Live from SXSW 2009 (3/20)

Unfortunately, responsibility called yesterday and we had to answer, leaving a lot of cool showcases at SXSW two spectators shorter than they might have been. Somehow, I don’t think anybody noticed. But when the phone rang today, we didn’t answer (take that, responsibility), so we’re about to head back out into the musical mayhem that is downtown Austin to see what we can dig up. The schedule shows Redd Volkaert/Heybale/The Lucky Tomblin Band at Threadgill’s at 4:25, after which we might be able to squeeze in Miss Leslie & Her Juke-Jointers before the Americana Roots/Galleywinter Showcase at Waterloo Icehouse. Until then, everything is up in the air and you can join us on our misadventures via live updates, right here.

14:05 – Brady: We might have got out sooner if I could have pulled Brody away from his cookies.

14:10 – Brady: Headin’ to Maria’s Taco Xpress to catch the Sin City Social Club’s 7th Anniversary Party. Whatever that is, but tacos and good music sounds grand to me.

14:20 – Brody: Sidenote: If you’re looking for a knockout song, listen to “Jimmy’s Road” from the Naked Willie album. You can thank me later.

14:46 – Brady: Too many people being sinful at Maria’s and too little space, so we’re gonna grab some tacos and split to Threadgills. Said hello to Patrick from the defunct This Is Texas Music.

14:25 – Brody: We just ate some delicious tacos, but the patio at Maria’s Taco Xpress was too crowded to enjoy whoever was on stage. Headed to Threadgill’s to see what Music Fog has going on and hopefully catch Redd Volkaert on the outdoor stage. Did I mention the tacos were delicious? Greasy, but delicious.

15:33 – Brady: Greasy is an understatement!

15:24 – Brody: I’m having a little bit of beard envy.

15:50 – Brady: Brody somehow travelled to the past for that last update. Listening to some rock band called The Olympic Ass Kicking Team. Somehow, the name seems relevant to current events.

15:53 – Brody: Redd and friends up next!

16:06 – Brady: Voelkart that is–former guitarist for Merle Haggard.

16:07 – Brody: I heard Michael Phelps was seen at SXSW the other day. Apparently he heard there was pot in Austin. Zing! I just saw Hayes Carll’s guitar player, who I swear looks like a young Richard Dreyfus, and Jason Eady. How do you like them apples, Phelps?

16:22 – Brody: Ben Kweller is playing inside. Tough decision, but Redd wins this time. By the way, I heard Kweller has had the number one video on one of the CMT video countdowns for two weeks in a row thanks to his Twitter followers. That’s impressive.

16:26 – Brody: I hope Peter Cooper isn’t reading. He hates it when people have their Blackberry out at a live show. The things we do for our readers.

16:39 – Brady: Checking out Ben Kweller inside. He might be trying a little too hard at this country thing. Somebody should tell him sleeveless camo shirts and Dwight Yoakam tight jeans aren’t the standard attire.

16:44 – Brody: Kweller is pretty good live and the audience is as close to a listening room audience as you’ll get at SXSW.

16:50 – Brady: Heybale is up on stage with Redd now. If you didn’t check them out when I prodded in January, go listen to “California Wine” if you can find it.

16:52 – Brody: Kweller may be good, but It’s hard to beat Heybale when they’re on and man were they on for “California Wine.”

16:57 – Brady: These guys know how to put on a show! Good stuff!

17:13 – Brody: Redd just closed his set with a ten minutes of instrumental bliss.

17:13 – Brady: Up next is Miss Leslie and Her Juke Jointers. I’m gonna step inside to check out Chuck Mead before things get started outside.

17:28 – Brody: Chuck Mead is indoors playing the first song from his new album, which is due out May 12. Everybody check this guy out.

17:41 – Brody: Chuck Mead: proof that good music is still being made in Nashville.

17:50 – Brady: Miss Leslie really gets into her music on stage. Go see her live show if you get the chance. She told the crowd that she’s working on another album and has the rhythm and some vocal work done already. She also played a couple new ones, including one she wrote in China called “I Need Me More Than I Need You.”

17:56 – Brody: She’s closing her set with another new one called “Drunk Dialer.” I think she’s trying to tell us to get off our Blackberries.

18:16 – Brady: Talked with Miss Leslie a bit. Nice lady she is. She mentioned the new album and said she hopes to do runs on the east and west coast, so there’s hope for you yet, Rick.

18:45 – Brady: Back to Waterloo Icehouse where Two Tons of Steel is closing out another set.

18:50 – Brady: With a war cry I might add. Man, their energy is off the charts.

19:24 – Brody: Just talked to Larry from Hickory Wind, go check out his site. Lead singer from Doc Marshalls is on stage right now.

19:38 – Brody: He just laid some cajun music on us — in French. He’s following that up and closing his set with a sweet song titled “I Never Found My Emmylou.”

20:08 – Brady: Where other acts awed with their raw energy, Jason Eady is captivating the audience with his spine-tingling lyrics. It’s more folk than country, but this is some great stuff.

22:24 – Brady: The Modern Day Drifters look like a completely different band from last year. They did good by making Kristen Kelly the sole lead singer.