Blogging SXSW: RadioRadio
My favorite part of SXSW is the randomness of selecting acts to fill voids in the night. Sometimes it's the band name that gets me, other times it's the crowd reaction that draws me in.
For my first showcase of the 2008, I was drawn to this alt-pop quartet because we hail from the same Oklahoma town of Tulsa, known mostly for oil, Western swing and art-deco architecture, not so much for the small but worthwhile music scene.
RadioRadio represented, rocking out from the opening notes of the first song with electric guitar screaming and a heavy bass presence that kept lead singer Greg Hosterman's hips constantly moving. Dramatic and engaging, the focused group moved seamlessly through several tracks off their full-length debut, "Watch'em All Come Runnin'." The song that clinched it: a bass-y cover of David Bowie's "I'm Afraid of Americans" which might just rival a true Bowie performance. Impressive. "Bed Check," one of RadioRadio's original tunes, also caught my attention, partly for the reference to pioneer Tulsa radio DJ Jan Dean--who recently lost her battle with brain cancer--and her influential nighttime show of the same name that gave many local acts their only radio play.
For my first showcase of the 2008, I was drawn to this alt-pop quartet because we hail from the same Oklahoma town of Tulsa, known mostly for oil, Western swing and art-deco architecture, not so much for the small but worthwhile music scene.
RadioRadio represented, rocking out from the opening notes of the first song with electric guitar screaming and a heavy bass presence that kept lead singer Greg Hosterman's hips constantly moving. Dramatic and engaging, the focused group moved seamlessly through several tracks off their full-length debut, "Watch'em All Come Runnin'." The song that clinched it: a bass-y cover of David Bowie's "I'm Afraid of Americans" which might just rival a true Bowie performance. Impressive. "Bed Check," one of RadioRadio's original tunes, also caught my attention, partly for the reference to pioneer Tulsa radio DJ Jan Dean--who recently lost her battle with brain cancer--and her influential nighttime show of the same name that gave many local acts their only radio play.


Nonpoint leads 'Most Wanted' trek
Def Leppard maps mid-summer run with Billy Idol
O.A.R. looks at 'All Sides'
Coldplay launches world tour in North America
Weekend Ticketing: Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood
Los Lonely Boys support forthcoming album
Ted Nugent unleashes summer tour dates
My Morning Jacket slips into touring outfit
Tina Turner confirms arena tour
Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd join forces this summer
Lucinda Williams maps headlining shows around John Mellencamp tour


More Acts Announced For CMAs
Skillz Readies New Album
Eddy Arnold Dies At 89
LiveDaily Weekend: Madonna, Tina Turner, The Police, Spoon and more
LiveDaily Song of the Day: The Submarines - "You Me and the Bourgeoise"
Ousted 'Idol' Contestant Jason Castro Cites 'Inexperience'
Josh Groban Concert On The Big Screen
Taking Back Sunday Welcomes New Member
T.I. Readies New Album
LiveDaily News Break, May 8: Santana, Staind, Blake Shelton and more

