From KCRW DJ Anne Litt:
SXSW inspires me every year.  Here are my 2011 highlights.  If you are a music lover and you are looking for a way to maximize that love, you owe it to yourself to go just once.

Best live performance – James Vincent McMorrow.  He’s an Irish singer-songwriter who elevates his craft with precision, purity, poetry and energy.  He was mesmerizing – not to mention the nicest guy in the world. …

From KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox-
As I sit here nursing my post-SXSW cold & sickness — something that happens to me every year (probably a combination of the booze, malnutrition & lack of sleep) — I realize that this annual Austin music festival takes a real toll on the body.
I’m still feeling it in my feet (from all the walking, standing and occasional stationary Running Man dance… thanks DJ Eleven!), my throat (from all the screaming) and ears (I now know what it is like to be Pete Townshend).
But the …

From KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
Austin’s annual SXSW Music Conference joined the quarter century club this year, so it was an honor to participate. Got a chance to meet and introduce the very talented Jessica Lea Mayfield to a great audience at KCRWs official day showcase.
I like her music even more having met her – her warmth and sense of humor made my day.
Also, got to peep Chico Mann rock a flawless one man show at the Wax Poetics showcase, band Memory House ease tensions at St David’s Episcopal Church, and …

Cults were definitely one of the most talked about bands at SXSW. I missed them three times – once by about 5 minutes. I eventually realized it wasn’t meant to be. But I was happy to hear about the release of a new tune from the band as soon as we all settled back in from Austin.
“You Know What I Mean” will be featured on the band’s debut full-length, due in May.
Stream “You Know What I Mean”
Cults – You Know What I Mean by cultscultscults
RR

While dealing with long lines, sore feet, little sleep and a city (Austin) busting at the seams with corporate brands screaming for your attention, these moments make it worth it. My memorable moment breakdown:

Best Sing Along:
Foster the People — Pumped Up Kicks
(I was above the stage at Filter Magazine’s Cedar Street showcase looking down at the crowd and watching them sing every word back to the band. It was also the first time I’ve seen them play the song live, so it was a double whammy of …

On my final day, I had very few plans to see specific bands. Sometimes that’s a beautiful thing because you can float around and respond to text messages that say “I’m watching a great band right now!”
Which is exactly how I found Little Comets, an excellent UK pop band. I literally ran a few blocks to catch the end of their set and it was exhilarating pop that had the whole crowd up and going – a monumental task considering that everyone has been up late for about a week …

I started the day by having breakfast with Raphael Saadiq at a Mexican restaurant and ended it watching Charles Bradley, who channeled both Al Green and James Brown in a rousing performance. So, it was a great day for authentic funk and soul. The good stuff.
Saadiq treated us to songs from his excellent new album “Stone Rollin” live on Morning Becomes Eclectic. We had a few visitors in the studio and everyone was floored. It was impossible not to move to that set of music and Saadiq is one of …

Today I decided to stick with the sure things, but throw in at least one wild card to keep things interesting. I’ve decided I need “tactics” to handle all the options down here in Austin so I don’t get overwhelmed!
The Kills were everything I hoped they would be in studio for Morning Becomes Eclectic. My favorite moment was during soundcheck when they were checking out Allison Mosshart’s vocal mic and she was singing a capella. Man, what a voice! She has a powerful presence and its clear her musical relationship …

I start slowly at SXSW. One band on day one. 3 bands on day two + some comedy!
After picking up my music badge, I ventured over to see a band that is of interest mostly because of their bass player. Who happens to be actor Michael Cera. There was a pretty big crowd gathered outside in the 80-degree weather for his band, called Mister Heavenly, and I took advantage of a solar-powered carousel to relax during their soundcheck. I only heard a couple songs so I’m not a fair judge, …

I start SXSW pretty much the same way every year – queso, margarita and music.  The great Austin traditions.
I only saw one band last night but it was a group I’ve had my eyes on for a couple years – The Royal Bangs. Their songs are so varied its hard to categorize them – and not necessarily in a bad way. It all seems to work. I could throw lots of genre names around but they’re pretty much rockers (KCRW’s social media guru Betsy said she could hear some Kings …