Fresh Bread

South By Southwest Music Fest (Saturday) - 03.15.08

Cathy Davey - SESAC Day Stage

For those looking for a Feist-like singer/songwriter, look no further than Cathy Davey.  The Irish lass is chock full of quirky, upbeat arrangements and fun lyrics.  She was the best Irish Breakfast possible to kick off my last day in Austin. 

A quick pop in to see D. Hall's keynote (inclusive of an acoustic performance of "Rich Girl") before heading back to the 'Gum Lounge to see duo No Age rock it up.  I spent the rest of the afternoon after No Age at Alex Patsavas' Chop Shop / Atlantic party near the Convention Center.  Tally Hall, The Republic Tigers, then current Apple girl Yael Naim took the stage to a mostly packed tent.  Its hard not to dig Yael; her sound is positive and she has this smile that keeps going all set long.  Big smile, big voice, cool sound.  Good stuff.  New wave rockers The Virgins finished out the party with a bang.  Bang!  went their sound and it was loud and good...good and loud. 

After some seriously good PF Chang's, the wifey and I went over to Beauty Bar to the Pop Montreal Showcase.  The crazy Socalled entertained with funky, experimental hip hop and a sweet paper tearing magic trick.  The next band I had been looking forward to seeing for about 2 years:  Montreal's Think About Life.  Their set was incredible, completely blew me away, probably best set I saw in Austin.  Peep the mp3 below of "Paul Cries" - they ended the night with this song.  It was greattastic.

My Southby was capped by a late party thrown by Perez Hilton.  BV was there (*cough, cough*....you're welcome...*cough, cough*) and has a good review. 

Daryl Hall Keynote @ the Austin Civic Center

No Age @ Volume (Stereogum, Paste, Dell Party)

Tally Hall @ West Tent (Chop Shop / Atlantic Party)

Yael Naim @ West Tent (Chop Shop / Atlantic Party)

The Virgins @ West Tent (Chop Shop / Atlantic Party)

Socalled @ Beauty Bar Backyard (Pop Montreal, Alien8 Showcase)

Think About Life @ Beauty Bar Backyard (Pop Montreal, Alien8 Showcase)

Think About Life - "Paul_Cries".mp3

Shwayze w/ Cisco Adler and Skeet Skeet (Perez Hilton Party) (via Flickr)

South By Southwest Music Fest (Friday) - 03.14.08

Firstly, let me just say the Beef Bar-B-Q sammy at Stubb's was magnificent. 

The day kicked off at the Stereogum / Paste party with one of my favorites right now, Lightspeed Champion.  A perfect way to start what would be a great day overall of quality music.  The Fader Fort provided me introduction to Denmark's The Fashion.  I'm not sure I was expecting the energy they brought; certainly my aching dogg's didn't mind grooving for them.  They have an infectious sound and great stage presence. 

Stubb's brought me another Vampire Weekend set.  All the classics except "Walcott"...dammit....because that's my jam.  Venerable L.A. band X was next....then that magical BBQ sammy to end my Stubb's stay.

UK band Your Vegas was a good way to kick off the night festivities.  unbelievably catchy rock songs (peep "In My Head" on their myspace), dynamic lead singer and band, small room, electric energy...those things usually make for a memorable set.  They are about to go out on tour with The Bravery for a few weeks.

I dipped over to Emo's to spread my wings a bit.  Saw the tail end of Does It Offend You, Yeah? - they caught me off guard (in a good way) but definitely didn't offend.   Two Chicago groups next, Flosstradamus (whose knob turning was very catchy) and the unbelievable The Cool Kids with probably a top 5 set for me from the festival.

I ended the night with Ireland's Fight Like Apes.  I'm not sure if I have ever heard anything like them before.  Futuristic Punk?  Maybe.  Amazingly sweet live?  Damn straight.  Did they have a song with 90210 in the title?  They sure did and it kicked ass.

Lightspeed Champion @ Volume (Stereogum, Dell, & Paste Present)

The Knux @ The Fader Fort

The Fashion @ The Fader Fort

??? - replacing a missing Lemonheads set @ The Fader Fort

Vampire Weekend @ Stubbs (Spin Magazine Party)

X @ Stubbs (Spin Magazine Party)

Your Vegas @ Gruv

Does It Offend You, Yeah? @ Emo's (via Village Voice)

The Cool Kids @ Emo's (via Flickr)

Fight Like Apes @ Soho Lounge (Music From Ireland Showcase)

FLA with two Von Bondies

South By Southwest Music Fest (Thursday) - 03.13.08

Paddy Casey @ B.D. Reilly's (Irish Breakfast Showcase)

Yeasayer @ The Parrish (NPR Showcase)

Bon Iver @ The Parrish (NPR Showcase)

Vampire Weekend @ The Parrish (NPR Showcase)

Noah And The Whale with Laura Marling @ Friends (Clash Magazine)

Florence and the Machine @ The Rio (BBC Showcase)

Wild Light @ The Rio (BBC Showcase)

MGMT @ The Playboy Party (Getty Images)

South By Southwest Music Fest (Wednesday) - 3.12.08

My first trip to Austin, TX was for last weeks' South By Southwest Music Festival.  I arrived Wednesday and my first stop was the Austinist/Gothamist showcase at The Mohawk.  First set of the showcase was by the Forms followed by Jukebox the Ghost (who you already know I like...a lot). 

A brief stop at  BV's day showcase at Red 7 to see Canopy then off to the SESAC daystage at the Austin Convention Center to catch another band I dig, Brooklyn's Akron/Family.  This set was short...about 20 minutes...VERY spacey and crazy.  Another NY band followed, the very good Ra Ra Riot, again a short but sweet 20 minute set.

I started the evening back at the ACC to catch my Co.'s partner, Daryl Hall, tape a performance for Direct TV.

The Forms @ the Mohawk

Jukebox The Ghost @ the Mohawk

Canopy @ Red 7

Akron/Family @ Austin Civic Center

Ra Ra Riot @ Austin Civic Center

Daryl Hall @ Austin Civic Center

I was a little worn down from having left NYC that morning at 6am so after seeing D-Hall, me, the wifey, and her artist's crew headed over the river for some good local BBQ at an austin legend, Green Mesquite. Besides, my dogs were already barkin' pretty loud and it was only one day in and I knew I would be up late the next evening at the Playboy Party.