Your art was the prettiest art of all the art

Yes, we saw Roy (David Denman) from the TV show The Office. We were walking from one venue to the next and out of the corner of my eye I could have sworn I saw him, but given the likelihood of my having early on-set Alzheimer's (memory is not my strongest suit), Marybeth was not inclined to believe me. So, rather than being unsure, we did what any sane people might be expected to do in the same situation.... run back down the street and get in front of him and then pretend like we just realized we were going the wrong way and turn around again for a discreet peek.

Shut up, you'd do the same thing.

Anyway, it was him, but while he (and us in front of him trying to play it cool) was walking down the street some dude was hassling him like "Where are you from? I know you look familiar. Where do you work? Why do I know you?" and all that stuff. It was pretty obvious he didn't want to be bothered, but the guy wouldn't take the hint, so David (Roy) told him he worked at a restaurant in the city and that he probably served him the other night and that's why he recognized him. But the guy still didn't get it and made David take a picture with him anyway. That's when we really started feeling bad and just turned around and continued our walk. Still, it was awesome seeing him. We're both pretty sure that was our first real celebrity sighting.

Brontosaurus Ribs

I ate this. They call it a "Junior" rib.

Thursday Happenings

For as good as Wednesday was, we got tripped up a little bit on Thursday. I think we got cocky. Wednesday was very easy to jump from party to party and we got to see everyone we set out to see. Yesterday was all about standing in lines. I hate lines.

The day started off great, with free BBQ and drinks at a Memphis Music Party, but as we went to make our next move, things started degenerating. We got to the Paste party about an hour an a half before who we wanted to see went on (rookie move) and ended up waiting that long just to get in (the place was at capacity, so badge or not you had to wait for people to leave before they let more in).

So we get in and Cursive was already about halfway through their set, which translates to us hearing about three songs from them. It's kind of a mix of good and bad. The bad was obviously that we didn't see the whole set, but of what we did see a) was great and b) decided it for me that I have to see them again before this week is over.

We also caught what I think is the last time the Avett Brothers are playing here and they brought it just the same as the previous night at Stubbs. Even through technical difficulties (couldn't seem to get rid of feedback from the standup bass) they still were great, debuting a song off their upcoming album that I will definitely be picking up.

Saw a couple things later on, but nothing too noteworthy. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I did see an artist who used pre-recorded backing tracks that I wasn't morally offended by (see: Ladyhawke review in previous post). I think the big difference was that this was one guy (Colin Munroe) who wrote, produced, performed, mastered, etc., etc, his own album. On the album he did everything, but physically couldn't do it all on stage. He had a friend play guitar, he played drums/keys and sang, and used a laptop for the extra flourishing touches. That may have been part of it as well, the fact that the recorded stuff he did play was intended to fill out the compositions, rather than other groups having their main melodies, or even main vocals (!), pre-recorded.

A last note on waiting in line, though it was a drag, Marybeth is now sporting a pretty gnarly t-shirt tan. Hilarious.

Below: Pictures of Colin Munroe before security came over and asked for my photo credentials

First day in the books and my legs already want to fall off (standing room only)

Ok, so our first two days in Austin have been pretty hectic, what with our plane being canceled and having to reschedule, picking up badges, a little bit of sleep, a full first day of concerts, and more little-bit-of-sleeping, so forgive me for not going too in-depth right now, but here's a little re-cap of our first day. Also, amateur photography of the shows to follow at some point....

Here's the master list of bands we saw on Wednesday:

Lemurs
Amanda Palmer
Port O'Brian
Loney Dear
Black Joe Lewis
Marnie Stern
The Thermals
Ladyhawke
Heartless Bastards
The Avett Brothers
The Decemberists

Notables:

Lemurs actually brought us in from the street. As you might know, SXSW turns virtually every building that has space for a drum kit and a couple amps into a venue from about 11:30am to 2am the following morning. While we were walking around trying to find some food, we heard them playing, stopped in for a couple songs, and got some free swag in the process. I'm looking forward to hopefully catching another set of theirs later in the week.

Amanda Palmer represented Boston well with an energetic set with only her and a piano on stage. (yes, I realized I am horrible at reviews, but I stand by my neandrathal-like statements of 'they good/not so good')

Black Joe Lewis is a contender for best set of the day. A full band with keys and a horn section, they were incredibly fun and entertaining to watch.

The Thermals put on a solid, if quick, set.

Wasn't impressed with Ladyhawke. It's hard to get into a band that is obviously using a backing track (main synth melodies on many of their songs played with no keys player on stage, as well as the chorus on their final songs recording overpowering the actual singers voice), when so many other bands are here that are doing all their own stuff. I understand using samples and whatnot, but they weren't even triggering their own pre-recorded media. I found myself paying more attention to picking out what wasn't actually being played by the band than actually listening to the group as a whole.

The Avett Brothers provided a great (but again, too short!) set that was incredibly intense and enjoyable with only the two lead singers/guitarists/banjo-ists/pianists/drummers (they're very versatile musicians) a cellist, and a stand-up bassist.

The Decemberists played a special set last night, consisting of their new album, The Hazards of Love, in its entirety. As a long-time Decemberists fan, it was cool to hear this, but at the same time I just wished it were a normal Decemberists show, where I could hear a mixture of songs from all of their albums. The encore, however, gave me a taste of the Decemberists I love, by ending the show with "I Was Meant for the Stage." [Marybeth]

It's Called Speed Stick...It's Not Expensive

Well, we're off to SXSW tomorrow!!! Thanks to everyone for suggesting shows to go to, and don't be afraid to mention anything you might hear of while we're out there too, cause we'll be checking in and posting (hopefully) at least once a day.

We figured we'd leave you with a couple cool things that we've come across in getting ready for this trip, so enjoy!

The Chap - Proper Rock

Colourmusic - Put In A Little Gas

Clemits - Whut Chu' Got To Lose

Common Market - Trouble Is

Sky Larkin - Fossil, I

Marco Benevento Trio - Atari

and last but not least,

Bomani Armah - Read A Book

Call To Action

So, as we said earlier, we need your help! SXSW in Austin is one of the best music conferences in the world for independent artists and we will be trying to see as many acts as possible during our time there. We've been listening to the official sxsw radio, looking through show listings, and scouring other blogs and websites for day parties and unofficial shows, but with so many things going on, there's bound to be things we're missing.

We are incredibly lucky to be able to go to this festival for WRBB, so we want to make the best of it. This is where you come in. Check out SXSW's official list of bands here and tell us anyone who you think we need to see and why! ANY and ALL of your comments will be appreciated!

To get things started, below is a list of who we are excited about on our first glances at the main listings:

Dan:

Abstract Rude
Cage
Cursive
The Hold Steady
Marcy Playground
P.O.S.
Reflection Eternal
Third Eye Blind
The Thermals
Yak Ballz


Marybeth:

Bishop Allen
Andrew Bird
Black Lips
Camera Obscura
THE DECEMBERISTS
Earlimart
Okkervil River
Superdrag
The Thermals
The Wrens