It was two years ago at the unofficial Sunday night South-by closing ceremonies at the Continental Club that Alejandro Escovedo world premiered his then-forthcoming album, Real Animal live and in sequence from the first track to the last. It was a remarkable show, and it proved to be an album that raised Alejandro’s profile considerably, […]
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Remembering Alex Chilton, Whose Spirit was Entwined with SXSW 2010
I don’t think it would be overstating the case too much to say that when the news of Alex Chilton’s death broke on the first day of SXSW, so too did the collective heart of a sizable percentage of SXSW attendees break. I got the news via text message during the second showcase of the […]
Introducing Foxy Shazam, the Most Indescribably Awesome New Band of SXSW 2010
I first heard (and heard of) Foxy Shazam this past January when their song, “Bye Bye Symphony” was included in the free SPIN magazine compilation, SPIN Presents 2010: A Look Ahead. I liked that song very much, and certainly enough to earn them a “see them at South-by” designation. That decision took on added urgency […]
With One Night Only & the Crookes, Yorkshire Gets my Vote as the Hottest Scene at SXSW 2010
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 […]
JT Earle & Joe Pug at the Birchmere
In American society’s current musical climate (without a lot of love of Americana music), you wouldn’t think that a “classic” sound would show up out of nowhere. Not only is JT Earle’s indie-darling status progressively more established, but the newbie Joe Pug ain’t no lightweight either. Earle had nothin’ but love for Pug and it […]
Eli’s Favorites of 2009 (and some 2010 stuff too)
As the new year approaches, I’m getting more and more excited about what 2010 holds. So, I’m going to do a quick run down of some of the records I’m looking forward to in 2010…..and then my favorites of 2009. Joe Pug- Messenger This is probably my most anticipated release for 2010. Pug’s 2008 EP […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival Highlights
While my colleagues have regaled you with tales and reviews of the annual over-indulgence in Austin known as South by Southwest, I’ve found myself over the past few years gravitating to the far, far less heralded (and far, far less crowded) Old Settler’s Music Festival a couple of weeks later in the month. Beating out […]
SXSW 2009: The Sounds (part 2)
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)
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
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 […]