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Austin, Texas - 16/03/2005
Arrived in Texas yesterday and once the riggers had ‘rigged’, Patty Griffin is the first guest in our new studio here in Austin. It’s her birthday today, but sadly all we have in the way of presents is a packet of walkers shortbread purchased at the duty free and to be used to charm the Americans. It works a treat as Patty’s fiddle player Lisa germano used to play with Simple Minds and has fond memories of Scotland. She lays down three songs in session which will be broadcast in a future BNO.
Our first night @ SxSW and it seems almost impossible to choose from the mind boggling selection of music out there. Each hour there are around 60 gigs starting and already my carefully planned schedule of ‘must sees’ is falling apart.
Myself and co-presenter Vic start the night with The Czars – lovely chilled Americana flavored sounds with much sexy trumpet playing. Support the Scottish Invasion by watching Jupiter and Teardrop who are excellent. Good strong melodies and lovely harmonies. We book them in for a session on Sunday’s show.
Then it’s straight on to see Mary Gauthier. She’s also coming in for a session and if it’s anything like this gig then we are in for a treat. She’s wonderful, and judging by the expression on her face she’s getting as much out the gig as we are.
Dash back up to 6th street to see Ray Lamontagne, which I’ve been really looking forward to. Get down to the front to find out that ray has called off sick and has been replaced by Tom mCCrae, who is nice…but he’s not Ray is he. Head over to catch a bit of Jon Randall but even though Jon and his band are sh*t hot, I am wilting with tiredness and head for bed.
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SXSW- Thursday 17th - 20/03/2005
More BNO sessions recorded during the day inc Jim Bryson, the Canadian who plays in Kathleen Edwards band. Ray Wylie Hubbard also came in to record two session songs. They are brand new so it’s a bit of a BNO exclusive. Great music and he can talk the hind legs off a donkey. We also interviewed the Wailin' Jenny's who sang "The Parting Glass" from their CD "40 Days" acappela.
Start the night with Aberfeldy gig which was superb. However, Vic and I have to wait an hour for cab ( it is SXSW) and only catch the last three songs. Worth it though. Try to get into Kaiser Chiefs gig but the queue goes round the block not just once, but twice. Def one of the buzz acts of the festival. Still my no-show at the Kaiser Chiefs lets me see April Verch a bluegrass fiddler from Ottawa. Mad clog dancing during the song hade the audience whooping. Must track down her cd for the Opry.
Fri 18th - 20/03/2005
Up early to broadcast into the Tom Morton show. Vic pick so far has been a Swedish band called Ampop. Lovely mellow electronica. Not normally my bag, but I loved it.
Our first live show was broadcast today. Hugely exciting concept to be broadcasting from an Austin hotel room back to Scotland. Technically it was a huge success and we were all pretty pleased with the show. Aberfeldy and Todd Snider were our session guests. Todd was amazing and a really interesting guy to talk to.
Had the most wonderful evening seeing eight gigs in total. Jim Bryson was good, followed by Robbie Fulks which was one of my highlights. Loved him. Very funny guy. Spoke to his manager who has promised to send me a copy of the cd when it comes out. He did an amazing, menacing country cover of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. Then it was on to see Amos Lee, the blind boys of Alabama, The Ravonettes and The Bravery, the so called hottest band in New York. An exciting gig but a bit overhyped. Singer was very watchable but don’t know what he’ll do when Morrissey wants his mannerism’s back. Worried that they might be the new Flock of Seagulls. 80’s influenced bands are everywhere this year. Def one of the themes of the festival.
Sat 19th - 19/03/2005
Another live show and some great session guests! Idlewild, who were stunning. It was a huge treat to have them sit down and do us a private gig. Tift Merrit also came in and made a big impression on the team.
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Another great night of music. We watched two songs of Tammy Faye Starlight, spoof country star. A bit freaky and scary, but funny, so I guess that’s alright. Vic took me to see Buck 65 a white rapper who’s a bit like Beck. Loved the blend of Americana and hip hop. Going to buy cd tomorrow along with loads of others that have entertained me during the festival. Sluts of Trust were a very watchable Glasgow band. Not my kind of music at all but they were excellent at what they do. The ‘Scottish invasion’ has been a big success. After seeing Idlewild in session earlier I was determined to make that my festival closer. A good choice. Bumped into Dogs Die in Hot Cars who are coming on the show on Monday night, and also to KT Tunstall whose album I have been listening to a lot at home. Got to bed at 3.30 after staying up with Vic listening to music for tomorrow’s show. Mary Gauthier is coming in and the wonderful Jupiter and Teardrop are our other guests. Should be a good one.
Sunday 20th March SXSW - 21/03/2005
Can't belive it's over. Most folks in town are exhausted, but I could really do with one more night of live music. Still there's always plenty going on in Austin. Heading out tonight with the team, but is it fair to inflict a night of hardcore country on my colleagues? We'll see.
Jupiter and Teardrop were wonderful on the show today. Loved their harmonies. Look out for their Ep in the shops and hopefully it won'ty be too late till they have an album finished. I think they will have won a few admirers at the festival.
Mary Gauthier's session has been one of my festival highlights. She is a really special person and manges to touch everybody in the room with her music. Don't miss her when she comes to town in April.
That's almost it from Austin. One more show tomorrow which will have Dogs Die In Hot Cars in session and Austin artist Jeff Klein. He is big pals with Patty Griffin and Matthew Ryan who will be familar to BNO Listeners.
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