In less than two weeks, The Noise Pop Festival will begin in San Francisco, and next month the famous South by Southwest Festival will kick-off in Austin.

Today, the spotlight turns to the amazingly gifted musician and Oregon native Laura Gibson, who is performing at both Noise Pop and SXSW. She first got noticed on a large scale with the 2006 debut album If You Come to Greet Me. Gibson followed up with the well received Six White Horses in 2008.

On February 24, Hush Records (The Decemberists' first label before they "crossed-over") will release Gibson's newest album Beasts of Seasons.

"Spirited" from Beasts of Seasons - Pre-order at Hush Records

Gibson's music is folksy, flowing, soothing and marked by her distinctively soft yet determined vocals. Her music has a majesty all of its own and the potential for a broader appeal than she currently enjoys (that can be good and bad).

Her music scales the confides of the common folk classification bestowed on her, displaying a creative knack to weave in elements of country, rock and pop. There are even elements of Spanish guitar such as in the song "Sweet Deception".

Listen to a full stream of Beasts of Seasons via NPR Music until February 24.

Gibson displays excellent craftsmanship with musical and lyrical progression, sophistication and range, as evidenced by songs like "Nightwatch" that drift like a raft on a quiet summer lake to tracks full of marching drives and orchestrated lifts found on songs like "Spirited".

Gibson will headline the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on Feb. 26 and play from March 18 to March 24 at SXSW. Check out Laura Gibson's MySpace page to get all her touring and performance information, listen to songs and more.

Related:
Listen or download a DayTrotter Sessions of Laura Gibson from 2007 featuring songs from If You Come to Greet Me.

Read about, and listen to San Francisco Noise Pop Festival Artist Showcase: Telekinesis

Labels: Laura Gibson, Noise Pop Festival, South by Southwest

The Bamboozle Left Fesival kicks off today, April 5th in Irvine, California and extends through the end of Sunday, April 6th.

Check back regularly for updates from Bamboozle Left's weekend festival and get blog and media reports, photographs and videos, plus MP3s and streams of profiled artists.

Performing today on one of six stages at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (I hate how so many of our music, sporting and other venues and events have surrendered their namesakes to brands of capitalism; it really takes the 'organic' feel out of the event and makes you wonder why you still pay so much for tickets) include:

- All American Rejects [mp3: It Ends Tonight], Josephine Collective, Alkaline Trio [mp3: Radio], Daphne Love Derby, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore [mp3: Pressure], New Found Glory, The Bouncing Souls, The Starting Line and Valencia to name a few.

But there really are no 'big headliners' at Bamboozle Left that other music fests for 2008 can brag about.

Then again, the full line-up is not all that bad for the $45 single day tickets at the door, but with the dragging economy, fears of a recession and rip-off gas prices, the single day ticket price is still a bit pricey. Why not $70 for a two-day pass?

If you're in the Irvine area and decide to go the festival last through the end of Sunday. Check back for more lineup information, performances, music, videos, blog and media reports.

Labels: 2008 Music Festivals, Bamboozle Left Festival, Coachella, Festivals, Lollapalooza 2008, South by Southwest, V Festival

The South by Southwest conference in Austin has come to a close, but for those folks who missed out, here's some great songs from lesser-known artists who performed during the conference that ended on Sunday.

Fools - The Dodos
Vinalhaven Harbor - Stephanie Dosen
Devil Take My Soul - Son of Dave
Youth Games - The Mission District
About To Walk - Throw Me The Statue
Cindy - Ola Podrida
Modern Leper - Frightened Rabbit

Launch the SXSW Player to listen to dozens and dozens of artists from this year's showcase.

Torrent entire SXSW performance showcases from 2005 to 2007

Related blog and mainstream reports on SXSW 2008:

SXSW 2008 Interactive
22nd annual SXSW Music Festival - Variety
Various observations of SXSW 2008 artists and performers


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Labels: 2008 Music Awards, South by Southwest, SXSW 2008, SXSW Festival