Ola Podrida

The final preview for Friday's Lambert's showcase is Ola Podrida, the moniker of formerly Brooklyn-based, now Austin-based Dave Wingo.    His main vocation is composing scores for movies but he dabbles in Americana/folk on the side.  The sound is compared to Band of Horses.  His voice reminds me of Bob Mould.  The third album is supposed to come out around June.  This is a cool song.

Roomful of Sparrows

Mynabirds

Next up on Friday is Mynabirds, the moniker (there's that word again) of Laura Burhenn.  Also out of Omaha.  Also on Saddle Creek.  I'm noticing a trend here.  She is said to be for fans of Feist and Cat Power.  This song is nice and poppy.

Numbers Don't Lie

 

Icky Blossoms

This is the first band on the Lambert's bill for Friday.  It's an offshoot of Tilly and the Wall out of Omaha, also on Saddle Creek Records.  Here's an interview.  There's really only one song out there so who knows what their other songs will sound like.  It's very hush-hush.  Based on the revolving membership it sounds like they're trying to create an Omaha version of Broken Social Scene.  This song reminds me of "She's a Jar" by Wilco.  It's a little long but not too bad.

Perfect Vision

Big Harp

We are now at Friday for evening showcases.  I really don't have a Plan A that is a slam dunk, for multiple reasons.  First, we're usually beat by Friday evening and I don't want to deal with a crazy line/crowd.  Second, other people typically want to join us by Friday so we have to find a place that everyone can get into for not too much money.  Third, SXSW is at the peak of crowds so a lot of showcases are badges only.  The bars on 6th St. and Red River are almost impossible to get into with cash.

My vote is to find a showcase off the 6th craziness with a nice bar, bands that play good casual music, and nothing too late.  My choices were narrowed down to Frank (Merge showcase), Lamberts, Buffalo Billiards, and Tap Room.  To see all my schedule options, click here.

If this was another night I'd go with the Frank showcase.  But, M.Ward is the first act so the crowd will be at its peak trying to get in when we're trying to pay cash.  I've seen the lines at Frank before and they're ridiculous.  Plus, the other bands on the bill don't blow me away.  Finally, Frank doesn't seem like a good place to see live music to me.  Bad acoustics, bad sightlines, small bar.  I just think it will be crazy.

I'll cover some of the other showcases next week but my choice for now is Lambert's.  All the bands are pretty mellow, Lambert's has nice acoustics and a nice bar, and I don't think the crowd will be unbearable.  Plus, it's easy to get home from there (if they've finally opened the Shoal Creek trail).

The first act I'll post is Big Harp.  This is a husband-wife duo.  Husband from a small town in Nebraska, wife from L.A.  They're on Saddle Creek Records, home of Rilo Kiley, so that's a good sign.  Here's an interview with them.  I bet they will be great.

Everybody Pays

Taken by Trees

This is the final band I'll preview from the Thursday Mohawk showcase.  Taken by Trees is the moniker of Victoria Bergsman, Swedish singer formerly with the Swedish indie-pop band Concretes.  More recently, she sang the female vocals on the Peter, Bjorn and John song "Young Folks".  (She did not reprise the role on "Pumped up Kicks" though.)

A very nice voice.  This song is called "Anna" but it almost sounds like she's saying "Leana".

Anna