Dart Music International in the Press
Here are links to news stories and press mentions about Dart Music International and the Artists we work with. Many of these stories are
also linked on our
Digg page. You can join us there to keep up with the stories we find interesting and share your own.
Please
Email our News Desk with any news, updates, questions, or interview requests.
2010:
January |
February |
March |
April
2009
April 2010
>> April 1
Nick D and P Money with punk flautist Miho Wada
George FM, New Zealand
By Nick D and P Money
"Nick D and P Money play the instrumental version of his new single 'Say Yeah' so their guest, punk flautist
Miho Wada freestyles over the top."
Read more...
March 2010
>> March 26
Off The Record
The Austin Chronicle, USA
By Austin Powell
"Dart hosted 28 international acts on 21 bills, including a lunchtime series at Mi Casa that included the dive-bombing post-punk of
P.K. 14, which returns to Emo's on Tuesday, March 30, as part of the
China Invasion Tour."
Read more...
I want go there...
Fine Line Live, USA
By Cindy Chaffin
"Celebrate the moments of your life with a hot cup of International Brand Coffee? Fergetabout it. Do the international thang live and in person with
some of the bestest bands coming out of China and good ol' Poland. My pal, Dave Dart, founder of Dart International, hipped me to some wicked
awesome shows a'comin' our way..."
Read more...
Guest Blog: Chinese Punk Rock Invades DFW
Art & Seek, USA
By Anne Bothwell
"Dallas and Denton are about to be invaded by China, in a supremely good way. Three Chinese punk rock bands will be taking the stage at the
Double Wide (on March 28) and Hailey's (on March 31) as part of the
China Invasion Tour."
Read more...
SXSW Music Highlights: Motörhead & More
Austinist, USA
By Adi Anand
"Global Rock Show (Panel) at Austin Convention Center (3/18): Moderated by Dart Music International founder Dave Dart, the Global Rock Show
panel addressed the trials and tribulations of international bands aiming to make a name for themselves in the U.S., and discussed strategies for
eventual success."
Read more...
Rock Candy
Arkansas Times, USA
By John Tarpley
"Friday To-Do: 'China Rocks' - Maybe labeling this show in an ethnocentric manner does the bands a bit of a disservice. But it's true that the first word,
"China," raises eyebrows and may send people scampering to YouTube to check out the acts, but the second word, "rocks," doesn't lie."
Read more...
China Invasion Tour takes over Dallas!
Art & Seek, USA
By Staff
"Following up the historic first-ever China Night showcase at SXSW three of China's best bands will be performing a free show at Double Wide with
performances by
P.K. 14 (Beijing, China),
Carsick Cars (Beijing, China) and
AV Okubo (Wuhan, China)."
Read more...
9 SXSW Bands That Blew Us Away Unexpectedly
Wired: Underwire, USA
By Michael Calore
"[Capsula]
Bassist Coni has mastered the art of the high-pitched rock scream. She also wears kitty ears and pounds on her bass like it's her little brother. So sexy."
Read more...
Coda: SXSW hangover, A mathematical time with Spoon, Alicia Keys
The Washington Post, USA
By David Malitz
"Among David's faves were
Carsick Cars, Frankie Rose and Spider Bags."
Read more...
Bands from Chile who just toured with Radiohead, REM, & Jesus & Mary Chain Monday @SHFL
Hands Up Houston, USA
By SHFL
"More SXSW crazyness, these bands just confirmed their show here, they are 3 of the biggest bands in Chile and will have Houston TV and radio
coverage on Monday, ..."
Read more...
Live Shots: P.K. 14 / Carsick Cars
The Austin Chronicle, USA
By Doug Freeman
"The back wall of the stage at Speakeasy is splashed with a mural of the building going up in flames, an appropriate backdrop for the vanguard of
Beijing rock revolutionaries closing out SXSW. The highlights came early behind
P.K. 14 and
Carsick Cars, ..."
Read more...
Miho Wada at SXSW 2010 #1
JMT Images, USA
By JMT
"a new zealand-based singer with a japanese pop-punk style...that's
Miho Wada, who played a showcase at sxsw on march 17 at headhunters club
tiki bar in austin, texas."
Read more...
Maybe Mars bands at SXSW!!
Undercurrent: Chinese Rock and Its Implication to China and the World, USA
By crocksimplication
"Maybe Mars dispatched the cream of its crop to the one of the most famous music festival in the world, SXSW (South by Southwest). Its troops include
P.K. 14,
Carsick Cars,
White,
Xiao He,
AV Okubo, and
Snapline."
Read more...
>> March 25
SXSW: Running the Numbers
This Journal Does Not Exist, USA
By lilmissnever
"Absurdly young musicians continue to be the order of the day.
Polly Mackey is now presumably 17, which makes it a little ludicrous when she
has the rest of the band take a break and drink some beer while she sings one of her "old songs." I assume that she has been writing music since she was
a zygote. New Zealand screamers,
Bang Bang Eche, looked as if not a single one of them was old enough to buy a pack
of cigarettes."
Read more...
>> March 24
IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash 2010 Photos
IODA @ SXSW, USA
By Staff
"Sonic Youth collaborators and Bejing's hottest export,
Carsick Cars, are racking up critical praise for their genuine, youthful, and
empowering brand of garage rock."
Read more...
>> March 23
Dart Music Chilean Earthquake Benefit Tonight @ The Parish
Indie Sounds from Harris Radio, USA
By Pete Harris
"Tonight's Dart Music International Embassy show at The Parish will be a benefit for victims of the recent earthquake in Chile."
Read more...
>> March 22
SXSW: David Malitz's faves -- The Love Language, Drunkdriver, Frankie Rose, Carsick Cars, Total Abuse, Free Energy, Thurston Moore and J Mascis's
hardcore supergroup
The Washington Post, USA
By David Malitz
"Carsick Cars guitarist/vocalist Zhang Shouwang utilizes a small army of effects
pedals to create his swirling cacophonies but everything is steeped in songcraft. The band's Saturday show at Speakeasy closed with "You Can Listen
You Can Talk" and "Zhong Nan Hai," the latter of which is basically this Chinese generation's version of "Teenage Riot." EXCEPT BETTER."
Read more...
SXSW Wrap Up
Holding Out Hope For The Creedence, USA
By Pat H.
"For instance, we heard about 10 minutes of a group that featured spoken-word poetry over a drum-machine, hated it, and went next door where we
discovered a lo-fi garage rock group from Chile called
The Ganjas playing at the bar Friends. We really enjoyed their set."
Read more...
>> March 21
Benefit for Chile
Plutopia, USA
By Derek Woodgate
"Plutopia Productions, Inc. in collaboration with Dart Music International and CARITAS Chile are holding a benefit show for Chile at The Parish in
Austin on 23rd March 2010. This stellar event is a continuation of Dart Music International's Embassy Night at The Parish."
Read more...
>> March 20
South by Southwest Report
Epoch Times (Chinese Language), USA
By Dazhong Xiao
Review and photos from
P.K. 14's performance at the Dart Music International Lunch on March 17.
Read more...
When it comes to indie rock, is Beijing 2010's Montreal?
The Globe And Mail, China
By Mark MacKinnon
"The South by Southwest appearance kicks off a 10-city tour of the U.S. southwest that is inevitably being dubbed the "Chinese Invasion" as the bands
and their Maybe Mars record label try to capitalize on the feeling that this is their Seattle moment. "Chinese music is developing. It is the time for us to
go outside the gate, out of China, and to work together with the best Western bands," said
Xiao He, an avant-garde solo artist who mixes improvised guitar licks, a haunting
voice and mastery of the audio editing programs on the Apple laptop he brings onstage with him."
Read more...
>> March 19
Ice Cream Man Presents! Saturday's Flavor: Carsick Cars
The Austin Chronicle, USA
By Matt Allen
"Carsick Cars are now touring the U.S. as part of the
China Invasion Tour, along with fellow Beijing legends
P.K. 14,
Xiao He,
AV Okubo,
White, and
Snapline. Thanks to help from Converse, they're playing gigs in Texas
and California during the next month."
Read more...
SXSW Showcases: Plutopia
The Austin Chronicle, USA
By Music Staff
"Plutopia showcase opener
Casino comes off like a cross between a dirty Britpop band and a slick San
Diego outfit. More notably, the quartet is probably the only band to have opened for both the Romantics and Kraftwerk. If you're calling yourselves
the Ganjas, you're probably trying to be as unambiguous as possible about
playing stoner rock."
Read more...
>> March 18
SxSW - Day 6
Chris Cowan: A semi-regular chronicling of my music addiction and other folly, USA
By Chris Cowan
"This year, I attempted to focus on acts that were not from Austin or Texas, so I hightailed it down 7th Street to the Elysium, to catch the Polish band,
L.Stadt. They had an interesting setup, with guitar/lead singer, bass, and two
drummers playing traps, one of whom chose to stand."
Read more...
The Night Before The Day Of...
Real Groove, USA
By Courtney Sanders
"Known for their exhaustive live shows, the four-piece from Chch
[Bang Bang Eche] did what all of you guys already know (and have probably seen)
them do: amp diving, stage running / screaming / falling over antics, although additional running through crowd wielding guitar and mic was an
added centerpiece of said performance."
Read more...
>> March 17
Miho Wada at SXSW 2010 #4
JMT Images, USA
By JMT
"Miho Wada rocking headhunters club tiki bar at sxsw 2010 on march 17th."
Read more...
SXSW: David Malitz's 10 must-see bands
The Washington Post, USA
By David Malitz
"Carsick Cars - Chinese trio became my favorite discovery of 2009 by sounding
like a 1989 collaboration between The Clean and Sonic Youth."
Read more...
>> March 16
Austin-based nonprofit thinks musically, acts globally
Austin Vida, USA
By Angela Maldonado
"Since 2007, Dart's been working full-time as a benevolent musical embassador, if you will, helping bands from around the world navigate the details
of their trips. Dart and his team work on the logistics and negotiate the best rates for bands when it comes to air fares, immigration, equipment rental,
hotels and everything in between."
Read more...
Polly Mackey and the Pleasure Principle Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Cheryl Kaufman
"Thriving on the clear, throaty vocals of Polly, this British band is setting the stage for many years to come. Based on a a solid foundation of musical
talent and friendships,
Polly Mackey and the Pleasure Principle direct their sound to alternative with
a slight poppy blend, catchy and entertaining."
Read more...
Maika Makovski: Interview SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By María Lopez
"Multi-instrumentalist
Maika Makovski's mixed heritage (she's equal parts Mallorcan, Macedonian
and Andalucian) means she's lived a more nomadic life than most. Having settled in Barcelona (by way of New York), she's recorded her international
debut LP, the self-titled 'Maika Makovski', with John Parish (PJ Harvey, Eels). Maika's already toured with the likes of Howe Gelb, the Dubliners and
the Jayhawks and is looking forward to a stint at SXSW before hitting the road again."
Read more...
>> March 15
Austin Music Foundation presents "PARTY: SMART" at Momo's
Austin 360, USA
By Patrick Caldwell
"Tomorrow night, Tuesday March 16 at Momo's, 618 W. Sixth St., they'll present "PARTY: SMART," featuring Martin Atkins, author of the irreverent,
definitive "TOUR: SMART,"... The event will feature free food and music from industrial tribal drummer Chant and China's
AV Okubo."
Read more...
C Funk Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Rika Nurrahmah
"Born Cristian Sol Moraga Farías,
C Funk moved from Santiago, Chile, to California to immerse himslef in the
roots of funk and the American music market. His 2007's debut release, 'Joya,' received critical acclaim from Chilean journalists and fans, topping
best-of lists and charting album sales. C Funk is testing his success in the United States, and this year he'll be heading to Austin for 2010's SXSW."
Read more...
Snapline Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Hilary Hughes
"The story behind bigger-than-Beijing industrial rock outfit
Snapline is one that undiscovered bands everywhere dream about: They
were playing one night when a world-class musician and producer caught their set. Next thing they knew, songs of theirs were being mixed in the
United States and huge festivals throughout Asia were booking them. Now these lo-fi electronic gurus are prepping for a showcase at SXSW and
their undeniably bright future as the next big thing out of China."
Read more...
China's Indie Boom
Off The Radio, USA
By Anise
"We all know about China's booming economy and political influence, but fewer people understand that China is also experiencing an indie music
boom. Thanks to Chinese indie record labels such as Maybe Mars, several Chinese indie bands have gained increased worldwide exposure."
Read more...
>> March 13
SXSW 5: Voodoo Cowboy + Dart Music International at Mi Casa
Austin 360, USA
By Michael Barnes
"Well, this is fresh: A small music event welcoming the SXSW film and interactive folks with an overseas twist. Not an entirely new concept, but this
one links the worldwide web of nonprofit pioneers Dart Music International and local entertainment shape-shifter Voodoo Cowboy."
Read more...
'Beijing Taxi' party Sunday night with a host of Chinese bands
Austin 360, USA
By Matthew Odam
"In a nice bit of SXSW synergy, the documentary "Beijing Taxi," in conjunction with Dart Music International House and Maybe Mars, will be throwing a
party Sunday night at Mi Casa featuring Chinese bands
AV Okubo,
Carsick Cars,
P.K. 14 and
Xiao He."
Read more...
>> March 12
The Welsh in Texas
Wales Online, UK
By Karen Price
"A mainstay on the North Wales music scene,
Polly Mackey and the Pleasure Principle have achieved a level of success well
beyond their years."
Read more...
The Bewitched Hands on the Top of our Heads Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By María Lopez
"The seven knights of the pop apocalypse, or seven guys from Reims, France? This many-headed ensemble come to show the world that those of the
Gallic persuasion can do folk too -- it's not only Gainsbourg or Daft Punk. They certainly don't subscribe to the usual traditions of French pop.
The Bewitched Hands on the Top of our Heads (or the Bewitched for short)
formed the group as a side-project and it's led to a brand of catchy melodic pop where psychedelic vocal harmonies crossover with folk."
Read more...
>> March 11
Two places to park yourself during SXSW: the Hype Machine and DMI
Austin 360, USA
By Patrick Caldwell
"Dart, the Austin-based nonprofit organization that helps international bands travel to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, has a
full slate of SXSW events that kicks off tonight at 9 p.m. with a free show featuring China's
P.K. 14 and
AV Okubo, Poland's
L.Stadt and Chile's
the Ganjas."
Read more...
Review: AV Okubo - The Greed Of Man
Beijing Noise, China
By Music Staff
"For the unfamiliar,
AV Okubo are a band with a sound that is hard to place a finger on. They have
poppy songs, such as the appropriately titled 'Love Song' which sounds like a more coherent (but only slightly) Happy Mondays. For the most part,
however, they stick to a more aggressive, fast paced style."
Read more...
Grand Atlantic Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Matthew Wilkening
"Brisbane, Australia's
Grand Atlantic and their latest album 'How We Survive' made many 2009
year-end best of lists in their home country. The Courier Mail declared "the power-pop treat that is 'How We Survive' is bristling with muscular but
always melodic tunes." Surprisingly positive response at US radio to the first single from the album has the band performing on our shores for the
first time, culminating in a series of shows at this year's SXSW."
Read more...
Tone Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Seb Underhill
"Danish trip hop artist Sofia Nielsen aka
Tone, has been gaining momentum since her early demo recordings placed in the
top five of national chart '"Det Elektriske Barometer'" back in 2006. She released her debut album 'Small Arm of Sea' as a free download, but also as a
box set, incorporating the visuals of VJ collaborator Kristian Ravn Ellestad on an accompanying DVD to capture the powerful, sensory nature of their
abstract live shows."
Read more...
>> March 10
SPIN's 50 Must-Hear Bands at SXSW
Spin Magazine, USA
By Staff
"P.K. 14 - WHY THEY MATTER: Formed in 1997, this post-punk band is the
foundation of the budding indie scene in Beijing, blasting a dark, frenetic sound a la Sonic Youth and Fugazi"
Read more...
P.K.14 named one of SPIN's "50 Must-Hear Bands at SXSW"
Beijing City Weekend, China
By Daniel Shapiro
"Even prior to the March 14th Beijing Invasion Party at the DMI House, where all the Maybe Mars artists will perform,
P.K. 14 and
will be heading stateside a bit early, playing at famed Austin venue EMO's for a Dart Music International showcase."
Read more...
White Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Tina Smithers
"Comprised of Carsick Cars frontman Shou Wang and punk musician Shenggy, the Chinese duo
White brings an intoxicating avant-garde beat to Beijing's underground music
scene. Released in the spring of 2009, their self-titled debut album delivers an ever-evolving experimental sound -- synthesized with the kind of
pulsating rhythm that screams louder and louder before softly fading into obscurity."
Read more...
Xiao He Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Sarah Vasquez
"Xiao He is the solo project of Glorious Pharmacy's lead singer and guitarist, He
Guoheng. The experimental folk venture started in 1999, around the same time as the beginning days of Glorious Pharmacy. At the time, China's
underground music scene was small and unvarying, which quickly earned them a following of music fans. Xiao He will be heading to Austin to
perform at this year's SXSW with his solo material."
Read more...
>> March 9
L.Stadt Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Paula Whitworth
"In 2009,
L. Stadt's single 'London' was nominated for Best Rock Hit of the Year by ESKA
Music Awards. Since their debut album in 2008, this Polish band has performed at over 200 clubs and open-air concerts. They are currently working
on their second album, due out this summer, and gearing up for their US debut at SXSW."
Read more...
Must See SXSW Bands!: Bang Bang Eche
Vimeo, USA
By Metrogum Music
"We created this series to bring attention to the indie bands that are out there hitting the pavement and playing stages for the dream of making it big!"
Features the video for "(You And Me) Thick As Thieves".
Read more...
Longital Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Jesse Costello
"On paper, Slovakian electronic rock duo
Longital invite comparisons to Nordic brethren Sigur Ros, playing bowed
guitars and singing in a language understood by few outside of their homeland. The similarities end there, however. Schooled as a jazz musician
and steeped in the traditional music of Iran and India, Daniel Salontay joined together with poet and folk singer Shina to create a sound informed
by music from far-flung reaches of the globe but still distinguished by its Eastern European provenance."
Read more...
P.K. 14 Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Areti Sakellaris
"Whether it's in English or Chinese, rock 'n roll is rock 'n roll, and the Beijing-based quartet
P.K. 14 are at the forefront of China's underground rock circuit. After an inaugural
visit last fall to the Mecca of their post-punk and New-Wave muses -- New York City -- the band is at it again with their shredding guitar riffs,
unmerciful bass bombardment, and discontented lyrics."
Read more...
Telephunken Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Annamarya Scaccia
"Influential in Spain's underground electronica scene,
Telephunken released their latest effort, Que Viva El Ritmo!!!, in late Spring
of 2009 on Acta Recordings. Their fourth release, which translates to "Long live the rhythm!", is a smooth mixture of soul, funk, rock, break beat,
samples and Latin rhythms, with lyrics sung both in English and Spanish. While Telephunken has toured the world, the group - consisting of
bassist/VJ Sergio Zamarvide, drummer Fernando Parrilla and Ernesto "DJ Telephunken" Sanchez (Telephunken's music mastermind) - will blast
their digital beats on stage for the first time at this year's SXSW for Live Nation Latin showcase."
Read more...
>> March 7
AV Okubo Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Sean Woosley
"Lu Yan, frontman of the young and energetic Chinese rock band
AV Okubo, says when he heard that the band would be traveling all the way to
Austin, Texas this year, it sounded too good to be true. "One day Nevin, the agent of Maybemars, called me and said, 'Congratulations to you. You're
going to tour in the United States for a month and play SXSW.' Frankly, I thought it was only a joke.""
Read more...
>> March 6
The Ganjas Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Laura Huchzermeyer
"As children growing up in Chile during Pinochet's military regime, members of the band
the Ganjas dreamed of becoming rock stars. But under the dictatorship, music
and culture in Chile were effectively wiped clean, and a live music scene was practically non-existent. However, the band never gave up on their dreams
of becoming musicians."
Read more...
>> March 5
Bang Bang Eche - a 'hurricane' from New Zealand
Festival Bazant Pohoda, Slovakia
By Staff
"Bang Bang Eche were one of the best bands we had seen at the Great Escape festival
in Brighton last year. Their show was like a storm: full of enthusiasm and energy we had rarely seen before."
Read more...
>> March 3
First person account of Chile earthquake by SXSW-bound musician
Austin American Statesman, USA
By Tessie Spoljaric-Woodgate
"Tessie Spoljaric-Woodgate of the Austin-managed Chilean band
Intimate Stranger tells us about surviving the 8.8 earthquake that ravaged her
adoptive home country Saturday. The first-ever showcase of Chilean bands takes place at Maggie Mae's on Saturday March 20. Three of the bands will
also play a benefit for earthquake relief efforts March 23 at the Parish."
Read more...
Bang Bang Eche Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Gina Grinstead
"You won't get many serious answers from the New Zealand foursome
Bang Bang Eche, but you will get some seriously high-energy electro / punk /
dance / rock / whatever-you-want-to-call-it performances. The four scrappy youngsters that make up the band are the singer / non-religious
motivational speaker Zach Doney, bassist and overlady T'Nealle Worsley, guitarist with excellent musical taste Charlie Ryder and drummer /
beats-maker James Sullivan."
Read more...
St Deluxe Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Peter M. Gordon
"In 2006 a group of four Glasgow musicians -- Jamie Cameron, Martin Kirwan, Brian McEwan and Stuart Kidd, all former members of local group
BMX Bandits -- formed
St. Deluxe to pursue their common musical vision. St. Deluxe released their
self-titled album in the UK, Germany and Japan, and will perform at SXSW for the first time this March."
Read more...
Superlasciva Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Nicole Barnett
"Superlasciva are a band from Argentina that have many different
influences in their sound, from tango to rock and pop. The band started nearly a decade ago with two members and slowly grew once they moved
from Goya to the capital, Buenos Aires. Originally, a friend called them "Superb" but they weren't fond about how it sounded, so they turned it up
and named the band Superlasciva."
Read more...
>> March 2
Chilean bands with Austin ties unharmed in earthquake
Austin 360, USA
By Michael Corcoran
"Austin-based band manager Derek Woodgate was awakened by a 5 a.m. phone call Saturday from a friend who told him a massive earthquake had
devastated part of Chile. Woodgate's daughter Tessie plays bass and sings for Chilean band
Intimate Stranger, who are booked for the first-ever Chilean showcase at South
by Southwest March 20."
Read more...
Carsick Cars Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Jesse Costello
"After pushing through a childhood filled with Chinese pop music and state-sponsored patriotic pabulum,
Carsick Cars frontman Shou Wang started an indie rock movement in Beijing.
Along with drummer Li Qing and bassist Li Weisi, the band has opened shows throughout Europe for Sonic Youth and learned to love Michael
Jackson, although not necessarily in that order."
Read more...
Darren Hanlon Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Lea Terry
"Influenced by a wide range of musicians from Woody Guthrie to the Magnetic Fields,
Darren Hanlon brings a strong story-telling element to his music. His
folk-inspired songs include tributes to actor Eli Wallach and to the game of squash, as well as reflections on long-distance relationships and
unrequited love. The Australian singer-songwriter performed with several bands before going solo a decade ago."
Read more...
February 2010
>> February 23
City Riots Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Shayda Torabi
"South Australian band
City Riots has been performing together for over two years, and is currently in
Chicago working on releasing their first full-length album. Still touring off their EPs, the band has gotten lots of recognition and has been featured
on MTV and Channel V. They will be visiting the U.S. in March to play SXSW as well as making a few other stops throughout the East Coast."
Read more...
>> February 21
Casino Interview: SXSW 2010
AOL Spinner, USA
By Kat Lenhart
"In 2009, Chilean shoegaze quartet
Casino shared a 65,000-capacity national stadium in their home nation with the
likes of Radiohead and Kraftwerk. Now they are preparing for a Spring US tour with their Chilean counterparts
the Ganjas and
Intimate Stranger."
Read more...
>> February 18
Polly Mackey to Perform at the SXSW Welcome Dinner
SXSW, USA
By Peter
"'We are proud to announce that
Polly Mackey and The Pleasure Principle will be performing a stripped down
acoustic set during the SXSW Music Welcome Dinner... Populating the Welcome Dinner will be a who's who of the music industry, allowing attendees
to rub elbows with big wigs and enjoy food, spirits and song concurrently."
Read more...
>> February 14
Harris Radio's Podcast #9 Celebrates The Chinese New Year
Harris Radio, USA
By Pete Harris
"'Podcast #9 celebrates the Chinese New Year with several tracks from Chinese acts featured on the latest Dart Music International Sampler CD ... and
who will also be performing at next month's SXSW music festival. Featured tracks from
Snapline and
AV Okubo to start out and finishing out with
Carsick Cars and
White."
Read more...
>> February 11
Polly Mackey's going back to America
Wrexhammusic.co.uk, UK
By Ben Davis
"'I've told you before that
Polly Mackey & the Pleasure Principle are returning to the SXSW Music
Festival in Texas again in March and like last year they are packing in the gigs."
Read more...
>> February 9
No. 103 Darren Hanlon - Punk's Not Dead
The Never Ending Search For The Perfect Song, Australia
By Borntodan
"'Punks Not Dead' is the apex of his [
Darren Hanlon's] art, combining a elemental knowledge of rock'n'roll
history and sub-cultural stereotypes, with a lovely 'everybody is actually very nice deep deep down' philosophy of life, filled with the kind of
attention to detail that lets you know that he really does know what living in a share house is all about"
Read more...
>> February 8
Lucky 12: Our Favorite Tracks by Up and Coming Bands
SPINearth, USA
By Lazarus
"The tiny-yet-energetic
Miho Wada, who sneers words confidently above the fray of music about "getting
lost in pleasure" or "drinking vino and playing Nintendo", creates bizarre, ska-influenced jazz punk with her international mash-up of a band."
Read more...
First Annual Icon Award recipients Terry Lickona, Roky Erickson, Rose Reyes, and Jim Butler with Dave Dart
Photo by David Weaver, Austin A-List
January 2010
>> January 28
Record Dealer
Global Times, China
By Matthew Jukes
"Within a year the Maybe Mars record label had appeared, and now they're signing bands like nobody's business. Their roster includes
Carsick Cars, a moderately angry rocky favorite around town, alongside
Snapline - an insight into what the late Joy Division would have been if they
had money for fancier electric instruments. At the moment Saliba is excited about new signing
AV Okubo."
Read more...
The Faction's 1st Birthday!
Wrexhammusic.co.uk, UK
By Ben Davis
"Now anyone within the music scene in and around Wrexham will have no doubt heard of the name
Polly Mackey. In talks with record labels and creating a stir as a result of her
outstanding successes in 2009, she just keeps on getting bigger.
Read more...
>> January 27
Rock'n'rollers Tornado Roosters and Town Rebels seize audience
Gießener Anzeiger, Germany
By Heiner Schultz
"Rock and roll lives - and how! Evidence was provided at the Ulenspeigel for anyone who wants to know. They presented two local bands at the
'Gießen Rock Show'.
The Tornado Roosters and the Town Rebels evaporated the rules of art."
Read more...
>> January 26
Dart Music: Bringing international indie music to Austin
The Austin Times, USA
By Vicky Garza
"Meet Dave Dart. This former astronaut trainer and Systems Analyst at the University of Texas started Dart Music International (DMI), an Austin Area
nonprofit that works to bring small indie/rock/pop bands from around the world to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, with
the majority of their work centered around artists coming for the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in downtown Austin."
Read more...
A-List: Stanley Samuelson
Video Wired, USA
By David Weaver
"Scenes from
Stanley Samuelson at Dart Music International's Backstage Pass To
The World event at the Parish."
Read more...
Chinese New Year Dazed Style
Dazed Digital, China
By Terence Teh
"Shenggy is the London-based ex-drummer of the riotous Beijing all girl band, Hang on the Box. Together with Shou Wang from the scratchy garage
rockers
Carsick Cars, they have collaborated since 2005 as experimental, electronic duo
White. Self-described as 'cosmic industrial, looped vocals in the ether, the sound
of Beijing, the roar of the traffic, sparks from the night construction sites blinding the stars', White's self titled debut album will be released in the UK
early this year."
Read more...
Long night of rock'n'roll in Ulenspiegel
Gießener Allgemeine, Germany
By Olz
"It almost seemed as if someone had turned the calendar back, not just a few days, but half a century. The 'Long Night' of rock'n'roll at the Ulenspiegel
with
The Tornado Roosters and the Town Rebels led us back musically to the 50's."
Read more...
Quickie Concert Alert: The Magnetic Fields with opener Laura Barrett
Les Enfants Terribles, USA
By Terrible Chris
"I caught the band the last time they blew through town (at the Birchmere a few years back) when they had one Mr.
Darren Hanlon in the opening slot. I'd never heard of Hanlon prior to that
show, but he's been a fave of mine ever since. The gentleman from Down Under is a kick ass lyricist, deftly blending humor into his heartfelt lyrics.
As it is with some of my favorite performers, it was his in-between-song banter that really pushed his show up a few notches."
Read more...
IODA and R2G Bring Rich Catalog of Independent Music to Mobile Carriers in China Serving More Than 700 Million Mobile Users
The Music Industry Report, USA
By Admin
"IODA also represents emerging Chinese independent labels Maybe Mars and Modern Sky, who have been instrumental in bringing international
attention to China's burgeoning indie scene with artists like
Carsick Cars and Hedgehog."
Read more...
>> January 25
Chilean Music Showcase Featuring Anita Tijoux
SXSW, USA
By Jimmy
"The Chilean rap all-star known as Anita Tijoux will be at SXSW this year to give us a taste of her new album 1977 as headliner for the Chilean Music
Showcase presented by
Plutopia Productions... the bill will include other Chile-based groups like
The Ganjas, who's psychedelic prog-rock style has garnered them critical acclaim...
Brit-pop group
Casino and indie rockers
Intimate Stranger will also perform as representation of the European influence
that makes so much of Chile's music unique from other Latin countries, along with special guests
Capsula from Spain."
Read more...
Maybe Mars Will Rock Uranus
Layabozi, China
By Zack
"P.K.14 was the final installment in this showcase. All hell broke loose in my brain
during their set. I had never seen them live before so I was expecting a lot. They delivered a KO punch to my senses right away and I was soon moshing
about shirtless, losing my shirt and camera case in the process."
Read more...
Music Monday: P.K.14
Ladylike, China
By Sandy Ley
"P.K.14 definitely stole the show(case) with their infectious energy. The mosh
pit was nuts and all that stage diving looked like fun. You'll dig them if you like the sounds of Sonic Youth & Fugazi."
Read more...
>> January 24
Chinese Post-Punk Outfit Brings New Culture Revolution
Super Color Super, South Korea
By Mi Kyung Christina Cho
"t the fore of the new school of China underground renaissance,
Carsick Cars, are set unleash a blissful blend of frenzied guitar riffs and textured
melodies on their first Korean tour."
Read more...
>> January 23
Maybe Mars Showcase @ Mao
Kungfuology, China
By Andy Best
"P.K.14 are just legends so none of the above really mattered. Everyone started
to go nuts as soon as they saw singer Yang Haisong, me included, and they enjoyed the reception that their status deserves. Half way in to the set I
spotted Maybe Mars' Michael Pettis and decided to stalk him. We spent some time backstage chatting, with Nevin Domer too. I was a bit star struck
the whole time though, as Yang Fan was right there by me the whole time. Swoon. She's just so badass/cool and a great guitarist."
Read more...
Weekend Blues?
Amplifier, New Zealand
By The Editor
"Miho Wada is a virtuouso flute and saxophone plater... whose talent was spotted
by none other than Nigel Kennedy at the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 2003 - which then led her to perform jazz trio concerts with him in London
and Malven."
Read more...
>> January 22
Grounded in Music at the Paramount Theatre
Austin 360: Out & About, USA
By Michael Barnes
"Grounded in Music, like Dart Music International, is one of those community nonprofits that took off like a rocket. Both groups took perceived
needs seriously, then the community took them seriously. The first nonprofit provides musical training in area schools; the second connects
international musical acts to Austin."
Read more...
Miho Wada, just your average Japanese punk jazz flautist
Perfect Porridge, USA
By Greg Swann
"This is new.
Miho Wada fronts a Japanese Punk Jazz band based in New Zealand and will
be headed to SXSW in March."
Read more...
Maybe Mars Showcase
Shanghai City Weeked, China
Editor's Pick
"Beijing stars
P.K.14 play at the city's best livehouse. Among the bands that have emerged in
Beijing over the past four years, PK14 are almost unanimously cited as having the most influence on the young Beijing music scene with their
seriousness, their musicianship and foremost, their eclectic approach to music."
Read more...
Miho Wada : Tonite at the Watusi (10PM)
Groove 107.7 FM Cafe Style Radio, New Zealand
"Japanese Jazz Punk artist
Miho Wada (recent tourist with Ska Cubano) popped in to chat with the Coffee
Bar Kid last night to promote he Pajama Party Concert at the Watusi."
Read more...
>> January 21
Editor's Picks Jan. 21-24
Layabozi, China
By Mike
"This is the big one for this week and has already gotten the informative links and downloads treatment from Mp3 Monday. If you don't already know
by now, the show will feature Rustic, 24 Hours, The Gar, and headliners
P.K.14."
Read more...
>> January 20
Backstage Pass To The World Photo Gallery
Austin 360: A-List, USA
By David Weaver
"A-List photos from the Backstage Pass To The World Dart Music International Icon Awards show at the Parish. 1.19.10."
Read more...
Dart Music International's Icon Awards at the Parish
Austin 360: Out & About, USA
By Michael Barnes
"Clearly, a need existed. When I first met Dave Dart, not that long ago, he was helping foreign acts navigate the logistics of the South by Southwest
Music Festival. It was just Dave. No organization. No student interns. No board. No fundraisers."
Read more...
>> January 19
White - Welcome To The Real World
Outsideleft, UK
By Alex V. Cook
"One of the few people from the Beijing underground music scene to garner international attention is a girl named Shen Jin, "Shenggy" to her friends,
who in 1989 at age sixteen joined Beijing pop punk band Hang on the Box as their drummer... Another is Shou Wang, leader of earnest rackety power-trio
Carsick Cars, a Bejing band that caused a blip on the Western hipster radar for
being bumped from the bill for Sonic Youth's 2007 show in the city, only later to join them in Prague and Vienna as a support act... These two formed
the group
White to explore their more atmospheric side, freeing the noises in their head from
the restraints of a pop song. Under the sharp eye of Blixa Bargeld at Einstürzende Neubauten, they distilled these sounds in a self-titled record."
Read more...
Music Review | Tone: Small Arm of Sea
Totally Her, USA
By Melissa Maples
"Earlier this year, Danish singer and music producer
Tone released her debut album Small Arm of Sea on her web site, joining a
growing wave of Creative Commons artists who are taking control of their careers and their rights as artists by producing and marketing their
own work. "
Read more...
>> January 18
beijing indie rockers carsick cars perform live on asia uncut ///
NeochaEdge, China
By Eleanor Albert
"We recently caught a taping of Asia Uncut with Beijing indie rockers Carsick Cars as musical guests. See below for a short clip of the band jamming."
Read more...
MP3 Monday: Maybe Mars Label Show
Smart Shanghai, China
By Morgan Short
"It's been a really good past few years for the headliners,
P.K.14, and the label as a whole, so you can expect a big turnout for this show -
tens of thousands of millions of people crammed into MAO Livehouse, which would make it the biggest show they've had there in a little while."
Read more...
>> January 16
Story of a Flute Player (PDF download)
Eastern Times, Malaysia
By Antonia Chiam
"In 1996, a teenage Japanese girl's future was changed forever when her father fell in love with New Zealand and its people... Today,
Miho Wada, the young girl in question, is an established flute and saxophone
player, trained in Afro-Cuban style of flute playing in Santiago de Cuba, Havana and London. Her repertoire of original songs feature music with
Japanese flavours accompanied by vari-ous other instruments to create a combination of distinctive and contemporary sounds that appeal to audience
worldwide."
Read more... (PDF download)
P.K.14 - City Weather Sailing [2008]
Insane Butter, Australia
By Ackibear
"P.K.14 are a chinese post-punk band from Beijing that formed in 1997. I haven't
found any other CDs of theirs yet, but I'm content with just this one until I see another in the music store."
Read more...
>> January 15
Anarchy in the PRC
Foreign Policy, USA
By Christina Larson
"The band
P.K.14, pictured left, occupies a special place in the pantheon of China's
underground music scene. The group formed in 1999 in the eastern city of Tianjin. Lead singer Yang Haisong says that Tianjin reminds him of Britain's
Manchester: "It's cold, grey, and depressing." But the reason it's painful for him to go back, says the Beijing resident, is more subtle: "The city is so
different; it's so clear, the fact that life changes so fast ... I don't know if it's good or bad, it's just the way it is. For China, we have to spend this painful
period to get somewhere -- it's extreme national growing pains.""
Read more...
On Foreign Soil: Bang Bang Eche
NZ Music, New Zealand
By Zach Doney
"Precocious punk prodigies
Bang Bang Eche recently released their second EP in NZ, but rather than touring
on home soil, have since been off spreading their wings across the US and Europe."
Read more...
Do it Again: Maybe Mars returns for a second showcase on January 22nd
Shanghai City Weekend, China
By Daniel Shapiro
"It's been over a year since Beijing-based record label Maybe Mars arrived at the Dream Factory for its first label showcase as part of last January's
JUE Festival.
Carsick Cars,
Snapline, Wuhan's
AV Okubo and Ourself Beside Me demolished Zhijiang's stage, cementing the label's status as China's leading indie-rock imprint."
Read more...
>> January 14
From The Mind Of Adi #84: Dave Dart's Firsts
Transmission Entertainment: From The Mind Of Adi, USA
By Adi Anand
"Today: Dave Dart's Firsts! This time, we examine what inspired Dave Dart, founder and executive director of Dart Music International. The local
entity hosts artists from all over the world regularly in town and its annual International Night during SXSW has featured bands from Argentina,
India, Iran, New Zealand, South Africa, and many, many other countries."
Read more...
>> January 13
Nights At The Roundtable - Intimate Stranger + In Veins - Double Bill tonight!
Newstalgia, Crooks And Liars, USA
By Gordonskene
"Intimate Stranger are a Chilean band who met up and formed in London in
2006 and then went back to Chile and started gigging around and getting their MySpace page happening. Fronted by English/Croatian singer/bass
player Tessie Stranger, they've been getting a good word of mouth going."
Read more...
>> January 11
Five Minutes with Dave Dart on the Backstage Pass To The World
Indie Sounds from Harris Radio, USA
By Pete Harris
"It's award season. The Austin Chronicle has their own (Trisha Keefer for miscellaneous instrument please). The Grammy's are looming (let's hope
for a win for Sarah Jarosz). And there's also a new awards event called Backstage Pass to the World coming up. Indie Sounds asked award/event
creator Dave Dart about it, and about his Dart Music International organization."
Read more...
MP3 Monday: The Molds
Smart Shanghai, China
By Morgan Short
"The first MM label showcase of 2010 sees
P.K.14, joined by The Gar, 24 Hours, and Rustic. And yeah, but there's that Maybe
Mars showcase in January, and - hey, what's this - it looks like there's another one planned for the end of February with
Carsick Cars and
AV Okubo playing MAO Shanghai."
Read more...
Polly Mackey to appear at Next Big Thing festival
BBC North East Wales, UK
By Nick Bourne
"Wrexham band
Polly Mackey & the Pleasure Principle are appearing at a new festival,
February's Next Big Thing. It seems there's no let up in the rise of Polly, 17, and the band as they have earned themselves a place in the line-up for
the London festival which is showcasing 50 up and coming acts (5-14 February)."
Read more...
>> January 7
Global Rock Show
SXSW Music Panel Listing, USA
"Rock & Roll has become the common language for young people across the globe. Panelists will explore how touring, festivals, nonprofit
organizations, and the internet are used to overcome borders to make rock music the market place of intercultural exchange for students, young
professionals, and working class people the world over."
Read more...
>> January 5
SXSW Beginner's Guide Additions #1 - A-B
Artrocker, USA
By Every Single Revolution
"AV Okubo: Seemingly blending choppy guitars with yelping, screaming vocals,
occasional pharmaceutically driven solo breakdowns, keyboard breaks and a sense of fun, these Chinese tykes look as if they may well provide a heavy
dose of enjoyment."
Read more...
>> January 4
Music to watch for in 2010
Limerick Post, Ireland
By Eric Fitz
"We Should Be Dead: Based in LA for most of last year WSBD have toured and
toured some more to establish a US profile for the release of their, as yet untitled, second album which was produced in California by Owen Lewis
( R.E.M, Snow Patrol, The Game, Courtney, Killers, Lady Gaga). "Where Do We Stand", "Electric", "Breathe In" and "Up All Night" are all songs that
have potential to be hit singles."
Read more...
>> January 1
Music Alliance Pact (January 2010)
Magmug Magazine, China
By Indiecision
"P.K.14 is the best post-punk band in China. Formed in 1997, they have released
five albums. Currently, they are preparing a new album to be released this year and they will attend SXSW in March."
Read more...
01/01 AV Okubo
Vox Livehouse, China
"For me,
AV Okubo love for me is a feeling. That name, that tone, the kind of impression,
deeply imprinted on my mind, until now, never forgotten."
Read more...
