Twangville

A music blog featuring Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005.

With One Night Only & the Crookes, Yorkshire Gets my Vote as the Hottest Scene at SXSW 2010

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Of the 15 bands I saw on Wednesday at SXSW this year, the one that stood head and shoulders above the rest was One Night Only from Yorkshire, England. I’ve had their debut album for a couple of years now, and like it quite a bit, but the band that I saw onstage for the […]

Win Big: Signed Bloodshot Records Poster

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The Bloodshot Records day party is a traditional highlight of every SXSW. Held behind the Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery in Austin Texas, it is a relaxed afternoon of filled with beer, food, merriment and, of course, great music. To celebrate their 15th anniversary, the folks at Bloodshot decided to take that experience on the […]

SXSW 2009: Say What?!

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This song is about my deep hatred of pop culture. It’s called “Life is Beautiful.” ~ Paul Doucette of the Break and Repair Method This is a song about having a hard time living with someone. It was written by an ex-roommate of ours. ~ Ben Knox Miller of the Low Anthem introducing the song […]

SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 3)

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The Damnwells The Damnwells burst right out of the gate with the rocking “55 Pictures” from their exceptional new release. The set was electric as the band veered from brawny rockers to moody ballads. Almost as entertaining was the young girl – I’m guessing 4 years-old – who jumped on stage to join the band. […]

SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 2)

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The Right Ons The quintet from Madrid, Spain is like a party in a box. They’re well-studied students of the classic Detroit garage rock sound, with bits of Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone thrown in as well. They paid tribute to Stone with their intense cover of Sly’s “I Want to Take […]

SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 1)

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Low Anthem The Central Presbyterian Church, one of the more interesting SXSW venues, was the perfect room for the majestic songs of the Low Anthem. The talented trio moved swiftly through a range of instruments during the course of their set. It was completely captivating, albeit a bit ironic to hear songs about Charles Darwin […]

SXSW 2009: The Scene

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If the economy is sick, then no one told the folks and attendees at SXSW. I, on the other hand, have a different story to tell. There’s nothing like attending a music conference with an ear ailment. Talk about a cruel, cruel irony. Not that I’m complaining. Like they say about golf or fishing, a […]

John’s Mega-Superior SXSW ’09 Show of the Year: The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra

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I’ve mentioned previously that one of the reasons I’ve been going to SXSW for 10 straight years (which is to say, 11 South-bys) now is in search of those only-at-South-by moments of pure magic. Of the magical South-by moments that I’ve been privileged to witness over the years, more than a few have involved the […]