Heavy Makes You Happy

I just noticed my right hand is covered in stamps and bracelets from yesterday's festivities here in Austin at the SXSW festival. Guess that means I've covered some ground!

Saw some cool stuff last night. The highlight was a new band from the England called The Heavy. This band is really something. They are funky and soulful and they rock! The singer, Swaby, is incredibly charismatic and full of swagger. I hear hints of Curtis Mayfield & even Jimi Hendrix. One track even sounded a bit like Screaming Jay Hawkins, "I Put a Spell on You." Really looking forward to tomorrows set at the Current's Free Yr Radio Stage!

I checked out a set by Dan Sartain. He is from Birmingham, Alabama. Sartain has described his as, "Chris Isaak hooked up to jumper cables." Not a bad description for the gent who has opened for both the Hives and the White Stripes. His sound is kind of a trashy mix of rockabilly and blues. I've seen him before and his live shows are kind of uneven but he sure delivered in his all too short set last night!

Also took in a set by a Texas group called the Marked Men. If you like the Buzzcocks and the Ramones you'll dig these guys.

Things are heating up in a hurry. It's supposed to be in the 90's today in Austin.

Thanks for the update Bill! Hope you stay cool down in Austin town.

Doesn't seem fair that Austin got to 93 today and Minneapolis got to what, 39?

Anyway, keep up the good work, Bill. We'll be listening to your 7 band marathon tomorrow.

HowWasTheShow's been trying our hand at SXSW coverage this year with some "almost live" audio blogs from Stacy Schwartz.

Stacy got a nice photo of Mark Wheat here from yesterday.

Cheers
David

Hope you get to catch Ryan Bingham at Momos tonight. He's fantastic. I'll be in Austin next week - a bit late, but there's alway good music to listen to. I plan on a Slaid concert. Linda

Hey Bill, I heard The Heavy four song live set on your show today. They did sound great. I can only imagine being there. Oh well . sitting here in my lazy boy with JBL speakers, and 600 watts is the next best thing. I am having a very good saturday listening to your show.