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Austin at SXSW: Warren Hood
Composer, singer and master of the violin, fiddle and mandolin, Warren Hood is another Austin act playing SXSW this year. You might have seen him playing around town with The Waybacks, Warren Hood and the Hoodlums, and occasionally on stage with Bob Schneider’s Texas Bluegrass Massacre. His official showcase is at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, at Momo’s. Check out what Warren had to say about his favorite place in Austin, what he believes his band has to offer the music scene, and what he’ll be up to when he’s not playing during the festival.
Describe your sound:
My band, Warren Hood and the Hoodlums, has a sound all its own. It is a blend of many American music styles routed in a Texas tradition. There are equal parts blues, country (real country, not “radio” country), jazz, swing, Cajun, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. We do mostly original music with a few well selected covers. Most of our cover material comes from my father, Champ Hood, and his band from the late ’70s, Uncle Walt’s band. So, even the cover songs are from within the family with a few exceptions. Our influences include Muddy Waters, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bob Wills, Uncle Walt’s Band, Willis Alan Ramsy, Lyle Lovett, Buck Owens, and even Stephane Grapellie.
What can SXSW attendees expect at your showcase?
Our showcase will be authentically Austin. The whole lineup that night is local bands. We will be playing at Momo’s on Sixth where we’ve been playing for the past five years every Sunday night developing a large following. There will likely be more locals in the house than most of the other showcases visitors might attend. We will also have some of our local musician buddies sitting in with the band that night. You never know who is going to walk through the door to sit in. It will truly be an Austin experience.
What other acts are you excited to check out? I have not seen the lineup yet so I don’t know who’s coming. I tend to stay away from downtown and catch the bands at the Continental Club, Momo’s, and the Saxon Pub. If I see a must see band listed I’ll brave the downtown crowd. Last year I went to the Parish for Tony Joe White. I was front row center. It was amazing!
Are you planning to go to any panels? I’m usually so busy during SXSW that I don’t make it to the panels. I’ve heard good things about them but it’s not a priority. During SXSW I get a lot of work as a sideman fiddle player. I’ve already got four gigs that week and will likely get more as the festival nears. One of those gigs is with Bob Schneider and his Texas Bluegrass Massacre at Threadgill’s. That’s not an official SXSW show case so you don’t need a wrist band.
What are some Austin must-do or must-sees for out-of-towners? There’s too much to do in Austin to do it all in five days. A few things to do with your afternoons would be to get a taco at Maria’s Taco Express (I recommend Al Pastor) , walk through the capital building, and enjoy a cup of coffee at Jo’s Coffee shop on Congress across from the Continental. One time I was watching the Joe’s House band on a Sunday morning when Paul Shaffer and Ray Benson were walking down the street. They jumped on stage and sang the dreidel song.
Where do you like to hear live music, when it’s not SXSW? I stick to a small handful of clubs most of the year for live music. There are tons of music venues in town but the bands are not always up to par. There are about five clubs in town that have consistently had good bands over the years. My favorite spots are the Continental Club, Momo’s, Saxon Pub, Cactus Cafe and Antone’s.
What’s your favorite ‘only in Austin’ thing to do? My favorite Austin thing to do is definitely Barton Springs. Hopefully it will be warm enough in March for visitors to enjoy.
Please finish this sentence: ‘Industry folks and visiting bands, while we love having you as guests of our city, please don’t…’ I would tell visitors to please respect our city. Don’t litter and be kind to each other. This city moves a little slower than most. Don’t honk in traffic and just mellow out while you’re here. You will have a much better time if you just go with the flow.
“Betty” was written by Warren’s father, Champ Hood. Track courtesy of Warren Hood.
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Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Austin at SXSW 2010, SXSW 2010
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By just the facts
February 25, 2010 4:29 PM | Link to this
It is Jo’s, not Joe’s.