Madrona is a charming and talented band from the woods near Eugene, Oregon. The core of the band is the couple jake and Amanda, they sing harmonies and tell ghost stories and tales of lost love. They are joined by Josiah, Malcolm and Tiffany. Check them out online.j
An energetic and fun show!
an energetic and fun show!
It’s not every day you get to see your favorite band play live in front of you. For many, they will never get the chance at all. This band started the year I was born (1982) and I have tried to learn to play their songs since I was 13. I have sang their songs in my head for at least 18 years. TMBG played with Marty, Dan and Dan at Roseland Ballroom May 8. They played many old songs from Lincoln, Flood, and Factory Showroom. They even played the bizarre, “32 footsteps” and the Cub cover “New York City”
They also played some of my newer favorites “Answer,” “When you’ll die” “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” and of as a finale/encore the entirety of “Fingertips!” which is insane and a total delight. I was blissfully singing along “I walk along, darkened corridors!” What a great band! I heard that at a recent show John commented “this song is from the middle of our career, 2001.” and John responded, “uh, I think THIS is the middle of our career.” If so they would play another 33 years when they are 89 years old! Well, I hope I can see them again and that it will be as great a show as this was. My cup truly runneth over. I am so blessed to get to see artists of this caliber and talent. We live in a glorious age for live music and graphic novels and media arts of all kinds. i don’t know what to say except: “I’m not a real doctor but I am a real worm, I am an actual worm. I live like a worm and i like to play the drums.” “32 footsteps leading to the room where the paint doesn’t want to dry… 32 footsteps running down the road where the door reaches the sky”
I found this great article over at Spin. Its an interview where they recall what they can about the process of recording every one of their albums. There are also interviews at the Onion AV club where they discuss the writing process, how they work together, and The process of writing songs.
I think seeing them has really inspired me to make some music videos. I made some last year for my raps about screen actors, but they were only “half assed” attempts. I should challenge myself to really make animation and maybe make a video for some other artist than myself first.
This show was very fun. Sometimes, when I draw I use a marker and I work fast to capture the energy of the subject.
Here are some of the photos I took and drawings I made at SXSW in 2015. This time around, I made the effort to always give the performers my drawings. Musicians are almost always flattered or appreciative, but I have less time to ink color and perfect the illustrations. Also, sometimes there is rain or dancing crowds or other elements that make it difficult to draw. I use soft pastels, which are quick and intense, but can be messy. I had a pink sweater and sock and ipad case for a week because a red soft pastel got crushed in my bag.
Okite Porsche played SUPER hyper hyphy happy perky Japanese pop, and ran around and poured energy drink all over himself, he also played kissing games with the crowd and did 90% of his show out in the crowd, only occasionally going back on stage to put a new song on. An especially wacky stage antic was inviting audience members to toss water balloons at him that he enthusiastically swung at with a plastic baseball bat, further drenching himself of course. I haven’t seen a crowd so smiley and laughing in a long time.
Peelander Z were the hosts of the event and they put on a wacky stage show. I have called them a Japanese punk band for kids, but people of all ages were enjoying the show and singing along. Like Gwar or Kiss, this band really makes a show a fun costumed insane experience, even in the rain and with the limited stage constraints of the Grackle.
They are based in NYC but play Austin frequently enough it seems that most people here know them.
Ringo DEATHstar is an Austin band with a heavy sound. They kinda reminded me of Asobi Seksu.
Cold Heart of Space is an Austin band that plays loud punk music. I caught them in an indian fusion venue called the Whip-In. On their recordings, they recall a country Calvin Johnson. Their recording is VERY different from their live show.
Greg Feldman played country at the Whip in with Jason playing slide guitar. 
“Music Band” from Nashville TN. It seems they maybe named themselves as a joke? ya think? “Still alive, like a rock and roll song about rock and roll!”
Roger Sellers is one of many one man band looping pedal experimenters like Holy F*ck. He played live drums, which sounded good over his tinkling arpeggios, but I’m getting kind of bored of this kind of music. Sure, I’d like to play it, but I am no longer excited about listening to others play it. My drawing, which I unfortunately was unable to give him, ended up cool because It blurred due to the interaction of the gel ink on the paper and ended up looking Ralph Steadmany.
Austin band “A Giant Dog” rocked hard at Peelander Fest at the Grackle. Good luck trying to Google them. Sabrina is a powerful frontman, and can really command a crowd.
At the Wonder Show at the Vortex theatre. Andrew Goldenhersh was truly phenomenal! Marcus Monroe was hilarious and juggled his own invention:Knife torches, or Knorches. Vinnie DePonto impressed us with several mentalist tricks (thats him on the left.) Sorry about the color on the photos… stage lighting.
Juan Martinez is known as the pain proof man, he is a blockhead and has many piercings and performs sideshow in Austin at the Museum of the Weird!
Beth Chrisman playing in Brennen Leigh’s gospel country band at STAY GOLD.
Kristen Ford, what a great performer! Awesome, touching songs, and she clearly has such a big heart and welcomes in her audience to have a great time with her.
Future Kings are a band from Kansas city!
And The Kids are a band from North Hampton, MA. They play beautiful math rock with fun lyrics. They were joined by Andrew from Mother Falcon. She played an electric Ukulele. Give their music a listen here. The Cheerful face on the drummer is quite wrong, she was frowning most of the show, so I had to draw her again.
Daniel Romano is a charming country boy from Ontario. On my drawing the last name is wrong because it was listed wrong on a flyer. His songs were gentle like the Cowboy Junkies. His slide player was excellent and provided just the right light touch.
The Shivas are amazing and totally gorge. Their music is groovy and retro, surfy and sloppy. Sometimes their vocalist reminds me of the Kinks. You can hear their music here.
I especially like “Stalking Legs” and “You Make me want to Die.” Their song “Big Mama Casio” is awesome! We should get them to play a show with Crushed Out! That would be a dream lineup! Or maybe they need a keyboard player…. hmmmm.
But Isaac, did you only go to shows in Austin? No! I also took a nature walk, went to the horror wax museum/comic shop SFANTHOR. I had a great time in the show room and bought an amazing reverb unit from Seth at ScreaminFX. Now my theremin will have a proper analog spring tank! The art in Flatstock was incredible, I wont post any photos out of respect to the artists. I also enjoyed some delicious creations from food carts! ZOW. There was an incredible Tom Yum Dirty Rice with chicken liver at a food cart on 6th. I also had some yummy bulgogi tacos with kim chee at the Grackle. I love AUSTIN! If you are on the fence about going to SXSW and think you can’t enjoy it without an expensive pass, GO!
There are many other journalists who are writing about SXSW, articles like this one indicate that for many working bands, its just another show. Nate Valdez says, “There are no clear answers to what a band should do. There’s a sense of respect and awe one can’t help but feel for someone who is blindly committing to their passion regardless of the outcome.” It is silly to think that a single show will cause you to “make it.” But SXSW is great exposure for people like me and to people like me. I sometimes put on small shows, last year I hosted shows with David Heti, the Doubleclicks and Cello Fury. I had them because I saw them and knew I had to share their talent with others. I saw David Heti at NXNW, and I saw Cello Fury at SXSW and that directly led to them coming to Alaska and playing for hundreds of happy people. Is SXSW worth it? As a fan, as a booker: definitely. For a band, possibly not. You may play to no one.
A very hip, poppy, nostalgia surf rock paychedelia act, Portland, Oregon’s, “The Shivas” are a national treasure.
I drew them, I drew their drummer twice.
Check them out online, they have songs on bandcamp
https://theshivas.bandcamp.com/album/you-know-what-to-do-2
Marco Benevento played his droney shimmering, danceable instrumental jam band pop at the Axe and Fiddle last night and it was a magical show! His band was awesome. That drummer (Andy Borger) was amazing. BAss player Dave Dreiwitz was on his game too laying down the fuzz. I don’t know what to say about the show other than that I loved it.
years ago i Reviewed one of his cds, here is the review originally published in Performer Magazine. He’s made two new albums since 2012! I have got to catch up!
Marco Benevento: Between the Needles and Nightfall
(Domestic)
Trout Recording in Brooklyn, NY where engineer Bryce Goggin
Mixed by Mell Dettmer (Sunn O))), Eyvind Kang, Jesse Lauter (Low Anthem, Elvis Perkins) and Vid Cousins (Amon Tobin, Kid Koala)
Benevento delivers another fun and lively collection of funky keyboard music.
A friendly bass riff supplied by Reed Mathis from (Tea Leaf Green and the Jacob Fred Jazz Oryssey) is a prominent part of the title track. “Numbers” chugs along like “Benny and the Jets” but with whirling whizzing, synths and circuit bent toys by Tom Stephenson from Math Robot.
An eye-opening cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You know I’m no good,” features some extremely overdriven organ. Drummer Andrew Barr really shines here, bringing unexpected counter rhythms and colorful rim shots. Benevento says, “Its such a catchy ditty, it should be in the next fake book or Real book, I’m sure it will stand the test of time!”
The dreamy shuffle on “Music is Still Secret” reminds me of Kid Koala. (maybe that sound is from the collaboration with Vid Cousins.) “Snow Lake” has a creepy shamisen-like sound chiming, these are processed bells from Scott Amendola.
There is always a certain feel to a Benevento song: a pleasant skip in your stride mood, that lends itself to walking with a forward lean. “Ila Frost” is a highlight, and an ideal example of melodies that sound truly optimistic. Swirling organs provide the poetry, and VInce Guaraldi-like piano riffs bring hope and joy.
There is a Mellotron, an Optigan, various Pianos and Organs and a Harpsichord, processed through bit shifters, delay effects and ring modulators, each joining in like adorable muppet characters in an avant garde opera.
You are sure to hear more layers each time you indulge in this eccentric album.
One of the most delightful, talented bands I’ve seen in Oregon: Three For Silver. Some compare them to Tom Waits, I think they sound a bit like Dark Dark Dark and the Squirrel Nut Zippers! I do like to draw accordions. Andrew played clarinet at this show and played on their album. They said they were friends with another band I have drawn, the G String Orchestra.
Body Language is a modern disco/ electronic dance band from Hartford, Connecticut.
They rocked at Cozmic Pizza this week! Zow! Its fun to hear processed vocals in a live show! But where is the guitar!?
When I was teaching art at Mecca, Sometimes I’d start the day by showing students drawings I made over the weekend, to model to them that artists should practice every day. I don’t have any students to share with anymore. 😦 May I share them with you dear reader?
Every Year in February Eugene has an Asian Celebration with dancers, music, vendors and art! Here are some of the drawings I made this year. 
These are Belly Dancers who sometimes dance at MEDGE nights at Cozmic Pizza.
Here are some more of the dancers who shared their heritage and culture on the main stage.
A real highlight was this Koto music. She was joined by a Kalimba (or a Mbira?) and an accordion and piano
Here are a few more miscellaneous drawings, I didn’t finish coloring all of them. The Taiko drums are always exciting!
Isaac and the Awkward Situations 