MUSICAL GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

Amidst all the craziness of March Madness, the Tournament of Pizza, Liz Taylor's death and shit like this, we still managed to come up with a Weekly Volcano music section  - conveniently packaged in the issue of the Weekly Volcano hitting streets today.

Here's a sneak peek at the musical goodness in store in print & online ...

SXSW RECAP

Last week may have marked the silver anniversary of the South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas, but it was my first time attending. Looking back on the experience, I'm mystified by the apparent absence of a unifying narrative or clear, inarguable breakout star. I'd been led to believe that SXSW is a nexus where the music industry's major players and bottom-feeders alike conspire to collectively discover "the next big thing." Maybe I wasn't listening in on the proper grapevines, but it seems to me that the two artists to depart with a flurry of hype at their heels - minimalist dubstep composer James Blake and LA aggro-rap collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All - were the same ones that entered the conference with the most hype. - Jason Baxter

NORMAN BEATS

On Feb. 24 Beats was in the audience of the sold out Macklemore show at The Royal Lounge, meaning he got to hear and see 400 people react to XP performing his newest banger "Again" - a track produced by Norman Beats.

"It's one of the dopest beats I've ever made," Beats has been quoted as saying. - Nic Leonard

ILLIZM

Another big local release just happened this month. Tacoma's Illizm has a new album available for download on iTunes. Illizm's new album is titled Adamantium ... Where my comic nerds at? Notable production on the album comes from Washington's own Swift Holiday. - Josh Rizeberg

SLUGGO SAYS GOODBYE

After 32 years in business, Sluggo Music is closing its doors. By the end of the month every gold cymbal, every wood-grained guitar and every last guitar pick will be sold off. The iconic Sluggo sign on the front of the building will disappear. Upstart musicians will lose their Sixth Avenue spot for Ernie Ball guitar strings and expert musical knowledge.  - Brett Cihon

PLUS: Better Living Through Music - Tacoma Metal Awards, Sic Alps, Strangled Darlings and Osama Bin Rockin

PLUS: Concert Alert

PLUS: The most extensive live local music listings in the South Sound

PLUS: Things like this