The 88 will be performing two sets at La Zona Rosa at SXSW on March 18th. First set original material, second set backing Ray Davies of The Kinks. Be sure to get there early, this gig will be beyond capacity.

Thursday March 18:

2 pm – Studio SX @ The Convention Center (4th Floor)
Keith Slettedahl and Adam Merrin from interviewed By Lynn Margolis, writer and editor for Texas Music Monthly and Austin Monthly Magazine

4:30 pm – NAIL Distribution Party @ The Side Bar (602 East Seventh Street)

9:30 pm – The 88 original material showcase @ La Zona Rosa (612 West Fourth Street)

10:30 pm The 88 with Ray Davies @ La Zona Rosa (612 West Fourth Street). Also performing: John Hiatt, Roky Erickson with Okkervil River.

The 88 use an organic combination of old and new school in their approach to music. The band’s catchy melodies have found a growing audience through TV, film and commercial placements, as well as virally online.

The L.A.-based group has been attracting attention since forming in 2003. Tirelessly playing the local scene, as well as opening nationally for acts like the B-52s, Matt Costa, 311, Smashing Pumpkins and Ray Davies, The 88 once served as the late Elliott Smith’s backup band, by personal request, for a memorable Orange County performance.

While you may not be familiar with The 88 as a band, you’ve certainly heard their music. With two independent releases already under their belt (2003′s “Kind of Light” and 2005′s “Over and Over”), the group has enjoyed a welcome home for their music on TV, in the movies, and as part of widely-seen, national advertising.

Their songs have appeared on “The OC”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Laguna Beach”, “The Real World”, “One Tree Hill” and “Weeds”, among many others. The band themselves performed one of their tunes on an episode of CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” (including a speaking role for Keith).

Recently, The 88 became the first band to record a track entirely on an iPhone. “Love Is The Thing” was released exclusively on iTunes, and within 24 hours it became the band’s most downloaded song. USA Today, “Kurt The Cyber Guy”, the Los Angeles Times and countless blogs trumpeted The 88 and their innovative new way to record and distribute music entirely outside the mainstream music industry.

The 88 is currently on tour with Ray Davies (both opening for him and playing as his backup band for part of the set every show). Watch for tour blogs at Buzzbands.la.