Morning Parade invaded SXSW with their indie rock/alternative sound and definitely left a mark on Austin. Hailing from Harlow, England, Morning Parade brings a different vibe to the music scene at SXSW. Made up of five members, Steve Sparrow (lead vocals and guitar), Phil Titus (bass), Chad Thomas (guitar), Ben Giddings (piano/synths) and Andrew Hayes (drums), Morning Parade could not be happier to play at SXSW where the weather (and women, according to Steve) is hot.

Steve sat with CollegeCandy before one of their shows to discuss the band, SXSW and women! Check out their website for upcoming tour dates and show ‘em some love on facebook!

[lead image via Colin Lane]

Coming to SXSW all the way from London, England, Graffiti6 blew everyone in Austin away. Graffiti6, made up of pop/rock duo Jamie Scott (vocals) and Tommy “D” Danvers (producer and songwriter), bring a whole new kind of sound to the SXSW music scene. Graffiti6’s sound feels like mix of Gnarles Barkley with a splash of The Naked and Famous and a dash of Robin Thicke. This band knows how to groove and made everyone at SXSW fall in love. And how could you not with an accent like that?

Our team at SXSW had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie before the show. Yes, he’s just as cute in person! Be sure to check out the Graffiti6 website for latest tour dates and send ‘em some love on facebook!

[Lead Image via Graffiti6]

Before P.D.A. (Public Display of Affection), Anthony Jenkin’s got his start on stage with the community opera. Say what?! He recorded his first CD at 17 and hasn’t stopped producing music since. Kid’s got talent. Check out his website, like him on facebook and go back stage with him below!

Coming to SXSW from Santa Barbara, these boys brought California sunshine right into the bar. After quickly packing the house, people had to congregate by the window out on the street just to soak up some of their sound. Tommy’s voice is smooth like whiskey; warms you up and gives you chills all at the same time. He winked at me at the beginning of their set, and I nearly fainted. Girls will swoon, guys will nod their heads, Tommy & The High Pilots are going to do some big things.

The band is a four piece made up of Tommy Cantillon (vocals), Steven J. Libby (bass), Michael Cantillon (guitar, keys), Matt Palermo (drums and my *fiance, back off ladies). The guys have a great energy together on stage, and Tommy never fails to put on a full performance. Whether he’s climbing up speakers or dancing with fans, he’s electrifying, and you won’t take your eyes off him. Describing their sound is a bit of a challenge. There is definitely a throwback to classic rock, but it’s tempting to say they sound like summer. Like honey and whiskey and funnel cake at a carnival. Hey, these are a few of my favorite things.

Before speaking with Tommy and Matt, I chatted with their manager and Co-Founder of Redbird Records, Tim Convy. So Tim, why do you love these boys anyway? “From years on the road, their live show is flawless and at just 25, Tommy writes songs as timeless as any lifer. But what impresses me the most about the Pilots is how incredibly dedicated they are to what they do–they’ll do anything for this band, and it’s inspiring. That, and they happen to be every bit as entertaining off stage as they are on.” He was right. They were hilarious after the show and phenomenal dancers!

Be sure to like Tommy & The High Pilots on facebook and check out their website for latest tour dates. And now, Matt and Tommy after their show on the streets at SXSW:

*don’t get your panties in a wad, he didn’t really propose

What’s better than having a really awesome camera around your neck? How about a really sexy one? The Nikon J1 gives you the same quality packed into generations of the Nikon brand, but adds an element of style to your shooting. Beyond aesthetics, it’s size makes it practical for almost any situation, and I had a great time using it at SXSW this year. It didn’t bother me to have it around my neck, it could easily be stored in a purse or backpack and was really easy to use. So many girls came up to me and asked about it, and let’s be honest, there’s nothing a girl loves more than another girl inquiring about something she’s wearing.

Whether I was doing video interviews with talent, recording a particularly good band set, or just shooting people having a good time on the dance floor, the Nikon J1 performed exceptionally. I even jumped on people’s shoulders to get better shots of certain bands…ever tried doing that with the Nikon D-7000? Not likely. The J1 is the perfect camera for the girl who wants quality photos without lugging around a heavy camera pack. This one definitely passes the dance floor test…the eat on the go at SXSW test…the sorry for partying test. Get it.

If someone asked me what my favorite part of SXSW was, I would say Black Taxi. Sure, I saw Jay-Z. Yeah, I checked out Miike Snow, and I was mildly impressed with The Temper Trap. But no one turned me on like Black Taxi. Maybe it’s the way the music makes me move, maybe it’s the seductive nature of Bill’s voice, maybe it’s that Ezra pulls on a crowd like a marionette, and he didn’t care at all when I stole his maraca in a fit of dancing.

Black Taxi is a Brooklyn based four piece that has just enough pop to make you dance, just enough grit to land a spot on your play list and just enough of some intangible mischief that keeps you curious and wanting. Strokes, Cake, Black Keys, Modest Mouse…little hints of all but a sound all their own, that’s Black Taxi. In the image from left to right is Bill (guitar and vocals), Ezra (vocals, keys, trumpet and other melodic toys), Jason (drums and vocals) and on the bottom right Krisana (bass). Lacking pomp, circumstance and other rock star indifference, these guys are good people. The type you can run into on the street and end up partying the rest of the night with. The kind you not so secretly become that fan with. Yeah, they’re that good.

If I had to leave you with 5 songs to check out in order to lend credit to my boldness, I’d give you the following list. That said, you’d be doing yourself a great disservice not to see them perform live. Their energy spreads like a contagion. It’s sexy…really, really sexy.

1. Hand, We Don’t Know Any Better
2. Pretty Mama, Things of That Nature
3. Head On a Pike, Things of That Nature
4. Tightrope, We Don’t Know Any Better
5. Vultures, We Don’t Know Any Better

And without further adieu, CollegeCandy goes backstage with Black Taxi at SXSW. Be sure to like them on facebook and check out their website for upcoming shows and their tour schedule.

And it’s better than the early 90s. Even celebrities like Rihanna have been sporting the fanny as of late. I couldn’t help but notice that this fashion artifact made multiple appearances at SXSW. A street vendor, Tipsy Gypsy, actually referred to it as a “hipster belt,” and was selling them in a variety of fine leather. I know fashion is cyclical, but is this really a trend we want to recycle?

Tell me below!

initiating the gallery...

March 14 falls exactly one month after Valentine’s Day and is recognized as National Steak and a BJ day. Where as Velentine’s Day is more about the ladies, Steak and BJ Day is the time when a gal can show just how much she loves her man. I polled people out on the streets of Austin, Texas during SXSW to find out how they were celebrating!

As Spring and Summer approach, our anticipation for music festival season crescendos with a fury. Sunshine, music, beautiful people and booze? Give it here. CollegeCandy decided to kick off the music festival season with a good old fashioned bucket list. We have compiled a monster list of 50 things to complete before the season is over. Some items are more scandalous or embarrassing than others, but all are designed to make sure you have a hell of a time.

But not only are we offering you this list (because anyone can do that), we are taking things a step further and vowing to complete every item with you. That’s right, CollegeCandy editor, Jenny Baker, will take on the challenge as she travels to South by South West in Austin Texas this next week. If she can check off every item by the end of SXSW, there is no excuse for you to not finish the list before the end of the festival season. Every time Jenny completes a task, she will alert everyone via Twitter @NYC_CC, so you can follow her progress there. In order for CollegeCandy to officially check the item off, Jenny must provide either photo or video evidence of the deed. Sorry mom. Without further ado, we give you the 2012 Music Festival Bucket List:

1.    After party with a band
2.    Make out with a band member (Double points if you do it on stage)
3.    Lose one or more articles of clothing
4.    DONT lose your phone
5.    Sneak into a guest list party
6.    Wake up with pictures you don’t remember
7.    Crowd surf (double points if you jump off the stage)
8.    Collect phone numbers titled some variation of “cute blond boy stubbs stage 1″
9.    Take a tequila shot before 10am (don’t vomit)
10.    Drink a margarita the size of your face
11.    Try a different hangover cure every day
12.    Eat street food while drunk (don’t vomit)
13.    Walk up to random person, kiss them and walk away without saying a word
14.    Bong a beer
15.    Climb on strangers shoulders
16.    Get back stage
17.    Stay up for 24+ hours straight
18.    Wake up and not know where you are
19.    Get completely lost
20.    Make friends with 5 people from a different country or state
21.    Steal an article of clothing from a stranger
22.    Get a band member to give you a shout out on stage
23.    Hit on someone underage
24.    Get good or bad advice from a local [for SXSW, RIP Leslie Cochran]
25.    Sleep outside
26.    Get a sunburn
27.    Brush your teeth with booze [preferably a bottle of Jack]
28.    See a band you’ve never heard of or seen before
29.    Find another person with your same name
30.    Pee in public
31.    Run from security or someone in charge
32.    Have an artist autograph your skin
33.    Snap a photo with a celeb
34.    Throw your bra at the stage
35.    Do something inappropriate on stage
36.    Collect some free shwag
37.    Flash someone
38.    Corn roll or completely braid your hair (Ke$ha feather optional)
39.    Send a failed text message
40.    Hitch-hike
41.    Pick up a hitch-hiker
42.    Drunk tweet something you regret
43.    Hand roll your own cig
44.    Bum a cig from a celeb (or band member)
45.    Eat non finger foods with your hands
46.    Trade sunglasses with someone (Double points if they say Sorry For Partying)
47.    Triple points: trade outfits with someone of the opposite sex in public
48.    Moon someone (points if you have a tattoo on your ass)
49.    Interpretative dance…in the middle of a dance circle
50.    Collect a set of drum sticks or guitar pick

What do you think? Can Jenny complete this before her week at SXSW is over? What would you add to the list? Tweet suggestions to @NYC_CC!

For those of you who don’t know already, SXSW is a super awesome conference that promotes music, film and interaction held annually in Austin, TX. It’s coming up again and, with the hottest stars getting ready to party it up Texas-style, of course CollegeCandy will be there. (We do love a good opportunity to rage with celebs.) Our cowboy boots are packed and we’re heading south, ladies! We’ve compiled the all-important lists of the hottest bars and restaurants to hit up — and you can check in too.

Most importantly, the girls of @NYC_CC are ready to live-tweet the whole conference, from every performance to every cocktail, with plenty of snarky commentary in-between. Follow us and feel like you’re in Austin, too!