Show Preview: SXSW 2017 – Tues., Day 2 w/ The Dig, SYKES, Temples, Spoon & More

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Before we even knew it, it’s Tuesday! Have a look at some of the acts I hope you can catch if you’re at SXSW. This installment weighs even heavier with British bands to enjoy.

Tuesday – March 14th

BAYA – Norway
Swan Dive Patio, 9:00 – 9:40 PM


BAYA – photo by Julie Lauritzen

Electronic music, actually Twisted Electronic in BAYA’s Facebook profile, travels from Oslo, Norway to Austin, Texas. And, actually, I’m reading an interview with BAYA (AKA Andrew Murray), where he discusses moving from the Ivory Coast to Norway. Why am I bringing this up? The African mask fascinates him. It seems to inform what he does.

More Details: SXSW BAYA Page

“A Call To Say Hello”


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The Dig – Brooklyn, NY
Swan Dive, 10:00 – 10:40 PM


The Dig

Rock band the Dig is releasing its newest full-length since 2012’s album, Midnight Flowers. This year’s Bloodshot Tokyo has received good reviews, including this from Glide Magazine: “Most tracks on Bloodshot Tokyo. . . are in the vein of an overall grooving feeling, incorporating elements of disco, funk, and electronica.”

More Details: SXSW Dig Page

“Bleeding Heart (You Are the One)”

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Girlpool – Los Angeles, CA
Mazda Studio @ Empire Garage, 11:00 – 11:40 PM


Girlpool – Photo by Paige Hanserd

Indie duo Girlpool (Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad) just signed to Anti- Records, same label as Dr. Dog, Japandroids, among others. They’ll have a number of gigs at this year’s festival; do seek them out.

More Details: SXSW Girlpool Page

“123”

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Hurray for the Riff Raff – New Orleans, Louisiana
Mazda Studio @ Empire Garage, 9:00 – 9:40


Hurray for the Riff Raff

So, rock artist Hurray for the Riff Raff’s song “Hungry Ghost” is based on an actual legend. Which is cool, as is Paul Butler on production duties on The Navigator, including “Hungry Ghost.”

More Details: SXSW Hurray for the Riff Raff Page

“Hungry Ghost”

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Let’s Eat Grandma – UK
Latitude 30, 10:00 – 10:40 PM


Let’s Eat Grandma – Photo by Francesca Allen

Two British teenagers, Jenny Hollingworth and Rosa Walton, making whatever kind of music they want. This is a big trip for them, and I think I started hearing about them well near the beginning of 2016. Even in the States.

More Details: SXSW Let’s Eat Grandma Page

“Deep Six Textbook”

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Måntra – UK
Scratchouse, 11:15 – 11:55 PM


Måntra Photo by Felix Russel-Saw

Rock fans – and alt-rock fans – will be more than happy with Måntra!

More Details: SXSW Måntra Page

“I Want”

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Reid Speed – Los Angeles, CA
Barcelona, 12:40 AM – 1:20 AM


Reid Speed

DJ Reid Speed will share her drum & bass expertise. You will enjoy.

More Details: SXSW Reid Speed Page

Resonance

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Spoon – Austin, TX
The Main, 1:00 AM – 1:50 AM


Spoon

People don’t need to see Spoon just because they’re a Texan band. Rock group Spoon will be one everyone tries to see. The good news is that Spoon will be doing a residency! That means, loads of Spoon shows.

More Details: SXSW Spoon Page

“I Ain’t the One”

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SYKES – UK
Scratchouse Backyard, 12:00 AM – 12:40 AM


SYKES – Photo by Laura Harvey Photography

An alt-electro-pop description for Britain’s SYKES? Okay. SXSW will be a happy place to return for the band: it’s where they found their label.

More Details: SXSW Sykes Page

“Younger Mind”

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Temples – UK
The Gatsby, 8:30 PM


Temples

Temples are just one great psychedelic rock group. Top of any list I can make for the festival.

More Details: SXSW Temples Page

“Certainty”

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Thievery Corporation – Washington, D.C.
Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, 11:30 PM – 12:45 AM


Thievery Corporation – Photo by Damien Baumal

Electronic music in the form of dub!! And of all kinds of sounds from all over the world!! This can be hypnotic. They’ve got a perfect slot in Austin City Limits. Great job.

More Details: SXSW Thievery Corporation Page

“Lebanese Blonde”

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Wu-Tang Clan
Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater – 12:45 AM – 1:50 AM


Wu-Tang Clan

Rap/Hip Hop group Wu-Tang Clan has such a devoted fan following, whether it’s the full Wu-Tang Clan or its solo projects. This is another show where if you want to go, line up early. Really early.

More Details: SXSW Wu-Tang Clan Page

“I Can’t Go to Sleep”

Show Review & Photos: Ann Wilson @ the Moore

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Ann Wilson @ the Moore, 3/8/17
Show Review & Photos by John Rudolph

Ann Wilson has been known for years as having one of the best voices in pop and rock. I challenge that notion. I say that she has one of the best voices in music full stop. Front woman for the band Heart for more than 40 years, Ann has rocked some of the most iconic songs with some of the most legendary musicians in the business.

Ann Wilson performing at the Moore could not be more Seattle if they tried. She and her band performed a very cool variety of music. She started with The Who, she trekked her way through Pink Floyd, past Heart, all the way to Renton’s Own, Jimi Hendrix. This was a musical odyssey that I loved. She didn’t just cover these Rock Gods, she made each song her own in a way that only a true artist can.

Ms. Wilson was incredibly generous with us photographers. She gave us an open door to be as creative as we wanted to be, for as long as we wanted. That is so rare for such established artists, and for this photographer, it is much appreciated. A pleasant surprise from a true professional and someone I have been a fan of since the 1970s.


Ann Wilson

Show Preview: SXSW 2017 – Monday, Day 1 w/ Christian Löffler & Muncie Girls

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Show Preview: SXSW 2017 – Monday, Day 1 w/ Christian Löffler & Muncie Girls
~ Dagmar

SXSW attendees: I hope you get some ideas from checking out my recommendations for SXSW Music Festival. You’ll be thinking and dreaming music for I hope, all days; it should be impossible not to. Wherever you go, I am certain you will find great stuff. This is a gigantic festival, so I’d also recommend very serious viewing schedules. On the other hand, wander and be surprised.

Monday – March 13th

Christian Löffler – Germany
Swan Dive Patio, 10:00 – 10:40 PM


Christian Löffler

Electronic, one might say dreamy, tunes by an artist who uses quite a bit nature sounds in his songs. Check out some of him discussing that here.

More Details: SXSW Christian Löffler Page

“Mare”


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Muncie Girls – UK
Latitude 30, 1:00 – 1:40 AM


Muncie Girls – Photo by Phil Randall

Absolutely fits a sturdy definition of punk rock via their lyrical content and songs. They also covered Iron Maiden’s “The Wicker Man,” putting their own spin on it perfectly.

More Details: SXSW Muncie Girls Page

“Gas Mark 4”

Show Preview: Ann Wilson @ the Moore, Wed. 3/8

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Show Preview: Ann Wilson @ the Moore – Wednesday, March 8th
~Dagmar


Ann Wilson

Rock royalty Ann Wilson headlines the Moore Theatre tomorrow night, Wednesday March 8th. The show kicks off Wilson’s solo tour, which will travel much of the States. However, be warned: this date is Wilson’s only Pacific Northwest appearance. If you are in the Seattle area and want to see her, it’s an event you cannot miss.

Wilson, who earned everyone’s love as the singer and songwriter of ROCK BAND Heart, also has a solo career. Although Wilson has released 16 albums with Heart, sometimes you’ve got to do your own thing. In Wilson’s case, this means she has chosen special songs to embrace with her rad vocals. In her own words, the show is “A beautiful, classy set with an elegant, artistic production…The music will be a mix of songs that have powered my life; iconic soul stirring covers, songs from my years of solo work and the unforgettable songs of Heart.” Set lists on the Internet are being shared, and I see several covers, including the Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and Neil Young’s “War of Man,” both of which appeared on her debut album, Hope & Glory, and newer tracks off recent works, The Ann Wilson Thing! – #1 and The Ann Wilson Thing! – #2. Before I might ruin the whole set list, I need to share that this is a perfect event to make part of your International Women’s Day! Wilson’s a super example of a woman who shows the world that women can make achievements in male-dominated fields.

Tickets & more details are available here.

Photos: Tash Sultana @ Tractor Tavern

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Seattle was the last stop of Tash Sultana’s US tour. The Aussie brought her one-woman sold-out show to the Tractor Tavern last week. She produced a very full sound via looping while playing numerous instruments including guitar, trumpet, synthesizer, mandolin and beatbox. It was interesting to watch as she frequently adjusted the footswitches with her hands and bare feet. The most memorable quote from Tash during the show was when a man from the of the side handed her a guitar … “Do you know who this old motherf*cker is? It’s my dad!” He then entertained the audience by doing the splits on stage. Catch Tash when she’s back in town at the Neptune Theatre on October 24.


Tash Sultana