This was originally a “SXSW Bands We Know” post, but as some of you know, we get incredibly backed up here at 52shows…mostly because our day jobs and drunk fest to NYC get in the way.

So we turned it into a Tours of Note post since, well, you should know about this band.

These guys are from Syracuse, NY, the place where I spent 5 years of my life drinking, throwing beer bottles at buildings and occasionally learning.

But that’s not the reason I’m singling them out. Ra Ra Riot has had a pretty traumatic beginning (they’ve only released an EP). Last year, their drummer John Pike was found dead in the water in Buzzard Bay, MA. It was a complete shock to the band and to the fans. Eventually, the band pulled together and pressed on, mainly because “that’s what John would have wanted.”

They recently played a benefit concert at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. The show featured some of John’s favorite bands like Vampire Weekend, Tokyo Police Club and, of course, Ra Ra Riot.

Even without the extra spotlight on them due to the unfortunate death, the EP was already garnering some attention, mainly for their odd arrangements (a sort of stop-and-go guitar riff) and their penchant for bridging the intellectual world with the rock one.

Only their EP is out right now (you can get it for $10 on their site),

Their song, “Dying is Fine,” is based on an e.e. cummings poem called “dying is fine)but Death” and has been getting the “Hey now” comment from music fans everywhere.

04.03.08: San Francisco, CA // Popscene // GET TICKETS #
04.04.08: Los Angeles, CA // El Rey Theatre // GET TICKETS #
04.05.08: San Diego, CA // The Casbah // GET TICKETS *
04.06.08: Phoenix, AZ // Modified // GET TICKETS *
04.09.08: Norman, OK // Opolis // GET TICKETS *
04.10.08: Ft. Worth, TX // Lola’s // GET TICKETS *
04.11.08: Austin, TX // Stubbs // GET TICKETS *
04.12.08: Baton Rouge, LA // Spanish Moon // GET TICKETS *
04.14.08: Orlando, FL // The Social // GET TICKETS *
04.15.08: Gainesville, FL // Common Grounds // GET TICKETS *
04.16.08: Jacksonville, FL // Jack Rabbits // GET TICKETS *
04.17.08: Atlanta, GA // Lenny’s // GET TICKETS *
04.18.08: Charleston, SC // The Map Room // GET TICKETS *
04.20.08: Chapel Hill, NC // Local 506 // GET TICKETS *
04.22.08: Baltimore, MD // The Ottobar // GET TICKETS *
04.23.08: Hoboken, NJ // Maxwells // GET TICKETS *
04.25.08: Cambridge, MA // Middle East Downstairs // GET TICKETS *
04.28.08: Pittsburgh, PA // Garfield Artworks // GET TICKETS *
04.29.08: Columbus, OH // The Basement // GET TICKETS *
04.30.08: Cincinnati , OH // Gypsy Hut // GET TICKETS *
05.02.08: Toledo, OH // Frankie’s // GET TICKETS *
05.03.08: Detroit, MI // Alvins // GET TICKETS *
05.04.08: Madison, WI // The Annex // GET TICKETS *
05.07.08: Omaha, NE // Slowdown Jr // GET TICKETS *
05.08.08: Lawrence, KS // Jackpot Saloon // GET TICKETS *
05.09.08: Colorado Springs, CO // Black Sheep // GET TICKETS
05.10.08: Salt Lake City, UT // Kilby Court // GET TICKETS *
05.16.08: Pomona, CA // Glass House // GET TICKETS *

# with The Cribs
* with The Little Ones

I saw these guys when they used to play small clubs and seedy bars in Phoenix, AZ. I think a friend of mine dated them…or maybe she wanted to. I dunno.

Anyway, this duo plays smooth instrumental music, the type of music you’ll get lost in when you’re in a club or when you’re spending an obscene amount of time on the computer (I have to be up in four hours and I’m still here? WTF?).

It’s kind of like giving your brain a massage…a sensual musical massage. Let Lymbyc heal you, and you’ll be bobbing your head in no time. Yea.

And if you see them out, they like to get their butts slapped. Hard.

See them on Friday, March 14, 8pm at Emo Jr’s (603 Red River Street).

Lymbyc Systym - Truth Skull

I love this goddamn band. The first time I saw them, it was on a whim. I got an email from someone (PR guy) telling me to check out this band. I went on their Myspace and heard “Black Grease.” Based on that song alone, I went to the show and the six-member band ripped opened my chest and injected psychedelic rock straight into my veins. I’ve been a fan ever since.

If I owned a strip club, I’d have the classiest lady in the joint dance to “Black Grease.” It just has that strip club vibe. Just saying.

Their album is Passover and it kicks ass. Pick it up now if you want to live again.

See them at SXSW Wednesday, March 12, 12 AM at Bourbon Rocks Patio (508 E 6th Street).

The Black Angels - “Black Grease”

Most people may recognize Joseph Arthur’s music from that episode of “Scrubs” depicted in the video above. Or maybe you have no idea because, like NBC, you lost interest in Scrubs.

Arthur is probably one of my favorite singer/songwriters and this year he’ll be releasing four EPs that will eventually lead up to his new album “All You Need Is Nothing” on Aug. 15.

I’ve never been disappointed with an Arthur song. I’m not really sure why that is. There are plenty of guys out there singing songs with a guitar…but something sticks out with Arthur, be it his low, rough voice that at times flows out into a whisper. Whatever it is, it’s great Hipster Sunday music, so enjoy.

Below is one of my favorites. When I drove across country (from Phoenix to Boston), I played “Speed of Light” when I was leaving the rain-soaked New Orleans. The opening lyrics of “Goodnight, New Orleans. Things are exactly as they seem, but I’m nowhere around…”

If you’re actually at SXSW, you can catch him on Friday, March 14, 1 AM at Buffalo Billards (201 E 6th Street. And screw you for being at SXSW.

Joseph Arthur - “Speed of Light”

We got Basia Bulat’s “Oh, My Darling” at the office a couple of weeks ago and was immediately turned off by the title. Then we saw a picture of her and decided that cuteness should count for something and gave it a spin. She also plays an mini harp looking thing autoharp, which upped her weirdness level (you can see it in her video for “Into the Night”. It features a strange sort of hipster carnival, complete with musicians dressed in animal costumes). But she also has a sort of Natalie Merchant thing going on with her voice.

But for some reason, it’s engaging. And after a couple of listens, it grew on me. Or maybe it’s because I like saying her name when I’m drunk.

See the blonde beauty on Friday, March 14, 9pm at Antone’s (213 W. 5th Street)

Basia Bulat - Into the Night

Are you dance-floor shy? Embarrassed to shake what your mother gave you? Can’t bear to attend a Justice show to match moves with the hipster masses? Shout Out Out Out Out wants you to get over it, and, dance gods help you, you will.

I saw these Canucks play in Montreal nearly a year ago to an audience of maybe a dozen (and I’m being generous here), but they played with the energy of a capacity-violating–packed arena. Their hyperkinetic beats stave off any rhythm-induced fears, because you will not be able to resist shaking your ass to no avail. They’ve got a slot at this year’s SXSW, so if you’re heading out out out out out to Austin, they will embrace your most shameful dance moves.

Check them out on Thursday, March 13, 11:30pm at Beauty Bar Backyard (617 E 7th Street)

(From Eddie: Expect more SXSW people that we know posts as we get closer and closer to SXSW!)

Friends, there’s still SXSW hope out there. According to Austin360.com, there are still wristbands available to the festival.

If you didn’t hear, there was a lottery for local Austinites to get these wristbands that would allow them into some shows (they went for $130, so they aren’t as good as the badge). This was also a way to cut out ticket brokers so that “real fans” could get to the shows.

About 4,000 were alloted for the lottery and only 3,500 were sold. This means that a couple of days before the festival starts, out-of-towners may be able to snag some of these (the price will be upped to $180.

There’s been a lot hype lately for the South By Southwest music festival. We’re keeping up the excitement at 52 Shows with a special Reader Request contest. Leave a comment and you could win a free copy of the SXSW Live 2007 DVD compilation!

There was official word that Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker for the festival. It came out that REM will attempt to recharge their fanbase with a showcase. Now we know that Daryl Hall will be a featured guest speaker. We’re still holding out hope that Oates makes an appearance.

And then of course there’s plenty of the band lineup announcements/rumors floating around the interwebs…

It seems like everyone and their cousin is picking up a guitar and taking a stage at some point during SXSW. Let’s face it, there’s no way you could possibly see every band. But dreaming about your fantasy concert lineup is all you can do for the next few months.

So how about it — whether you’re going or not, who do you want to see? Tell us your fantasy SXSW concert lineup in the comments and you could win a DVD.

On Monday morning we’ll pick one commenter at random to win a free copy of last year’s SXSW Live 2007 DVD. The disc features footage of last year’s concerts from bands like The Bravery, Peter Bjorn & John, Polyphonic Spree, and Stars of Track and Field. Be sure to enter your email address in the comment form to enter. Comments must be entered by midnight on Sunday 1/20/08 to be eligible for the contest.

The Tripewire is reporting a long list of bands that have either been confirmed for the Austin music festival or contacted the site personally to tell them they were going to.

UPDATE: Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker!

Bands I’m excited to possibly see (I’m totally making a push to get down there this year):

Birdmonster: I was excited about their 2006 album “No Midnight” with their atmospheric, indie rock ways and have been anxious to see what else they have come up with.

The Black Keys: I love this bluesy, garage band. If you haven’t downloaded their Free Live EP that we talked about last year, you can still download it off their Myspace page.

Holy Fuck: This hyper, Toronto, electronica band will incite you to run around in circles. And c’mon, that’s one of the best and most honest names for a band I’ve ever seen.

Jens Lekman: My buddy Iverson picked Lekman’s album “Night Falls Over Kortedala” was one of the year’s best. I haven’t heard the album, but I put a lot of faith in a man who can expound on the merits of Moterhead and The Mars Volta in the same breath.

Man Man: Take a listen and you’ll soon understand the majesty of this Philly band that produces listenable circus music. Trust me, it’s the good kind of insanity.

My Morning Jacket: self explanatory.

Nada Surf: They have a new album coming out in February called “Lucky.” I’m just excited they are back.

Office: I’m still in love with the girl in the band who slams on the cowbell.

R.E.M.: Sweet! Did you pick up R.E.M. Live 2CD/1DVD? It kicks ass.

The Kills: Hypnotic and dreary indie rock. The chick’s hot too.

The Raveonettes: All the songs you could want in glorious B flat.

The Soundtrack of our Lives: I thought this Swedish band was gone for good. This was a happy surprise.

Tim Williams: Always a pleasure.

Vampire Weekend: Heard their EP last year and I’m still not sick of it. This is indie, groove rock at its best. Their eponymous album drops on Jan. 29.

And here are the surprises:

Breeders: Whoa! Flashback to a time when I thought Skidz were cool.
Daryl Hall: What?…WHAT? I’m gonna have to be really trashed for this.

OK, that’s all I can muster for tonight. The massive list from Tripwire is after the jump. And let us know of any bands we should check out that’s on the list.

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