Yesterday was a different kind of day. A friend of a friend, who is becoming a friend (Carson from Flags, Tilt, Exotic Fruitica & more) told me about Spitefest taking place at Sunny’s Backyard — the most DIY-style event I had gone to during SXSW thus far.
I showed up in time for the end of Tilt’s set, a local punk band from Austin and they were sick. Then I sat through two mediocre sets from overly loud and sloppy punk bands from NYC, during which a fellow Charleston music scene person, Anfernee showed up to hang with me. These bands were a little rough and I won’t name them here, and then Exotic Fruitica came on. They were good again but we had to bounce.
Anfernee
Anfernee and I spent the remainder of the day wandering around 6th street just checking out the sights and sounds. After a couple hours of that, we found a hip-hop open mic setup on the corner of 6th and Red River. “Cookin on the Corner” set up by some guys from Philly who drove down with a bunch of gear. Anfernee hopped into the mix and cooked the corner to a delicious level, and it was dope to see the SC-born talent getting some recognition from all different zip codes.
Having recently moved from Charleston to Austin, Anfernee and I discussed the differences between the cities and the reasons why he ultimately decided to make the move. The two of us were in agreement about many of the things we discussed, which was ultimately how Charleston’s lack of resources tends to hold back creatives who are looking to succeed. Also how it’s not our responsibility nor is it our problem to fix that, and it could take a lifetime to do it.
The city of Charleston is focused on other things and does not care about enriching the music community. The largest festival in town (High Water) books one local artist per year. It’s just so far off from what it needs to be, and it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. These are my thoughts.
Anfernee and I parted ways and I ended up at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken for dinner which was incredibly good. Such a chill place too. I didn’t have room for dessert but the guy next to me ordered this brownie and ice cream concoction that looked absolutely amazing. I would have probably died if I tried to eat it, but he told me I should come back and try it if I get a chance.
Then, I was excited to attend my personal main event for the week, which was Faye Webster at the Moody Theatre. She was on the cover of Rolling Stone that morning, a fact which I had learned the night prior during the Athens to Austin showcase at Lambert’s. I ran into some familiar faces there considering how close Athens is to Charleston, including an old friend Mia Naome, the best photographer I had worked with in Charleston.
Faye Webster
Faye Webster was super awesome and genuine. She mentioned being conflicted about the performance considering the political situation, but expressed gratitude for the fans that came out to see her. It was a very heartfelt way to start the set and then she played the rest of it without comment. Very professional way to handle the situation. There really were a lot of people who were there specifically to see her, who knew all the words to every song.
I’ll have a more in-depth review of that performance once I gather my thoughts and make my way back home to Charleston and my office and my garden.
Moody Theatre
I also want to comment on the Moody Theatre, which was a really impressive venue to my eyes. 2750 seats. Large enough to draw a big act but small enough to feel intimate. Three tiers with the lowest tier being general admission.
The halls are lined with historic photos from Austin City Limits, as the theatre is the home of the ACL Live broadcast, which has been running since the 70s and has had some of the most famous musicians of our time on it. Including Willie Nelson, whom the street where it resides is named after.
On Austin
I really, really love this city. I’ve spent the past week wandering the streets and learning my way around. The setup for live music here is extremely impressive. The amount of quality concert venues within a 2 mile radius is unlike any city I’ve ever been to. It’s so ripe for live music and set up for it, it’s like a dream for someone who considers live music an important aspect of their life.
I’m very grateful to have had this opportunity. I’m also glad that it came at the point in my life that it did, because I have already developed some relationships and notoriety as a journalist that has opened the doors for me. Although I am brand new to the scene, it does not feel like I’m starting at the bottom.
When I was first starting out in Charleston, nobody cared about what I was doing. It took consistent effort to build a following. That would be the case in Austin too, but when I can say that I’ve interviewed Ryan Stasik and Kanika Moore and TAUK and several other recognizable names, people are all of a sudden much more interested.
Lots of love for both Charleston and Austin. Texas is calling me.
Even while I’m at a festival with lots of different artists, I’m still out here on my friend’s porch listening to Jerry. Lot on my mind this past week and my buddy @qrisg sent me this one. Jerry’s got a song for everything.
Two more days left in Austin. I’ve set the wheels in motion to be living here by October or November. The opportunities for someone like me in this city are very, very clear to me at this point.
Yesterday I lost my notebook (must have fallen out of my pocket) and had basically a full-fledged panic attack thinking I would lose everything I had written down all week.
I retraced my steps, speed-walking almost two miles from Halcyon Coffee to Hotel Vegas, and was massively relieved to find that the door guy had my notebook. It had been probably about 2 hours, and I noticed it was missing when I reached in my bag to note that Halcyon was an awesome coffee shop.
Best sets yesterday:
Colatura @ Lazarus Brewing
Reyna Tropical @ Hotel Vegas (She Shreds Fundraiser)
Spencer Thomas @ Lambert’s
Rose Hotel @ Lambert’s
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country @ Antone’s
Brainstory @ Antone’s
In general, Antone’s has the best sound out of any venue I’ve been to in Austin so far. The Daniel Donato set there had a way better mix than the one at Empire.
Pretty awesome sets there last night. I’ve heard from people around here that Antone’s is known for their sound. It’s a really nice system and they had a crisp mix for all sets I saw.
I’m assuming you’re referring to my article, about the meaning of Little Feat’s “Willin'” and thus i have updated the post to include the cover you mentioned.
Loved to see some jam band representation yesterday. Got to catch up with A.C. from TAUK for a moment after their set and gave him (another) Extra Chill sticker, which he said was going on his case.
The open jam was rad. There were several random people off the street who hopped up on stage including one very impressive young man who was feeling the vibes as a singer. Pretty cool to see music moving people like that.
Night cap at Nickel City, a sweet little dive bar that has a dank food truck out back.
It’s so cool to me how a lot of these bars partner with a food truck or several and have them set up and slang food. It creates a lot more variety rather than having your typical bar food that every place has.
@qrisg you’re probably right, the old man picked a weird fight with that one. Also, i guess he had hoped that more people would follow suit but that didn’t happen.
Neil’s been anti Spotify for a long time. At one time he tried to start his own high res streaming service but it never took off (Pono)
The motives are not super important to me at the end of the day, because the result is i’ll be able to stream my boy again
