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My reports from SXSW 2010
I'll write a full wrap-up and review when this thing is all over. I'll put some thought into it, take my time...For now, though, I'll just say the first night felt like a fitting welcome. This is my first SXSW, so I had no idea what to expect. Suffice it to say 6th St. is absolute utter mayhem. Music is pouring out of every single nook and cranny, people are everywhere, food and drink are everywhere. Try to make order out of this chaos and you'll drive yourself batty. It's best to just wander and happen upon things.
I happened upon a particularly long line outside Stubb's last night, where I caught Seattle's own Visqueen, the Walkmen, and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. The Sharon Jones set was one of the most buzzed-about sets of the night (of those I saw), but nothing could quite compare to Carolyn Wonderland at Momo's. She ripped through that set so hard, covering tunes by Janis Joplin (fitting) among others. Her guitar proficiency is remarkable, and she oozes the music she makes.
I managed to catch Betty Soo for a couple of songs before Wonderland went on. It was a rather remarkable contrast (low-key singer-songwriterly tunes versus Wonderland's full-throttle blues-rock), but it was a lovely set nonetheless. It's necessary to switch gears quickly here.
After Wonderland, I managed to catch a bit of Billy Bragg and a couple of songs from indie rock outfit the Veils before calling it a night. Now there's so much ahead today, I won't even try to report what my plans are. No doubt they'll change. More tomorrow.
I happened upon a particularly long line outside Stubb's last night, where I caught Seattle's own Visqueen, the Walkmen, and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. The Sharon Jones set was one of the most buzzed-about sets of the night (of those I saw), but nothing could quite compare to Carolyn Wonderland at Momo's. She ripped through that set so hard, covering tunes by Janis Joplin (fitting) among others. Her guitar proficiency is remarkable, and she oozes the music she makes.
I managed to catch Betty Soo for a couple of songs before Wonderland went on. It was a rather remarkable contrast (low-key singer-songwriterly tunes versus Wonderland's full-throttle blues-rock), but it was a lovely set nonetheless. It's necessary to switch gears quickly here.
After Wonderland, I managed to catch a bit of Billy Bragg and a couple of songs from indie rock outfit the Veils before calling it a night. Now there's so much ahead today, I won't even try to report what my plans are. No doubt they'll change. More tomorrow.
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Permalink Reply by Keith Levy on -
Kim - I'm so glad you made it out to the Momo's showcase! If you liked Carolyn, I would urge you to come by Uncle Lucius' (http://www.myspace.com/unclelucius) showcase this evening, at Valhalla on Red River, at midnight.
Hope to see you there. -
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Permalink Reply by Kim Ruehl on -
Yesterday was a bit of a wandering day. I started off at the Paste Party, where I ran into some friends and saw a couple of bands before heading over to the Mohawk to catch the Bowerbirds. If you haven't heard them, they're worth checking out - reminded me of that great PNW sound we have going on back home - acoustic guitar, accordion, mandolin, lots of harmonies. It was a nice, chill folk-infused sound that got the day swinging easy and slow.
From there, I wandered around and wound up at the Kill Rock Stars party for a bit of Quasi (not really my thing) and Horsefeathers (from Portland, with whom I'm quite familiar, and whose work is still as beautiful as it was when I first heard it at Pickathon a few years back). I caught Sharon VanEtten in a church, where her breathy vocals could bounce hard off the impeccable acoustics. Because of schedules running late, I wound up missing Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore just a block away, but that's how it goes. Instead, I caught Lissie, who was one of the great highlights of the Cayamo cruise for me. She traveled solo for that, but this time she had another guitar player and a one-man rhythm section who played bass, kick drum and hi-hat. Needless to say, she didn't let me down, and I walked away even more impressed.
Then it was on to the Americana showcase at Antone's, where I camped out for most of the rest of the night. Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin apparently joined Jim Lauderdale for a song or two, but by the time I'd arrived, they'd left the stage. I did, however, manage to see Elizabeth Cook do her clog dance, Hayes Carll rock as hard as he could, and the Court Yard Hounds make their debut. Sisters Martie and Emily have been making music together long before Natalie Maines joined up and the trio became the Dixie Chicks. I have to admit I have a soft spot for that band, who have always surprised me. This night, the sisters were sans Maines, with a tight backing band that ran the gamut from string band music to indie-pop and old school country. I'd even say it was one of my favorite sets of the week so far.
Closed out the night with Delta Spirit, whose crowd was pumped and rocking perhaps even harder than the band. Not a bad day two at South by Southwest. Today, I'll head to the Bloodshot Records party, Vanguard party, a few others before the No Depression meet-up at 6:30 and, of course, our showcase at Continental Club tonight. See you there? -
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