SXSW saturday roundup

the saturday showers, though a blessing to the wildfire regions of texas, were less well received by austin's residents. they did quit for blocks of time, however, and more stellar lineups served to un-dampen spirits. daniel from nada surf told i am not victor ward at stubb's on friday that they were playing an acoustic set at waterloo records around three in the afternoon. thus, our first stop was a crowded record store where drinking was permitted and paying for merchandise was optional (not really). after the first two songs matthew said that he'd take requests, but i really think he had songs in mind and clearly picked whatever he wanted whether shouted aloud or not. they played mostly songs from let go and the weight is a gift like thursday, but changed up some songs so it wasn't identical. the highlight was their closing piece, an extended version of the "kitty" song complete with purring and mewing (although daniel translating "fruit fly" into french while matthew played was the runner up moment).

next it was on to catch up on drinking (somehow we were behind at 3:30pm). we stopped in a few bars while walking down 6th street, and eventually afternoon changed into evening. we arrived early at la zona rosa for the stills show at ten. a band from new york city, california (or something like that), augustana, played well opening up. next morningwood took the stage with a vendetta against silence. their commanding singer made the mediocre set enjoyable, as only someone wearing a holster for her mic can do. then the stills took the stage and rocked in their good-looking, charming manner. they played five new songs and three old ones. from what i recall of the new, they were very good but seemed lighter, a different kind of sound than logic will break your heart. when the bass drum started up for lola i think i was the happiest i'd been all weekend. of course, i was partial to the songs i know and love and that one is tattooed on my gray matter.

after that we left for fox and hound, an outdoor venue boasting she wants revenge and we are scientists. after getting passed over for wrisbanded people we were finally let in (as far as the wristband issue, we generally found they weren't needed but we weren't club hopping incessantly or trying to get into wristband-only clubs). she wants revenge came on in their devil-may-care manner, and the record exec standing next to us' presence assured me that they are for real. i have to say it was really great, even not knowing most of their songs. the singer is just so full of cool that it spills out of his voice very smoothly. i think if he sung about politics i'd immediately find the topic interesting. we are scientists played well but were outshined by she wants revenge, and by this time i was pretty tired. highlights include the ridiculous dollar-sign shaped necklace on the bassist.

i have more to say about some things but that ends the saturday summary. 11 hours of music, seven bands, one kitten song. and a desire to never go home.