South By Southwest 2014 In Pictures
Saving Country Music was out and about Austin, TX and its outskirts over the past week or so as part of the annual South By Southwest (SXSW) gathering, pounding the pavement and looking for the next country music artist worthy of your ears that you may never otherwise hear about. In the coming months I look forward to taking some of these discoveries and sharing them with you. But in the meantime to tide you over, here are some pictures from last week’s festivities taken mostly by Charlie Ekstrom of Almost Out of Gas.
You can also read an in-depth account of our SXSW doings and see more pictures on Rhythms Magazine.
Willie Watson
Founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show & amazing traditional country & folk artist. In Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX chapel.
Mickey Raphael
Willie Nelson’s long-time harmonica player. At Luck, TX.
Hurray For The Riff Raff
Alynda Lee Segarra from New Orleans. Fast-rising star on ATO Records with a primitive, Appalachian sound. In the chapel in Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX
Lukas Nelson
Son of Willie. He did this three times in a row at one point, after playing the guitar with his teeth. At Luck, TX.
The Defibulators
Brooklyn-based 7-piece rebellious country band that hosted the Brooklyn Country Cantina showcase for the 6th year. Singers Bug Jennings from Ft. Worth and Erin Bru share a rambunctious moment. On East 6th Street.
Tim Easton
Nashville-based sincere, storytelling songwriter. Freebird Showcase in the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store parking lot.
The Cactus Blossoms
A genuine throwback to the days of close harmonies and a classic sound, indicative of the Louvin and Everly Brothers. At the Brooklyn Country Cantina showcase, East 6th Street.
Sam Doores of The Deslondes
Definitely a band to watch. Stripped-down, traditional country sound in a busking style from New Orleans. From the Freebird Showcase in the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store parking lot.
Nikki Lane
Unique, offbeat country whose Dan Auerbach-produced album All or Nothin’ is coming out on New West Records May 6th. At Luck, TX.
JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers
The former Legendary Shack Shakers frontman has taken what used to be a very primitive, acoustic jug band, and made into an original Dirt Daubers/Shack Shakers hybrid which has become the best of both worlds. At Brooklyn Country Cantina, East 6th Street.
Shovels & Rope
Now one of the hottest bands in roots music, they give hope to all the other dirty, stripped-down bands of the roots world. One of the headliners on the main stage in Willie’s Luck, TX.
American Aquarium
Southern rock revivalists featuring excellent songwriting. Their last album was produced by Jason Isbell. In the Luck, TX chapel.
Sturgill Simpson
With the best shot I or anyone else could get with a contraband camera at this official showcase in the St. David’s Cathedral on 7th St. in downtown Austin. His last song landed him a standing ovation.
March 17, 2014 @ 1:16 pm
Hey this is really cool Trigger. Thanks for doing the foot work for us. Good to see that my hometown, Brooklyn is represented. Most of you don’t realize that a lot of New Yorkers love country music. Growing up in New York, every record store had a country music section and in most cases, it was the second largest section in the store, bigger than rock, jazz etc… I know this to be so because I would purchase my Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie, (Pop) along with Waylon Jennings and Randy Travis records.
March 17, 2014 @ 1:51 pm
Cool stuff, I look forward to reading more and checking out some of these bands. Did Sturgill play songs from the upcoming album? I’m curious as to how it sounds. Just picked up tickets to see him in four weeks.
March 17, 2014 @ 2:39 pm
Cool… nice pictures.
March 17, 2014 @ 2:46 pm
Very nice pix; the Cactus Blossoms one is especially cute. 🙂
March 17, 2014 @ 2:56 pm
Cool pics, thanks for sharing!!! SXSW is on my bucket list to go to someday!
March 17, 2014 @ 3:38 pm
The Cactus Blossoms were recently featured on A Prairie Home Companion and they definitely have that Everly Brothers vibe going on. With a name like that I was expecting it to be two “delicate flower” type female singers! Sheesh!
I saw Nikki Lane perform live a couple of years ago and she seemed to have “attitude issues” both on and off stage. I’ll give her the “she was young” pass on that one go round.
Do you happen to have any more photos of Erin Bru, er I mean The Defibulators? (lol)
March 17, 2014 @ 5:24 pm
No Boomswagglers? I thought they showed?
March 17, 2014 @ 5:50 pm
The Boomswagglers were there, but the lighting in The Moose Lodge was really bad. We really didn’t get any great photos of that event.
March 17, 2014 @ 7:07 pm
How were they? Are they back to a two-some? How were the new songs (assuming they played new ones)?
March 18, 2014 @ 12:24 am
I have to recuse myself from giving my opinion, but I can confirm new songs were played. 😉
March 23, 2014 @ 9:35 am
Great photos, thanks very much.
March 24, 2014 @ 6:03 am
I listened on youtube to the deslondes, and cactus blossom. Both are very good groups.
The Deslondes reminded me of the music from oh brother where art thou. And tempos like Randy Newman, also from New Orleans.