Star Anna, Hamell On Trial, The Iguanas, Hanna Star, Will Sexton & Amy LaVere, Sand Rubies, The Great Wilderness, Doug Gillard, Sally Crewe And The Sudden Moves

Star Anna @ Nook Amphitheatre

"Star Anna is a singer/songwriter from the Pacific Northwest whose music blends the rootsy sound of country with the edgy emotional honesty of rock & roll." - Mark Deming, allmusic.com
Star Anna has released a series of amazing albums, but I never had a chance to see her live except singing backup at another show at SXSW a couple of years ago. I was very happy to hear she would be in Austin this year, and raced across town for her set at the Nook "Amphitheater". The show included mostly songs from her most recent albums, and was way too short. Do yourself a favor - check out her music and see her live when you get the chance.
Video: Star Anna - Mean Kind of Love (from this show)
Video: Star Anna - Live at KEXP (w/ Mike McCready)

Hamell On Trial @ Velveeta Room

"SXSW seems like the only way to get former Austinite Ed Hamell back to town, but that's what happens when an artist takes off in Europe. From the Edinburgh Fringe Festival award-winning performance piece The Terrorism of Everyday Life to new album The Happiest Man in the World, Hamell on Trial gives one guy/one guitar more power, passion, and wit than any 50 folkies." - Michael Toland, Austin Chronicle
I first ran in to Ed Hamell aka Hamell On Trial on one of my first trips to SXSW, and I have seen him many times since. Lately he hasn't played Toronto as often as he used to, so this was a great a opportunity to see him perform some of his more recent material.
Video: Hamell On Trial - John Lennon (from a 2012 show in Austin)

The Iguanas @ Authentic Smiles

Indian restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, parking lots, swimming pools, strip joints - I have seen many shows during SXSW at unusual locations. But not a dentist office - that was certainly a new one. Got there in time to see the end of The Iguanas set.

Hanna Star @ Authentic Smiles

Not to be confused with Star Anna, Hanna Star, a 15-year old from Memphis performed a couple of songs as well.
Video: Hanna Star - Fast As Lightning (from another show at SXSW)

Will Sexton & Amy LaVere @ Authentic Smiles

The reason I was sitting in the waiting room of a dentist during SXSW performed next: Shows by Amy and Will are always enjoyable no matter who they play with, but I had never seen them play together. They had a couple of shows at SX, but this the only slot that worked for me. Their performance quickly made me forget the unusual surroundings. Unfortunately things were a bit behind schedule at this point and I had to leave after a couple of songs.
Video: Amy LaVere & Will Sexton - Last Rock'n'Roll Boy To Dance (from another show at SXSW)

Sand Rubies @ The Ginger Man

The Sidewinders aka Sand Rubies have been one of my favorite bands ever since I heard their album "Witchdoctor" from 1989. So I'm always very happy to see them play a reunion show at SXSW, which seems to have become a regular occurrence. Founding members David Slutes and Rich Hopkins were joined by George Duron on drums and Ken Andree on bass for a great set. 
Video: Sidewinders / Sand Rubies - Blood On Our Hands (from a SXSW 2013 performance)

The Great Wilderness @ Remedy

"Self-described dream rockers from San José, Costa Rica, the Great Wilderness are making their second appearance at SXSW. Late last year, the young foursome self-released In the Hour of the Wolf, their first LP after a pair of well-received EPs." - Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle
The Great Wilderness played just around the corner from the Ginger Man, so I decided to head over to see them again. Compared to their set two years ago there was a lot less shoe-gazing and much more rock. Fun.
Video: The Great Wilderness - "In The Hour Of The Wolf" (Official Video)

Doug Gillard @ The Ginger Man

"One of the best and busier sidemen in indie rock since the 1980s, Doug Gillard has established himself as a guitarist and songwriter who is just as comfortable with hooky pop tunes as full-on rock & roll, and has released a handful of solo recordings in addition to collaborating with a wide variety of well-respected acts." - Mark Deming, allmusic.com
Back at the Ginger Man George Duron was back behind the drum kit for Doug Gillard's set (Guided By Voices, Nada Surf). Sally Crewe got on stage for one song as well.
Video: Doug Gillard - I Am A Tree (from another show at SXSW)

Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves @ The Ginger Man

"Singer-songwriter and guitarist Sally Crewe first arrived on the scene in 2003 with Drive It Like You Stole It, a record made in connection with her band the Sudden Moves. As additional releases have emerged, Crewe has become something of a well-kept secret with an impressive list of collaborators, and her new EP “Back at the Bar” reinforces the consistency of her pop-rock acumen on four originals and one well-chosen cover." - Joseph Neff, The Vinyl District
It was getting late and it was getting cold outside, but I had never seen Sally Crewe before so I stuck around. Clearly George Duron had decided the best way to stay warm was to continue drum duties, playing his third set within the last three hours. A fun show and a good way to end Day 3.
Video: Sally Crewe - Sooner or Later (Official Video)