Over the next few days, more than 160 bands will converge on a handful of venues in Denton, highlighted by Saturday's extravaganza at the North Texas Fairgrounds featuring Oklahoma psych-art-poppers the Flaming Lips. It's not humanly possible to see all the shows, but that shouldn't stop you from trying. We've narrowed it down a bit to help out. For more info on NX35, visit NX35.com.
Jessie Frye, Thursday, at Banter: An Arlington singer-songwriter with a talent for twisting sweet melodies into songs tinged with sourness, Frye is working to complete an as-yet-untitled EP for release this year.
RTB2, Thursday, Dan's Silver Leaf: Ryan Thomas Becker (the RTB in the name) and Grady Don Sandlin (the, uh, 2?) make kinetic garage-soul rock that shakes the earth and moves your hips. The pair released a new EP , In the Fleshed, last year.
Seryn, Thursday, Sweetwater Grill & Tavern: This Denton outfit is one of the buzziest bands in the region. They are working on a full-length debut for release this year. Thanks to folk-flecked compositions and powerful harmonies, Seryn is fast becoming a must-see.
Sarah Jaffe , Friday, Dan's Silver Leaf: With an opening stint for Midlake under her belt and dates set with Norah Jones, this Denton songstress should be sitting on top of the world. And that's all before her tremendous full-length debut, Suburban Nature, hits stores in May. See her now before she lights out for the big time.
Bridges & Blinking Lights, Friday, Cold Fusion Lounge: Jake Wilganowski and company have an excellent new record, the Matt Pence-produced Heroes, Guns & Snakes, and a tremendous stage show to match. Don't be thrown by the slight shift away from the shoe-gaze impulses of the band's 2007 debut, Standing on the Same Stick. It's the same band, just meatier and more epic.
The Flaming Lips, Saturday, North Texas Fairgrounds: Oklahoma oddballs the Flaming Lips have been weirding out crowds for more than 20 years and one senses that they're just getting warmed up. Last year, led by hippie shaman Wayne Coyne, the Lips released Embryonic, a double-disc dip into colossal weirdness.
Telegraph Canyon, Saturday, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios: Busy as always, the Fort Worth folk-rockers continue to push The Tide and the Current in front of as many people as possible. Frequent guests of Denton crowds, expect this particular showcase to be packed.
Midlake, Saturday, North Texas Fairgrounds: Opening for the Lips are hometown heroes Midlake, themselves enjoying the recent release of The Courage of Others, a hotly anticipated follow-up to the breakout The Trials of Van Occupanther. With a healthy stint of European touring behind them, Tim Smith and the boys are focused on winning American hearts and minds this summer.
Smile Smile, Sunday, the Boiler Room: Perhaps you've heard of this Dallas duo, ex-lovers who've made a record about the messy aftermath of their relationship. It's called Truth on Tape, and Ryan Hamilton and Jencey Hirunrusme don't spare the bile -- or the shimmering folk-pop confections that make the whole nasty mess go down smooth.
Neon Indian, Sunday, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios: Alan Palomo, the brains behind this Denton/Austin and soon-to-be-Brooklyn "chillwave" outfit, recently made quite the splash on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Armed with tunes from last year's Psychic Chasms, Palomo will warm up in Denton before attacking SXSW with a slew of shows.
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