One of the greatest things about SXSW is the ability to see one of a kind performances. When I heard that Tim Wheeler was playing a solo acoustic show on Monday night, I chalked that down as one of those performances. Every year, the British take over the Latitude 30 every year and bring forth a slate of new and exciting bands for the public to hear. Sometimes, though, they also snag a few seasoned performers to help boost attendance. Monday night was the Northern Irish night at the Latitude 30 and with Ash in town for SXSW, it seemed only fitting that they did something in association with the night.
Flying solo, Tim Wheeler played a short but perfect set of acoustic Ash songs. Take a look at the songs he did:
Girl From Mars
Burn Baby Burn
Lifeless Ordinary
Oh Yeah
Shining Light
Basically, if you asked for a set of songs for Ash to play that you want, those would be it. To cap it all off, Tim Wheeler led the crowd on a sing-along of the Undertones classic Teenage Kick to celebrate the SXSW Film premier of the film Good Vibrations, a film about the development of the Belfast punk rock scene.
The first thing that struck me when I walked into the 9:30 Club was just how darn good lookin’ Joel Plaskett actually is. The Nova Scotian musician is slim, smiling, and super well dressed (all-denim Canadian tux for the win!). His set was simple (both in the fact that he had no props and his banter was limited but friendly) and his music was clean and crisp feeling. My favorite tracks came toward the end when he played Nowhere With You (which starts with “hey good looking, why the frown?”) and Wishful Thinking. Since the show, though, I’ve looked up several of his tracks and, honestly, kind of love them all. Top picks include Sailors Eyes and Fashionable People. The artist is currently touring promoting Scrappy Happiness (such a good album title!) and is definitely worth a try if you haven’t heard him before … or even if you have.
The main act, Rusted Root, only added to the good lookin’ theme. First, the band was impeccably attired for the aged (or is experienced a better, more PC term?) jam band profile. Dreadlocks, aviator sunglasses, shiny-red-vinyl vests, and rasta hats were all sported with perfectly casual ease. Second, the inter-generational crowd they drew to the 9:30 Club had some notably amazing looks going on themselves: my favorites were the bobsey-twin 50-year old couple wearing matching Rusted Root T-shirts, cowboy hats, and plaid jeans. The show (not just the look) was great too. The band was perfectly past its peak if that makes sense: they exuded ease and familiarity on stage while also catering to the older crowd they attract by playing a 7:20 headliner set for the early show (Django Django played later at the 9:30 Club). Crowd favorites included Food and Creative Love as well as the band’s most famous song, Send me on my Way, which made for an awesome encore. The band is out promoting its newest album, The Movement, which came out October 2012.
I’m not sure how things work in other cities, but DC is a huge fan of melt-your-face make-you-sweat pants-off-dance-off’s. Sadly, two of DC’s dearest dance parties, Fatback* and Liberation Dance Party have recently passed. The good news is that the ever-inspiring DC bar the Looking Glass has stepped up to the plate with their Body Jam nights. The concept results in mix tracks that combine R&B, funk, soul, and … 70s/80s workout vids for the win.
Try it out and burn some calories at work with the notorious and ever popular office-chair-head-bob.
*The origins of the name Fatback are hotly contested. My favorite theory has to do with the opportunity for participants to literally dance the fat off their back during one of the epic soul jam dance sessions.
Surely by now you are getting excited for SXSW. The annual conference is the only one of its kind to bring together the brightest and most excitable minds of music, film and technology. It’s a place to get inspired by innovations, learn new trends and potentially score some new business arrangements.
It’s also a great place to eat.
SXSW takes place in Austin, deep in the heart of Texas. Home of magnificent ribs, briskets and all that good stuff. Having had the pleasure of attending SXSW for the past half decade, here are some things I have enjoyed putting into my body.
Casino El Amino – Without a doubt one of my favorite places of all time. Located right on 6th street, it’s a classic dive bar with friendly tattooed waitresses and cheap drinks. What makes this place amazing is the burgers. 3/4 pounds of medium goodness that will put all other burgers to shame. The armadillo burger is my favorite – the burger is cooked to perfection and topped with Serrano chiles, jalapeno cheese and cilantro mayo. You must try. Take a look at this burger:
Chi’lantro – While most of the food truck hype has gone to Portland (a similarly weird city), Austin is also home of many many food trucks. One of our favorites is Chi’lantro – a food truck that serves up Korean inspired tacos. No doubt inspired by the successful Korean fusion successes in LA and Vancouver, this place serves up tacos that nicely balances the sweet Korean meat with the heat you would get with Mexican food. All for a few bucks. What more can you ask for in life?
Chuy’s – You are in Texas, you are near Mexico, is there a better reason for you to try out Tex-Mex? I think not. While Chuy’s is not in your downtown core, it is just a mere few dollars away via cab. The margarita’s are large and boozy and there is enough on one plate to feed an entire family, probably. The staff is friendly and it’s just a good time.
BBQ
BBQ seems to be almost religion in Texas (and most of the South), so you owe it to yourself to taste some of these delicious goodness. I generally stick to ribs and brisket, but it’s all up to your appetite I guess.
Salt Lick – So far my favorite BBQ place in and around Austin, you will definitely need a car or a friend to take you out there but it’s worth it. The meat is tender and flavorful and the setting is great.
Ironworks and Stubbs – Probably the two most popular and easily accessible bbq joints in Austin, both of these houses have the luxury of being near the convention center for easy access. I have never really liked Stubbs and had liked Ironworks until last year, when the meat I received came out a bit dry. Still, they are the only ones within walking distance, so if you don’t have the time to travel out, then either of them are good bets for you to get your meat on.
Franklin’s and JMueller’s – I only heard of Franklin’s last year when I heard multiple people boast about the place, and according to Anthony Bourdain, these two bbq places are generally considered 1-2 (in some order) in the city. They are both a bit out of the way, but if it’s that good, gather up your friends and go.
While you might be tempted to stay within the convention center and score all the free food that is available (and there will be lots), make the attempt to around town and eat at the local restaurants – the food is great and you’ll be support the people who put up with our crap year in year out.
