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SXSW FESTIVAL AUSTIN TEXAS - MARCH 2008

SXSW Festival –Austin Texas 2008

Andre Williams/The Sadies

waco bros sxsw 08

Langhorne Slim sxsw 08

Life changes over a decade and a bit. My kids have grown up with me going to the SXSW Festival, and this once cool occurrence has become a monster event. Even the British Embassy is holed up off 6th St nowadays. This year for the first time in 9 years I purchased a badge & I must say after flying 5000 miles for live music I still didn’t get into everything I wanted to (namely M.Ward, Elani Mandell & She & Him). On the plus side I played a soup kitchen for the homeless & it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Also I was seen sporting shorts & straw hat most of the week as Austin was soaring & had record temperatures. Our depleted crew this year were Linda/Keith, Ian, Rob & Mick, Sid- Mr Invisible. After a baffling 27 hour long journey our adventures started a day early & if your trying to get back on track then where better to start than a visit to see two Austin legends

Tuesday evening
Dale Watson & Swing Band @ The Belmont- (patio). In 1978 my favourite punk Vic Goddard suddenly put on a tuxedo & took to jazzy swing. Forward 30 years to 2008 & my favourite honky tonk man Dale Watson has done the same. “All Of Me”, “One Night With You”, “Money Cant Buy You Love” were amongst tunes aired with a lot of TLC from Dale. He finished his set with “I Could Have Danced All Night” & we certainly would have but for
Alejandro Escovedo @ The Continental Club.
With an uncomplicated 4-piece rock band & in this much-loved venue there was no messing with Alejando tonight. Starting with “Baby’s Got New Plans” he played “Castanets “Don’t Know Why” some new songs penned with Chuck Prophet & simply rocked. The owner said that there was a very special guest (Lou Reed??) coming down. I was rather glad he didn’t turn up!

Wednesday –
I took the Dillo bus and a borrowed guitar to Caritas Soup Kitchen. Laura Thomas & her volunteers help bring a little live musical joy to the homeless here (There are 3000 + on the streets every given day in Austin). I was overwhelmed by the place on 7th St. Whole families were coming in to be catered for. Anyway a black dude gave me a hug as I brightened up his day. I very nearly cried….

Non SXSW 2008 free events begin

Eric Hisaw & Band@ Gueros
A free Combo plate all day showcase on South Congress. Keith & Ian came with me. We enjoyed our first margarita’s and some swaggering moves & shakes from the Stones like Eric & his chums in the mid afternoon sunshine. Mad dogs and…
Steve Poltz & Band @ Opal Divines
This unusual Austin based country rocker blows hot & cold. Some of his witty tunes can cut it like ”Bombs” & “Street Fighters Face” but others like “What Would Ghandi Do “are just plain daft. I did like his version of “Chasing Waterfalls” as a grand finale.
Sam Baker & Friends @ Opal Divines
“Small World” was easily one of my favourite folk roots albums of last year. At teatime singer songwriter Sam Baker brought along some musical buddies to flesh out his dark poetic & charismatic half-spoken, half-slurred gems. It was such a privilege to hear him & I’m sure the legacy of Townes lies with this chap.
Kimya Dawson @ Jo’s Coffee
We watched the film “Juno” on the plane coming over and the soundtrack simply came to life here. Kimya is one swell & wild cookie & her childlike ditties are both endearing & extremely funny. Songs about death, Tina Turner & the alphabet had me giggling like a school kid.
The Noisettes @ Jo’s Coffee
I didn’t know these were Londoners and would have left, if they weren’t so bloody good. Their music was all over the place and in a Grace Jones like vocalist; they have one helluva soulful singer. BBC’s Later surely beckons.
Langhorne Slim @ Jo’s Coffee
A little bit of roots folk, a little garage rock & a wee bit country I really liked this Pennsylvanian geezer. With a drummer / upright bassist in tow "The War Eagles “
We grabbed another shiner beer, as their sepia tinged tunes took us to the front porch & then the backwoods.
Elizabeth McQueen @ Gueros
Good to see “Asleep At The Wheels” twin vocalist & local favourite back doing her own fine rocking country twang. Some girls have it & she has.

Official SXSW Festival begins
Jenny Reynolds @ The Velveeta Room
Seemed to fall upon this show, as we were already music juiced up & luckily we weren’t disappointed. Scrappy Jud Newcomb accompanied Jenny and his acoustic guitar playing is quite amazing. Some silky clean vocals and a dark Americana sound from this young lady too.
Bonnie Bramlett @ Pangaea
Bonnie returns with a little soul & a big dollop of CIU club rock. Worst venue I’ve ever been and a god awful sound. We made our getaway after our 6-dollar bottle beer.
Nightwatchman @ Esther’s Follies
The Audio slave/Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello-The Nightwatchman in a dinky Theatre with his reputation. Yes quite true & it was made for his acoustic Woody Guthrie style political folk songs. He rocked albeit in a milder way!
Charanga Cakewalk @ The Rio
A bit of Latin & world music cannot be bad, as were very versatile. It was a cooking atmosphere in here and a big dance floor, while we stood at the bar & watched Austin’s answer to The Gotan Project.
White Ghost Shivers @ The Rio
Ian and me made our debut on the dance floor for these wacky vaudeville dudes.
An 8ft guy dressed in 30’s authentic gear and a plastic moustache and pipe led the troupe. He was later found fox-trotting on top of the bar…honestly Their a crazy 8 piece novelty band mixing Cab Calloway, Hokum Blues, dark jazz and hillbilly swing. When people tell me it’s like a circus, I never believe them, but tonight it was like a circus out there!

Thursday-

Non-SXSW shows
I just couldn’t get the weather right today, shorts & tee shirt, then an hour later, jeans & jacket .The solution. We all bought hats!!
Otis Gibbs @ Jovita’s
Annual pilgrimage for the thinking man’s songwriter, singing songs of love, politics & trucks. He’s of course a fine raconteur & good honest guy.
This Is American Music @ Jovita’s
With The Drams – My mate country Joe woke up on someone’s floor next to two Drams & after swigging a wee one, they were up and ready to rock this fine morning. Yes Indeedy they did in a punk infused Faces mode. Excellentttttt
Two Cow Garage – More Slobberbone than Slobberbone me thought
Glossary- A melodic version of the above two with beards to match Otis’s.
Grand Champeen finale- All 20 of em up for a rousing version of “Born To Run” led by Grand Champeen singer. It worked too.
Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves @ The Dirty Dog
24-year-old Blue eyed soul boy Eli “Paperboy” Reed literally stopped the conversations and silenced the dirty dog bar on 6th St on a busy afternoon. He was sensational in his OV Wright/Wilson Pickett soul shouter style & footloose ways. The True Loves played with economy & precision. Their arrangements had the Stax flavour all over. Easily the find of SXSW. Watch out Amy W or Sharon Jones, the retro soul boys are back.
Th’ Legendary Shack Shackers @ Jovitas
Two step punk, excello blues, psycho- rockabilly, whatever, these guys always put a smile on my face. The singer’s wild antics are pure theatre & what people forget is that they’re all great musicians.

Official SXSW Evening shows

Jesse Harris @ 18th Floor @ The Hilton
Best views of downtown Austin, a couple margaritas in hand and some subtle banjo picking/ Brett Dennen like crooning- & fine self penned tunes from this Norah Jones/ Madeleine Peyroux sidekick. If there’s a better start to an evening, please tell me ??
Mike Farris @ Antones
A full gospel soul oriented revue with 3-part brass, 2 backing singers etc and Mike Farris looking like the leader of White Stripes but possessing a powerful ten-foot tall blues ballsy voice. He did a wicked version of Sam’s “Change Is Gonna Come”.
Joe Ely with Joel Guzman @ Antones
The free wheeling Texas spirit & Joe Strummer cohort (he was sporting a Clash T Shirt) Joe Ely played a easy going set of career favourites accompanied only by Joel Guzman’s button accordion. It was magical but far too short as he invited young Ryan Bingham to finish his set with a Townes song…Joe’s got nothing to prove I guess?
Buddy Miller & Band @ Antones
Its quality not quantity with Buddy Miller. He is so effortless, has great roots, soul -gospel country songs, as a guitar player there’s no one better (ask Emmylou) & with his regular band (inc 2 drummers) he absolutely stormed this top Austin venue.
Chatham Co Line @ The Continental Club
The North Carolina acoustic quartet are a bit more poppy than just bluegrass these days (but still as good). They finished their set, off stage amongst the crowd, really unplugged for a heart-warming rendition of The Travelling Wilburys “Handle With Care”. We all sang & cheered.

The Sadies @ The Continental Club
This place is made for the Toronto foursome all suited up & looking like extras from any Cohen bros movie. Tonight they did a little '60s country rock, psychedelic; hillbilly, 50’surf, rockabilly swing and the Louvin Bros gospel tune “Higher Power” in a familiar Buddy Miller Style! 72 year old blues hobo Andre Williams got up on the garage R&B anthem “Baby You Wanna Make Love’ It doesn’t get much better.

Friday-
Non SXSW
It was the hottest day in March since 1967 so we didn’t do much walking around, although I must say we’ve used the 50-cent bus ride more than any other year.
Bloodshot Party @ Yard Dog
11th year and counting for Chicago indie Bloodshot Records, with free shiner beer to keep you cool and the cosiest way to spend an afternoon in the back tent.
Andre Williams with Allen’s Oldies Band
A rowdy way to start the day, with some garage R&B 60’s style from the bad mother****** Andre Williams direct from the Continental club with Austin’s Oldies band. The down in luck veteran bluesman was sporting purple/blue pegs. Quite the best trousers of SXSW.
Carolyn Marks & Friends
Often the sound isn’t great here but nobody complains & the humorous Canadian songstress didn’t, even though they couldn’t get the T’Chest Bass at all. The whole set suffered.
Bobby Bare Jnr & Band
They got the headband sound right for Bobby Bare jnr & his “my name is Earl” look-alike bad ass bass player and did these guys roots rock. With much more guitar angst than his soft alt country pop side. Maybe it was the heat.
Ha Ha Tonka
More “Futureheads” than “Clash meets Cash” .The sound of young bloodshot???

Burnside @ Threadgills
A lilting 5 minute walk down South Congress was made for a couple musical legends. We got seats here too. Ian’s feet were hurting.
Uncle Monk
What do you do after The Ramones? Well Tommy is playing mandolin in a Blue grassy Trio who sound 2nd rate. He could do better than to try a couple old Ramones ditties in that old fashioned style?
Dale Hawkins (& Some Rockabillies)
In 1958 Dale Hawkins wrote the giant rock n roll classic “Suzi Q”. I never thought Id get to see the man play it. He did it fourth in the set & it sounded tiptop. That’s all I came for.

Bloodshot Party @ Yard Dog
Justin Townes Earle & Band
Playing his own songs in a classic country manner with a red hot Nashville band. George Jones would have cried in his shiner listening. He was very much like Paul Burch, who is just about my no1 country artist!
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
It was the first encore of the day for the worst band, which took up 5 minutes of valuable Waco Bros time.
The Waco Brothers
Here’s a tip off for any afternoon headline artists. Just spend the day drinking and socialising at Gueros. It’s done the trick for Jon Langford and his merry Waco Bros every year. Their raucous, beery, alt country rip ups, always bring the house down & it’s more than a must for any SXSW goer & fun, fun, fun. Lets hear it for The Death Of Country Music!

SXSW Official Evening

Ryan Bingham & Band @ Momos
I like this venue, you can sit out on the vast patio, but just as we got there Ryan started up inside. This young West Texas songwriter looks the part, big Stetson hat, full western shirt etc & has the ‘rocks in your throat’ voice. His songs are too hard rocking for me and sound the same. Definitely one to watch though.
Shelby Lynne @ Austin music hall
With a small light band & showcasing songs from her new album - a tribute to Dusty Springfield, Shelby sang like the true pro she is. You could tell she truly loved these torch like renditions of ”The Look Of Love” Anyone Who Has A Heart” How Can I Be Sure” Breakfast In Bed ‘etc However there’s no getting away from the fact that it would have been much better in a Smokey bar room.
Junior Brown @ Austin music hall
This guy just oozes country class. With a fine honky tonk baritone & that Git steel guitar & songs like ”My Wife Thinks Your Dead” & Highway Patrol” he had a big crowd wishing he was still a regular on the Austin scene.
Jimmy Vaughan @ Cedar Street Courtyard
From one Texas legend to another. It was a rare chance to catch one of the all time great blues guitarists. I could just make out the double bassist more easily than Jimmy in this intimate confine. The music however was more authentic swing blues than Texas but when local singer Lou Ann Barton got up, it seemed to return to Texas. A special SXSW moment.

Saturday
Non-SXSW
Early morning Rob & me had a pleasant stroll over to Flatstock 16, poster convention
After 5 or 6 things I fancied in the first row, but with so little time, we agreed to come back later. Of course this never happened :-(
Laura Gibson @ Home Slice Pizza
A finger picking songstress with a songbird of a voice from Portland Oregon, blending into the sunny day as the birds whistled away. Yet another perfect SXSW moment.
Shinyribs @ Threadgills
This is The Gourds vocalist Kevin Russell’s side project. There a trio playing more gospel roots songs. He still had the music stand with the lyrics, so we got rather loose renditions. Notwithstanding they were good.
Eliza Gilkyson Trio @ Threadgills
Its always a pleasure to hear Folk roots singer-songwriter & J Hot Club favourite Eliza We witnessed another whistling moment too as two part harmony whistles were heard on stage by Eliza and her percussionist son Cisco. No it wasn’t The Bare necessities either.
The Watson Twins @ Home Slice Pizza
Twas a nice little stage out the back and The Watson Twins filled it with sisterly harmonies. There Americana sounds weren’t that far off Jenny Lewis territory. Not surprising really as they were her backing band!
Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears @Jo’s Coffee
Funk with a little punk is how someone described this local outfit. Dressed in star-treck jumpers in the mid afternoon heat, the horns were certainly funk driven but Black Joe singing/playing had a rhythm-bluesy James Brown like vigour to it. Not punk at all really.
JT Brown & The Clouds @ Zax
We got a flyer in the morning for this patio gig and JT was in my top 3 best gigs of 2007 so off we went. After 17 hour drive from Chicago this was his full band’s only gig and for casual punters Ian & me an “awesome” show. JT’s full of good humour he’s a great soulful-singer songwriter, plus 5 top musicians & three part band harmonies they sound like nobody else, simple as that. Good buddies Po Girl got up for the finale and so it proved my best SXSW 2008 moment.
Po Girl @ Zax
2nd best show of the day. Canadian folk-blues ladies Po Girl are both fine multi instrumentalists; both good vocalists and with added rhythm section (slide guitar/drums). They got JT& Clouds up for the finale!!

SXSW Official evening
Jypsy @ Stubbs (inside)
A young Folk-old timey sextet fronted by not one but three attractive fair maidens. Frankly their pretty good musician’s so will go far!
Okkervil River @ Stubbs (outside)
The place was full for Austin Chronicle’s newly crown best indie band of Austin. I don’t much care for The Cure like live show myself but I do like their albums?3rd chance Ive gave these guys & well.. shite.
Jen Grant @ Velveeta Room
I like Six Shooter Records. There kind of like the bloodshot records of Canada, so thought Id stay for their showcase night. I really like Jen Grant too. A quirky young songwriter and if you have the songs to match it’s a refreshing change. My favourite on her debut album is Daydreamer & she got all her mates up to play it. All ooh’s & yeah’ yeah’s…
Christine Fellows @ Velveeta Rooms
Pianist/guitarist Christine’s songs were not unlike our own Becky Owens and a young pigtailed graphic artist-projectionist did some very interesting things to match the music. Exceedingly arty.
Elliot Brood @ Velveeta Room
I was feeling an adopted Canadian by the time these 3 dudes came on. They were our find of SXSW 2006 and I’m rather glad to say they’re still brilliant. Banjo-laden romps and foot stomps. Not unlike early Gourds, but they do find time for an occasional dark furious ballad! They rocked the joint.
Luke Doucet & his White Falcons @ Velveeta Room
I assume Luke had the plague of the sore throat so couldn’t sing. I’m also guessing instead of cancelling you do a Luke Doucet karaoke with a few Six Shooter friends to come up & sing their hearts out. Or maybe the acclaimed gunslinger just asked some guests up for a singsong to make a pleasant change. Either way it was great entertainment & a grand finale to our official SXSW.
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Lowelites @ Egos
We call in this garage bar at least once on our visit, for a well-earned nightcap, and the house band tonight were playing “I live On the Battlefield” (rather well I must admit) ”So It Goes” was heard next up…a good choice of song I thought “I Trained Her To Love Me” from his latest album was played & it dawned on me they were a tribute band to the British master-songwriter Nick Lowe. I hate tribute bands but these were an exception & had me singing all the way back. Oh… Nick Lowe’s my favourite all time songwriter except for Martin Stephenson…

Sunday
Well SXSW was over again for another year & for better or worse I consider it an unbelievable event. You can come to Austin anytime and see good music. Indeed we saw Dale Watson, “sponsored by lone star” @ Little Ginny’s and The Resentments with Stephen Bruton back on form @ Saxon Pub today. Only in the middle of March in this music capital of USA can you have 4000+ bands play over 4 days though.

SHIPCOTE pics- mostly Ian Richardson

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J Hot Club - SXSW AWARDS 2008 -

Well folks, word about the Jumpin Hot Club Awards is certainly spreading. On a couple of occasions we were button holed by various folk about who was going to win an award this year so without further ado lets get down to business. ( Rumour has it that we will be hiring EGO’s on Monday night to have a presentation doo – ha ha )


Best Day Party : For the first time ever we have a tie for the day party and it’s between Bloodshot at Yard Dog and Twangfest at Jovitas on the Saturday The Waco’s ripped the roof off the tent at YD with their customary crazed antics and Andre Williams opened proceedings, reeking of booze at 12.noon. Meanwhile on Saturday Jovitas had the brilliant Redwalls, Chuck Prophet (looking good for May at The Cluny) and a Saturday afternoon spot by The Waco Brothers who slayed all before em doing their Cash meets Clash thang. Look it needs to be seen to be believed. Pure 100% commitment and effort.

Best Show Case As we didn’t have wrist bands this year we didn’t get to many show cases but the award goes to BD Rileys on Friday night with Boston’s Down Beat 5 and Magic Christian at 1.00am. At which point one of the J&H crew was asleep on a stool and another was duck walking on the back of a sofa – luckily no one was “assisted” out.

Best Venue As usual it has to be The Continental Club as its so tough to beat for atmosphere and sound. The Mother Truckers played a great set at lunch time on Saturday and Steve Poltz almost got decapitated crowd surfing. Scrappy Jud Newcombe played on Tuesday night with Dave Grissam (ex Joe Ely Band) and Alejandro was sublime on Sunday playing all of his new record with Chuck Prophet guesting on guitar.

Worst Venue : None this year everywhere we went was fine.

Weirdest Venue: The Rio A kind of trendy bar/ eats place – that had a two foot deep pool with a canoe in it. Good job we weren’t there late... might have gone plodging.

Best Hat: Ian’s blues guy safari number – tres chic “Champion man!!”( Hey Keith I must disagree - what aboot mine...Shippy)

Best On stage Drinking: The Waco Brothers at Yard Dog who demolished a litre bottle of Tequila between them during their set – no wonder it gets crazy.

Best Offstage Drinking: The Waco Brothers drinking Margaritas in Guero’s Taco Bar before they played at Yard Dog

Best Margharita: Guero’s frozen ones take some beating but that wacky joint Rio did a mean Mango one according to Shippy and Ian.

Best Food: Huts A 50’s burger place – not much time to chow down at SXSW but Huts is an amazing place with huge onion rings and fabulous tucker for a really budget price. Monsta!!!

Best New Band: The Redwalls from Chicago, these guys play rockin pop with a nod to Small Faces and harmonies to die for with chiming Rickenbackers - a fantastic find.

Jumpin Hot Legend Award : Cyril Jordan former Flamin’ Groovies axeman still rocking strong. His band Magic Christian has Clem Burke(Blondie) on drums Eddie Munez ex Plimsouls on bass, they create a splendid rockin sound with Mersey beat leanings. Cyril was loosing his hair in the 70’s but these days has a full head of wavy hair to put Elton John to shame. Weird Innit Groovy?

Saddest Moment : The Silos paying homage to Drew their much missed and deceased bass player. John Dee Graham rockin with em in a far from silent tribute. Very moving. And Shippy playing a benefit for the homeless. He was actually playing for the homeless as they ate their lunch.

Youngest Star: Connor Lewis (Channing Lewis’s son -Grand Champeen) At three years old he followed his Dad onstage to play with Two Cow Garage, well Connor didn’t exactly play but he had a ukulele which he played left handed and stayed on for the whole set despite being knocked over by his Dad in the more frenzied moments. Tremendous.

Well folks that’s it for another year – Next year we really should get out more.

Keith Hughes

ECMA Festival - Frederiction New Brunswick Canada - Feb 2008

ECMA Fredericton New Brunswick Canada - Feb 2008-02-15

What the hell was I doing on a small jet propelled aeroplane going to New Brunswick in deepest Canada during mid winter? Well I was invited as an international delegate for the 4 day East Coast Music Awards / Conference & to sit on a panel, meeting up with musicians, management & variables. However I was having grave weighty doubts in a snowbound Montreal airport, but I’m happy to report that despite the delays, cold, snow & blizzard conditions, it was quite an astonishing experience.

20 years old this year, these Music Awards & festival- conference are the celebration of all the Canadian East Coast singers, songwriters, musicians & music industry professionals. It was a first for the city of Fredericton too (Freddy-town to locals) as each year has a different host. With a small International delegation to bond with including Simon from Proper Records, Will McCarthy the publicist, Tom from Loose Records & agents Andy (Tom-Tom Music) & Jess (Coda Agency) we were whisked from the airport to the Delta Hotel in the early hours dazzled and wearily looking forward to events.

Thursday morning taking a look outside Id never seen that much snow for like 30 years. The organisers said it was only – 6 degrees today…oh great. To be fair we were taken sightseeing around the city (1/4 size of Newcastle) to a champagne breakfast at the Governors House & we were each given warm ECMA fleece jackets,but surprisingly no skis or French dictionaries (they speak both languages here). Not much later Ryan Leblanc and his New Brunswick slant to the one-man band provided our first taste of live music. He played a djembe while finger picking acoustic guitar, cello like, producing a nice folksy organic sound…easy man. The main music events of the Festival were held at The Playhouse & Aiken Centre. The arrangers were very keen for us to see as much music while here, with amazingly 500 volunteers in a population of 50,000 & you only had to ask & transport was provided. After dinner & a mixer at the Hotel again with live music supplied (Matt Anderson & some soulful acoustic blues) & with my handy VIP pass over my 3-jackets/ hats, Me Andy & Will hit downtown. Mancton NB resident Julie Dorion Id saw before during SXSW 05’, she’s now added a drummer & kind of got a Feist-White Stripes good thing going. Perfect fodder for Tom at Loose Records me thought. We then had to brave the freezing conditions & a few minutes walk without falling down, to the main square where most showcases took place. The Divorcees in the “Rockin Rodeo” saloon were a must. There quite a hard band to pigeonhole but its good country music with sadly only the singer divorced. The Back Nine bar. Behind a Mexican fast food joint was holding the Music Nova Scotia showcase. Tanya Davis trio entertained as I enjoyed a Canadian dry beer. They’re not unlike 10,000 Maniacs (anyone remember?) fronted by Kate Nash & I liked them. In fact most of the Nova Scotia acts over the weekend were excellent including the two others tonight. The troubadour Old Man Ludecke, who’s about 20 years younger than my good self, & who plucked away on claw hammer banjo with some ancient- modern quirky folk tunes while spinning quite a few yarns & David Myles who oozed charisma albeit in a geeky way. The women just loved this man, many singing along to his Paul Simon-Brett Dennen like music…incredible. Also incredible, as I flagged a taxi back were 3 young hipsters out in summer shirts in sub zero temperatures! Jesus, just like a Saturday night out in the bigg market.

Friday and Saturday were why they flew me all the way over here, for I had 16 - one to one afternoon meetings/sessions in the Crown Plaza with a wide assortment of canny Canadian music people. Most weren’t that pushy either. You’ll be happy to know that the Jumpin Hot Club/Americana; Boss Sounds Festivals are widely known worldwide and that was heartening for me to hear.

Friday On a tip off from one meeting & an email from Nova Scotia indie record label Hay sale Records, a unique evening house concert was being held at the downtown Reneu Boutique Store. Well some extra warm clothing would come in handy anyway and the new labels run by Serge- ex The Guthries, a well underrated alt country-indie pop band that released 2 top albums. Ruth Minnikin once their singer was entertaining as I arrived. She was playing songs from her handmade “Folk Art” album. Alt folk country- crazy baroque tunes with 2 brass players and her band. I was hooked and when she sang a song about her dyson Hoover I immediately booked her for our Americana Festival! Adam Puddington a stellar old style country crooner-songwriter with an amazing Hammond B3 player followed and his music kind of went with the retro clothes. Oh I was overcome to buy a Fredericton Hockey team scarf there too, you could say this long wooly blue/white job is QPR, or Chelsea but I know differently.

Saturday downtown was like walking onto the movie set of ” It’s a Wonderful Life” with snow coming down fast & furious and skating in the main square. Me, Simon & Will bought samosa’s from the local Saturday market (8 for 3 dollars) as we made our way to meetings. Music was broadcast live on radio later from the busy Hotel ballroom were amongst others I saw Saddle Creek String Band sing/play around one microphone an authentic mix of Bluegrass, Old Timey and Ragtime/Jug band music. Unhappily they were nothing special & young songwriter Steven Bowers & Band from well …Nova Scotia of course, who had charm, a versatile voice & some fine tunes. He reminded me of fellow Canadian Luke Doucet with touches of M Ward for good measure. While we were propping up the bar, Tom’s new favorite country cabaret act “Shanklin Road” hear us describe one desperado local act as a freak show & told the audience so when their spot finally arrived. Without delay we caught a local ride downtown again to the Back Nine where songstress Jill Barber was performing. This sultry sensual chanteuse strummed, sang and had the attentive audience in the palm of her hand. However fellow delegate Simon was in a bit of a predicament, having lost his jacket & in the presiding search we didn’t catch much of her set. Later his jacket was found. It was on his back! With my handy pass I popped into Nicky Zee’s on the way back and heard possibly the best music of the weekend. A Pure and haunting torch of a voice, deep yet subtle songs and lush yet lilting country roots flavoured music. I didn’t even know the name. Catherine Maclellan was the answer.Where from? Nova Scotia of course

Sunday After various ECMA meetings and with rather hazardous & blizzard conditions outside there were only two events scheduled. A songwriters circle @ Playhouse with amongst others Martha Wainwright and the Jolie Holland-ish Jen Grant and the actual Music Awards ceremony @ Aiken Centre which all the international delegates were to attend. It was a long haul but all the Uk guys made one event or the other. For the record our delegations number one act Dave Gunning won not one but two awards (I was the only delegate who didn’t see him play or Meaghan Smith who sounded splendid ) & also we didn’t fall asleep.

The ECMA is in Newfoundland next year but if invited, would a daft Geordie ever go again…you bet !!

SHIPPY

Pics- Some Tom Bridgewater, some Graham, (Ruth M + Van) from web

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Sid's SXSW 08 in Austin Texas - A J"Hot Club Regular reports............

Its Not the SXSW...........Hi Guys…
I will give you a short run down on what I did, where I went, who I saw & mmm no better not…. Anyway here we go.
After getting to my Motel Inn on the Monday night, I went straight to bed, indeed by then it would have been about 5am back in blighty, and Id been up for over twenty five hours, (with only three bloody hours sleep).
By Tuesday morning I was wide awake again, and raring to go, I didn’t know anything about Tuesday daytime events, the only show I had in mind was Ginny’s Little Long Horn Saloon in the evening.
It was such a lovely hot day, I thought I should take a walk, & Little Ginny’s didn’t seem very far, by my very own map. Sorry to say that was one of two mistakes I made, (the second was not taking any sun block). With time to spare it took me a grand four hours to find it! I now know why they don’t have many footpaths on the outside of town in Austin, only idiots go on long walks in this heat, it was way in the high eighty’s, & on one day got to a record 96.
About 3pm I got to Ginny’s & a warm welcome was received, when I told them how far Id walked, (in fact they didn’t believe me), & obviously they could see that I looked like a red Indian (better than how you usually look! - ed). Ginny’s is open from midday to about 1am, however their live music doesn’t start till 9pm, so after a well earned couple of cool Lone Stars, I went for a meal in the restaurant next door, & then back to Ginny’s to wait for tonight’s band The Horton Brothers. I found their authentic rockabilly very good, the two brothers Bob and Billy do a lot of their own self penned numbers too, & tonight were a four piece with guests Bear (from The Essentials), Miss Lauren Marie and Rick Shear. Joining them for a song or three. I was sick of Lone Star beer by then, and took to drinking the local micro dark beer Shiner, and stayed with that for the week unless I was in a place with Newcastle Brown (its on draft over here).
Wednesday - I got myself a taxi or cab as the yanks say into town & to the famous Antones, ‘Asleep at the Wheel’ were playing, mid afternoon although I still had a few hours to get my bearings and so went on the look out to find some other venues. It didn’t take long either, before I came across Opal Divines on west 6th st, a very fine local free house, that had some great live acts on their balcony - Patterson Barrett, Mark Jungers, Jimmy Baldwin and Jason Eady, Their was a large queue @ Antones when I finally arrived back but within a few minutes I got to the front, & was told it was by invitation only. If there was enough room when the entire guest had arrived they would let me and a few others in, and indeed that’s how I saw the best show of the week.
They were promoting a new record label called Bismeaux who Asleep at the Wheel are now under, & after their first spot another band ‘Carolyn Wonderland Band’, played They were a bit rocky for my taste, but thankfully Asleep at the Wheel came back to finish the show off, introducing me to one twelve year old girl called Ruby Jane who is going to be a master on the fiddle and has a good voice to boot,
Luckily I caught up with her again at another show. I also got to meet Ray Benson and other members of the band. A fine set of fellas…
Then It was back over to Opal Divine to see Sam Baker (Otis Gibbs was also their and I got a great photo with both of them together alongside well …myself), This was the only time I got to see J’hot’s very own Graham Shipcote since I bumped into him in Atlanta Airport, and that was only time I saw him all week!!! I also caught Darryl Lee Rush and The Pear Ratz here &. Had to finish Wednesday back at Ginny’s to seen the vastly underrated Roger Wallace Band, & another great Longhorn saloon night.

Thursday- again I got a taxi but this time to another Opal Divine, the one south of the river up South Congress @ Pennfield, Chip Taylor was beginning the day there, & not many people were here, as it was only 11am.
Chip gave another of the polished shows I have come to expect from him, only this time he had another young lass on fiddle (it turned out that this was thanks to his last fiddle player Carrie Rodriguez, this lass had came to see Carrie play and was then introduced to Chip) her name is Kendel Carson.
I also got to see Sally Spring who can play a guitar with one hand better than I can with two, and she also has a very good voice too. Jo Carol Pierce, I was not too impressed with, so I went with a couple of other lads from Teesside (Jhot regular Geoff + Marty), to San Jos’e .We saw Dan Dyer and Suzanna Choffel, & also met up with Otis Gibbs and Joe Ely , who were just “hanging”
We went back to Opal Divine again and saw Jenny Reynolds, Freddie Steady 5, my first and only act from England Michael Weston King and his wife, who were quite good also Leslie Anne and her Juke Jointers and my first of three shows with the sober James Hand.
I then went with another couple geezers Frank Bradshaw from Cheshire and Vernon from Londonderry. To Jovita’s to see zany country swing maverick Cornell Hurd Band, also on the bill were the great Bill Kirchen and Blackie White, Frank had hired a car, so that made it easier to finish the night where else but Ginny’s Longhorn Saloon. It should have been Dale Watson, but he was ill (I never did get to see him) but I wasn’t too disappointed with as James Intveld stood in. I would love to see him at the Jumpin’ Hot Club, his songs and voice are tiptop. also in the band on Bass was Billy Dee who’s a good singer in his own right Leslie Anne was also their and got up with a song or two. Frank and Vernon went at midnight, I was offered a lift, but declined, wanting to see the rest of the show, & this turned out to be another bad mistake. The last two nights the wonderful staff got me a taxi, but they could not get one Thursday night (because of the big demand with SXSW). So it was 2am, the band had all packed up and they were ready to lock up for the night. Luckily Billy Dee was outside in the parking lot & was good enough to give me a left back in his Cadillac, Now that’s what I call a good friend.

Friday- morning it was back to the Opal Divine Pennfield in time to see the opening act Rod Picott, who I have seen a few times in the Northeast. He was with Amanda Shires. Slaid Cleaves came along with Rod, but unfortunately just to hang out. I stayed to see two other acts. The cool country twang of Mary Battianta (Little Pink) Band and Ronny Elliott. I then went with the two lads from Teesside to Flipnotics for something to eat. Here they had a group on named Buttercup. They should have been called the Teletubbies, and it was all La La La. shite
We then went back to Opal Divine to catch Gurf Morlix and Sam Baker as a duo. They seem to have very similar styles, and are both good story tellers so it worked perfectly. I also saw the acclaimed Dave Insly and the Careless Smokers and The Rizdales from Canada. I met up with Frank again, who knows his way around Austin very well, and he suggested that we go to Patsy’s Cowgirl Café. Up there we saw The Border Blasters, a canny good Texas swing band, who after a short while introduced Chip Taylor’s fiddle player Kendel Carson. Funnily enough Chip came in just before she finished to see her. I had a good chat with them afterwards.
We then went to Jos’e Coffee to see two other great local artists who I have seen before, so it was singer songwriter Hayes Carll followed by the great master Billy Joe Shaver. I still had time to finish the night back at Ginny’s & Leslie Anne and her Juke Jointers. I accepted a lift home off Frank of course!

Saturday- we went to Torchy’s Tacos (the first time that I have ever had a taco and their very good), and I got to see the Cornell Hurd Band again with Billy Dee and Bill Kirchen. It was quite brilliant as they did a lot more songs this time.
We then went for a meal at the Artz, then afterwards it was back to the Opal Divine Pennfield in time to see Jim Stringer and the AM Band, I enjoyed his singing/guitar playing, & after a short time he introduced Ruby Jane who I had seen with Asleep at the Wheel, She did about four songs, & is defiantly a name to look out for. I also got to see David Serby and the Sidewinders, & also Jaime Shuey and the Demolition String band. We then went for a meal up the top of Austin @ Hill’s Café, and once again saw James Hand & his Band, then back to the Opal Divine, for two fine acts…. Jesse Dayton and Brennen Leigh also Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles.
Once again I finished the evening at Ginny’s, sadly this was my last night there & countrypolitans Amber Digby and Dottie Jack entertained us. I wish it was on the corner of my street, it may be small, but the atmosphere is great & it’s the best place in Austin. (Worth walking 4 hours to- Ed).

Sunday- was my last day; I went to the all day festival at the Oaks, about fifteen miles out of town. They had three outdoor stages, and changed the bands round every hour or so. As they were pretty close together, you could see every band for about fifteen minutes .Ill name check the artists I saw-
12pm Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers, Shake’em Up, Linda McRae.
1pm Roy Heinrich, The Rizdales, The Boxcar Preachers, I did turn up at the Cluny to see The Boxcars, but, one had gone sick, they apologised to me, and promised to send me there CD (still not received it yet).
2pm Quebe Sisters Band (three sisters on fiddle, they are quite superb,good looking too-see pic !), Patricia Vonne, Brennen Leigh with Leo Rondeav.
3pm Rick Shea with Jamie Shuey, Massimiliano Carocca with Andrea Parodi, Green Mountain Grass.
4pm James Intveld, Gurf Morlix, Woodsboss.
5pm James Hand Band (my third time), Suzanne Smith, Rosie Flores (I did try to get a CD from her, she thought she had some in her car, but no luck, so she gave me four free CD’s by other artist. Thank you Rosie!! ),
6pm Carrie Rodriguez, Gal Holiday, Shotgun Party.
We left then to go back to Austin, they did have a Torchy’s Tacos van there, but you can’t live on Tacos alone.
We finished the night at Artz; with a swing band on called The Ramblers.
On the Monday it was time to head back to England, but as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say ‘I’ll be back’. …

SIDNEY CARNE - Mr Invisible