SXSW Music 2004

We have to work, so we can't get in on any day shows. The Austin Music Awards start it off at the Austin Music Hall. They announce Awards and mix it in with some specially-selected music: stuff that's related either to the Awards or the history of Austin music. Before the ceremony starts, they are playing Chris Isaac over the PA. Will someone tell me why they couldn't dig up some Austin music for this? It's baffling and a pet peeve very time. First band up is The Greencards. I love this band, and we have gone to see them enough times to where we are acquainted with them. They are nice, friendly folks ... plus extremely talented and very deserving of winning "Best New Band". In my opinion, Kym is the best mandolin player in Texas and maybe beyond (I am a huge mando fan), Eamon certainly holds his own with virtuosity on the fiddle, and Carol's vocals can give you the chills. It's all good!! Go you Cards!

We didn't stay for all the Awards because we wanted to catch Jedd Hughes at the Fox & Hound. We found out about Jedd through the Greencards; he played on their CD and sat in with them at the Flatlanders gig at Gruene Hall, so we were expecting a great acoustic guitar set. Instead, he played electric with his band, and we loved that too! What a great player! Good singer and songwriter too. There was apparently some buzz preceding his appearance based on some of the folks we saw in the audience, including Terry Lickona from Austin City Limits. Terry spoke to Jedd afterward, so (fingers crossed) I think we may see him at least at the Austin City Limits Festival, if not on the TV show. He is a Nashville-based Australian with some Texas breeding. Just 21 yrs. old, this kid is going places!!

By this time, the Awards Chronicle has been distributed, and I discover that I have placed #6 in the Awards for cover art! I am thrilled because I am not in the music business and wouldn't normally register on the Austin Music Awards at all. I did the CD art for the debut CD of Pieces of East. I enjoyed doing it because it's something that I always wanted to try. You'll see their name mentioned many times in the Awards. I am disappointed to see that Eric Johnson has not come in first for anything, not even electric guitar. Well, it's a finicky town sometimes, and the Awards are highly competitive. He is my favorite guitarist of any in any town, and my favorite musician.

After Jedd, we went over to Antone's for Ben Taylor. This is James Taylor's kid, and believe me, it's quite obvious! Ben was really very good, but made me feel old because I first saw JT in 1972 (touring with Carole King) before he even met Carly Simon and Ben wasn't even a glint in the eye. Feeling sufficiently old and tired, we head home for the night.

Had to get up early to get to Waterloo Records for the in-store appearance of Los Lonely Boys at 10:30. The line went all the way around the store, through the parking lot and wrapped back around, and there was a second line on the other side of the building.

Los Lonely Boys had an incredible amount of success after their first recording last year. They got a national hit song, appeared on Leno, sold out Billy Bob's, hell... they are everywhere! We'd seen them several times in clubs warming up other folks, and they are a lot of fun to watch. They've got a good beat, you can dance to them, and the drummer's name is Ringo. Really fun to watch too. Hotter than firecrackers right now.

Headed over to Jo's coffee for lunch and watched JJ's Jungle Bop (good blues band) until 2:00 when it was time for the Greencards across the street at D&L's Texas Music Cafe, a.k.a. Hillbilly Lane. The music area is accessed through the alley, and I was glad to see that the tables were taken out of that area so people can position themselves for easier viewing.

After that it was over to Threadgill's where things were running way behind. We got to see James McMurtry (who we thought we'd be missing), but Gurf Morlix couldn't stay and play due to another commitment, darn it. Ray Wylie Hubbard was a secret special guest after McMurtry, then Troy Campbell and Jeff Plankenhorn played a couple. Jeff is an excellent dobro player but I didn't know he could sing. Pretty good!

The day was over, time to get ready for the night. We spent the whole evening at the Lounge. Saw Tristan Prettyman (CA), Kevin McKinney (Austin), Charles Jenkins (Australia), Stephen Fretwell (UK), and Shane Nicholson (Australia). First of all, let me say that the Lounge sucked as a SXSW acoustic venue. (A) — It was freezing in there, probably due to the filtration system they have for cigar smoke (it's a Cigar Bar. Ugh!! But the filtration system worked pretty well). (B) — Glass of white wine was $6. Stick it, that's a bit snooty. (C) — The main reason was not their fault because the place right next door had a lineup of some very hard rock/metal/whatever and it was extremely distracting for nearly the whole lineup at the Lounge which consisted of one-person-one-acoustic-guitar. They all had a lot of trouble performing under those conditions and I felt sorry for them, especially since most had come a long way to be there. Kevin McKinney (Soulhat) managed to drown out the neighbors. He was the highlight of the evening for us since we needed some waking up. He was accompanyed with conga drum and saxaphone and was very upbeat. Shane Nicholson was another highlight, his voice reminded me of Neil Finn. I wanted to buy a CD but he didn't have any with him. Being overly mellowed and sleepy from the lineup and the cold air, we headed home at 1am. Biggest regret of the evening was missing The Church.

Started the day at the Sin City party put on by Gram Parson's daughter over at Maria's Taco Xpress. This is a great place to eat cheap and see music too. We saw Grey DeLisle, Tom McCrae (UK) and Kristen Mooney. Pamela Des Barre was there too. See my husband with her at right. I didn't get a chance to mind-meld with her. Darn!

Even though there was a rumor that the Thrills might show up, it was time to go over to Big Red Sun for the Rajiworld party with Beatle Bob MC-ing. Beatle Bob is from St. Louis where we moved from a few years ago, and we've seen him dozens of times there but didn't get aquainted with him until we get to Austin. Ironic. He made a funny gaffe in the introductions. The Resentments were all set up (sans Stephen Bruton who was busy with Kris Kristofferson at Town Lake), and Bob says "Here he is!! Jon Dee Graham!!" Hysterical, and JDG fixed it by saying that he would graciously give over his time slot to the Resentments or something to that effect. The band always have really funny explanations about where Stephen is when he's missing. Also saw the Jellydots and Patrice Pike there. Big Red Sun shows always seem to have more small children in attendance than adults. It was time to call it a day and get ready for night.

We start out at Stubb's where we see Patrick Park (CA), then over to Pecan Street for awhile. Pecan Street had an alley entrance to the music club, and is not bad as a pub but they had lots of sound problems all night. Also, the stage spotlight at the back of the club is right in your eyes if you look in that direction and you have to shade your eyes. Started out with Jennifer Glass (NY) with a beautiful voice. Then from Canada came House of Doc, Wailin' Jennys, Nathan, and Po Girl. Enjoyed all of them except I got mixed up on the time and went a little late next door to catch Calexico. They were playing in a dance club called Exodus, and after we made our way through the hallways, stairs, and pool tables we made our exodus out of there. Decided to watch the band from the street where you could look through the window for a backstage view. I loved this band!! Surf + Mariachi? I am all over that. Seeing them again in a decent venue is an absolute must. They were the catch of the day for SXSW. [Addendum: See my Calexico page.]

Happened on a good show at Guero's courtyard. Walter Tragert was there with his band, which includes "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb. Jud is an excellent guitarist and one of the most popular sidemen in town. He plays electric with Walter and that was a real treat. We'd just seen him the day before with the Resentments, and he still had another gig or two to go later that day. Beatle Bob was there again, signifying the event as recommended.

Went down to the Yard Dog party to catch Robyn Hitchcock. Loved Robyn, but the setup at YD for music sucked badly. There was an overly large and low tent covering not only the performers but a lot of the audience, making it very hot and hard to see. OK, I know. Free beer and music ...don't complain. I just think they need to rethink their tent a bit.

Back down to Jo's Coffee where we saw Tina Schleiske followed by Raul Malo. Tina was rockin' and ballsy, she was hard to forget from having seen her several times with Double Trouble. Raul was absolutely fantastic. We will not forget this one for a long time ... the music, the vibe, that amazing voice. We love this guy!

The day ended on that amazing note and it was time for the last night of SXSW. Started at Fox & Hound seeing Anne Heaton. Then, wanting to make sure we got in for Johnny A, we went over to Agave. Patrick Thomas (Detroit) was on first. Agave is an extremely deep, narrow venue with the stage by the front window. it filled up quickly and I ended up right in front of him. In fact, if I had extended my arm straight forward, I could have touched him on the knee without stretching ...but I behaved myself. ;-). I had to see Johnny and even missed Patty Griffin to do it (and she's my favorite female singer). This guy is a hell of a guitarist! I hear some Eric Johnson in his playing, among others, but he definitely has his own style. He was the highlight of the evening, to say the least.

The rest of the night was just topping. Saw Michael Penn at Cedar Street, and that was enjoyable in spite of the stinky cigar smokers. I am told that he is Sean Penn's brother, but I couldn't see any resemblance. Then it was over to the 18th Floor of Crowne Plaza where the atmosphere was posh and stuffy, and the music was good but being light jazz created a need for changing gears that I was unwilling and unable to do. Ended up the night at Stubb's for Los Lobos, but I was exhausted and since we were at the back of the crowd I got caught up in people-watching and found it hard to focus on the music. I like being right up front normally, because I draw a lot of energy from the performances. My legs barely carried me back, and after getting some pizza on 6th Street we called it a night, and a festival. SXSW music is really wonderful because there are so many different experiences that it can be. It truly is what you make it