by Kris Johnson

A Surreal Week blows through El Paso between march 14^th – march 22^nd.  This is our compilation of artist that we have been picking and choosing for the last few months to play El Paso. The event kicks off on Sunday March 14^th at the Black Market.  The first two days, March 14^th and 15^th, will have numerous locals also playing.  For these days we will have a portion of the Black Market parking lot fenced off and an outside stage.  Out of the 17 touring acts 4 will be international artists.

The garage punk outfit So Cow is from Ireland and highlights the first day along with  L’ Orchidee d’ Hawai who are from France.  So Cow comes off as a modern day skiffle punk fried Irish Elvis Costello with an obsession for oldies but unique all on his own.  He has previously opened for Ted Leo & the Pharmacist. On So Cow’s myspace you can listen to an ace cover of Del Shannon’s am radio hit “runaway”.

The second day is headlined by The Fresh and Only’s.  This San Francisco outfit was recently picked by Simpson’s creator Matt Groening as an addition to the All Tomorrows Parties Music Festival (ATP) along with Iggy and the Stooges, Daniel Johnston, etc. Past curators of this festival include Belle and Sebastian and Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth.

Wednesday March 17^th will be a St. Patty’s day treat as Ty Segall with Charlie and the Moonhearts will be a FREE event.

Thursday March 18th finds 3 of the 5 former members from former big leaguer emos and At the Drive In counterparts, Blood Brothers, adjusting their knobs into a new project called Past Lives.  Their debut LP was just released this February on suicide squeeze records. This show is ALL AGES!!!!

A highlight for the week also comes from famed UK music label, Warp Records. The label has a specialization in Electronic music of all types but is the worldwide record label for acts such as Grizzly Bear, Battles, and Aphex Twin.

Touring through El Paso from this label are the acts PIVOT and Nice Nice. Nice Nice is from Portland and have been an electronic based music duo since 2006.  Their debut LP from Warp records is due this April.  Pivot are from Sydney, Australia and have cut their teeth oversees for the last couple years.  The band was invited by Warp to remix fellow label mates Grizzly Bear for the Warp 20 Compilation.  PIVOT have also opened up oversees for artist such as the Arctic Monkeys.

Co-headlining this powerhouse Warp day will be the New Jersey project Titus Andronicus. This will be the second time for them through the sun city and their new album will drop just in time for SXSW.  These guys and newcomer gal on violin have created a magnum opus of a new album. The new album is entrenched with a fuller sound, heavy on anthems and even adds a little twang for a touch. Watch out for these guys after El Paso. Why? Because they are awesome! Doesn’t hurt that they are on the same record label as Radiohead, White Stripes and M.I.A. Joining them on tour and in El Paso for this day will be UK disjointed popsters, Let’s Wrestle.  What a glorious Sunday!