ABOVE: A plateful of Austin BBQ tangentially but not directly related to the massive list of bands below
Now that it’s mid-April I think we’re nearly done rolling out our SXSW ‘09 content. Just in time for Coachella. Huzzah! After the jump, a list of the bands I personally enjoyed in Austin this year, alpha by artist. (G’head click through, you know you’re curious.)
»continue reading The Big List of Bands Ryan Saw @ SXSW 2009
Central Presbyterian Church
Austin, TX
19 March 2009
730pm
Here I sit, front pew, center, balcony. I was here last night, lounging down near the altar in the children’s area, taking in St Vincent and Camera Obscura. This church, man, something about it. What a venue. Big ol’ stone church, stained glass galore. I’m not religious these days, but something about this venue is striking a nerve within. They’re booking the right acts for the venue, obviously no punk bands, no talking, no drinking…basically the opposite of the rest of the chaos happening all over the city outside and I’m into it, man. I feel this. I’m here an hour early for Grizzly Bear. Who are these Canucks playing first? Rural Alberta Advantage. The guy’s got a voice halfway between Colin Meloy and Stuart Murdoch. He’s playing the heart out of his acoustic guitar, literally driving the demons out and laying the money-changers to waste. One, two songs and I am fully into this. Sold. Solid. The set goes by way too fast and now they’re apparently going for an acoustic closer. “We’ve always wanted to play this in a church,” says (frontman) Nils Edenloff.
“Good night,” they sing, weaving through the crowd, all three of them now, halfway down the main aisle of the church, instruments in tow, “Good night.” This could go either way, it could be strong, it could be a mistake. Where’s it going? A couple of people giggle. Then the song fleshes out, and you realize they’re sort of saying good night to all of the crap that happens in life, and putting it all to bed. And then these words are belted:
»continue reading SXSW ‘09: The Rural Alberta Advantage @ Central Presbyterian Church
Full photo gallery below.
»continue reading SXSW ‘09: Solange & The Hadley Street Dreams @ Austin Convention Center
Full photo gallery below.
»continue reading SXSW ‘09: Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head @ Maggie Mae’s
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