The boys are back in town! Black Taxi has returned to New York from a long stint in Austin and southwest tour, and we can’t be more excited and happy to hae them back! Come celebrate their homecoming and the arrival of spring at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 tonight at 10:45pm. It’s the start of their month-loing residency, that will launch them into yet another tour. They will be performing two new songs a week, so don’t miss your chance to get a sneak peek at fresh material!
Day 5 of SXSW kicked my butt, to be frank, but in the best way possible. I set up camp at Rusty’s after a failed attempt to get into Rachel Ray’s Party at Stubb’s BBQ. Not waiting in the three mile long line was definitely a blessing in disguise. I ventured to the tried and true, Rusty’s, where the line-up stayed amazing all day long.
A bunch of Boston acts including, folk rock Air Traffic Controller, bluesy, harmony-soaked Coyote Kolb, and rock ‘n rollers with a humorous edge, Mellow Bravo , got the energy pumping right off the bat.
A little later in the afternoon after yet another Tex-mex descanso, I returned to Rusty’s for some heavy hitters. Previous contestant on The Voice, Nakia, who is based in Austin, showed off his lung capacity and soulful vocal chops with the help of an orchestra of instruments and back-up singers. San Antonio-based band of (literal) brothers, Hacienda, took the stage next, demonstrating that their tightness as a band was not only by blood, showcasing their rough-around-the-edges pop rock and their personable stage presence .
Outside, another band of siblings, Chicago’s Filligar, led by three brothers, who would be a “classic” rock band if I didn’t know better. They’ll be in NYC on June 1 at Gramercy Theater rocking tunes from one of their 5 records. In the next room over, Phoenix, AZ’s The Technicolors shined with Brit-rock-esque tunes from their record Listener Deluxe, who were followed by Fresno, CA-based Strange Vine, who, though only a twopiece, created a huge sound with some extra keyboard responsibilities played by their drummer. SXSW got a huge dose of happy when country/blues/folk six-piece, Sam Marine & County, high-voltage, Louisiana-born, pop group, Super Water Sympathy,and Brooklyn’s indie synth-pop/rock quartet, Silas Fermoy, who welcomed their debut EP Chapters yesterday, took the Rusty’s stage.
The best moment of the night happened when Jared James Nichols took the main stage, not to downplay any of the artists. JJN took my breath away, though, and it’s a rare occasion to be so utterly impressed. The trio, born in Troy, Wisconsin and now hailing from Los Angeles, shook the venue with blues rock to the max, with intense drums, surging bass lines, and Nichols’ guitar-playing that is pretty untouchable. Last but not least, Nashville’s The Hollywood Kills, closed the night on a perfect note, danceable rock ‘n roll with finesse, featuring sultry sounds from their latest EP An Idiot’s Guide to Desertion.
Here’s a quick look at the day, but check out the full album on Facebook!
The fourth day of SX was a day well spent on South Congress. I kicked off my day at a small outdoor, garden party with punk and pizza at The Pizza Shop, that had pretty amazing thincrust pizza (even after being spoiled by NYC pizza). There, punk/rockabilly band out of Austin, Something Called Nothing was busting out some swinging tracks in the sunshine before The Phuss rocked out a set accmpanied by some backyard moshing before hitting the stage yet again at Doc Motorworks later that afternoon. Heading back to Doc Motorworks, Deton, TX’s The Birds of Night accompanied the 80+degree weather with surfy tones and throwback vibes. Up next, Fort Worth’s Roaming Soldiers became one of my top new bands of this year’s SXSW, winning my heart with rock ‘n roll grit, bluesy sass, and southern twang. The close to my day of music wasn’t too shabby. I got a chance to catch Stilwater, Oklahoma’s rootsy rockers, Taddy Porter, before scampering off to The Auditorium Shores to see the bizarre antics of the one, the only The Flaming Lips. At the Shores, the field was packed with hula hoop dancers and people wearing strobing, seizure-inducing lights/jewelry. A theatrical performance by The Flaming Lips included quirky frontman, Wayne Coyne, wearing a robe of umbillical-like cords, while he held a fetus manikin. The kings of the unexpected, this show certainly lived up to the odd but impressive showmanship.
View the day’s events on Rocker Stalker’s FACEBOOK and “like” the page while you’re there :).
Somthing Called Nothing
The Phuss
The Birds of Night
Roaming Soldiers
The Phuss
Taddy Porter
The Flaming Lips
Day 3, SXSW 2013. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, they did.
I started the day off with a little dance music that I could see myself working out to, Brooklyn-based electro/DJ duo No Way Josie at The Parish, followed by polar opposites, Austin-based folky, pop/rock trio, MARMALAKES. My Brooklyn favorite, Black Taxi, who have been calling Austin home for the last couple months while they write some new material and share their greatness with TX. These guys will be back in April for a residency at Rockwood Music Hall starting April 26 for three weeks. After a long power walk south of downtown, I finally arrived, sweating, to Doc Motorworks, where Fort Worth’s Ice Eater was breaking it down on stage with a experimental punky rock, featuring music from their aptly titled Don’t Care EP. In between sets, the audience was, quite frankly, punished with some stand up comedians , but thankfully, my favorite Fort Worthian trio, The Phuss, brought salavation to the afternoon (Vocalist/guitarist Josh Fleming even had some jokes up his sleeve that saved the inter-set banter.). The band slammed the stage with their no-apologies rock, pounding drums, swaggering bass, punky aggression, and undeniable attitude. Their current self titled record is a must, and you can grab it here.
Just down the street, at Guero’s Taco Bar (they have the most amazing fajitas, just as a side note), I was lucky to catch a set by Beaumont’s Purple, who was impressing the Tex-mex indulgers with heavy rock fusion led by vocalist/drummer, Hanna Brewer. The second daily dose of The Phuss followed, quaking the taco bar, bringing about some interpretive dancers and a guy dressed as The Pope, and making it pretty difficult to keep a straight face.
The day’s music came to an earlier close than usual, but I got a chance to explore late-night Austin a bit and get my fill of SXSW chaos for the remainder of the night.
Check out Part III of SXSW here!
No Way Josie
Marmalakes
BLACK TAXi
The Phuss
Purple
Sex, Diet Coke, & Rock 'n Roll
effective immediately
Sex, Diet Coke, & Rock 'n Roll
Rocker Stalker 