Sky Larkin, Peggy Sue, Micachu & the Grates - SXSW to NYC

Micachu & the Shapes @ Ms. Bea's - Todd P SXSW - March 18, 2009 (andycarvin)

"SXSW has positioned itself as a one-stop opportunity to make contacts across the American music business, and it has had a steadily increasing presence for bands from abroad. This year there were 594 international acts at official showcases.

One startling British import was Micachu and the Shapes, a trio of former music school students who love bare-bones structures. Mica Levi's terse, choppy songs for the group use dissonant guitar chords, hardheaded lyrics, a swinging drumbeat, perky keyboard hooks and contrapuntal cowbells, among other things, for songs with the ebullience of a skiffle band and the hardheadedness of hip-hop. [NY Times]

Jay Jay Pistolet and Peggy Sue, now finished with their run of shows in Austin, kick off their multiple-night run in NYC with a show at Pianos tonight (3/23).

Sky Larkin is also here tonight (3/23) - at Mercury Lounge with The Grates who, in addition to the Pianos/Micachu show are also playing the Bell House while in town.