Isaac and the Awkward Situations

Clucking Blossom is the 19th. I play at 4 with Travis on drums.

then I go to anchorage to play the S lounge on the 25th and Trapper Creek the 26th.

In June I will have an “Isaac And friends” show, with Sabe, Bernie, and maybe Annie, a bright new face who plays blues!

Wow. I made a lot of drawings at SXSW and here are a few more of them. Let me just say a few words about these amazing bands.

Ava Luna was impressive, they are a funk/ soul band from Brooklyn. Several keyboard players, two female backup singers who sometimes take the lead and lots of energy. This band was off the hook.

El ten Eleven. I have listened to this band for years and it was fun to see them live, though they played only a few songs but they did play “my only swerving.” They are a 2 piece, drums and guitar, their guitarist plays a double neck and manipulates loop pedals. Great show.

The Bundles opened for Daniel Johnston and Built to Spill. I adore Jeff Lewis and he played his very touching and beautiful song about how you and time can make a trade. He also did his piece about the first occupy movement- the french revolution! It was awesome. He always suprises me with his creativity and warmth. Kimya Dawson was likewise compelling and fantastic. She brought me to tears with a song I haven’t heard before about how not all teachers and not all cops are mean! Don’t hate all cops just because one was mean and no one can be mean all the time like no one can be nice all the time. She had a beauty and grace about her in a live setting that didn’t come across on recordings and photographs.

Dark Dark Dark was such a touching show, verging on religious ceremony. Gorgeous vocals, and sometimes trumpet and clarinet. I can’t describe them other than touching, heartfelt folk from a full band. They are kinda like a female fronted version of Bower Birds. I love them.

Geography and Royal Teeth were opening for Fun, and both were much better than Fun! Geography was like a live version of radiohead’s Kid A, with an impassioned front man who had great range and a live electric cello going into dozens of pedals. Royal Teeth was just a crazy party of very attractive people, playing their hearts out and having a blast. They played pop, kinda like Mother Mother and Talking Heads.

Built To Spill was magic. They look like they could be carpenters and plumbers, gruff and tough old guys. They kicked ass, a wave of recognition flushed over the crowd as they began the first notes of “the plan.” It was transcendent.

I was bored by We Were Promised Jetpacks, they did not seem happy to be there. I have enjoyed their albums, but live they just stared at the floor and plowed through 10 songs without any smiles or charm. Deerhoof was not particularly interesting either, I think I would have liked them more if I had seen them eight years ago.

Tycho was atmospheric instrumental guitar rock like the old version of Thought Trade. Purity ring was fun to watch, combining electronica with a strange beautiful live show.

R Steve Moore played some wierd songs. His is among my favorite of the drawings. Daniel Johnston played only 2 songs, they were wild and rocking though. He shook and trembled as if he was extremely nervous, though that may be a part of a condition he has. It was fun to see him live and he certainly channeled a strange energy.

Cavemen and Dinosaur feathers were pop. I think they are both from Brooklyn. More from me later.

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.yelle.fr/

http://www.myspace.com/lisaconeill

http://www.deletedscenesmusic.blogspot.com/

http://www.jukeboxtheghost.com