Jewish indie rock at SXSW

Since nearly every major and not-so-major band in the universe is prepping for South By Southwest (the hugemongous Austin, TX music festival) next week, there isn’t very much concert news happening on either coast.

So let’s take a minute to recognize a few super-hip bands fronted by fantastic Jewish singers that will be performing at SXSW along with the rest of the music world.

From our blustery West Coast, there’s Oakland indie rockers Rogue Wave, fronted by Jewish singer-guitarist Zach Schwartz (i.e. Zach Rogue). Formerly on Sub Pop, the band’s fourth full-length album Permalight was released just last week on Brushfire Records.

The band has seen more than its fair share of tragedies in the past few years; longtime drummer/keyboardist Pat Spurgeon has dealt with kidney failure, Schwartz slipped two discs in his neck and was temporarily paralyzed and bassist Evan Farrell died in a house fire.

But through all the horrific circumstances, Rogue Wave kept making music, kept playing live. The band’s documentary “D Tour,” which chronicles the chaos of it all, will air on the IFC Channel.

And representing from the East Coast, the jangly indie pop sounds of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart (i.e. the longest, hipsterist name in recent memory). POBPAH (may I call you POBPAH?) formed in Brooklyn in 2007, led by Jewish vocalist and guitarist Kip Berman.

The group’s self-titled debut, released in 2009 on Slumberland Records, earned high praise from the Pitchfork crowd and legions of twee-pop fanatics.

So, if you’ve somehow finagled your way into a carpool road trip or actually purchased plane tickets out to Texas for SXSW, you can check out our newfound Jewish brethren here:

Rogue Wave:
March 18 at Emo’s
March 20 at Emo’s

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart:
March 18 at Fader Fort
March 19 (2 p.m.) at La Zona Rosa: Village Voice SXSW Party
March 19 (11:45 p.m.) Mohawk: Slumberland Showcase

And of course, dozens more Jewish/Jewish-fronted bands will be descending on dusty Austin next week, get the full schedules here: www.sxsw.com

Go forth, young music travelers!

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