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Austin at SXSW: Carolyn Wonderland
Austin transplant and multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Wonderland (originally from Houston) has been playing professional music gigs since she was 15 years old. Since the release of her first album, Alcohol and Salvation in 2003, Carolyn has garnered much critical acclaim from local and national critics, and her band was voted “Best Blues Band” at the 2009 Austin Music Awards. Her official SXSW showcase is at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at Momo’s during Nancy Fly Agency’s showcase. Carolyn hinted to expect the unexpected at the showcase, and advises people from out of town to experience as much of Austin as possible while visiting, when she answered our SXSW questions via e-mail.
Describe your sound. A trio that goes for it. We like to incorporate as much music as we can into any given night, genres be damned! It is an adventure and I am ever grateful for my band mates, Michael “Lefty” Lefkowitz on drums and Cole El-Saleh on keyboards and key-bass. We are all in this boat together through waves of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, zydeco, gospel or whatever one may define another wave of music as being, searching for songs. Mostly I paddle with the guitar, sometimes I’ll try my hand at a lap steel, mandolin, trumpet, uke, or whatever we travel with. I suppose that takes us around the back roads of Americana music tracking mud from Texas’ many riverbanks.
What can SXSW attendees expect at your showcase? A smoking patio and some smoking bands on stage! Right before us is Betty Soo at 10:30 and following us will be Warren Hood at 12:30. Since we have a bunch of friends in town, you never know who might join us during our set. I’d be lying if I said I knew what to expect!
What other acts are you excited to check out? I am always excited to see how many musicians join us at the Million Musician March for Peace! This year we are marching on Saturday afternoon, March 20th. YOU are invited. As much as i love the camaraderie, every year I hope that this is the last year we have to do it!
Are you planning to go to any panels? I’d like to check out Flatstock, the guitar show, the record convention and gear alley. Like most musicians, SXSW showcases and panels are catch as catch can for me. I try not to schedule too many things in advance and just go with the flow during the week.
What are some Austin must-do or must-sees for out-of-towners? Million Musicians March on Saturday and Gospel Brunch at Maria’s Taco X-Press Sunday morning followed by the Full Moon Barn Dance. Try the food. Eat local. Ask people around you where to go. Don’t forget cash for tipping your kind servers.
Where do you like to hear live music, when it’s not SXSW?
We’re on the road more often than not, but when we’re home I love to listen at Antone’s, Saxon Pub, Threadgill’s, Momo’s, Continental Club, Maria’s Taco X-Press, Nutty Brown, Amsterdam Cafe, Flipnotics, in the various parks, in the series of backyards and living rooms that accommodate such behavior … KUT’s “Live From Studio 1A”, KGSR’s “Lone Star State of Mind”… I love that I can hear original, live music most nights in Austin. Let’s all work to keep it at least as such.
What’s your favorite ‘only in Austin’ thing to do? Monday nights at Ming’s Cafe, eating great Chinese food while grooving to the Mingtones. Sitting in with friends, hearing others do the same. Mexican Martinis, chips, salsa and the occasional guitar lesson at various outdoor patios with live music. For me, personally, getting together occasionally with the Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers when our schedules allow.
Finish this sentence: ‘Industry folks and visiting bands, while we love having you as guests of our city, please don’t…’ drive unless you have to. Please, have more fun than the law allows, drink, tip and then A) walk back to hotel, or B) taxi. Cabs are plentiful, parking is NOT. Have a great time and don’t stress, there are solutions walking past you every few minutes.
Tracks courtesy of Carolyn Wonderland and Bismeaux Records. Photo (above) by Brio.
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Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Austin at SXSW 2010, SXSW 2010
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By Liz & Britt Edwards
March 2, 2010 9:34 PM | Link to this
Great to be back in Austin after about 25 yrs!! Loved it then and I’m lovin it NOW! Looking forward to SXSW!! Liz&Britt