PHOTO REVIEW: SXSW + Top Tracks
photos by Alexandra Marvar
Every spring, in a descent rivaled only by the God of Israel upon the unbloodied abodes of ancient Egyptian fatcats, or, depending on your politics, by fraternal and sororal revelers upon the malt and agave-based fun of Cancun, creatives and showbiz kids the world over flock to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest. Now in its 24th year, the event has mushroomed to include film and interactive conferences each acclaimed in their own right, but the linchpin in the whole experience – indeed, its raison d’être – is the music. This slightly more mature spring break (slightly) transforms seemingly every functional space in town into a stage for the thousands of musicians who ply their trade in hopes of making the scene, and, no less importantly, for the ardent legions of concertgoers who would have their scene made.
GUTFIRE! was there from bright-eyed beginning to bleary end, checking out bands, hitting parties, relaxing inhibitions, and sure, buying the next round of Lone Stars for our new German friends – but above all, doing our best to capture on film the magnificent spirit of the festival. As accompaniment to the photos (however hopelessly academic the exercise), GUTFIRE! culled its favorite songs from the flood of sound waves it surfed that week, humbly offered below. And if that’s not enough spring break stimulation, GUTFIRE! heard from a friend whose roommate told him the tequila swing at Coco Bongo is where it’s at. And he should know – his ID says he’s 23.
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- The French Legation Museum
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- Woods
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- Vadoinmessico
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- Tee Pee Records Showcase
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- Local Natives
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- Brooklyn Rider
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- NPR Showcase
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- Peter Wolf Crier
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- Bear in Heaven
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- Mount Righteous
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- Gatos Suecos
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- Talk Normal
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- Hopewell
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- Wild Yaks
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- The Silent League
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- Frida Kahlo, leggo’ my Eggo!
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- When Cameron was in Egypt Land . . .
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- Is this free-range BBQ? Christ, tell me this is free-range BBQ . . .
GUTFIRE!’s Top Sounds from SXSW 2010
1. “The Greatest Escape We Ever Made” – Wave Machines
A double-dare put to disco-rock, the proper soundtrack to any jewel heist.
2. “She was a Vision” – Active Child
Gorgeous falsetto, heady synth, seraphic harp – think Brian Ferry slow dancing with the prom queen.
3. “Sara G” – Common Prayer
A foot-stomping, knee-slapping lemonade pitcher of a song that makes us long to join the chorus – or at least go back to summer camp.
4. “Giving Up On Love” – Slow Club
Straightforward, unfussy guitar paired with a lovely honey-blonde banging on drums and telling you she’s giving up on love. GUTFIRE!, on the other hand, fell hard.
5. “I Turn My Camera On” – Spoon
Not so novel, perhaps, but these home-grown favorites headlined the festival in style. This one rocked.
