South by Somewhere

Each year, SXSW brings music hipsters and bands from all over the world to Austin. Music can be found in just about every nook and cranny in the city.  One year I even saw a band playing on top of an apartment building. For three years, we even co-hosted a showcase with our good friends over at Americana Roots that featured acts from around Texas like Jason Eady and Drew Kennedy….as well as acts like the Wrinkle Neck Mules from Virginia and The Whipsaws who drove to Austin all the way from Alaska to play a few showcases!

The common thread among all the music was the type of gritty authenticity that we crave in Texas. The bands from afar were called to Texas as a beacon of hope in a crowded sea of music. They said they had good fanbases and careers back home but found Texas to be the place that was most welcoming to original music in their travels.

We have since bowed out of the SXSW madness to focus on our other events. But, there are still cool showcases that are featuring the type of music we love around Texas…even if the artists aren’t exclusively Texan.

South By can be overwhelming…so if you’re attending, it’s important to plan which events you’re going to hit up.

In addition to all the stuff our friends at Music Fog have going on, here are some of our suggestions.

Pigeon’s Posse- Wed. March 16 at Opal Divine’s

Kicking off at 11AM, this showcase features sets from Walt Wilkins, Brandon Jenkins, Somebody’s Darling and Delta Saints among many others.

Lonestarmusic.com Showcase – Sat March 19 at Antone’s

Cody Canada leads The Departed in their SXSW debut performance.  Also on the bill are Sons of Bill, Joe Ely and Carolyn Wonderland.  In addition, each day at 4PM, along with Freebird’s and Gibson Guitars, at St. Vincent de Paul on South Congress, LSM will be co-hosting a day party featuring music from the likes of Mike Ethan Messick, The Trishas,  Stonehoney and Band of Heathens.

KVET Roadhouse Showcase- Wed. March 16 at Peckerhead’s

The music starts at 8PM and will have Texas luminaries like Pat Green and Brandon Rhyder sharing the showcase with talented newcomers like Ryan Beaver and Rob Baird.  Pretty much everyone who’s anyone in Texas/Red Dirt music (with few exceptions) will be making an appearance at this show.

Americana Music Association Showcase – Thur March 17 at Antone’s

The venerable music association returns to the historic stage at Antone’s for its annual South by showcase, and they have rounded up quite an impressive line-up.  The legendary Emmylou Harris headlines a group that includes Band of Heathens, Bruce Robison and the Old 97’s.

AUE’s Taking Back Austin Showcase- Sat March 19 at Peckerhead’s

AUE is not the powerful booking giant it once was in this scene, but they are starting to assemble a nice roster of young artists.  They will showcase those artists here.  These include:  Rosehill, Midnight River Choir and Scott Wiggins.