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2008 > March > 13 > Entry
By Matthew Odam
| Thursday, March 13, 2008, 09:30 PM
So many day shows, so little time. I was standing in the Mohawk yesterday afternoon at the Austinist day party, the highlight of which had to be local band Shearwater, who played their beautiful moddy brand of rock for a packed house, their sound supplemented by Scott Brackett (Okkervil River) on trumpet and Kevin Schneider (Black Before Red) picking up duties on guitar. I hope to have some video of the band up tomorrow, featuring some sweet hammer dulcimer playing by percussionist Thor Harris. The band’s sound reaches a sort of ethereal beauty punctuated by the falsetto of banjo and guitar-playing lead Jonathan Meibrug and the lush sounds of the enchanting Kim Burke that at times resembles something akin to a more traditional pop sound blend of Antony and the Johnsons and The Decemberists. It seems only a matter of time before the band starts to get the same national recognition as their friends in Okkervil.
Anyhoo … my point was, at that party, I saw a guy approach a lady friend of his. To her, in a complete deadpan, “You’re alive. Congratulations.” That’s how most of us feel throughout SXSW, and there is no rest for the wicked. After a long night of showcases, it’s out to day parties, which have become over the years one of the main draws of the fest, especially for the badgeless.
I headed back over to Mohawk today, and despite the fact that there were simultaneously dozens and dozens of parties being thrown simultaneously, the line for the Rhapsody music party stretched down Red River. And this was for an RSVP-only party. Oh, the madness. Once inside, the most popular place at the party was the most popular place at every party this week, the free booze. In fact, that jockeying to get upstairs caused quite the stir itself, as I spotted many friends grouping and trying to slide off VIP wristbands to perform the ol’ pass-em-downs, thus ensuring all of their friends could convene on the rooftop deck. It’s not just who you know at these things, it’s who you know that has what you need. And during SXSW, if you’re not looking for free food and beer, you’re looking for the next hot act, as evidenced by the wild text messaging, of which I am always willing to partake.
I took in a few songs of the Scottish band Sons & Daughters, who rocked the Mohawk with reckless abandon. Before them it was Australian electroclash band Cut Copy, who had a definite ’80s feel that felt akin to Depeche Mode meets LCD Soundsystem. (
Watch Sons & Daughters at The Mohawk here.)
After chatting with local juice and smoothie purveyor Matt Shook of the Daily Juice (pictured), who was in full irony attire with his Pebble Beach hat and Austin Country Club golf shirt, it was off to Emo’s to check out the Onion A.V. Club party, where Canadian rockers Tokyo Police Club played their jauntily syncopated rock outside. Inside, it looked like a band of fresh-faced teen hooligans. As it turns out, that may have been pretty close to the truth. The very young-looking Welsh septet with the Spanish name, Los Campesinos, just weeks ago released their debut album, and their energy, bravado, nontraditional instrumentation and coed membership will likely start to bring them more and more attention over the coming years, I would imagine. (Watch Tokyo Police Club at Emo’s here.)
Escaping from the loud, fun and packed inside at Emo’s, it was over to Emo’s Annex (you really gotta keep track of all the Emo’s, God bless them and their commitment to bringing so much music to Austin) for a serious change of pace to take in the sweeping melodic tunes of Matthew Houck, who plays under the name Phosphorescent (pictured). The singer ended his band’s afternoon set with a small foray into the audience, mic in hand for some singing with the arm-over-shoulder crowd, composing what seemed to be a musical love note to the beautiful afternoon and the day’s events. (
Watch Phosphorescent at Emo’s Annex here.)
Riding on the melodic wave of Phosphorescent, it was over to the Paste Magazine Party (more free food! Although I seem to never take advantage of said) at Volume Night Club on Sixth Street for some music from Swede Peter Moren of last year’s SXSW uber-buzzy Peter, Bjorn and John. After dealing with some technical issues, Moren took the stage about 30 minutes late inside the rather sweltering club, performing his first tune, which sounded, not surprisingly, rather Beatles-esque. (Watch Moren at Paste Magazine party here.)
After his first tune, Moren (pictured), who informed the crowd that while he was definitely not from Texas, his guitar was and so were the backing members of the band, which included a small strings section and keyboardist. Surprisingly, considering the aformentiond buzz, Moren’s show was none too crowded, but those in attendance were obviously appreciative of Moren’s solo performance, which included a Leonard Coen-infused (tonally) statement about not wanting to serve in the Swedish army and another sung partially in French.
Escaping out onto Sixth Street, it was over to the nexus of hipsterdom that is the Levi’s Fader Fort, where even people who know people often find themselves standing in line for an hour. Today was no exception, especially with the 5:45 p.m. band-packed tribute to SXSW Music keynote speaker Lou Reed. When I arrived, after reaching the stage area through an elaborate set of twisting hallways, local Oh No Oh My were finishing up their two-song set with “Sunday Morning.” They were followed by Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, a brash set of rockers from Boston who all met at Tufts University. Furman (pictured) began the mini-set on stage alone with his guitar and played a scorching version of “Heroin” that he introduced by saying he hated what the corporate sponsored-event at SXSW was all about and how he was about to play a song that ran contrary to plasticized corporate sensibilites. All of this while wearing a tongue-in-cheek T-shirt that read “I Did It For the Money” on a stage with a backdrop draped in corporate logos. Despite the fact that the kid from Boston seemed a little too young to be so self-righteous and angry, the tune may have been the day’s highlight. Following “Heroin,” he was joined on stage by his band the Harpoons for a version of “New Age.” (
Watch Furman and his band here and
and Oh No Oh MY here.)
Youth gave way to the veterans of Yo La Tengo (pictured), who were greeted by raucous applause from the audience before beginning with “She’s My Best Friend.” (
see video of it here) They followed that up with a searing rendition of “One of These Days,” which rode on a wave of Native American souding tribal drumming from Georgia Hubley over which Ira Kaplan played a scorching, frantic guitar solo. The song proved that this band that has been around for over 20 years has not missed a beat over the decades. (
Watch Yo La Tengo at Fader Fort here.)
The next band was introduced as one of the bands Reed had said earlier was one of the current groups he likes, Dr. Dog (pictured). The quintet from Philadelphia that looks like the band you always wanted to drink with in college or have play your house party played an anthemic version of “Ride Into the Sun,” that they closed with an epic jam. From the taste the boys gave the audience on Thursday afternoon, it seems catching them either Friday night at Cedar Door or Saturday night at Emo’s Annex would be wise choice for any who like a retro-fitted rock sound. (
Watch Dr. Dog at the Fader Fort here.)
Mark Kozelek took the stage following Dr. Dog for a quiet set that proved Reed’s music can be as effective when played quietly as it is when rocked out with the volume at 11. Unfortunately, the San Francisco-based Kozelek’s voice was drowned out somewhat by the ambient sounds of partying hipsters. His gentle sounds should be much better served tonight at midnight when he plays a showcase at the Central Presbyterian Church, a wonderful, unorthodox venue you should definitely check out some time during the festival.
Kentucky rockers My Morning Jacket (pictured) took the stage after being introduced as “one of the best live bands in America.” The crowd reaction to the band confirmed this presumption, as did the sudden presence of Lou Reed off to the side of the stage. Unfortunately for fans, the band played only one song, “Head Held High” before departing from the stage. Fans cheered (and jeered a little) for a second song, but were told the band had to depart to prepare for their showcase later in the evening. But apparently they still had time to grab some swag, as I am pretty sure I saw lead singer Jim James walking down San Jacinto Street with his hands full. (
Watch My Morning Jacket at Fader Fort here.)
The night closed with the man himself finally taking the stage. Following a song by Moby, Reed joined the bald turtablist on stage for a version of “Walk on the Wild Side.” (So that’s who got to play that one.) Reed must have figured if one song was good enough for MMJ, he could do the same, and left the stage, after making a proclamation of his place in punk rock history, to more fans cheering and jeering for more music. Some people are never satisfied. Fortunately for them, there are about 1,000 shows left over the next 60 hours or so. No rest for the wicked. Or weary.
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