We've followed Brooklyn-based band Salt And Samovar from New England to the dirty south and have finally caught up with them here in Austin for our ATJ Backyard show (where neither cops nor five tapped kegs could stop the rock...)Here is our sxsw experience. Overwhelming + inspiring. Hope you are well.
Between South Carolina + SXSW, we spent two days resting in Alabama with our friend's parents. They treated us like kings + plied us with biscuits, grits, catfish, + other local specialities. On the way we happened upon an estate auction in Eufaula--an old Confederate center. The auctioneer with unbelievable speed, faster than bone thugs + harmony, sold lots of lots of antiques. I leafed through some old magazines from the 19th century but was too confused with the process, so we left.
On through bayou country we sped, dodging gators + drinking tabasco sauce. We stopped for lunch in New Orleans. The air was balmy + cool, smelling of beignet + chicory. Destroyed + abandoned buildings abounded. We spent the night in lake charles where if you sit in a blackjack seat for 2 hours they give you a free hotel room. I made a 100 dollars + slept on a king size bed. Fio was not so lucky. I also lost $60 from the band fund.
SXSW was music madness, overwhelming + unworldly in many ways. Tacos, BBQ, day parties, patios, CD passing, crappy freebies. There is no quiet. Industry people lurk + party while bands play at all hours in every nook + cranny. The heat was blazing at 93 degrees. Cold corona were my only respite. My pale irish skin cooked.
We were honoured to play KCRW's showcase on wednesday. They have been so helpful to us. We can now say that the people who run the station are our friends. They are the sweetest people + are passionate about new music. They curated an amazing night with jesca hoop, ting tings, goldspot, + the duke spirit. In the daytime, Dane + I wandered about, meeting up with new + old friends + checking out bands for the next few days. Langhorn Slim was great. His songs are ernest + his voice is gritty + soulful.
Delta spirit is my new favorite band. Live they are a force. The vocalist's voice is loud + sharp--like a young Dylan. The lyrics are honest + clever. I saw them 3 times + never got tired of it. Their finale always gives me chills + is stuck in my head at this very moment.
A lot of the more hyped bands disappointed me. If there's anything I've learned about contemporary music from being at sxsw, it's that a band can rocket to success with out much songwriting. People seem to appreciate a look + a mood these days just as much as memorable song. A drone on E minor for 10 minutes with slow, heavy drums, + lots of reverb or an electronic beat with a cute maraca-shaking-singer can generate tremendous buzz. But then you find someone like Delta Spirit, White rabbits, or Drug Rug who create mood + write great songs. I think that is much harder to do than the former.
Friday night we played the "after the jumpfest." It was a blast, as a lot of our friend's bands played. It was a kegger. A few times, the cops tried to shut it down from the noise, but we persevered. Our organ player could not make the show. We felt bare on stage without her. Too much guitar. We decided we will never play as a 3 piece again.
Oliver future + The Lisps rocked out after us. I love OF's songs. They are catchy but raucous. Their musicianmanship is unbelievable. The drummer plays wild rhythms with flailing arms like Animal from the Muppets. Noah, the singer, has a high operatic voice that is like an instrument. The Lisps get better every time I see them. They were great for the party. They kind of play heady folksongs as if it were children's music . You can see they have fun on stage, which spreads to the crowd.
That's it. Be well. Off to Chicago.
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