I NEED SUGAR

It's our general rule that SXSW shows are for seeing bands that don't come to Canada or play shoddy venues like the Docks (or whatever they're calling that place now). Even though we like to talk about Toronto events here at I Need Sugar, we spend a lot of time exploring what else is out there so we can introduce the best the world has to offer to our sugar deprived friends. 

This of course means we want to make sure we don't miss a slim chance to catch a non-local act (as we did this year with both Best Coast and Warpaint. Whoops!). Sure acts like jj and the xx are here this weekend, but the chance to see them at a more intimate venue in Austin is always a plus. This is what we tried to do with Midlake at SXSW, but with a lineup around the block, it fell to Canadian heroes You Say Party! We Say Die! to fill the Midlake void.

Much like Yacht (the standout band from SXSW, btw), YSPWSD is tight as hell and, between introspective on stage moments, works well at connecting with the crowd. The 50mm lens I was traveling light with unfortunately was not able to catch the dance floor head poking that was happening to all of us at the front, but with YSPWSD playing the Horseshoe tonight expect some similar in crowd shenanigans. 

Yes, the band's music has evolved over the years to their latest incarnation as fantasy synth pop stars, but they're still playing tracks off the first EP so you can get your punk on and bark along a little. Yeah, if you don't want to miss one of the top Canadian bands out there at an intimate venue bring your meal money down to the Horseshoe tonight. Advance tickets are $12.50.

More SXSW You Say Party! We Say Die! pics.

Continuing the decade review, tracks 31 through 35.

Naughties.35 Santogold - Shove It This is one of those tracks that so completely transcends mainstream Hip Hop I just don't get how anybody can enjoy that overproduced pap.

Naughties.34 The Strokes - Last Night Oh 2000, we remember you for your garage rock revival, all that talk about yellow, and that pre-9/11 bubble.

Naughties.33 Golden Boy with Miss Kittin - 1234 The best pop song from a top album of the decade. Maybe you can convince me Rippin Kittin is better, but this is a lot more fun. From 2002.

Naughties.32 The Streets - Weak Become Heroes (Röyksopp's Memory Lane Mix) While the original has a decent UK garage vibe, Röyksopp's remix is a perfect early 2000's summer fresh progressive vibe. "All of life's problems, I just shake off." From 2002.

Naughties.31 CSS - Fuck Off Is Not The Only Thing You Have To Show Cansei De Ser Sexy's debut was a revelation. And Fuck Off Is Not The Only Thing You Have To Show epitomizes their dance rock team dream. From 2005.

Continuing the decade review, tracks 41 through 45.

Naughties.45 Pearl Jam - Sad Every once in a while Pearl Jam remember what it is to rock with conviction. From 2000, their best song about lost love since Black.

Naughties.44 Miike Snow - Animal Can't say enough about Miike Snow's Animal. Rhythm, melody and melancholy. Simple but precious pop song. From 2009.

Naughties.43 Bent - Waiting For You featuring Simon Lord (Danny Howells Remix) Simon Lord followed 2006's massive Simian success by collaborating with Groove Armada and Bent in '07. Danny Howell's epic remix of Bent's Waiting for You was a nice precursor to the Black Ghosts and, along with Groove Armada's The Things That We Could Share, really cemented Simon Lord as the king of earnest dance rock vocals.

Naughties.42 Ida Maria - Going to Hell Singing along to damnation never felt so right. Inexplicably not included on her album release, Ida Maria's chant friendly Going to Hell. From 2007.

Naughties.41 Babak Shayan - Flowers Warm and soulful with a light vocal mid-track pause. Good late night vibe and great loud. Deep house at it's finest. From 2004.