ACL 2013 Fri. 2:30pm Shovels & Rope

What a difference a year makes.  Last August we saw this duo at tiny Saxon Pub.  Since then they: were a hit at SXSW, did an ACL taping, played Letterman, made the festival rounds, were nominated for four Americana Awards, and are now playing Austin Ventures stage at ACL Fest.  Not a bad year.

Definitely check these guys out.  They are both great musicians and take turns drumming and strumming but the guy is unbelievable.  I think he plays like three instruments all at once at times.

Their well-known song is "Birmingham" which can be found everywhere so I'll share another.

O' Be Joyful

ACL 2013 Fri 1:30pm Thao and the Get Down Stay Down

Even though she lives in San Francisco it seems like Thao Nguyen is always in Austin.  We've seen her play a few times in the last couple years, both at SXSW and as an opening act.  I think she's even headlined a few shows in town.  I guess she's got a strong following here.  Her music suits itself to Austin.

Indie pop is the best description of her sound.  Toe-tapping pop.This is from her new album.

Holy Roller

ACL 2013 Fri 1:20pm Desert Noises

I don't know much about these guys but they're playing the Austin Ventures Stage, which always seems to have a solid lineup of bands.  Friday is no exception.  I could spend all day at that stage on Friday and be happy.

The first two bands on Friday are The Preservation and Sons of Fathers, two expected breakout bands from Austin.  Desert Noises is from Utah and were here for SXSW.  A nice indie folk sound.  This song is very Fleet Foxes.

Oak Tree

ACL 2013 Fri 1pm Savages

This all-female punk band from London had a lot of buzz at SXSW and have been on a roll ever since.  They've played all the big festivals. Serious Siouxsie Sioux sound.  Say that three times fast.

Husbands

ACL 2013 Fri 11:15am The Orwells

Playing opposite Wild Nothing (and local band The Preservation, who I have still yet to see) is a Chicago pop-rock band with a pretty good sound.  They have a new album coming out soon.  This song sounds like a Pixies/Strokes mashup.

Who Needs You

ACL2013- Fri. 12:45pm Widowspeak

Right after Wild Nothing is FIDLAR, who I previewed back in 2012 for SXSW.  Guitar-rock/punk.

Skipping ahead to 12:45 on Friday is another band from SXSW 2012 that I previewed, Widowspeak.  I compared them to Mazzy Star.  More dream pop for early attendees.

The Dark Age

ACL2013 Fri. 11:15am Wild Nothing

The ACL schedules are out. I'll focus on the weekend 2 schedule since that's the weekend we'll be attending.  First up on Friday is Wild Nothing, a dream pop outfit that is the moniker of Jack Tatum.  He's from Blacksburg, Virginia.  Nice.

He played Coachella as well. A great way to start the weekend.

Shadow