration and calling it quits by playing their last show on Friday night, before the inauguration.

With the regional success of their two early 2000's releases "Because We Can" (an album title subsequently appropriated by then-Florida Governor Jeb Bush's re-election campaign) and "Thought We Could" on Houston's now defunct Plethorazine Label, The American People close their odd concept of a career with a final blowout where it all began, on the drag at the Hole in the Wall.

Members of The American People have played in every SXSW since 1987 in bands such as The Way Outs, The Wannabes, Cher UK, Moonlight Towers, and many more. The American People performed in 2001, '02, and '03. Three members of the band are currently involved in the more socio-centric group The Service Industry and will showcase at SXSW 2009.

Pre-Inauguration Friday, January 16, 2009
Hole in the Wall-Austin, TX
Rockland Eagles 12 mid.
The American People 11:00 pm
Churchwood 10:00 p.m.

SXSW is pleased to announce the preliminary lineup for SXSW 2009. Please keep in mind that this list is ridiculously subject to change as arranging a festival with more than 1,000 musical acts can sometimes be a bit like herding cats.

You can find the newly-updated list by clicking here. Check back for updates as we'll be making more announcements soon.

Photo above: St. Vincent

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• YouTube muting unauthorized music videos
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• Stevie Wonder, tech geek
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• Gibby Haynes, foodie
  Restaurant review from Village Voice, found via Daily Swarm.