Friday, March 14, 2008
SXSW SXSW: Friday I'm in Love
Posted by Tracy Moore on Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 9:57 AM
So Stabert and I have noticed that everywhere we go, we see Richie Kirkpatrick from Ghostfinger—not the actual dude, but throngs of his look-alikes. Yesterday alone, I saw four of them at Emo's while catching Constantines, Shout Out Louds and Tokyo Police Club. Then last night, on the way to see Jens Lekman, we saw two more of these wry, mustache-sporting, sometimes-bandanna-wearing dark-haired dudes with charisma. We're compiling snapshots for a full report.
On the show front, Tokyo Police Club were playing The Onion AV Club party, which was drenched in indie rockers from all walks of life. That is to say, there were indie rockers who like Tokyo Police Club, and indie rockers who like the Shout Out Louds. TPC, who said they were taking the stage at Emo's for the third time, were just as energetic as when I'd seen them the previous year at SXSW, but the drummer dropped the old timing ball and kept lagging behind the whole show this time. It actually kinda blew a little bit. But the songs are terrific, spastic little doses of jangly post-punk, and I think it was just an off show for them. They'd occasionally bring it back with a hand-clapping audience of accomplices, but whenever the drums were marching terribly to their own beat, I just had to look away.
The Shout Out Louds, or The Cure Without Angst, played a sweet set of gentle pop. Then I split to go see British fanaticism at its finest by checking out the NME day party.
There was an earsplitting DJ set kickin' at The Wave, but the Noisettes seemed to be running behind schedule. Instead I chatted up two blokes who worked on the ad or commercial side of the publication. They said they were here checking out just how the brand fares in the States. I let them know we were definitely aware of the publication, and when they asked me what my/our opinion of it in Nashville is, I went right ahead and spoke for everyone when I said we find their slobbering praise amusing but also endearing. Being British, they thanked me for this kind observation.
I could tell you about seeing exactly two glorious minutes of Jay Reatard at Vice, but I'm going to try to see him again today. Plus, Lee managed to get into the NPR day party and already saw Vampire Weekend. I can't top that buzz.
Oh yeah, on today's agenda: Crystal Castles, The Cribs and finally, hopefully, Die! Die! Die!
What else? Beer-wise, I can't slam 'em back like last year, but I've given it the old college try by having a few Tecates when the mood strikes. There's this taco stand called, I believe, Damn Good Tacos, and it's truth in advertising. Also, the weather is fantastically mild whether sunny or overcast, and people are overwhelmingly nice. I think that all changes tomorrow at the height of indie-rock festivalitis, but for now, it's easy to pretend all is right with the world. And Crystal Castles are at 1:30 p.m.!
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
Slideshows
Top Commenters
