Editor’s note: This is a partial list, and set times are subject to change. Several Athens bands will play the “Still Standing” day party, sponsored by the Georgia Theatre, Flagpole, Normaltown records, Green Room, Chase Park Transduction and UGA’s MBUS program, at Side Bar on Saturday, Mar. 15. Check out our live coverage of this and much more on Homedrone.
Yip Deceiver
Thursday, Mar. 13, 1 a.m. @ Velveeta Room
Friday, Mar. 14, 10:15 p.m. @ Half Step
If it’s a dance party you’re after, it’s a dance party you shall receive at Yip Deceiver’s two official festival appearances, where the beloved Athens duo will rip through some high-octane selections from its 2013 breakout, Medallius. Davey Pierce and Nicholas Dobbratz cut their teeth as members of of Montreal’s touring ensemble, and Yip Deceiver takes some of the same eccentro-rock cues as that band. But Yip’s is a less guarded, more blissfully straightforward kinda psych-pop vibe, highlighted by tunes like the sassy, synth-y “Get Strict,” whose video featured a righteous cameo from cavorting comedian Reggie Watts. [Gabe Vodicka]
New Madrid
Thursday, Mar. 13, 11 p.m. @ Velveeta Room
Psych-rock quartet New Madrid hasn’t been around long—the band released its debut album, Yardboat, in 2012—but it’s already made serious headway, winning Artist and Album of the Year prizes at the 2013 Flagpole Athens Music Awards. Armed with support from New West Records, the blessing of producer David Barbe and a new batch of songs, New Madrid has its sights set on the Southeast and beyond. The group’s new release, Sunswimmer, finds it eschewing the jammy leanings of its freshman offering for more tightly-wound, affably psychedelic tunes. Sunswimmer presents a band with a keen ear for melody, from the slow roll of “All Around the Locust” to the chiming, morphing groove of “And She Smiles.” Fans of Real Estate and Ponderosa’s breezy, tuneful songcraft will find plenty to like here, while Sunswimmer’s final couplet of extended jams will satisfy the head-nodding set the band courted with its debut. [Rachel Bailey]
Kishi Bashi
Friday, Mar. 14, 11:45 p.m. @ Half Step
Few artists have moved to Athens with as much buzz in tow as the formerly Seattle-based Kishi Bashi—the stage name of songwriter K Ishibashi. Ishibashi, who is well known for his touring stints with of Montreal as well as other freak-pop acts, will head to Austin in order to rev up interest in his second full-length release (a follow up to 2012’s lush and much-praised 151a), which is due this spring from Joyful Noise Recordings. Having won the coveted Artist of the Year title from NPR Music in 2012, Ishibashi will hit SXSW 2014 having earned plenty of indie-cred capital. [Dan Mistich]
Corey Smith
Wednesday, Mar. 12, 9:30 p.m. @ Rowdy Saloon
Wednesday, Mar. 12, 11 p.m. @ Peckerheads
Sure, good ol’ boy Corey Smith calls Jefferson—20 miles north of Athens—home. But he adopted the Classic City as his own before his star began to rise swiftly in the mainstream country world and still considers it his base, having sold out plenty of shows at local venues like the Georgia Theatre over the past few years. If you’re sick and tired of all the trend-hopping hipsterism on Sixth Street, check out Smith’s steadfastly twangy tunes at one of his two Wednesday slots. [GV]
Washed Out
Friday, Mar. 14, 7 p.m. @ Lady Bird Lake
Friday, Mar. 14, 12:30 a.m. @ Bar 96
Saturday, Mar. 15, 1 a.m. @ Hype Hotel
First-wave chillwaver Ernest Greene has settled quietly into Athens-area residency over the past year or so, playing precious few gigs in town (aside from the occasional DJ spot) but becoming a more common fixture at local bars and venues of late. Of course, his Washed Out project is known well beyond our borders, and his appearances at SXSW will no doubt be packed to the gills with adorers from worlds away. If you haven’t seen Greene’s live show since its unimpressive, laptop-centric beginnings, prepare to be astonished: Armed with a talented backing band that includes Greene’s wife, Blair, Washed Out has become a formidable presence on the festival scene. [GV]
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