I've been just spinning away in my hamster wheel, have to stay caught up with work so I can clear my schedule for the annual insanity in Austin known as SXSW (South by Southwest, March 9-18) plus the events already on the schedule for this week and next. Tomorrow Doyle Bramhall II (one of Eric Clapton's guitarists, raised in Austin on Stevie Ray Vaughan's knee) will be at Waterloo Records. After that we might go over and see the Mother Truckers.
Friday it's the Infamous Stringdusters and the South Austin Jug Band at the Cactus so that will be a night of hot-pickin' bluegrass. Outstanding!!
Next week The Greencards return and their new CD gets released!! (and let me tell you... I've had it for a couple of months, and it is FANTASTIC! More on specifics later) There's a Waterloo show and a regular show at Threadgill's. Patty Griffin has a Waterloo in-store the day after The Greencards have theirs.
The week after is when we get really busy. There are thousands of bands coming to town from all over the world. Yes, that's right, thousands (plus quite a number of movie stars & directors for the film events). I spend a few weeks making my spreadsheet of events, and end up following about half of it. More often than not, it's like "let's go in here! this band sounds good".
We mainly do the day shows, parties and in-stores, mostly the free and almost free stuff. We still end up with 8-12 hours of music a day even without official showcases, and this year we will have to check in at the homestead more often to medicate and feed the fur-babies. And maybe even take naps. Sleep is a luxury item we are not going to have.
9 comments:
You are so lucky to live in an area with so much fun entertainment. My little town's only live entertainment are recycled oldies that most people thought were already dead.
Have fun and enjoy!
I know what you mean PoP. I used to live in a place like that. But you have a beach. I do miss the beach.
I was going to say the same thing the PoP stated. The area I live in is very lacking in musical diversity.
You are indeed lucky to be in Austin, have any rooms for rent?
Have a good time.
Anyone with a room to rent or even a hotel room to share can do it now for sure. It's really fun to sit at our usual watering holes and listen to all the foreigners, and try to figure out what language they are speaking... and if it's English I love the accents.
Ahh the Mother Truckers, nothing beats that smile of the female fiddle player. She has charisma. The front man's not a bad guitarist either.
As usual, your blog will be deligently watch for music reviews. Thank you in advance.
OH man. Sounds incredible! You are so fortunate to have a home base there at the center of such a musical whirlwind. I always wondered whether folks who are that close to week-long fests know what they've got in their backyard. Not everyone does, I'm sure! I am greencard with envy!
Have y'all heard the Stringdusters yes? They're fabulous! Kick my bluegr-ass!
Enjoy! Bring live reports!!!
I've seen them once a year ago under not so great conditions but have their EP and the earlier Chris Pandolfi release, and I'm acquainted with Chris (Critter) Eldridge, the guitar player. The Jug Band is in the same league with them. I designed and maintain their website, but was a fan for years before that started. The Greencards too, I also maintain their site, and consider them to be friends. All fabulous! And a late addition... the day after The Greencards, there's something called "Mandolin Mayhem", with 3 great players: Kym Warner, Dennis Ludiker and Sarah Jarosz, so we've got a fiddle/mandolin/guitar acoustic mini-fest going.
That's fabulous! And what an awesome gift that you have a practical way to offer help and support to these musicians. The Greencards are coming our way later this year and I won't make the mistake of missing them again (ah, the joy of finally having a babysitter-age kid).
I highly recommend seeing them. They are just plain good.
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