SXSW Local at the Lucky Lounge

Like I said in my video post, 'there is music here all the time!' SXSW just brings the musical spotlight and the world to our doorstep. It is our duty to make it fun, worthwhile, and exciting while you are here. With the preponderance of musical venues and an outstanding live music entertainment district, that is usually not difficult. So, here I am with this blog and the impossible quantity of music to write about compacted into one short/long weekend.

"Local at the Lucky Lounge" was simply the pre -SXSW kick off party featuring a few of the best local acts that Lordship Ent (http://www.lordshipentertainment.com) has to offer.

The Moonshiners (http://www.moonshinermusic.com/) kicked things off with a set of bluesy type rock. The singer has a very distinctive, big voice that pushes through you as you listen. Wonderful and passionate story telling interwoven with a lead guitar that seems almost sublime until it is time to solo, then you had better pay close attention because the lead guitarist is 'Wow!.'

I had an opportunity to speak with the lead guitarist for a moment in between sets and learned he is self taught. He seemed genuinely surprised when I told him his sounds and styling were reminiscent of Eric Clapton. The keyboardist and guitarist are the two mainstays in the group. With rotating bass and drums keeping it fresh, you need to check them out when you get a chance. Smooth, mellow, soulful,and rocking (when they want), The Moonshiners are a good bet any night of they week you can catch them in Austin, Texas.

Jess and The Echoes (http://www.jechomusic.com/) are getting some heavy stage time here in Austin, and it is well spent. This young lady has a huge voice. Her vocals grab you by the ears and turn your head towards her. The band is wonderfully level across the stage, no overpowering ensemble here. This unit is designed to support the fabulous singer that Jess Kellner is. Jess and The Echoes has a certain something that can be felt, but is most difficult to describe. The crowd loved there stage time and pushed forward while they had the stage. I kept hearing statements of "They are great", "She is amazing!", and "I really love this band." throughout the crowd as I pushed through here and there to take some photos.

Word on the street is that starting March 25th, 2013, we may all want to watch the new season of The Voice (http://www.nbc.com/the-voice). Sounds special to me!

Michael Dillard (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Dillard) is a little more difficult to catch here in Austin, but if you are lucky you can see one of his performances. Here is an artist whom I have seen and tracked for a few years now. He is another person with the most distinctive vocals you may ever come across. I hate to make comparisons because what I hear and you hear are not going to be the same. Let's just say that he puts so much passion into his singing you would swear his head is going to explode. This young man gives it all when he sings and that is, every bit, worth going out to catch him when a show comes up. The steady in this group is the amazing guitarist Ty Read. Here, again, is another six string talent in Austin that is subtle in the group, but his performance soars when he solos.

Like most bands in Austin, there is a rotating field of musicians that passes through the groups door, but for Michael Dillard and Ty Read, they are the core that makes this performance a pop/rock/hip hop extravaganza! What I have said about live music in Austin and will repeat again here! It is not about going to see a band live, it is about going and experiencing a performance. You never know what will happen and you will always be glad to say you were there. Tonite was no exception with a brilliant cover of Peter Gabriels 'Sledgehammer', just be happy I caught it on video for you to see here (http://youtu.be/6eJogPp1P2Q)

 

MC Overlord (http://www.overlordmusic.com/) is he a myth or a legend. Maybe you should check out this Austin music icon for yourself. He seems to be an intimidating hulk of a man, but behind the exterior of the building that he is, lies the genius of hip/hop. MC Overlord has cool , catchy rhymes, an unbelievable live hip/hop presentation that just can not be beat, and the impressive ability to lay out the rhymes. His music is, for the most part clean and positive, but he keeps the party vibe intact with tunes like 'Bartender Keep 'em Coming' and 'I'm in here'.

As iconic as MC Overlord is, as storied as his career is, and as vast as his catalog is, I think it would be amazing to have him perform a fan scripted show. ARE YOU THERE OVEY>>>YOU READING THIS? That's right, do a contest where the fans vote on what songs they would like to hear from the long catalog that is you career. Put on that show, leave the core songs of the show in and play some fan favorites.

For those outside of Austin reading this, for those in Austin who haven't gone, an MC Overlord performance is as much a must see as the Capitol building, Lady Bird Lake, or Mt Bonnell!

here is the photo album from this show https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.517035628347965.1073741825.239625756088955&type=3

Laters

The Echoe was loud and Dillard Roared

First trip to Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar ( http://www.lucysretiredsurfers.com/austin ) in down town Austin. A really good location away from the heart of the 6th St hustle and the 4th and 5th St warehouse shuffle, if you go here you are doing so on purpose. This isn't a bar or location you just happen upon or wander into, you do it to meet friends, enjoy the people watching out front, or watch a game on TV inside. If you are lucky and check out their schedule, you can even catch some great music.

I didn't wander around the bar much. Walked in with the stage to the immediate right, bathrooms to the left, and the bar on the left of the main area running the length of the resturant/bar. 

Stopped dead in my tracks by Baloo the bear in the corner of the bar, MC Overlord. *Interesting analogy by the company I was keeping that night, "He's like the Godfather. Everyone sees him, says hi to him, touches him, and pay tributes to him (shots)." NICE! 

With Jess and the Echoes ( http://www.jechomusic.com/ ) on stage already there was not a lot of socializing. Just enjoyment of some great music and an amazing front woman. This was pretty fuckin cool. I have seen Jess one time previously opening for Big Don, but this was wayyyyy different.

With a full band (and a rockstar bass player) there was a ton of action and excitement with this band. With energetic originals, moving ballads, sweet acoustic tracks, and a couple of bad ass covers the arrangement of this set was definitely designed to keep your attention the whole time they were on stage. I can't vocally peg Jess and really hate to anyway. As an example, I told my friend that she had some Carrie Underwood qualities to which he responded "Really, I kinda thought she sounds like Alanis Morisette." This is why I don't like to tell you what the band sounded like or who they remind me of. Make your own damn decision. 

Just listen to me when it comes to the show, the fun of it, and the joy of being part of the crowd. In the case of Jess and the Echoes, you would have fun, a great time to be had by all, and be caught smiling by the end of their set. For me the second time around was great!







and now for other jungle man of the evening...sporting a beard and longer hair was Michael Dillard ( http://michaeldillardmusic.com/ ). WOW! and Holy Shit! Would be the descriptors to use here. I have seen Dillard more than a few damn times, and probably a few damn times more than I have written about. This absolutely fuckin deserves big props. I don't know what he did, maybe it was the new, infused blood of the powerful and kick ass rhythm section or was it just time on stage and behind the mic. This was an unbelievable performance. The energy that was delivered by Dillard and the ensemble on stage was MIND BLOWING! There was no doubt these guys wanted to be up there and fed off of every piece of energy from the small, hot crowd in Lucy's, but hell yeah that shit worked. Everyone was just making noise and cheering, singing along, and yelling for more throughout the gig. Just non stop! If there was a slower tempo song, you didn't know it and wouldn't have cared. 


I will tell you what I happily told Mike and his band mates after the show. "You did it! You stopped playing the music on stage and as of tonight... you PERFORMED!"

Congratulations to you Michael Dillard and your band, keep that incarnation the way it is and roll on!

For all of you that weren't there, you will have another chance to catch Michael with MC Overlord on their 3rd of July celebration. Check out their FB pages for details.

Laters

It's all for the children...sure it is!

Beso Cantina ( http://www.besocantina.com/ ) is a very cool little place. A little street side lounge area out front. Once you enter the club the stage is immediately to your right. A long bar runs quite a way along the left wall, giving Beso somewhat of a shotgun house feel. There is also an upstairs lounge.

What a great place to chill and have a great evening!

Another Lordship Entertainment ( http://www.lordshipentertainment.com/ ) production is the center of this musical journey on a Saturday at noon (really...noon). The young, beautiful and coming up through the ranks Jess and The Echoes opened for the CD release of another Big Don CD. AWESOME!

Jess and The Echoes ( http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1337325373&sk=info )  is originally from the Dallas area, but lucky for us, they have relocated to Austin to make a go at it here. and GO you should. A band with the soulful, full range vocals front woman and the musical sound vaguely reminiscent of bands like 10,000 Maniacs or R.E.M. Albeit, this was an abbreviated set, it was very enjoyable and fun. Jess definitely held the attention of the crowd with her vocals and her acoustic guitar abilities. They definitely have plenty of shows ahead so make sure you check out the link, friend them, and enjoy.

Big Don ( http://bigdonproductions.com/ ) has done it again. A new CD released for the young ones and shows that can, AND SHOULD, be enjoyed by ALL! This is the second time I have had the absolute pleasure to be at Big Don performance and the first time to have kids in tow, a youngsta @ 5 and 2 teenagers. Fun for all!

 

Really if you haven't gone, just stop making lame excuses and do it. With so many others in the club for the performance that were sans kids (lots of other members of bands that looked like there were nursing....Hangovers!) DJ Abe does an amazing job with the rhythm and beats, keeping the constant supply of energy to Big Don who then delivers it to the crowd. The EPIC finale of the show is the unbelievable co-ordination and team work from Don and Abe and their perfomance of "The A,B,C's"(http://youtu.be/ObPU12zJgi0) ! LEGIT!


Laters