SIR WOMAN Sir Woman celebrated their 2023 Austin Music Awards Band of the Year award by, well, playing all over town. I caught their last set – on Sunday afternoon – where singer-songwriter Kelsey Wilson led the group, including featured vocalists Spice and Roy Jr., through a wonderous and soulful performance. GOODNIGHT TEXAS Another band […]
SXSW 2023 – The Sounds, Part 3
ROANOKE Another on my short list of new to me artists for me this year was Roanoke. They bore more than a passing resemblance to the fictional Daisy Jones and the Six in both song and spirit. A good thing in my book. JAKE BLOUNT Jake Blount is a true student of American music. So […]
SXSW 2023 – The Sounds, Part 2
ANNIE HAMILTON A favorite new artist discovery for me – great pop songs wrapped in an indie rock package, delivered by one of the most captivating performers that I saw all week. WILLIAM PRINCE I caught Canada’s Prince two times within twelve hours, first closing out the Canada House line-up at 1am on Wednesday night […]
SXSW 2023 – The Sounds, Part 1
SOMEBODY’S CHILD I do a fair amount of research on the artists attending SXSW in the weeks leading up to the event. Before I arrived, Ireland’s Somebody’s Child were at the top of my artists to see; when I left they were the best band that I saw. The group, the brainchild of singer-songwriter Cian […]
SXSW 2023 – The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for the annual event. With upwards of 1,500 artists and tens of thousands of attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even better, […]
SXSW 2022 – Say What?!
One of my favorite things about SXSW (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from SXSW 2022. I’m not gonna say it’s good to be back. We know that shit. John Doe We got booked for SXSW and we were so excited. […]
SXSW 2022 – The Sounds, Part 2
ALLISON RUSSELL Seeing Allison Russell was a transcendental experience. Her songs and performance were glorious in their intensity and emotion. While she brought out the clarinet and banjo for a few songs, she mostly relied on the talented trio of musicians to support her on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and cello. Simply magical. BER One […]
SXSW 2022 – The Sounds, Part 1
DOLLY PARTON What can be said about seeing Dolly Parton for the first time? The hits, the stories, the people weeping with joy around me – it was spectacular. And playing “9 to 5” twice – the second time so the audience could sing it – was tremendous. LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES […]
SXSW 2022 – The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 1,000 artists and more than 20,000 attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even […]
SXSW 2021 – The Sounds
The most indelible musical memory is the ubiquitous SXSW theme music that opened every event. That aside, here are some musical favorites from SXSW 2021 Sir Woman Wild Child’s Kelsey Wilson steped out with a beautifully soulful set that highlighted tracks from her debut EP. Wilson, accompanied by two background vocalists, an electric guitarist and […]