Barb Rocks Selected As SXSW Mentor!

Very excited and proud to announce that SXSW has selected Barb Rocks as a mentor for their mentorship program during the conference! Barbara is a mentor on management, live events, and A&R and will be available on Saturday March 16th from 3:30pm to 4:45pm at the Austin Convention Center in Room 17A on the 4th Floor.

Mentor Sessions offer 15 minutes of one-on-one interaction with industry leaders and professionals from a variety of fields spanning interactive, film, and music. To schedule your time, please do so through your SXSW account.

Barbara will be in Austin from March 8th to 17th and would love to meet up with anyone interested while she’s there. So if you’re going to be at SXSW, let’s get together!

Barb Rocks Bands Playing Austin!

Barb Rocks Presents is sponsoring both Fritz Montana and The Trash*Pop Icons playing Austin in March!  We can't wait to go to SXSW and experience the musical madness that makes up this greatest music festival in the world.  This will be the first time for both bands, plus David from The Livewires is joining me in this south by journey.  2.5 weeks to go...

Fritz Montana Showcases:
Tues March 11 at 2:00pm-3:00pm at Shotguns on 6th
Tues March 11 at 4:30pm-5:00pm at Dirty Dog Bar (Dirty Fest)
Tues March 11 at 8:00pm-8:30pm at Shiner's Saloon (Texas Rockfest)
Wed March 12 at 11:00pm-11:40pm at Bourbon Girl (Red Gorilla)
Thurs March 13 at 2:15pm-2:45pm at LOT323's The L8 Show Showcase (Colorado&4th)
Thurs March 13 at 4:00pm-4:30pm at Chuggin' Monkey (Red Gorilla)
Thurs March 13 at 6:30pm-7:00pm at Texas Rockfest Outdoor Stage (7th&Neches)

The Trash*Pop Icons Showcases:
Wed March 12 at 12:00pm-12:20pm at Thirsty Nickel (Big Picture Media)
Wed March 12 at 3:20pm-3:50pm at Shiner's Saloon (Texas Rockfest)
Thurs March 13 at 6:00pm-6:45pm at Blue Moon (Texas Rockfest)
Fri March 14 at 7:45pm-8:15pm at LOT323's The L8 Show Showcase (Colorado&4th)
Sat March 15 at 5:00pm-5:45pm at Shotguns on 6th

SXSW 2013 Bands I Wish I Had Seen

Earlier this week I posted about bands I saw at SXSW, however, there's always bands you wish you saw but for whatever reason, you never did get that opportunity.  This is my list of artists I wish I had seen this year, bands that I highly recommend, some of who's songs are my favorites right now.

Kitten - I honestly tried three times to see this LA band of 18 year old musicians and missed them each time due to schedule changes at the venues. Their vocalist Chloe Chaidez is a cross between Karen O and Siouxsie Sioux; add to that an 80's revival sound and I can't get enough of it! 

"Cut It Out" the first single from the "Cut It Out EP" out now, buy the EP on iTunes here: http://atlr.ec/U6gnai Site: http://kittentheband.com Like: http://fb.com/kittenband Follow: http://twitter.com/kittentheband Listen: http://soundcloud.com/kittentheband Directors - Hana Ardelean & Jen Szilvagyi Director of Photography - Abraham Martinez Editor - Anna Patel / Foundation Content Colorist - Tom Rovak / Foundation Content Gaffer - Jose Martinez Focus puller- Scott O'Neil Data Wrangler- Glen Landry AC - Matt Maxwell Make-up Artist - Boutheyna "Boots" Lead - Tatiana Khawaja Lead - Eric Lichtenberger PA - Matt Goodhue PA - Ben Cho © 2012 WMG.

Foxes - the first time I heard this song I fell in love with it instantly; this UK singer has an EP out and is currently working on full album which I can't wait to hear! I also recommend you check out "Clarity" by ZEDD to hear her vocals on a good dance track.

Foxes is back with a brand new single Better Love. Get your copy here: Apple Music: http://iamfox.es/BetterLoveiT Spotify: http://iamfox.es/BetterLoveSY Google Play: http://iamfox.es/BetterLoveGP Amazon: http://iamfox.es/BetterLoveAMZ You can also pre-order Foxes new album which features Body Talk, Better Love and an instant download of Feet Don't Fail Me Now here: http://iamfox.es/AllINeediTDLX Keep up with Foxes: http://iamfoxes.com http://twitter.com/iamfoxes http://facebook.com/iamfoxes http://instagram.com/iamfoxes http://po.st/iamfoxes http://google.com/+iamfoxes Music video by Foxes performing Youth.

Bastille - an impressive indie-flavored pop quartet from London that are topping the charts for a good reason; I'm even more blown-away after seeing this a capella / acoustic video. 

Bastille performing Pompeii live at The British Museum http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/pompeii_and_herculaneum.aspx Join Bastille online: https://www.facebook.com/bastilleuk https://twitter.com/bastilledan http://bastilleuk.tumblr.com/ http://instagram.com/bastilledan/ http://soundcloud.com/bastilleuk http://www.bastillebastille.com/

Haim - these valley girl sisters have a reminiscent feel of Fleetwood Mac incorporated with a modern R&B pop sound; I just want to dance along with them. 

Falling EP Out Now -- iTunes: http://haaa.im/MIyC0K Limited 10" Vinyl: http://haaa.im/MqtMwf Music Video: http://haaa.im/qBfkWt 'Don't Save Me' -- iTunes: http://haaa.im/NmtGTy Vinyl for US & UK: http://haaa.im/b2cafz Music Video: http://haaa.im/fz29kv Purchase the 'Forever' EP here: smarturl.it/HAIMForeverEP http://facebook.com/HAIMtheband http://twitter.com/HAIMtheband http://HAIMtheband.com TOUR DATES: http://haaa.im/WOF8nx Produced by: HAIM & Ludwig Goransson Video Credits: Directed by Austin Peters Produced by Austin Peters and Stefan Weinberger Edited by Taylor Ward Director of Photography: Martim Vian AC: Nadia Baptista Art Director: Natalie Ziering Make Up: Dina Gregg Hair: Candice Birns Graphic: Seth Brau PA: Skye Optican

Alt-J - very original English alt-rock band who's music is full of layers with hints of folk and pop; my personal favorite is the song "Dissolve Me" but there's no video yet.

Directed by Ellis Bahl. Get debut album 'An Awesome Wave' here: http://smarturl.it/AnAwesomeWave (digital) http://smarturl.it/AAWCD (physical). Out in the US via Canvasback Music on September 18

San Cisco - this Australian four-piece is getting a lot of attention lately and I was curious how well the 19 year old band members would perform live; they definitely have potential.

Vrolijker dan San Cisco gaat het dit jaar niet meer worden. Luister maar eens naar 'Awkward', de single waarmee ze nu aan het doorbreken zijn. Wat is dat lekker he!? http://avro.nl/Toppop3/artiesten/sancisco.aspx

Petite Noir - Chris Ely on my management roster knows Yannick Ilunga from his time in South Africa so I wanted to touch base with him in Austin. Sadly his only non-badge required show was at same time as Green Day, so I missed him by 30 minutes.

PETITE NOIR - PRESSURE Video by BEN JOHNSON Assisted by Bella Knemeyer http://www.facebook.com/petitenoir1 http://www.twitter.com/PETITE_NOIR http://www.benralphjohnson.tumblr.com http://www.b-johnson.com A glimpse of what's in store from Petite Noir - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It's been an extremely exciting couple of months for the 22 year old half-Congolese, half-Angolan solo artist Yannick Ilunga, aka Petite Noir.

Twenty One Pilots - you can hear Eminem's influence in this duo that consists of a rapper/pianist and live drummer, who actually does a back flip during their performances; plus you can't help but sing along to this catchy tune!

twenty one pilots performing "Holding on to You" at their sold out show at Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH. Free downloads and more at twentyonepilots.com. Video produced by Reel Bear Media. ReelBearMedia.com Audio recorded and mixed by Earthwork Recording Studio. EarthworkRecording.com

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - the fact that they hit number one without being on a major label proves the music industry is changing. They were the must-see act this year but I didn't want to deal with hours of waiting in line and sadly got my RSVP too late that would have let me cut the line at Woodies Awards.

Same Love feat. Mary Lambert on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/same-love-feat.-mary-lambert/id543948282 We support civil rights, and hope WA State voters will APPROVE REF 74 and legalize marriage equality. Visit http://www.music4marriage.org for more info.

King Loses Crown - I hung with these SF guys quite a bit even though I didn't get a chance to see them play, but I can vouch that they are amazing live and this video is absolutely incredible!

You Can't Escape - EP OUT NOW!!! "Darker than Devo, faster than Depeche Mode, denser than Killing Joke, but sharing the apocalyptic atmosphere of those artists, San Francisco trio King Loses Crown releases their new single "My Revenge."

I really hope you enjoy some of these artists as much as me!  xoxo

SXSW 2013 Review

As expected, I had a blast at SXSW this year even though I didn't get to see some of the artists/bands I really wanted to catch.  I was happy to hang out with some great touring bands, including Eliquate, Alabaster, Fight The Quiet, King Loses Crown, and Death Valley High, plus stayed with my wonderful friends Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, who blow me away with their talent, generosity, and hospitality.  The best part was that I won tickets to see Green Day live at ACL Live/Moody Theater, as well as to the screenings of both their documentary films Broadway Idiot and Cuatro through their Idiot Nation fanclub! Did I mention I caught Billy Joe's hat!!!  Seriously the BEST Green Day show I've experienced, plus having San Jose band Stickup Kid as opener gives me hope that Pounders will make it someday!

Here's a list of some of the bands I saw and why I enjoyed them:

Fitz And The Tantrums - great high energy band that gets the audience going with their pop-rock meets soul sound, so I was bummed that I missed the first half of their set; might just be my favorite set of the festival.

A Silent Film - I'm a sucker for UK indie bands that bring back that classic 80's new wave sound, plus the vocalist hits all those notes perfectly live. I met the band after their set and they were so stoked I bought their new album that they autographed my CD and gave me the best hugs. I love a band that knows how to make a fan feel special!

On An On - a new discovery from a SXSW playlist on Spotify; a bit too mellow for my mood at the time, but still very beautiful to experience live.

The Limousines - couldn't miss the chance to see these Bay Area favorites showcase music from their new album Hush; not only did I love all the new songs, I also loved the venue's well suited lighting and ambiance that fit perfectly with this duo's electro-pop sound.

Death Valley High - my SF boys did a great job rockin' the Texas Rockfest outdoor stage playing songs off their forthcoming album; I especially loved their cover of "F**k The Pain Away" by Peaches.

Fight The Quiet - these Arizona alt-rockers have made Nashville their new home and just released their new EP The City Below; sadly the venue's sound gear wasn't up to par, but the band handled it like champs and still had the audience lovin' every moment of it!

Alabaster - my Seattle friends showed off their new songs that are fresher and catchier than anything Paramore is putting out these days; makes you wonder why they haven't broke into the mainstream yet.

The Material - memorable female-fronted LA band that grabs your attention with powerful vocals over their power rock sound, yet with a touch of emotionally charged ballads in the mix.

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades - this talented Austin duo will blow you away with songs like "Space Jam" that will not only make you laugh, but amaze you with KG's harmonica playing and Nate's charm; their the new Tenacious D!

Eliquate - honestly didn't see them play at SXSW as I wanted to, but have seen them play in the bay, so it's only fair I give this Santa Cruz hip hop band credit for being all around amazing guys with great songs!

Later this week I'll post about the bands I wanted to see but missed!