Cover is $8 a night, or $25 for the entire series of shows. Can’t beat that.

I recently asked Yppah some questions about his music, his thoughts on SXSW, and plans for 2010.

Houston Calling: What are you as hoping to get out of this year’s SXSW?

Yppah: Hopefully to meet some cool people and find some good music. I’m really excited to show off the new band. We’ve been rehearsing a ton and it’s sounding really good. I’m more confident in the live show now than I have been in years past.

HC: Anything in particular that you’re looking forward to seeing during SXSW?

Yppah: Yeah, I always do, but it usually never happens. You know how it is when you gotta roll with a bunch of folks who all wanna do different things. I’m going to make it a point to see Toro y Moi at the Terrorbird showcase though. My buddy Ernest Gonzales will also be performing. He makes great music, and owns Exponential Records who is producing some quality electronic artists. My side project, Day of the Woman, with Pollination and Stenographer, will also have a release on Exponential sometime in August.

HC: What’s your most memorable SXSW experience?

Yppah: Probably the first Ninja Showcase we played with the live band in 2007. We were all pretty nervous, but the songs we played from the first album were super well-received. It was amazing seeing Kid Koala and Amon Tobin destroy also. It was a great first showcase to say the least.

HC: You’re on one of the world’s best-known electronic music labels and your music has been featured on TV shows and video games. How did these come about? Are you happy with how your career has progressed as a result?

Yppah: Well, Ninja Tune has a great licensing department. I’m not exactly sure how it works, but I assume they have a ton of great music supervisor contacts, probably sending my album out to all those contacts. I couldn’t be happier with the licensing choices–they’ve gotten me a ton of exposure and a lot of new fans. It’s pretty surreal hearing my songs on TV or in a movie, [it] sort of feels like I didn’t even actually make the music myself.

HC: What do you consider to be your primary musical influences and how do they play into the music you make?

Yppah: I used to like Radiohead a lot, still do. I think they really shaped the way I arrange my music. The way their structure is always ever changing through out certain songs. I also listen to a ton of shoegaze-leaning music, whether it be electronic or like early 90s indie rock/psych type bands, or anything break/beat oriented. I pretty much just try to combine those styles to get what eventually comes out of my headphones/speakers. 

HC: Do you play locally very often? I just recently came across your music and wondered why I hadn’t know about you before. Or maybe I had and it slipped my mind… If not, why?

Yppah: Nah, you’re right. I don’t usually play in Houston. It’s hard to get a decent turn out here for the style of music I do. On top of that I haven’t been played that many live band shows since I started the live band. That’ll change this year though. We plan on playing out way more in 2010 than we ever have before.

HC: What’s your favorite part of touring?

Yppah: Meeting new people and having fun, but mainly the actual shows are my favorite part of touring for me.

HC: Other than SXSW, what’s on the horizon for Yppah in 2010? You’re touring with Bonobo, right?

Yppah: Yeah, I’m super-excited. This will be my first legit tour with a large touring act. I’ve always been a fan of Bonobo which makes it even better. We’ll do the last half of April with Bonobo, then next will be the Free Press Summer Fest. I’m talking with Ape School and Ernest Gonzales about maybe doing some shows in the summer also, but that is all to be confirmed. I can’t wait.

HC: Any music you’ve been listening to lately that you’d recommend?

Yppah: Lately I’ve been listening to Clark’s Body Riddle, and I like Memory Tapes a lot. I stumbled across some music from this dude that goes by “Washed Out”–really good stuff. And I heard a track off the new Caribou album which is so good.

But aside from that current stuff, I’d say people like Radiohead for sure, M83. I like Ride and Chapterhouse tons.

Yppah plays his official SXSW showcase on Friday, 3.19.10, at The Independent (501 N IH 35) at 9pm.

More information may be found on MySpace. You can buy a copy of They Know What Ghost Know at most record stores or download from online retailers, such as Amazon.com.

Waco Brothers plays its official SXSW showcase on Saturday, 3.20.10, at Red-Eyed Fly at 11pm.

Visit the band online at www.wacobrothers.com.

Here’s the trailer:

Lead Damnwell Alex Dezen recently answered some questions for Houston Calling.

Houston Calling: You’re in the process of recording a new album–are you excited about the project? How are the new songs coming along?

Alex Dezen: Every time I make a record, I feel like all the records I made before are rendered irrelevant. We’re evolving in really exciting ways, as all bands should. So I’m pumped about this record. It’s the first time we’ve ever been able to really dig in and think about arrangements, parts, lyrics, etc. Not that we weren’t thinking about those things before, but there was always this anxiety, this pressure, either from a record label breathing down our necks, time constraints, or money worries. Thanks to our generous fans, we’ve been able to raise enough money via Pledge Music to lock ourselves away from the world for a few days at a time and chase down ideas. It’s going to be the best Damnwells record yet, by far.

HC: You went a different route than normal for getting the budget for this album, soliciting pledges via the web from fans, and offering house parties, signed, CDs, etc. in exchange. How did the idea for that come about? Were you surprised at the response you received? At last count, I saw more than $30K has been pledged…

AD: We’re still totally shocked we were able to raise that much money. It’s incredible. Its an affirmation. I think this is really the future of music, which is ironic, considering the patron system, where people would pay an artist to create a painting or sculpture or a piece of music in advance, is how it used to work. I think that as a culture we’re gonna find that, in the end, with all the advances in technology, etc., we’re yearning for each other, for a human interaction, more than ever. And we need art. I do, anyway. Pledge Music and other direct to fan organizations, which enable the artist to connect directly to fans without the middle man, will win out over the shove-it-down-your-throat-play-the-song-on-every-radio-station-24hrs-a-day-7-days-a-week model in the end. That kind of strong-arm saturation would make me even hate Dylan. Art just can’t survive when it gets turned in to sports car.

HC: When do you expect the album to be released?

AD: Soonish.

HC: You’re playing in Austin during SXSW again this year–I think I saw you guys two or three times in one day last year. Will you be doing more than one show?

AD: So far we just have the one show at the Paradise Cafe on the Thursday the 18th. We’re looking for more shows, but we’re really just looking to have fun. We’re not going down there to find a label or a manager or any of that stuff. We’re just going to contribute to all that wonderful noise.

HC: What’s your favorite thing about playing during SXSW? Your least favorite thing?

AD: Favorite: Seeing bands that I love. Least favorite: Paying ten dollars for a bottle of water.

HC: The Golden Days documentary was finally released on DVD late last year. Looking back at that time, do you have any regrets about how it all played out with the major label? Some bands never get that far…

AD: I have no regrets. How could I? To say that “some bands never get that far” would infer that we were trying to reach some metaphysical promise, that there was something we were trying to reach. That’s the wrong way to thing about it, and when bands turn making art into a sport, they’ve already lost. We were just trying to make music and play it for people. The distance you travel just playing the chords, making music with other people, either in your basement on in an arena, is good enough for me. The journey is the victory. Someone much smarter than me said that once, and much more eloquently.

The documentary is the greatest gift anyone could have given me from that whole experience. It’s proof. [Filmmaker] Chris Suchorsky ensured my children will be able to see how cool or lame I am. I won’t have to try to convince them.

HC: I read once where you said you’ll always be making music, whether with a band or not (or something to that effect). Do you still feel this way? Obviously, you’re in school, married, and life goes on. Do you see yourself still releasing albums in 10 years? Why or why not?

AD: I’ll always be making music. That’s never gonna change. I don’t know any better.

HC: If you could perform on stage with any musician from the past 50 years, who would it be and why?

AD: I’ve had the great pleasure of being able to perform with such incredible people, I wouldn’t trade them for anyone.

HC: Are there any bands in particular you’re looking forward to seeing during SXSW this year?

AD: I haven’t even looked at the line-up, and I haven’t turned on a radio in five years. I think Cheap Trick is playing. We used to open for them. That will be a great show. Rick Nielsen’s amps are filled with lights. That’s awesome.

HC: Finally, what’s the current line-up of the band (or is it a rotating cast at this point)? Last time I saw you, Ted [Hudson, bassist] didn’t play–although I understand he’s recording with you for the album. Fellow Houstonian Matt Hammond was on drums, and your wife sang. Was it J on guitar? What can we expect at SXSW this year?

AD: J on guitar. No wife; she’s got her own shit going on. Sarab Singh on drums. Eric Quinlan on bass. Ted would have liked to go, but he has a real job.

Here’s a video of The Damnwells’ Alex Dezen playing an acoustic version of “Like It Is”:

Catch The Damnwells in Austin during SXSW on Thursday, 3.18.10, at The Paradise Cafe at 11pm.

Visit The Damnwells online at www.thedamnwells.com. Make a pledge to help support the recording of the band’s new album at www.pledgemusic.com.

The band just wrapped up a short tour in Europe, is back in the States, and plays SXSW this month before heading out on a U.S. tour. Midlake’s Eric Pulido recently answered some questions for Houston Calling.

Houston Calling: How was the European tour?

Eric Pulido: It went very well. It was great to be over there again and see all the great folks that came to the shows.

HC: What’s your favorite part about playing overseas?

EP: Doner kebabs

HC: There’s been a lot of anticipation for The Courage of Others. Did you feel a lot of pressure after the success of …Van Occupanther?

EP: Just the pressure we put on ourselves to make a record we feel good about.

HC: I know that most, if not all, of you started with a background in jazz. How did you make the transition from playing jazz to the music you make with Midlake? Also, how do you think your musical influences play into Midlake’s music?

EP: Tim heard OK Computer, and the rest is history. Over the years, our sound has changed depending on what we’re listening to. We have a tendency to wear our influences on our sleeve. 

HC: What are you as a band hoping to get out of this year’s SXSW?

EP: A bratwurst on 6th street and a good time playing and seeing new and old friends.

HC: What’s your favorite thing about playing at SXSW?

EP: Everyone converging in one place making it a great opportunity to hang out with those I don’t see often.

HC: Any band(s) in particular that you’re looking forward to seeing during SXSW?

EP: Robert Gomez; Matthew and the Arrogant Sea; Centro-matic; Tacks, The Boy Disaster; Sarah Jaffe…

Here’s a promo of the band’s new album:

Midlake plays its official SXSW showcase on Thursday, March 18, at Buffalo Billiards at 1am.

Visit Midlake online at www.midlake.net or on MySpace. The Courage Of Others is available online and at most record stores.

View a video of Hayes Carll performing “Beaumont” live:

Hayes Carll plays his official SXSW showcase on Thursday, 3.18.10, at Antone’s at 10pm.

Visit Hayes Carll online at www.hayescarll.com.

Here’s a video of The Pack A.D.’s “Making Gestures”:

The Pack A.D. plays its official SXSW showcase on Friday, 3.19.10, at Jaime’s at midnight. You can also catch the band at various day parties, including one on Thursday, 3.18.10, at Headhunter’s at 3:55pm.

Visit The Pack A.D. online here and on MySpace.

I recently asked Garza a few questions for Houston Calling, which he was kind enough to answer.

Houston Calling: You’ve been playing during South By Southwest for years now. What do you feel is the best thing that has come out of it for you over the years?

David Garza: The best thing to come out of SXSW is all the weird new music you did not know existed.

HC: What would you recommend for musicians that are first-timers at SXSW?

DG: I would recommend ear plugs, free CDs to give away to new friends, and a sense of humor.

HC: You’ve always been a pretty prolific musician, but you’ve also gotten into producing music for others (Juliana Hatfield, for instance). How did that come about and do it you view it as a natural progression for you?

DG: Production for me is very natural if it’s with people I know and love. If not, it is extremely no fun!

HC: You lived in Austin for years. Are you based in L.A. now? I know you did some residencies there a while back…

DG: I did my four years in LA–like rock’n'roll high school. Now I am back in Austin and love it.

HC: How do you view Austin and the Austin music scene when compared to other cities in which you’ve spent time?

DG: There really is no comparison. Austin is small enough to get around quickly in and jam-packed with killer music no matter your scene–tejano, punk, country, metal, dj, singer/songwriter–it’s like a big outlet mall for music.

HC: My favorite experience seeing you play live over the years has to be at The Continental Club in Houston back when you were doing a show a week in in Dallas, Houston, and Austin for a month straight. I was able to catch a few of those shows and remember after the gig how you’d hang out and play your guitar for the fans that stayed after the crowds had cleared. Obviously, some of the early shows I saw in Waco were special but I liked the intimacy of the CC gigs. You seem to have a pretty devoted fan base — it is important to you to cultivate that? Do you find it easier or more difficult to do with the glut of social media available today?

DG: Ahh Waco! I miss those Continental gigs–they were the best. To cultivate it is my life’s love. My music is food for some people and I just love making new dishes for people to pig-out on. All the social media stuff is a huge mega earthling fad that will burn out when people realize how empty it is compared to any real life experience. Ultimately all this computer stuff is just fancy couch potato living. Live music is so visceral it’s scary. Folks will always come back to it.

HC: Are you working on any new music? What can you tell me about it? You’ve also recently released a book of art, correct?

DG: I paint and sell my art on my website (davidgarza.com). But I am also releasing Shed Light, a 20-song best of 2000-2010 at SXSW this year. So it is a very exciting time for me right now.

HC: How has digital technology changed the way you create and record your music?

DG: The tech aspect of recording is a blessing and a curse. It’s a curse because I am a snob and am tired of weeding through a lot of unexciting music that anyone and everyone records. It’s a blessing because not so much plastic is used for people to hear music now.

HC: What do you hope to get out of this year’s SXSW?

DG: More free meals from dinners with A&R guys and music biz folks!

HC: Anyone in particular you’re looking forward to seeing play in Austin during SXSW?

DG: I am looking forward to all the new unknown surprises that await me more than anyone I know.

Here’s a video of David Garza performing his 1998 single, “Discoball World”:

David Garza plays his official SXSW showcase on Friday, 3.19.10, at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (1106 E. 11th St.) at 9pm. He also plays a few day parties, which you can likely find more information about on Showlist Austin. Shed Light will be available at his showcase.

Visit David Garza online at www.davidgarza.com or on MySpace.

We regret to inform you that due to circumstances out of our control the ‘Showcase of Showcases’ has been canceled. Pegstar.net and Free Press Houston apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. We hope that you enjoy your time at SXSW and continue to support live music, good fun, and good times.

As our way of showing our appreciation for having RSVPed please accept this bonus offer: buy up to 4 passes to the Free Press Summer Fest (featuring Flaming Lips, Girl Talk and many more, www.freepresssummerfest.com) and get up to 4 free passes. This has a potential value of over $200. All you need to do is put “SXSW party canceled” in the Promotion box at checkout. You will be contacted within 24 hours with confirmation of your bonus tickets.

Ceeplus recently answered some questions for Houston Calling about SXSW and his thoughts on Houston music’s past and future.

Houston Calling: I know you’ve played in Austin during SXSW before. What are you as a DJ hoping to get out of this year’s SXSW?

Ceeplus Bad Knives: More so this year than any other year, I’m going more as an electronic music producer and playing as DJ. My goal is to get my name out there as an electronic music producer. That’s one of my main focuses. I hold many torches, though, and one of them is DJ-ing and producing, and promoting events, doing marketing, so when I go to South By Southwest, I’m kind of two people…

HC: Is there anything in particular that you’re looking forward to seeing during SXSW?

Ceeplus: I wouldn’t mind checking out the SPIN magazine party this year. I missed it last year, but hear that Courtney Love and Hole is playing this year, which could be interesting to see.

HC: In retrospect, how do you view the sets you’ve played before during SXSW?

Ceeplus: Every single time that I’ve played, other than the early days when I was playing with a group, as a solo artist I have gotten so much out of South By Southwest. From going to panels and learning about licensing, music industry dos and don’ts, to actually getting connected to out of town shows and promoters, and meeting agents face to face that I’ve been working with for years as a talent buyer, and meeting my clients face to face as a marketer. And as well as other artists who are my peers who we contact each other online, but we finally get to meet face to face and have a drink and seriously work together.

My performances, I’ve been fortunate enough to play some pretty fun showcases. Last year, I played the same showcase as DJ Sun. It was at a really cool venue, and I have gotten a lot out of it. Everything from networking to actual legitimate business endeavors. This year, I am really focusing on my music and production, and I have been already been speaking with a few different labels of choice… 

HC: As a DJ, how much do you let your personal taste influence what you choose to spin in a given setting? Obviously not everything you like will please every person listening…

Ceeplus: I’ll tell you this: as a disc jockey, first and foremost, I’m pretty much 100 percent my personal taste. I look at myself as a record collector, and I have been since I was literally born, I was born and raised into a family of over-the-top record collectors. So, first and foremost, I’m a collector. And the only reason I got into DJ-ing was to share my musical tastes with others.

I’m definitely not, and never will be, one of those DJs who plays the crowd. That sounds kind of mean, but I don’t. I take it upon myself to educate the crowd, or maybe influence the crowd, or maybe give the crowd a bit of what I like hoping they’ll walk way with something…I wish every DJ would do a little bit of what I’m doing and take some changes and throw some of their personal tastes–whether it be good or bad– in the the music they’re playing, versus what’s on the Billboard 100 or whatever… There’s so many albums out there that are great that are just not being played.

HC: Any music you’ve been listening to lately that you’d recommend?

Ceeplus: DFA Records / Rong Records / RVNG of the Nerds re-edits / //TENSE// / Optimo / Woolfy / 6th Borough Project / Ssion / Toomey Disco / Clone Records / Minimal Wave.org releases

HC: How do you view the Houston music scene these days? How do you see that it’s changed?

Ceeplus: One thing that always caught my attention, and I grew in the Montrose/Heights my whole life, and have been a part of the music scene for a really long time–going to shows, producing shows–since my teens, since the 80s. And it seems that things comes and go in waves here, you know? A group of bands will be big draws– local indie bands, rock bands–and a few years down the line they’re just not heard of. They break up, they go on with their lives, and are never heard of again.

It seems right now, we’re in one of those renaissances where there are a lot of young, up-and-coming bands that are just bringing a lot to the table. You’ve got The Tontons, Wild Moccasins, Golden Axe, Fat Tony. It’s like a new wave of indie artists that are performing and putting out records, are touring, and getting great reviews on blogs. I think it’s a great time right now, people’s eyes are on Houston and we have some national and international recording artists living here. I know people in the electronic music community and the rock community that are working out deals with labels for distribution. Of course, we have the rap scene, but in the rock and indie scenes there are some good things happening here and it’s good to see that finally happening…

HC: And we have the Free Press Houston Summerfest now…

Ceeplus: Yeah, with people like the Free Press putting on Summerfest and putting on things like the Block Party, that’s really brought a lot of people together and really created sense of camaraderie within the scene to make people feel like they’re a part of something. Were were in a lull there. And the thing about the Free Press, they’re not just about doing it for the city, they’re for doing it for the public, whereas one of my biggest pet peeves with Houston was when, if there is one promoter or one promotion company, if there’s a monopoly–this is indie, then that show goes to that promoter. And for a while it was like that here, and I think that really hurt Houston more than it helps. I like seeing multiple promoters, multiple venues booking, in-house booking…because what that does is diversify. If you go a show at Mango’s it’s going to be different than if you went to a show put on by the House of Blues. There’s so many different people putting together shows that are similar, which I think makes the scene more vibrant.

Here’s a video from Ceeplus Bad Knives:

Ceeplus Bad Knives plays his official SXSW showcase on Wednesday, 3.17.10, at Club 115 (115 San Jacinto St.) at 8pm. He also plays during the Pegstar.net/Free Pree Houston party on Friday, 3.19.10.

Visit Ceeplus online at www.myspace.com/ceeplusbadknives or at Reprogram Music.