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Written by Brandace Chatman
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
Time is on my side!
Finally, after three days I got somewhere on time! Outside Latitude 30 the line was long, but with badge in hand I made it through. Inside there was no shoulder room whatsoever. We made it in time to see The Rascals and to catch a killer band called The Whip. They are just another one of the stellar bands brought across the sea for our listening entertainment. They’ve been in constant rotation on the underground airwaves in the UK, and in heavy rotation on the party scene at SXSW. Upon first sound you’d think another electro pop band…negative. The Whip is phenomenal. They infuse live drums and guitars with their synthesized electronics, and look good while doing it. Not only was everyone in the place going crazy, they were too. They danced, and sang, and even challenged the crowd to become even more feral. Now, I’m not one for sweating, but I did…just a little. There maybe a Joy Division/New Order comparison, but I can’t even remember the last time I danced so hard to one of their tracks. The Whip’s single “Trash” is now my all time favorite dance song. Doesn’t matter if it’s via treadmill or bathroom mirror I will always dance (or attempt to) whenever that song comes on. After their set my SXSW 2008 pick, The Rascals were up. Now the scene was different. They weren’t playing a BBQ for the older corporate crowd; they were playing to the club goers, the kids who managed to snag a bracelet, the ones who felt ear plugs were for the weak. The stage was set and the crowd was rowdier than ever. Exhausted from The Whip I managed a nice spot by the wall by the stage. I know I’ve bragged about them for maybe the past three days but believe me, they’re worth it. It’s hard to imagine that three guys can produce a sound so heavy. It does my brain in. The girls in the front row couldn’t get enough of them and the guys in the back wanted to strangle them, because they are that good. After the show their manager informed me that I could download their Suspicious Wit EP and their Out of Dreams EP on iTunes. Think I just might do that. Once they were done I made my way upstream with the rest of the salmon and headed to the Q Party.
The Q Party was held at The Driskell Hotel. This is the first time Q has graced SXSW, and what better way than throwing a posh party. To make sure everyone was on the up and up they passed out drink tickets upon entry. Two max, but you might’ve been able to schmooze a couple more out of them. I was content with mine and after getting my drink checked out the scene. On stage were These New Puritans. I had seen them before and thought they were okay, but in this scene they couldn’t have stuck out more. The space was plenty amongst the guest and they were still like mannequins. There wasn’t a lot of energy from the crowd or the Puritans. After their final number the somber Puritans made their way off stage and out on the balcony. Funny how once off stage they looked ten times happier, like kids on holiday. During the brief intermission I checked out the finger foods and cashed in one of my drink tickets. The Q Party was a nice change from every other party. No outdoor bathrooms, no bbq, no scrambling for seats. Instead there was salmon, crystal glasses, and bathroom attendants. Soon Kate Nash took the stage. Just her with a guitar, it was quite the intimate set. Her sound is home grown and sweet. While on stage the crowd stood around her like it was story time. They listened as she sang and laughed. As I fell back I caught gossip that she was or is dating Ryan Jarman from The Cribs. She sang a short set, thanked everyone, and made her way off the stage. Not to waste a drink ticket, I made my way to the bar then out of The Driskell. Party’s over.
Later that night I went to Emo’s to see Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong. I had never heard of this band until the list came out, but once Googled they were all over the place. Interesting facts; they use to be called Joe Lean and The Tantrums, lead singer Joe Lean (Joe Beaumont) is an actor, under the alias Joe Van Moyalnd, and was also was the drummer for The Pippettes. Hitting the stage, Joe Lean/Beaumont/ Van Moyland …whatever, came out with introductions and much gratitude before unleashing a hell bent fury. Drastic dance moves and epic sound had caught some by surprise, but not the familiars. There were those who knew what they had come for and relished the fact they could see it live and not via Youtube. Their guitarist had an all too familiar Jagger vibe as he made sexual gestures with his tongue, body, and guitar. I for one loved it, was all about it. Their stage presence almost distracted me from their sound. The drummer with his undone pants, the bassist with his “had too much to drink” expression, Joe Lean dancing himself into a seizure, and we’ve already talked about Jagger. I found myself at one of the more sex driven shows at SXSW on the last night amongst teenagers. After they played their second single “Lonely Buoy” I found myself needing air…and a drink. Bless the English.
Being the last official party night I found myself skipping the Vice party to hang out with new friends. This year was pretty alright. No trips to the emergency room, no broken heels or bleeding ear drums, and no side alley sick sessions. My iTunes library is filled with bands I never would have gotten to see and bands I will probably never see again. I’d like to thank everyone for coming, see you next year…now go home.
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Written by Brandace Chatman
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
Hot in the city
Due to a late night I got a late start. I was in such rare form that I had to catch a cab downtown. My list of bands to see was pretty sparse today. I went to the Parish to check out this songbird named Duffy who was part of the Mercury showcase. People categorized her as a sweeter, blonder Amy Winehouse (minus the obvious addictions). The free drink of the day….open bar! As I found a place to sit I listened to all the buzz that was Duffy. From what I heard this was Duffy’s first US appearance, so that made this performance even more special. The crowd was much different from some of the other showcases I had been to, more “mature”. So mature that Carson Daly was there. After her first song I absolutely adored her! She was amazing. Her voice was sweet and soulful with this type of siren like innocence. When she pleaded it was heartbreaking, when she was lovelorn so were you. I really enjoyed her movement on the stage. The past couple of days I’ve seen a lot of acts that had this stage presence like they didn’t want to be there. Not this beauty, she relished every moment of it. She was the complete package, love her. Her album comes out in May, I just might have to pick it up.
Humming my way down the street I thought I would go check out the Sansa Playground Party to try and check out The Rascals again. What can I say, I’m hooked. On the way to the shuttles my friend and I were in behind these two girls who were carrying these awesome Le Sport Sac bags. Being a huge fan of the bags we asked where they got them. Turns out they were reps. We gushed and drooled over the new line. Obviously being a fan worked out because my friend and I scored a free Le Sport Sac bag! Thanks ladies! Fabulous bag in hand we made our way to the now not-so-secret location of the Dim Mak. Timing is everything and I missed The Rascals…next time I will be prompt. But we were in time for the party’s secret guest Hanson. Yeah, so with best friend in tow we made the trek back downtown to check out the I Heart Comix/Nylon Lounge party.
Once in we grabbed a couple of glasses of wine and checked out Cut Copy. The electro clash/80’s new wave Australians created an instant dance party. As cute as they are fun, good times were to be had by all. Frankie Chan, being the social butterfly he is, was running about megaphone in hand. He always throws the best parties and this years was no exception.
Food and rest was required for any chance of us attending the Blender party. Kind a far away from the scene the Blender party had ample drinks and ample guest. I had missed Cool Kids maybe five times in the last three days, but tonight I was going to get my chance. They were an instant favorite at the party. The bass was booming and the crowd was moving. Chad Hugo from N.E.R.D and Swedish singer Robyn had made their way to the gala. I do believe there were a couple of Cobrasnakes lurking around, camera in hand. There were probably more stars in the crowd but with all the Sparks and Miller Hi-Life you can drink, can you blame me for missing them. Around 4 a.m. the party shut down, and on my way out I had caught a glimpse of The Rascals. Guess all that stalking paid off. Turns out they’ll be playing at the British Embassy headquarters (Latitude 30), tomorrow at 4p.m. That gives me at least 10 hours of sleep. So I’m gonna do just that.
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Written by Beth Thomas
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
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Seeing Billy Bragg is always an event. You get songs – and, oh, so much more. Bragg is not one to mumble “The name of this next one is…..” before each song. Saturday during the Utne Reader day party at The Thirsty Nickel, we got lots of chat – commentary on everything from American football (“What WE have is football because you use your *feet* – YOUR football should be called *running, throwing, and standing around for 20 minutes during the adverts.*”) to the insidiousness of cynicism. The remarks about cynicism prefaced the song, I Keep Faith, from Bragg’s soon-to-be released CD, Mr. Love and Justice (it’s already available in the UK.) He told the audience that he wrote this song because - while singer-songwriters can’t change the world, they do have a platform to publicize issues - it’s the audience that can cause substantive change and he has faith in the listeners to do just that. He also played a few more songs from the new album – Farm Boy (about a young American soldier in Iraq), Sing Their Souls Back Home, and O Freedom (about Guantanamo Bay.) Bragg also discussed something he’s been passionate about during the last few years – artists’ rights. He’s been a part of successfully managing to get many of the social networking sites to rewrite their contracts with prospective musicians so that artists maintain control over their work. This discourse preceded rousing versions of Bragg’s 1986 song, There Is Power In A Union and 2002’s NPWA (No Power Without Accountability.) There were so many special moments during this gig. Bragg performed an a cappella version of I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night, Woody Guthrie’s I Ain’t Got No Home In This World Anymore, and Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right. He was joined by the young, British singer-songwriter, Kate Nash (the two began performing together recently when they were both part of Australia’s Big Day Out festival) for the Shangri-Las’ hit, Give Him A Great Big Kiss. Bragg played many times during the festival, including the Body of War showcase at Stubb’s along with Ben Harper, Serj Tankian, Tom Morello and others. He also made stops at the SESAC Day Stage Café and radio station The Current’s live broadcasting stage, in addition to his official showcase at Cedar Street. Bragg will be touring the US in June, promoting the new album and, as he did during his gig Saturday afternoon, I’m sure he’ll spend some time during those shows earnestly appealing to his audiences to make sure they vote in November! Bragg may have been sharing his message of ‘emotional, sexual love and social justice’ for some 25 years now but that message is as relevant as ever. See him if you get the chance; he’ll inspire you to go out and do some good!
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Written by Beth Thomas
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Monday, 17 March 2008 |
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I had not seen X since ‘back in the day’ - otherwise known as 1980 - in a small Decatur, Georgia club called Rumors; sadly, the club is now a store selling mattresses – I’m sure there’s a comment in there somewhere on where old-school punk has gone. Their debut album, Los Angeles, had just come out and we were blown away by their raw energy and loud, coarse music. Many years have passed since then, but you wouldn’t have known it at the X gig on Friday night. All the members are now in their 50s, with the exception of Billy Zoom who turned 60 earlier this year, but they put as much energy into that gig as they might have back in the 80s. All the songs from Los Angeles and their second album, Wild Gift, were there. They opened with Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not and continued to pound them out – Los Angeles, The World’s A Mess; It’s In My Kiss, Johnny Hit and Run Pauline, We’re Desperate, White Girl. The gig was broadcast live by DIRECTV so cameras were everywhere. That allowed Billy Zoom to flash his trademark grin and wink at all the girls up front. Exene Cervenka stomped and swaggered around the stage as she’s always done and D J Bonebrake, pork pie hat atop his balding head, flailed away at his drum set. John Doe was dripping sweat early in the gig, pounding his bass, and roaring out his vocals. The band was tight – I’ve read they play together regularly and it showed - the audience loved it. The anticipation was strong for this gig – the line to get in The Bat Bar stretched down one side of the conference center and around the corner – many more people than I expected wanted to see this band. I thought that was terrific! There was a great mixture of folks – those, like me, who probably first saw them back in the 80s, and young kids in their early 20s. Everybody was pogo-ing, bumping into each other, stepping on feet, but no one cared – this was X, after all. Aside from John Doe responding with, “Get used to it!” to someone in the crowd shouting, “We’re desperate!” just before things got started, there wasn’t a lot of conversation with the audience. But we didn’t need conversation – we needed that energy and power that X has always been known for and we certainly got it. I think everyone was a little disappointed that the gig couldn’t go all night when things wound down. Even Moby, who stood right behind us during the gig, I think would’ve liked the band to keep on playing. Definitely catch these guys on their upcoming tour if you get the chance; I don’t think you’ll regret it.
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