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Sunday, March 7, 2010
SXSW Music updates from us (and you) via Twitter
Before, during and after South by Southwest, follow us on Twitter to get updates aplenty from the Austin360.com team, as well as fellow attendees. Just follow @360sxsw, or bookmark this page.
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Sax great Tony Campise dies
A native of Houston, Campise settled to Austin in 1984 after several years on the road with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Besides a five-nights-a-week gig on Sixth Street, he also backed such legends as Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan.
“There were six jazz clubs on Sixth Street at the time, but there wasn’t a close knit scene,” Mordecai said Sunday. “Tony was the needle that sewed us all together.”
A great listener and natural mentor, Campise greatly influenced such musicians as John Mills, Kris Kimura and Elias Haslanger. Even nationally known sax players, such as Michael Brecker, would seek out Campise when they were in Austin. “He had that blazing technique,” Mordecai said. “We were all in awe of his musicianship, but what set Tony apart from, say a Charlie Parker, was the humor and pure joy he brought to his playing.”
Also an accomplished flautist, Campise’s musical career began in the seventh grade, when he would often sneak out of his bedroom window to jam with musicians in Houston jazz clubs.
Campise is survived by his mother, 99-year-old Pauline Campise, a brother, Joseph Campise, and sister, Jo Ann Colca, all of Houston. Memorial services are being planned for Houston and Austin, but details are pending.
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New venue report: Spicewood Vineyards
Discovering new venues is fun (usually). Re-discovering veteran Austin acts who still have something fresh to say (in song) is even better. That was the case Saturday night at a new occasional music room at a vineyard in the Spicewood area where Willie Nelson keeps his post office box.
Albert (Christine) and Gage (Chris) performed before a couple of hundred seated patrons, ably demonstrating an eclectic repertoire (country, classic rock, French torch songs, blues, prairie music via South Dakota friend Tom Peterson) and an easy stage presence built on familiarity (married, a decade as duo). There appears nothing they can’t handle with Albert’s sweet vocal range and Gage’s command on guitar, keyboards and even accordion. The two make dependable music that should never be taken for granted.
Ron Yates (young, long-haired), who bought Spicewood Vineyards in 2007, has built a small special events center with acoustics worthy of the drive (next up May 14 is the Texas Gypsies, ending this season of shows sponsored by the Spicewood Arts Society).
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Austin at SXSW: Brazos
Brazos formed in 2007, originally as the solo project of Former Tonewheel Collective member Martin Crane. After releasing the first EP by himself, Crane was later joined by Andy Beaudoin and Paul Price. The trio release their first full length album in November 2009, followed by a national tour with White Denim. Brazos’ music is textured: The songs weave in and out of folk, rock, and indie sounds to create what Crane describes as ‘a kids’ book put to hypnotic acoustic guitars.’ The official SXSW showcase is an all ages show at Emo’s Annex, Thursday, March 18, at 11 p.m. Founding member Martin Crane shared his thoughts about SXSW with us via e-mail.
Describe your sound. It’s like a kids book put to hypnotic acoustic guitars or opening up your eyes underwater and hearing muffled voices from above.
What can SXSW attendees expect at your showcase? Nothing that’s not needed.
What other acts are you excited to check out? GONZALEZ but I have to play when he plays. Flying Lotus, The XX, Washed Out. I haven’t really checked the schedule to be honest.
Are you planning to go to any panels? Doubtful.
What are some Austin must-do or must-sees for out-of-towners? Tamale House, Victoria’s, Las Casuelas, and Arandas.
Where do you like to hear live music, when it’s not SXSW? In houses.
What’s your favorite ‘only in Austin’ thing to do? Ginny’s Little Longhorn
Complete this sentence: ‘Industry folks and visiting bands, while we love having you as guests of our city, please don’t…’ Hurt yourself. Don’t trip on anything. Watch your step.
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Austin at SXSW: TV Torso
Austin trio Jordon Johns, Austin Jones and Matt Oliver form the band TV Torso. Oliver and John were previously members of super-pop band Sound Team, which disbanded in 2007. Formed in 2008, TV Torso take an unconventional approach to recording music. Their songs are stripped down to the bare essentials, created without the use of any digital processing during production. The group has released two 7-inches to date, and offer digital downloads on their website for listeners who don’t own a record player. Check out the SXSW official showcase at 8 p.m. Friday, March 19th, on the WOXY stage at Emo’s Annex. Guitar player and vocalist Matt Oliver answered our SXSW questions via e-mail.
Describe your sound. I have a guitar.
What can SXSW attendees expect at your showcase? Good times? Probably. $4 Miller Lite? Definitely.
What other acts are you excited to check out? Whoever Jordan and Austin tell me to see, Sharon Jones, (Expletive) Up, Mess w/Texas Fest, Quasi, GZA, watching all my faves from Austin destroy it. Maybe Smokey Robinson in a perverse kind-of wanting-to-be-disappointed way.
Are you planning to go to any panels? If that’s where the massage table and guitar strings are, then yes.
What are some Austin must-do or must-sees for out-of-towners? Lala’s, Town Lake, Barton Springs, Enchanted Rock, Austin Vintage Guitar, Savers on So. Lamar, Farm to Market Grocery, End of an Ear Recs, Waterloo Recs, Daily Juice, Trailer Space, East Side Pies, Texas Coffee Traders, Jo’s, Mundi, TC’s, would say Gene’s but it closed. I would also say El Chilito but everyone will just go to Guero’s anyway.
Where do you like to hear live music, when it’s not SXSW? Red River.
What’s your favorite ‘only in Austin thing’ to do? Barton Springs
Finish this sentence: ‘Industry folks and visiting bands, while we love having you as guests of our city, please don’t…’ …..Mess with Texas
Tracks and photo courtesy of TV Torso.
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The only place you’ll see Ryan Bingham sing ‘Weary Kind’ today
Producers of tonight’s Academy Awards broadcast decided to cut performances of the Best Original Song category, so expected winner Ryan Bingham won’t be getting a Glen Hansard-like boost. But here’s a recent taping at the House That Howrd Built.
