SXSW Trip 2009 via New Orleans
Arrived in New Orleans on the 15th March as a pre-cursor music and cultural trip to this year's SXSW 2009 in Austin, Texas, accompanied by two friends from other parts of the UK. The purpose, to experience varied music from around the world, close up and personal.
The first and as it turned out the only music venue visited in New Orleans was the Circle bar located in town. A very small atmospheric bar and lounge with an approximate capacity for no more than 50 at a push. Whilst there were a few bands playing en-route to Austin, the only one able to be caught was Spy for Hire. Most of the audience comprised band members from those not playing along with their entourage and fiends. We seemed to be the only people unconnected to the line-up for the evening. Spy for Hire are a lively four piece band to which I likened to indie pop band, The Hoosiers, comprising three guitars and drummer.
SXSW Day One (17th March 2009):
Off to Austin, Texas a day early on Tuesday the 17th March to register and take in the atmosphere. Unlike New Orleans where the weather was unfortunately wet, albeit mild, Austin was hot, sunny and cloudless.
Upon arrival and after hotel check-in, food was the order of the day. A trip to Katz's deli restaurant was followed by a mooch round Waterloo records store to have a browse round with the hope a band might be playing on the small stage in-store. Unfortunately not, however, a great store and one worthy of a visit if ever in town. A stop at the nearby sports and camping shop and then a walk back through 6th Street to see what was going on.
Some bands were playing to advance party audiences. The first of these was a trip to the Beauty bar to see The Pity Party from LA. The Pity Party comprised two members, a female drummer who doubled up with keyboard and a guitarist, style not dissimilar to the Ting Tings. Once the band finished, since the party was dull, a trip across town was in order for an evening at the moody Continental club on the outskirts of town. A veritable feast of country and indie R&B was dished up by Planet Casper and Sarah Bourges. First up was Planet Casper, a country three piece band employing Warren Hood on violin, who also solos. This had the locals dancing, all ages. Sarah Bourges, then ensued with her four piece indie R&B band, great voice and highly energetic from Boston, more like indie rock and roll at times. A great unplanned, night. Back to the city to recharge for the event proper.