Live Videos: The Drums “Money” & “Days” at SXSW 2012
What’s better than getting into a conversation about music with a total stranger? In my eyes, you can learn more from a five-minute conversation rattling off bands you’ve seen and what albums you’re into at the moment than you can speaking about anything else. Whether its indie, house, chillwave, shoegaze, whatever…the records you spin are what you want to soundtrack your existence. And sharing those with another is what makes music even more fun. I say this because I was recently chatting about music with someone new to my world and the first band I blurted out when asked about some of my favorite bands were The Drums. So the next time you get into one of these conversations, pay attention to what you say…you’ll find something about what your true taste is.
Off that tangent, The Drums were at SXSW this past weekend, and someone was gracious enough to drop some fabulous stripped down performances of “Money” and “Days” onto YouTube. Watch and enjoy below.
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“Days”
“Money”
Written by Greg Dahman
Album Preview + Video: 500 Free ‘Son of a Hustler’
This project has been more that two years in the making. To say the process was methodical is a drastic understatement. For Indianapolis artist 500 Free, creating a mix tape took a backseat to creating an experience. Son of a Hustler is an intimate look at his life over the past two years, which has been quite interesting, and no trial or tribulation is left off. Introspection and personal declaration fill this gritty, yet refined, glimpse into his life. The first track, “Free Mason,” is a lyrical barrage that would make any hip hop head take notice. Over the Rick Ross song of the same name, Free makes it very clear that his song writing ability and use of metaphors are rare and arguably unmatched. Tracks like “Survivin’” and “Once Again It’s On” feature the hardships he has endured in vivid detail; while the tracks “Gentleman’s Club” and “No Hands handle” the lighter side of life in two very different styles. Overall, Son of a Hustler is as deliberate as it is organic. The authenticity is undeniable, his style is refreshing and his lyrical devices are enough to satisfy a Vonnegut reader’s pallet. Grab your copy of Son of a Hustler from Naptown Connection or Forward Motion Entertainment when it drops on March 20th. Watch a trailer for the release, here:
Written by Andy Lake
Hotfox: Video + SXSW Preview
It comes with great honor for the team at Thought on Tracks to promote one of our favorite bands as they get an opportunity to cement themselves in influencer’s minds during the SXSW festivities in Austin, Texas this Friday. Hotfox will take part in MOKB’s Vaya con Tacos 2 (RSVP) that features blog favorites Gardens & Villa, Waters, Father John Misty, and Free Energy to name a few. As the winner of the JanSport contest earlier this year, the band will also headline Sonicbids’ showcase (RSVP) at Maggie Mae’s at 11:30 AM, that same day. I am extremely excited for the Hotfox crew and can’t wait to see what others outside our scene have to say about our local, emerging band. Below you can check out a video for “Sexbitten Dog” from the talented folks at Midwest Underground. This track is unreleased and could be a sneak preview of some of their new work. It was recorded at Hotfox’s recent performance at The Bishop Bar in Bloomington. Get an early feel for what people will be talking about as Hotfox leaves SXSW with what is likely to be a great first impression.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 