wordtravelsfast

I was going to provide rankings past a top 10, but decided to keep it simple so here it is:

1. Dropkick-Abelay Hotel
2. Fanfarlo-Reservoir
3. Camera Obscura-My Maudlin Career
4. We Were Promised Jetpacks-These Four Walls
5. Micah Schnabel-When the Stage Lights Go Dim
6. The Tailors-Come Dig Me Up
7. Michael Carpenter-Redemption #39/The Stripped Redemption #39
8. Hello=Fire-Hello=Fire
9. I Was A King-I Was A King
10. Vulture Whale-Vulture Whale (II)

here’s the rest, tied for #11 in alpha order: (there was a lot I didn’t get to buy in 2009)
A Camp-Colonia
Bap Kennedy-Howl On
Brakes-Touchdown
Brendan Benson-My Old Familiar Friend
Broken Family Band-Please and Thank You
Broken Records-Until the Earth Begins to Part
The Clean-Mister Pop
Graham Coxon-The Spinning Top
God Help the Girl-God Help the Girl
Heartless Bastards-The Mountain
Tommy Keene-In the Late Bright
Joey Kneiser-All-Night Bedroom Revival
The Knobs-Breakup & Die (officially released in 2009)
Le Reno Amps-Tear It Open
Liechtenstein-Survival Strategies in Modern World
The Love Language-The Love Language
McGowan-American Regular
Memphis 59-Ragged But Right
Rhett Miller-Rhett Miller
Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Pastels/Tenniscoast-Two Sunsets
Joe Pernice-It Feels so Good When I Stop
Reigning Sound-Love & Curses
Ike Reilly-Hard Luck Stories
Spare Snare-I Love You, I Hate You
Swell Season-Strict Joy
The Swimmers-People are Soft
Trash Can Sinatras-In the Music
Frank Turner-Poetry of the Deed
Twilight Sad-Forget the Night Ahead
Two Hours Traffic-Territory
Lewis Wilson-Lift You Up
Yo La Tengo-Popular Songs
Zooey Van Gooey-The Cage was Unlocked All Along

Top 10 songs (although, I have a new favorite song every day):
1. Moving Clocks Run Slow-We Were Promised Jetpacks
2. American Static-Micah Schnabel
3. The Road-Frank Turner
4. Honey in the Sun-Camera Obscura
5. Too Much Too Say-Dropkick
6. Pictures of Her-The Tailors
7. Harold T. Wilkins. or How I Learned to Wait for a Very Long Time-Fanfarlo
8. Lalita-The Love Language
9. Nothing to Hide-Yo La Tengo
10. Can’t Go Back-Michael Carpenter

I saw a decent amount of shows, not many as I’d like to have attended, but I had to choose quality over quantity. I definitely saw more than
three, but the ones that most stood out:

1. Dropkick, The Primary 5 & Attic Lights-Darvel Music Festival, Scotland
seeing three bands I love a lot for the very first time on the same stage. despite being freaked out meeting so many people for the first time at once, it was entirely too much fun in one night!

2. Teenage Fanclub-Belfast
If I had any sense, I would have made it known on the TFC message board I was going to be present for the show as I ended up going on my
own. Not that it stopped me from enjoying every single second of it. hard to believe I’ve been a fan for 18 years now!

3. Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks-Orlando
Three Scottish bands in the US. Amazing night, incredible sets from all three, and I got to combine it with a visit with my Great Aunt.

My friends, Oppenheimer have posted a big news item on their website, and all over their online presence.

you can read it here: Oppenheimer website

Back in, oh, I don’t remember when…but I used to randomly scan local venue sites and check out bands I’d never heard of, and read descriptions, etc. Anytime a UK band would be listed at one of the smaller venues in DC, I’d make a point to check them out and if I like their music try to go the gig. I’ve got a few of friends from Belfast, thanks to spending a few years in a bar in Atlantic City (basically, where I’m from) many many years ago. So naturally, a band from Belfast would stand out. I checked out their music, loved them, and then saw they were playing a gig in Philly with friends too.

I met Rocky, Shaun, & sound legend that he is, Gerry at DC9 and they didn’t think I was a freak. I’d offered up my living room as a place for them to sleep, but they were finishing up a tour that involved a horrible experience for a portion of it with one band that I can’t remember the name of and instead of staying in DC area, they drove back to NYC.

It was the first of many gigs I’d see, and I’d learn that there would sometimes be police involvement. I can’t find the video of the pool party at my friends’ home in NJ a few summers ago, but the police showed up at the end of the party, while Oppenheimer played their last song, and the police officer made it on camera dancing along with us.

Here’s a video from an all ages show at a gallery in Fredericksburg, VA when it was Rocky’s birthday…we went to a local bar and downed many pints before the show, which made it interesting, and then went back afterward. It’s only a portion of “Look Up” and it was before it was released on record:

Then there was the time they played again at DC9, and I was having a bad day, so I left work early, took the next day off, and took metro into the city, knowing I could get a lift in the van back…I spent the last of the little cash I had on 2 drinks (DC is expensive) and while I’m not a wine drinker, really, Gerry had a bottle that he brought in from the van (fuzzy old camera phone photos to follow):

He and I finished the bottle:

I managed to give good enough directions to get us from DC9 to my home without getting us stuck at the Pentagon, but not enough to be able for us to give their friend, Mark (aka Skibunny) who DJ’d that night back to his Dupont Circle hotel, although that could’ve been an entirely different night all together!

Then there was the time they played Atlantic City, and were on their way back from SXSW 2007, and their friends, LaFaro were with them. I knew Fireworks are illegal in NJ, but who was I to spoil the fun, so I took them to the beach where I stood with 3 Oppenheimers, 3 LaFaros and watched the beautiful fireworks. And within seconds AC police were there by bicycle, car and probably other means. poor Gerry took the heat for it all, and thankfully all he had to do was clean up the fireworks and some beer bottles that weren’t ours!

they played Galaxy Hut with our friends, Surefire Broadcast and this is one of my favorite photos from that gig:

I think they played IOTA too…and then I got to see the very first gig of their long tour with They Might Be Giants in Baltimore, and then close to the end of that tour here in DC at 9:30 club, and then again opening for TMBG just earlier this year!

I’ve been in my current place coming up on 4 years and in that time I’ve had a number of bands here. It’s tapered off in the last year & a half, but the Oppenheimers stayed here enough I could almost give them their own key!

I wish I could be in Belfast next week to see them play that last gig, and I wish I had met up with Rocky & Angie when I was in Belfast back in May, but it just never worked out. I know I’ll see Rocky again, not sure what Shaun’s plans are, but I wish them the best of luck! They’re a part of my musical family and I’m glad I could be there as much as I was these past few years!

here’s some more links:
Oppenheimer on Myspace
Oppenheimer on Facebook

I first heard about The Waxwings from Jeremy. I fell in love with Low to the Ground and immediately wrote the band a letter. at the time, they didn’t have anything online, but they had a Detroit P.O. Box, so I did what I used to do before the internet, I wrote them a letter saying hello, telling them I liked the record and if they ever wanted to play a show in Atlantic City, I could set them up with a show at McGuire’s.

I drove myself, Jeremy & Scott up to Khyber to see them. Unfortunately, the first band didn’t show up so The Waxwings had to go on early. As a result, we missed most of their set, except three songs. I remember blushing when I said we drove up from AC. Immediately, they knew who I was by name. perhaps they didn’t get many letters?!

In the Summer of 2000, I found myself working for a commercial alternative radio station. We started a concert series at Hard Rock Cafe and on the first night, I noticed one of the guys from our station holding Low to the Ground. He seemed baffled that I knew who they were. (my musical taste was well above and beyond a good number of people I worked with there, but it was a temporary escape from retail) At any rate, the station was apparently looking to bring them in to play a show. I suggested they play with John Faye Power Trip (now IKE) and a few weeks later it happened!

i still remember when I first heard “Ten O’Clock Your Time” on the station. I was sitting at my parent’s dinner table, having a spaghetti dinner and I practically spit out my food I was in shock.

At any rate, over the years, I’ve watched them release two more records, go through some turbulent times and was able to give them a place to sleep a couple times. When Dean was touring with Brendan Benson, I got to say a quick hello at the Black Cat, but that’s pretty much the last time I’ve spoken with him.

Seemingly, ages ago, a friend of a friend is his manager and I was given the privilege of an advance of the Hello=Fire album. I loved it within the first 10 seconds! I’ve been listening to it off and on, using alternate tags for it since I have last.fm linked, and have been dying for others to listen to it. I take the privilege of advance copies of albums seriously and while I really wanted everyone to hear it as soon as I did, I wasn’t about to spill it. That hasn’t stopped me from raving about it and wondering aloud when the hell it’s being released though!

the wait is over.

It’s being released next week. So far it looks like a UK release only. I haven’t been able to find any further information, but as soon as I do, I’ll be spreading it like wildfire!

And try as I might, Dead Weather isn’t my cuppa. Yes, I’ve watched late night show appearances and bought the record, but more out of support for Dean than anything else!

listen & watch the video, but that’s only a little bit of a taste of the goodness on this record!

I’ll have to write more later, so I’ll be editing this but here’s my play list for last Sunday’s radio show, song title, followed by artist:

Blues Stay Away From Me-The Louvin Brothers
My Darlin’ Hometown-John Prine
Somehow I Know-Mr D
Autumn Fields-Kontiki Suite
Hide Your Mind-Ardentjohn
To Better Days-Magnolia Summer
which william-Hensley Sturgis
Belle vue-The Tailors

American Static-Micah Schnabel
Alphabet City-Two Cow Garage
That’s How I Got To Memphis-Joe Pernice
The Day We Met-Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles
Teddy Boys-Kelly Willis
Doin It For The Country-Redlands Palomino Co
You’ve Got Troubles On Your Mind-The Scuffers
Drunk on the Blood of Christ-Bap Kennedy
You’re Not Coming Home Tonight-First Aid Kit

And Suddenly-The School
Mine Your Own Business-Honeybunch
Picture Perfect-Strawberry Whiplash
I’ll Never Be Yours-Bubblegum Lemonade
The Was-Make Model
Apple+Option+Fire-Hot Lava

Scotland-The Very Most
Swans-Camera Obscura
Anime Eyes-The Awkward Stage

Swim Until You Can’t See Land-Frightened Rabbit
Open Your Mind-Lewis Wilson
I Wonder Why-The Primary 5
Song For The Dead-Sean Jackson
Can’t Go Back-Michael Carpenter
After All-The Hazey Janes
Don’t Dream Of California-Dropkick
Darkest Hour-The Spectacular Fantastic
Rainfall-Apples In Stereo
Cheating a Cheat-The Small Change
Duality-The Martial Arts
Penny-Phony Bone

How Do You Know?-The Lyres
Sooner or Later-The Feelies
Let’s Go Surfing-The Drums
Teedy-Vulture Whale
The Good News-Philadelphia Grand Jury
Nothing to Hide-Yo La Tengo
Stuck for the Summer-Two Hours Traffic
Poison Letter-Le Reno Amps
Take It Upon Yourself-Sloan
Finish Line-Fanfarlo
Pocket Full of Gold-The Swimmers
Ton Of Love-Attic Lights
Don’t Look Back-Teenage Fanclub
Everything Flows-Velvet Crush
Threadbare-The Bigger Lovers

Quiet Little Voices-We Were Promised Jetpacks

In standard fashion, I should be sleeping.

I’ve worked all day and night between the studio and our booth at the county fair. I’m not quite sure why I got back on the computer. probably to look up something, which lead to another thing, and so on. and then I revisited a thread on one of my all time favorite band’s forum about favorite lyrics, and I posted a few from Replacements, Sebadoh, and The Jam, but it was a Swivel Chairs’ lyric that I posted as one of my most favorite. It took me a few minutes to sift through the files in my brain: ‘is it an archers’ song’ ‘no’  ’silly, girl…it’s TIED NOOSES from Swivel Chairs!’ (slapped myself aside the head!)

I immediately pulled out the Swivel Chairs’ boxed set, “Wet Matches” and started reading what Jay, Jeremy and I wrote for the liner notes. It’s been 6 years since it was released, which means about 16 years that Swivel Chairs has been around!

I’ve decided to write my main entry from those liner notes here to share:

First off, I have to say that no one person in this world can be happier than me to finally have Swivel Chairs music available on CD! Especially now that I’ve moved into the digital age in my car and can no longer listen to my cassettes there. After a recent move, my coveted Swivel Chairs cassettes were piled away until a late-night whisper of a lyric forced me to hunt down every single one of them–through box after box. I then reveled in all the glory of success as I put my head on the pillow, with Walkman attached, to listen to the history at 4am. It’s almost impossible to imagine that more than 10 years have passed.

I remember the early days of Swivel Chairs fondly. That was back when they were strictly an acoustic venture. Craziness ensued, when, gasp!…Swivel Chairs went electric!!! All hell broke loose. You never quite knew what to expect. Would this show include slide projections or video behind them? Would we be treated to fancy attire, with tie? Or, better yet, would we get candy at the next show? One never could tell. I’m thankful to be a part of it all, and on occasion have performed integral roles in various performances. Once in a great while it would involving percussion, or sitting in a chair in front of the kick drum so it wouldn’t run away from Jeremy! How about Bill Seng and I taking over the tambourine or shakers? I was often supplier of blank cassettes, photographer, promoter, chauffeur, and God knows what else…

It’s a bit strange, when Jeremy asked me to write this, I had no idea what the name of the boxed set would be, but it was the opening lines of “Wet Matches” that I heard whispered in the hallway of my apartment that late night. It seemed so real that I turned to see if maybe Jeremy was walking behind me, or if Swivel Chairs were sitting in my living room playing it. That won’t ever happen though, as it seems that song will never see the light of day for a live performance. No it was just my wild imagination taking over again, but maybe someday I’ll get my wish and hear “Wet Matches” live.

As I go through and listen, I can picture Jay pacing back and forth on stage during “Keith Richards” or the comforting waltz of “Scraps of Paper” as the twinkle lights glow at the Common Ground coffee house in Wildwood, NJ.

Then there’s the hot-summer-day shimmy of “And Smile,” which belongs on bright yellow 7″ vinyl. Or, what about the way old-school acoustic hits: “Saved Time”, “Starting to Feel” and “A Way to Smile.” Of course, I can’t forget to mention, my all time favorite Swivel Chairs classic, “Tied Nooses.” Oddly enough, my favorite version of it does not exist on any ‘official’ release. It appears on a not-so-random tape that I begged for way back in 1994 that includes all sorts of Swivel Chairs’ rarities–now available on this boxed set. I could go on forever and talk about each song, each gig, and tell the stories, but that might take too long.

As I reflect on the past 10 years or so, and think of all the gigs, the insanity, the possibilities, and the crap we’ve all gone through…I realize the common thread that brought us all together in the first place…our sincere love for music. I wouldn’t go back and change a single thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, without music, I’d be dead.

Jeremy and Jay have collected the history of Swivel Chairs for us here. I am extremely pleased and privileged to have been a part of it, and look forward to what’s in store for the future of the band. I hope to be there for every possible Swivel Chairs moment, whether it’s in person or in spirit. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you enjoy discovering the world of Swivel Chairs, as much as I know I will, while I re-discover it over and over again.

Lauree McArdle
Arlington, VA 20003

It’s interesting that I choose tonight to remember this, and reminisce as it was just Jeremy’s birthday!

The lyric I love from “Tied Nooses” is: ‘well that anxious smile just gave you away in seconds flat, cause you wear your loneliness just like you wear a hat’ (although I wouldn’t be surprised if I got an email from him tomorrow telling me it’s something different)

truth is, I miss my friends. I miss the old times. I miss having new times. I miss being a part of it. I miss hearing advance versions/mixes of songs and getting to hear them grow and go out into the world. I miss being connected.

yet, here I am in a different Arlington apartment, staying awake too late, as I vibrate with the excitement of listening to and remembering an old song. And not being able to go to sleep until I get it all out of my head and I realize that maybe they’re not so far away.

Tied Nooses

Swivel Chairs on myspace

I’ve really been missing my time at WLFR lately and I was anxious to do another show. In a weird coincidence, it had been just a year since I did the last one.

I was going home to NJ for Easter, which also happened to be my nephew, Josh’s birthday.
Originally, I was supposed to do the show Sunday afternoon, but just before I left my parent’s house for the studio, I checked the stream online, and heard dance music. I knew that the DJ on at that time had a Grateful Dead show, so I knew something was awry.

I was leaving the macbook home so I could record the stream, since the college only allows students and faculty to log on to the wireless. I emailed Bill, one of the station managers my phone number and said I was thinking that no one was in the studio and it was on automation, but I was going off to campus to hope for the best.

Unfortunately, the campus was completely empty, and almost deserted. I was able to get into one building, but no where near the studio, plus even if I could get to where the studio is, I’d need an electronic card to swipe at the door to unlock it. Luckily, I spread the word as best I could to let everyone know there was a possibility I’d not be on…sigh.

The entire campus was locked up for the holiday, but the campus police never informed any of the WLFR managers.

Fortunately, I could go on to do a show the next afternoon, exactly a year to the date I did the last fill in show in 2008! too funny! Unfortunately, I set the computer to record the stream at the wrong time and didn’t get any recording of the show. If anyone does have a recording, I’d love to get it from you!

Here’s what I played, and I had an absolute blast playing it!

The Music Asylum April 13 2009 on WLFR:

The Feelies-Let’s Go
Joe Strummer-Johnny Appleseed
Jenny Doveson-I Will Think of it All
Blind Pilot-Go On, Say It
The Swimmers-Heaven
Crocodile-August is Over
Surefire Broadcast-Hey Baby!
Make Model-The Was
Oppenheimer-Only Goal & Winner
Marah-Point Breeze
The Heavenly States-Lost in the Light
Glossary-Almsgiver
The Clean-Someone
Running with Horses-Over Before it Ended
The Love Language-Lalita
I’m from Barcelona-Oversleeping
Marching Band-For Your Love
Frank Turner-Reasons Not to be an Idiot
Attic Lights-Walkie Talkie
Dropkick-Breakdown
The Primary 5-What Am I Supposed to Do?
Uncle Tupelo-Give Back the Key to my Heart
Have Gun, Will Travel-Come All Ye Sinners
Lamont Skylark-Daisy
Two Cow Garage-Skinny Legged Girl
Ike Reilly Assassination-Garbage Day
The Minders-It’s So Hard
The Underclass-Tomorrow is Now
Nushu-Spill
Camera Obscura-I Need All the Friends I Can Get
Mojave 3-Running with Your Eyes Closed
Teenage Fanclub-Ain’t That Enough
The Jam-That’s Entertainment
Swivel Chairs-And Smile

Two hours goes by real quick in radio, especially when you only get to do a show once a year. I hope to do more this year, but a lot depends on when I can get home to NJ. Community & college radio in Northern VA & DC is lacking, at least for community members. I out to a local college here in MD, as they had an open house for DJs. It was highly disorganized and I couldn’t be bothered to wait in line. I left it for the kids to fight for air time.

WLFR turns 25 this October, and hopefully, I can play a role in helping that celebration. I’ll have to dig up all my old “stuff” I have from my time at WLFR.

Stay tuned, I’m hoping to get back in the studio real soon!

Sunday, March 22

The official parties and showcases are over and recovery begins for most. However, there’s an annual Sunday gathering for brunch at Opal Devine’s for many of us. I’ve only gone the last two years, back in 1995 (my first SXSW) I wasn’t on the Postcard list yet. And SXSW was a completely different experience back then!

The 17th floor of the hotel had to evacuate at 4:30am. Climbing down 17 flights of stairs in PJs is not exactly what one wants to do at that hour, especially when you’ve only been asleep for a few:

-Um hotel evacuation not cool at 4:30 am #pcfh wish they would let us know whats going on 5:47 AM Mar 22nd from web
-All because some idiot was smoking in their room, we had to walk down 17 flights of stairs grr #pcfh 5:54 AM Mar 22nd from web (the twitter post times, are East Coast time)

I did find it curious that only the 17th floor had the alarm to evacuate. And it’s not one you can sleep through, it’s got a voice along with the bell and is constantly telling you to leave. But what if it had really been an emergency? the 16 floors below us would be ok? anyway….

We had a really great turnout for brunch, and it’s nice to just sit and relax with no where to go, unless your flight is leaving that day! A few left to catch flights, drive home, etc some went to Waterloo a bit early, and a handful of us stayed behind to talk with the Two Cow Garage boys.

A quick visit to Waterloo Records, although I was just along for the fun. By this time in the week, funds are usually way low for me! I went over to Flatstock with Terry & Wendy and wandered around a bit. I tried in vain to find an early birthday or Christmas present for a friend, but just couldn’t decide on something that would work.

took a few hours to relax in the room, pack up my stuff, and then met up at the Driscoll for a drink or two, off to dinner & drinks at ? a place I can’t remember, but was good food & conversation. And one last drink back at the Driscoll. We all said our goodbyes.

Then instead of walking around the block, me, Dave, Donny & Joe went over the front gate on the porch of the Driscoll and I almost broke my ankle hopping down onto the steps, even with assistance from the boys. I walked it off back to the hotel, hoping it would be fine.

Back in the room, I could barely keep my eyes open & had thought about going out for more music, but decided to sleep instead.

the view from the 17th floor:

Another SXSW complete.
I wonder what next year will bring?!

Saturday, March 21

Thankfully, I woke up feeling much better than the previous night. I decided to try and keep it relatively low key in the morning, during the first part of the day. I wanted to go to the Yorkshire party, but I decided to go to the Twangfest party. With such an incredible lineup this year, with many bands on my list in one venue, and the opportunity to spend the last official day with many friends, it wasn’t a hard decision.
A whole bunch of us went over from the hotel, and got there just as Ha Ha Tonka was about to start.

I split time between them and Otis Gibbs, who was playing outside.

A couple of us sat down inside for a bite to eat, and we must have hit the sweet spot because it didn’t take long for food to arrive. Unfortunately, I missed Romantica playing outside, but listened to The Waco Brothers as they started their set. It was strange to be at a table with my back to the stage, but I wouldn’t have been able to see them anyway, plus I know what they look like! once I was finished eating, I did stand up on my chair and snap this photo:

I then went outside to catch Steve Dawson, who had Edward Burch join him for a couple songs. I was the only one who gave a “woo hoo!” at Edward Burch’s mention of Bill Fox. If I recall correctly, they covered a song, but I don’t remember which one.

Back inside for a couple Exene Cervenka songs. I wanted to make certain I didn’t miss a second of Magnolia Summer outside so, I planted myself in a chair right at the front. It was a perfect soundtrack for yet another gorgeous day in sunny Austin.

Slaid Cleaves was starting his set inside just as Magnolia Summer ended theirs. I caught most it, and then hitched a lift with Mike, Meri & Mike to try and catch The Breakers. We missed them, but caught The Homosexuals who were interesting to watch over a quick beer.

From there we moved on to Home Slice Pizza, who’s lineup was WAY behind schedule. seriously behind schedule. Since I didn’t really have anything specific to see, I just hung out with the guys and waited at Home Slice. We were waiting for Jason Lytle to start his set, and I’m not a Granddaddy fanatic, but I dig them well enough. He sounded pretty good and was in relatively good spirits.

this was the best photo I could get:

Mike climbed up on the fence to take some from a better viewpoint, but I wasn’t climbing anything!

After that, we headed back downtown and I took a break to rest at the hotel.

Went over to see Two Cow Garage for a really short set at Creekside, which was a mere block away. My camera battery started to die but not before I got a ton of the boys. My favorite of this set:

I’ve been taking photographs of the Two Cow boys for years, and I’ve learned that I can just shoot and I’ll usually catch something good!

back to the hotel real quick to charge the camera battery for a few minutes, and a few of us were trying to decide the 9pm hour..so I listened to songs from our choices, and when I went to Craig & Brooke’s room, I said as they opened the door: The Little Ones! Which was a good choice, because they said the same thing! A few of us ended up there and the bar was packed. They were A LOT of fun!

I moved on to One Hundred Dollars next and was on my own. I had them on my list, and they were playing just before Marching Band. Marching Band had played a number of times all week and this was my last chance! I LOVE their album from start to finish, and love it so much that I was afraid I might be disappointed at the live show. no matter, their set became a Saturday night MUST SEE!

I felt bad for One Hundred Dollars singer, as she was losing her voice rapidly. poor thing could hardly talk at the end of her set. I had gotten from texts from my friend, Eric, who was looking for my must see of the night. I told him where I was and he showed up with a friend (her name escapes me at the moment) in time to catch a bit of One Hundred Dollars too. Heather got there in time as well. Definitely weird sitting in hard wood chairs in a church, but it sounded really good!

Marching Band were reluctant at the beginning of their set. They were concerned they were too loud. It really wasn’t too loud and it sounded amazing. from the first note, I knew I wasn’t going away disappointed! Even better is that my tip paid off to Eric, who loved them just as much as I did. I think after “For Your Love” he whispered ‘again, play it again!’ Beautiful swirling pop sounds, recreated almost to the exact note live.

The one thing about SXSW is that there’s usually little time for just hanging out and talking with a band. Granted, I jam pack my schedule with bands to maximize my time and get my money’s worth. My paycheck doesn’t really afford me many luxuries, but my love for music needs to be fed. A lot of times, there’s only a few brief moments to say hello to a band, because they have to move on to their next gig, sometimes having to run up 6th St or wherever. And depending on the situation, I can easily lose my voice and not have the courage to say anything. Luckily, I didn’t have anyone pressing to see for the 12am slot, so I waited around to say hello to at least one of the main pair of Marching Band. They left their albums & t-shirts at an unattended table, with a cup for money, kind of a free will payment for merch. Three of us were looking at the shirts, which most were in a backpack on the floor, so me being the organizer that I am, I starting taking them out and sorting them. Another girl helped too. At that point, Erik walked over.

I spoke with him for a few minutes telling him the sound was great, and not too loud as they had worried about it during the set. I gushed a bit about how I loved the album from start to finish and had been listening to it as soon as I could get it. When he asked me where I heard their music, I smiled and laughed a little. I replied The power of the internet! I first heard “For Your Love” on the Three from Leith podcast (Hi Grant!) based in Scotland. And we laughed a little at how an American girl got to hear & love a Swedish band while listening to a podcast from Scotland. My music world is truly Global!

Unfortunately, they haven’t had as quick a success with the record yet in the US & he admitted that they could be better with promotion decisions around it. I’m doing my best to tell everyone about it, but these things take time and people who have open minds to new music.

I said my goodbye and hoped I’d see them again soon, and was off into the lovely breezy night.

I made my way back to 6th St. wondering where I’d go next. The 12am slot was well under way, nothing was shouting off the page at me (yes, I had a paper schedule printed out from sched.org) but I sent off a few texts to see what was up.

I’d heard great things all week about The Arkells, so I stopped in to see them. They lived up to the hype and sounded incredible despite crappy PA issues and were having a total blast on stage. I ran into Joe there, after a few songs, I couldn’t get past the sound problems and it was about 100 degrees inside.

I tried to get in to Youth Group at Maggie Mae’s knowing a few who were in there, but they were at capacity. at this point, I started trying to sort out who was going where for the 1am hour. I had already seen The Waco Brothers (and they usually make their way to IOTA) and Dressy Bessy was a bit of a hike from where I was. I was going to go in and see Bobby Bare, Jr. and should have, but I never made it inside. Most were off to see Monotonix, but I wasn’t interested all that much in them.

In the end I walked up 6th St. got a fresh slice of pizza & a coke from the truck just outside the hotel. And it was the freshest. So fresh, I had to wait for it to come out of the oven! I went back to the room, calling it a night. I kind of had a feeling that after Marching Band, there wasn’t anything else I needed to really see!

bands for day 4:
Ha Ha Tonka
Otis Gibbs
The Waco Brothers
Steve Dawson with Edward Burch joining on a couple songs
Exene Cervenka
Magnolia Summer
Slaid Cleaves
The Homosexuals
Jason Lytle
Two Cow Garage
The Little Ones
One Hundred Dollars
Marching Band
The Arkells

tally for Saturday: 14 (6 full sets)

Friday, March 20

Once again, I was up for breakfast relatively early. And out the door for a fully scheduled day, however….

Over the last couple of years, between car accidents and other health issues, I’m somewhat baffled at my ability to take on SXSW. The problem with me is that I never know what kind of day I’m going to have health wise. One day, I could be fine, feeling fabulous, the next barely feeling up to standing. In addition, the migraines I’ve suffered from since age 15 or so are like your worst hangover without the benefit of the drink. In addition, typically the effects of a hangover will go away with rest, water and a dose of some greasy food and you start feeling better and working the alcohol out of your system. My migraines eventually go away, but sometimes it might be quick, other times all the “tricks” won’t work and I’m not sure when it will go away & they can last for days. I’m doing my best to sort it out all with doctor’s visits, but it’s not always easy.

At any rate, I try to rally through it all as best I can, unless, the universe decides otherwise.

I decided to start off the morning with The Lost Brothers! And it was a nice way to start off the morning. I went from there to the Sonic Bids party specifically to see Hot Lava.

I felt I should give them my support for a number of reasons: they’re from Richmond, they’re label mates with Oppenheimer (Bar None Records) & they played my friends’ pool party last summer. I caught a little bit of Devil Makes Three downstairs before I went up to Maggie Mae’s rooftop. I also caught the end of The Beat Poets set, although just barely.

It was a tough crowd so early in the day for Hot Lava. most were in the back of the roof top area, chowing down on free food & beer, and looking over the edge down to 6th St. Early people watching I’m sure. I was as close as I could be without being too close as the one person up front. After a few moments, I finally managed to meet Mark from Bar None in person. We’ve “spoken” to one another through myspace, email, etc mostly about Oppenheimer, but had yet to meet. It was a funny moment, but it was really great to finally meet!

The rest of the afternoon had many options. Some were just too far on the fringe (Home Slice Pizza and Fader Fort) for me to get back & forth to other stuff I wanted to see, so I stuck around the core of 6th St. I also needed to get some cash since I was running out. Remembering that my bank had a branch near the church where Camera Obscura played, I was pretty close to it from my current location. I’m forever trying to maximize my time with efficiency! (yes, a bit freaky, I know)

I was also trying to meet up with my friend, John. I ended up going over to the Aussie BBQ. the line for food was entirely too long, but the line for free beer was short, and I wasn’t hungry yet. I opted for the Lemon Myrtle beer (camera phone photo):

While there, I did finally meet up with John & his friend. I got to see The Fumes & Gabriella (boy was she AWFUL) And after a 2nd beer, we decided to move on. We went separate ways and I moved on to Latitude 30 for the Scottish Music party. I must confess, last year’s day party was way more exciting for me, personally, with this 2008 lineup: Our Lunar Activities, Jyrojets, Make Model, Dykeenies, Sons & Daughters, and Frightened Rabbit. Between the bands and the great crowd, 2008’s party was tops!

But 2009 did all right, I saw Come On Gang!, FOUND, & My Latest Novel.

From there, I went to catch the end of Glossary’s set at the Lucero Family picnic:

I saw Dave, Donny, Bruce, & Tom there (and probably others)…and by this point I was feeling mighty fine thanks to free beer. I was loving the new Glossary songs & heard them enough times I could sort of sing along. The Felice Brothers were up just after, so I stayed to catch them too. It was at this point I saw my friend, Tom, and started talking with him and another guy. I can’t remember where in the UK he was from, but I managed to spill my beer on him, which I apologized profusely for doing. But we started talking about Dropkick and he was surprised to know I knew of their music! I had plans to go to the Yorkshire party at Latitude 30 the next day, so I sort of made plans to meet up with him there.

I moved along to catch Camera Obscura nearby at Flamingo Cantina:

I managed some decent photos despite the contrasting light and the packed crowd. It was pretty close quarters on stage too! I enjoyed the new songs and old favs, and was just soaking it all in at this point! Once they finished their short set, I moved on up 6th St. to see We Should Be Dead:

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Kiki went over to the Habana Backyard with me since she was looking to see Felice Bros, Jason Isbell, & Tim Easton. We both really liked The Love Language, but weren’t sure it was necessary to have so many people on stage! I really like them a lot, but “Lalita” was definitely tops for me and the obvious “hit” single!

From there, it was a must to go see Frank Turner again. When I got to Friends, I wasn’t feeling so great, and could feel the start of a migraine. Francesca was there, and soon a few other Postcarders would be too. John met up with me as well. I was sticking to water & soda for awhile, but opted for a Corona, hoping the headache would go away. They were severely behind schedule at Friends. Which sadly, meant very short sets for most performers. I saw Beans & Toast, Ed Harcourt, Otis Gibbs, and Frank Turner. most barely got to play all of say 4 songs each. Frank wanted to play just one more and got shut down, despite the crowd clearly wanting just one more!

And what does Frank Turner do when he’s told no? He takes it to the street:

It has to be one of the greatest moments of SXSW 2009! He sung us two songs and it was brilliant! I’m sure there’s video & better photos, but that’s the best I could do and I didn’t want to keep holding my arm up to take pics, and ruin the experience for those behind me. I didn’t realize it would be my last photo of the night.

From here, John & I started walking over to Pangea to try and catch Graham Coxon before Superdrag. On the way over, I was enjoying the fresh air and cool breeze. However, I also realized that I went past my migraine threshold. There’s a certain point when I get a migraine that if I don’t catch it in time, and the meds don’t kick in properly, I have to give in to it. Let it run its course. But that means getting myself in bed with an ice pack and a room cool & dark. We made it all the way to the club when I had to say a quick good night and get myself up to Hilton Garden Inn ASAP. It was a really long walk (not really, but it felt that way) and I kept myself going as best I could. I *just* made it in time to crawl into bed with a cold wash cloth and the AC turned way down. I kept thinking in through my head, and trying to look at my schedule to see that I was missing Graham Coxon, Superdrag, Gary Louris & Mark Olson (consolation was knowing that I’d be seeing them in Scotland in May), Southeast Engine, Mike Badger, and Right or Happy (Reivers!!)…

It did me no good to fret over it. There’s no way I could be in a hot sweaty, crowded club in my condition. Kiki got back and got me some ice. And it got worse before it got better. But I did feel better by about 1am, and I wish I had looked to see that Shearwater were playing the 18th Floor, literally just above our floor. But I decided to call it a night and stay in bed. I’d rather kick the migraine completely and have a great Saturday.

I’ve learned that because of weird health issues, I’ve become much more flexible in a lot of things. I can’t always control how my body is going to react to the world. I just gotta roll with it, for lack of a better phrase.

bands for day 3:

The Lost Brothers

The Beat Poets (2 songs)

Devil Makes Three (3 songs)

Hot Lava

The Fumes

Gabriella

Come On Gang!

FOUND

My Latest Novel

Glossary (4 songs)

The Felice Brothers

Camera Obscura

We Should Be Dead

The Love Language

Beans & Toast

Ed Harcourt

Otis Gibbs

Frank Turner

tally for Friday: 18 (16 full sets, although the last four only got to play about 4-5 songs each)