SXSW Thursday in Pics
I have photo-editing burnout, but dammit I’ll persist.
Thursday of last week I just hung out at the Mohawk all day… the lineup was solid the entire way through, I knew just about everyone working there by name (yes I am a barfly, and the Mohawk my drinking place of choice. So?), and whiskey and bbq were free up in VIP. Why leave?
Bear In Heaven were playing outside when I walked in, and upon approaching the stage for photos my ears vibrated off. I liked their music, really I did, but I liked my hearing more so it was inside for drinks and the Cave Singers.
The Cave Singers are a big “yes please more” in my ’sxsw seen bands’ roster. Pete Quirk’s rough yet gorgeously melodic voice fit perfectly with the aesthetic that the Mohawk exudes as a venue. Check them out, and be prepared to close your eyes to fully appreciate how lovely the music is.
Bowerbirds are always so good live… I’ve seen them three times within the past 6 months, and it has been an entrancing experience every time.
Then it was back inside for the Generationals, who I wanted to love but just wasn’t feeling that day. Their song When They Fight is my jam, and their live show was fun, but… I dunno. I’d like to catch them again, because I’m pretty sure they are actually great.
Oh No Ono was next, and was another band that I just couldn’t get into… I think it’s a problem with me; I was so distracted by the lead singer’s poncho that I couldn’t concentrate on the music.
You may recall something about my previous bad experience with the Duchess and the Duke, so I was leery about seeing them again. They were great this time, though: gorgeous harmonies, perfect deliveries of the songs that I dug so much on the album, not a single alcohol-slurred word. Still, are they always going to be hit-or-miss?
The Black Angels are wierd for me. I love the music – going to a concert of theirs is like being on drugs, only it’s a completely auditory high – and I love that they are local.
But that second thing. It’s kinda odd hanging out and getting drunk with people, and then seeing them play like total rock stars on stage. That’s my problem, though, not theirs. Also, their collaboration with UNKLE for the new track is fucking awesome.
I was walking down the street afterward, and stumbled into the insanity that was Fucked Up playing the patio at Beerland. There was a huge crowd of people all the way into the middle of the street, while Father Damien sang into the blindingly bright sun setting over downtown. Hell yes.
I’m completely baffled by the people who saw jj’s set Thursday night and thought it was great. Did they approve more of the obviously extremely intoxicated girl meandering her way – with mid-song pauses for another swig of beer – through laptop-backed tracks? Or was it about the male half of the duo, who pressed play on the laptop at the beginning of the set, then huddled into himself in a near-fetal position off-stage without moving for 30 minutes?
Because I wasn’t impressed at all, and that makes me sad, because I loved the album.
Holy Fuck, at least, blew my mind with awesome. It was a complete dance party, both on and off the stage. And when a band is obviously having so much fun playing, it’s hard to not get into it as well. I had so much fun, in fact, that I totally caught them again on both Friday and Saturday.
Previously: Wednesday night post
and: Wednesday day post
