I drew dozens of bands at SXSW, but I’m having trouble photographing the drawings and posting them. The light in my cabin is bad, my camera sucks, the gray of the paper is too similar to the gray of the pencil, etc. Here are a few of the drawings. If you like them, please give me credit before you use them. If you are in the band, management or whatever, let me know.
David Dondero came to Fairbanks, Alaska. He played an intimate house show on February 22, with Rebecca File opening. He was awkward and shy, seeming genuinely glad that we had turned up on a weekday to see him. His guitar playing is excellent, and he shared with us some politically charged songs, and many personal stories. He explained that “the one that fell from the vine” was about a friend who was a junkie and a kleptomaniac. He lived in Alaska before, I hope this isn’t his last visit.
Lisa O’Neil played at the Ireland party. She had a compelling, affected voice when she sang which was much different than when she spoke. I remember her song “England’s got my man.”
Yelle played at Mess With Texas, a free show in a warehouse on fifth. A drawing of her “band” is coming. She was very cute, and I drew her as if she was an Archie character. (Sorry) She played the electro rap hits off her album as a medley, did a fine job. In her videos she is all dolled up like a french Lady Gaga, but here she danced around goofy in her long socks and long t-shirt as if she had just woke up. None of the hipsters danced to her dj’s, though they were repeatedly encouraged to; everyone just stared at the stage.
Elenor Friedberger (of the Fiery Furnaces) played a short show at Hotel Vegan (Hotel Vegas, under the control of Brooklyn Vegan). She played a delightful song about a girl realizing she was lesbian. These folk tunes are quite different than songs in the Fiery Furnaces, but quite enjoyable.
Jukeox the ghost are a very fun live band. I heard of them first from “Oh My Rockness” who recommended them and mentioned words like “Ben Folds Five” and “Billy Joel.” They played many new songs and the crowd favorite “Good Day.” Even though it was the last show of SXSW, and they must have been exhausted, their faces always exuded smiles of joy as they played.
Deleted Scenes were a fun poppy band from Washington, DC. They had to open the night at Swan Dive on March 17. The lights were on and the crowd wasn’t drunk yet; the show wasn’t as epic as what was to come later that night. It was a showcase for the bands on the Red Rider booking agency. I had gone to see Dark Dark Dark, and the Great Lake Swimmers (drawings are on the way) but I was blown away by Typhoon!
Feeding Frenzy came down and played a little bar on sixth called “Tin Roof” alongside Brandon Reid. I tried to draw their whole bodies and some of the background. I’ve reviewed their album before, scroll down a bit to find it.
More to come soon! Including Cults and Daniel Johnston, Kimya Dawson, Built to Spill.
daviddondero.com
eleanorfriedberger.com/
feedingfrenzy.bandcamp.com/album/positive-vandalism
http://www.myspace.com/lisaconeill
Isaac and the Awkward Situations 