Ana Egge @ Caritas of Austin
“After stints in New Mexico and Brooklyn, Ana Egge recently returned to Austin, where in 1998 she won Best Singer-Songwriter and Best Folk Artist at the Austin Music Awards. In 2005, she released her fourth LP, Out Past the Lights, her most mature work yet, with a combination of worldly sounds, honey-and-smoke vocals, and lyrics thick with a poetic bent.” – Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle
The SXSF party has always been a good opportunity to see some artists to play to a different kind of audience – the patrons of the Caritas soup kitchen having their lunch. Shortly after 11am Ana Egge and bass player Jason Mercer started things off with two songs while the tables in the room filled quickly.
Nels Andrews @ Caritas of Austin
“Albuquerque-based songwriter Nels Andrews has obviously spent a fair amount of time absorbing the arid, wind-kissed poetry of his New Mexico environs. The modest aural quilts that his band, the El Paso Eyepatch, weaves on Sunday Shoes bear the region’s sonic stamp. [...] Andrews is more James McMurtry storyteller than Giant Sand texturist, with an occasional penchant for subtle humor.” - Kevin Forest Moreau, Harp
Nels Andrews only did one song, but the acoustic version of “Meadowlake” of his 2004 Sunday Shoes album was superb.
Bex Marshall @ Caritas of Austin
“Songwriter Bex Marshall is an explosion of acoustic/rock/blues with a hot poker twist of Country, possessing guitar skill that have been likened to Stevie Ray Vaughan. A stunning young guitarist, she exudes excitement and charisma as she performs solo or with her band on stages across the globe. Her clever and imaginative lyrics invite you in to her world and her mellow tones capture the imagination and captivate her audience.” – from artist webpage
Nels handed the microphone over to newly married Bex Marshall, who managed to get a good reaction from the audience with her bluesy guitar-licks and smoky voice.
Markus Rill @ Caritas of Austin
"Sharply drawn flesh & blood-characters. [...] A songwriter with boot-dirt authenticity." - Miles Of Music
Germany’s Markus Rill, who lived in Austin a few years ago, did some songs from his latest album The Price Of Sin. Listen to a few tracks on his MySpace page.
The Walls @ Caritas of Austin
“The Walls have always had a knack for writing rousing, hook-laden songs that appeal to the daytime-radio programmers and booze-soddled gig-goers. New Dawn Breaking won’t disappoint with its mix of the introspective and anthemic.” John Meagher, Irish Independent
I had never heard of The Walls before, but brothers’ Steve and Joe Wall short, energetic set made me reach for the schedule to check when they would play their official showcase.
Adrienne Young & Little Sadie @ Caritas of Austin
“Originally from Florida, but currently a resident of Nashville, Adrienne Young won the Chris Austin songwriter's contest at Merlefest in 2003. With ardent vocals, strong claw-hammer banjo skills, and deft songwriting she leads her backing quartet through tunes with old-timey string band sensibilities and modern pop overtones.” – Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle
Adrienne Young & Little Sadie did well: the combination of foot-stompin’, breakneck-speed bluegrass and big smiles was infectious, which got the biggest reaction from the crowd so far, and even the kitchen staff got out on the “dance floor”.
My next stop was at the Gram Jam party presented by Amoeba Music @ Opal Divine’s Freehouse, where I arrived just in time to see Scott Kempner do “Dark End Of The Street” and a rocking version of “You’re Still On My Mind”. Susan Marshall was up next and showcased her impressive voice on “She”, before Tim Easton and Megan Palmer joined her for “Sin City”. Tim then brought up Goldrush out for “Older Guys“ and “Brass Buttons”.
Gemma Hayes @ BD Riley’s
“Gemma Hayes' critically hailed debut Night On My Side finds a young artist with impeccable taste. Like Beth Orton, there's a purity behind Hayes' lyrics and a believable beauty behind the music. […] Night On My Side offers a peace of mind, a soothing feeling that's prominent in Orton's work as well as in Lisa Germano's and Hope Sandoval's material; however, a lingering darkness isn't there. There's an innocence that's like slow dancing at twilight that sets Night On My Side apart from all the rest. - MacKenzie Wilson, allmusic.com
Over at BD Riley’s the Irish Party was in full swing. While I had just missed my chance to see The Walls again, I did get to see Gemma Hayes doing a short solo set.
I made a quick stop at Headhunters for Six Shooter / Mint Records party to find out set times for the rest of the afternoon. I had not been to Headhunters before, and it's another crazy place to see music with the stage almost bigger than the rest of the room. Carolyn Mark was just getting the party started when I arrived.
Dengue Fever @ Emo’s
“No surprise that L.A.'s Dengue Fever has previously splashed big at SXSW. Who can touch cocktail jazz rock mixed with the enchanting sound of Cambodian songstress Chhom Nimol? Even more the case with the sixpiece's new disc, Escape From Dragon House, which features even more delicious Farfisa organ, pulsing rhythm, softly clipped reverb guitar, and Nimol's ethereal pipes.” – David Lynch, Austin Chronicle
Ireland to Canada to Cambodia within 30 minutes? No problem at all during SXSW. If you ever have a chance to see Dengue Fever in concert, don’t miss it. The mix of styles worked perfectly in a live setting - the audience just went nuts.
Rachelle Van Zanten @ Headhunters
"Guitar wiz van Zanten, who draws inspiration from the likes of Angus Young and Jimmy Page, snagged a prize among 4,000 other entries to win the CBC's Great Canadian Music Dream contest for her tune 'Walking Home Lately'." – Where Ottawa
During my earlier stop at Headhunters someone had handed me a flyer advertising a showcase later in the day. But, as I had my afternoon already planned, I didn’t really look at it. On the way from Emo’s to my car I walked past Headhunters again, and was intrigued by the sound of bluesy, rockin’ slide-guitar-playing. To my surprise, it was the person who had handed me the flier earlier, who was now tearing up the place. Her MySpace page lists Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams along with The Who and Led Zep, which describes her sound pretty accurately. Unfortunately I only had time to stay for two songs before I had to move on…
Marah @ Jovita’s (inside)
“Every song is a direct punch to the heart, written and played with a fever that only the best rock & roll has. Their focus on the song and the performance, rather than the sound and the production, has proved to be a stroke of genius; the band has never sounded more honest or important. [You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry] is a monster rock & roll album that you flat-out need to hear, their best yet.” - Tim Sendra, allmusic.com
While their recorded output has been mixed, Marah have always been a fantastic live act. They proved it again with a sweaty, rocking 30-minute set in front of a packed house.
Milton Mapes @ Jovita’s (outside)
“Named after Austin singer/guitarist Greg Vanderpool's grandfather, Milton Mapes rock like Crazy Horse while being unafraid to let a song's quiet moments shine. The quintet released their third disc, The Blacklight Trap, in 2005, expanding on their brand of atmospheric Americana with a mature yet dark vision.” – Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle
Milton Mapes’ 2005 SXSW showcase had been marred by poor sound, so I was looking forward to seeing the band again this year. The sound on the new patio at Jovita’s was certainly much better, which made the set much more enjoyable.
Ed Pettersen @ Gingerman Pub
“Pettersen’s work […] typifies the essence of the Americana format at radio. Pettersen proves he’s got all the right stuff.” - Jana Pendragon, allmusic.com
On my way to Red Fez I stopped at the Gingerman, where, according to my schedule, Scott Kempner was supposed to play. But schedules change a lot during SXSW week, so I got to see a bit of Ed Pettersen’s set. Good songs, with Ericson Holt on keyboards.
Tres Chicas @ Red Fez
"Tres Chicas are more than just friends - they're a sisterhood of song. When Caitlin Cary (ex-Whiskeytown), Tonya Lamm (ex-Hazeldine) and Lynn Blakey (Glory Fountain) bring their voices together, they convey sweet heartache and the world-weary acceptance that comes to insightful gals on the tall side of thirty." – Rolling Stone
The Tres Chicas were all over town throughout the week, so I tried to pick a gig where they would play longer than just 10 or 15 minutes. Their 30-minute set at Red Fez turned out to be a pretty good choice, despite some issues with the sound onstage. The audience stopped chatting and listened while the Chicas delivered their trademark harmonies.
Garrison Starr @ Red Fez
“Starr displays the same kind of stylistic dexterity and strong-willed feminine charisma that makes Lucinda Williams so great.” – Fred Mills, Harp Magazine
Garrison Starr had brought an excellent band with her to Austin - it included long-time collaborator and recent co-producer Neilson Hubbard and his Strays Don't Sleep bandmate Brian Bequette. More sound problems made it hard for the musicians, but nevertheless they delivered a decent set which included several songs from the newly released The Sound Of You And Me.
All photos (c) Steffen Paulus 2006
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