Apr 18, 2012 Live

Chances to see seminal shoegazers Swervedriver live have been relatively uncommon in the 14 years since their last album, even post-reunion at Coachella 2008.  More

Apr 17, 2012 Live

I learned an important fact on the final day of Coachella—namely that no one knows anything. Oh hey, there was also music from Fitz & the Tantrums, Wild Flag, Gotye, and Beirut.  More

Apr 16, 2012 Live

The strongest line-up of the three-day set, Saturday’s highlights included: Andrew Bird, Destroyer, Bon Iver, and some band called Radiohead. 

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Apr 15, 2012 Live

Regardless of the setbacks, it was—as usual—a day of exceptional music. The day’s highlights) and lowlights included Neon Indian, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Mazzy Star, The Rapture, M83, and The Horrors.

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Apr 11, 2012 Live

Over the last year I’ve spilt more (digital) ink over Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming than any other album. It’s a fantastic trick that M83 frontman Anthony Gonzalez plays, heavily referencing childhood in his work. Deny M83, and you’re denying your childlike wonder of the world around you…at least, if your childhood was as 1980s-synth driven as mine was. More

Mar 23, 2012 Live

FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. At a festival the size of SXSW, the terror that someone—somewhere—might be having a better time than you is an ever-pressing concern. Well, everywhere but at Under the Radar’s three-day parties. I realize my option is somewhat suspect, seeing as they sign my paychecks, but believe me when I say that, for at least three days of the fest, there was nowhere else I would have rather been than Under the Radar's three day parties at The Flamingo Cantina in Austin, Texas. More

Mar 22, 2012 Live

Despite getting into a physical altercation with my alarm clock on the last day of SXSW (Final score, me: 0, alarm clock: 1), I still summoned the fortitude to see a few more bands. Thankfully, Saturday a historically light day when it comes to showcases, and in between sets we found time to engage in a few extra-curricular activities. Chiefly, that meant enjoying the perfect storm of SXSW attendees, college students on spring break, St. Patrick’s Day pub-crawlers, and locals out for a weekend, as they came together in an awkward cloud of music, booze, and terrible green clothing. More

Mar 21, 2012 Live Web Exclusive

The 2011-released self-titled debut album from the London-based dubstep producer SBTRKT was in heavy rotation in the Under the Radar offices last year and was #14 on our Top 80 albums of 2011 list. So he was high on my list of artists to see at SXSW 2012. More

Mar 20, 2012 Live

What a difference a day makes. Friday night (after a long day at our final SXSW day party—naturally) the Under the Radar team caught three sets. While two artists I had seen earlier in the week, all three shows were significantly different than expected.  More