SXSW 2014: Carrie's Blog 1

Tuesday 11 March 2014, 18:36

Across The Line

Tagged with:

ATL Blog

Carrie Davenport on her bike!

Carrie Davenport has made the trip out to Austin, Texas for this year's South By South West(SXSW). While at the mecca for new bands, she reports back to ATL headquarters on how some of our finest acts are doing out there this week.

**************************

Well that's day one down for SXSW 2014 and what a busy ay it was! I'm staying a little bit out of town which involves a 20minute or so bike ride along the river into downtown Austin. I didn't get to see any of this part of the city last year so I'm really enjoying the chance to get out and about a bit. The locals are the friendliest people on earth - I geuinely think the sunshine makes people happier not one person went past without saying hello! Dog walkers, cyclists, even joggers look happy, rather different to back home (what with the cold and rain).

I started the day going to pick up my pass which was an altogether joyous experience! Unlike many venues SXSW have this down to an art form, it is a well oiled machine that works through the thousands of attendees in light speed. So pass on my neck and press tags on my cameras, I set out to hunt down the NI invasion to record some interviews for ATL. I chatted to Lyndon from Champion Sounds Records and his act Unknown who are here to play the festival for their first time, along with the Wonder Villains (veterans - well, this is their second year). I also got to chat to Shauna Tohill (Silhouette) and Katie Richardson (Katie & The Carnival/Salt Flats) who are on a bit of an american roadtrip arriving in Austin via Dallas and Nashville. If you didn't get to check them out on the show you can catch them on theiplayer.

Lemon Stand at SXSW

Interviews done, I headed out and about to scout for locations for photoshoots as I'm shooting some bands newly signed to Bright Antenna Records later in the week. Planning shoots wasn't easy from the other side of the world, so with rough ideas after last year's visit and google maps, I took off on my bike to get around town. I met a man in a giant lemon who gave me lemonade, got chatting to so many people trying to get me to go to their gigs and ate some death metal pizza so all in all a great day! All my locations sorted I headed back to town for the Creative Belfast Showcase.

Wonder Villains at SXSW

Now this name is a little misleading because we all know the Wonder Villains are from Derry, but this was NI's chance to be in the spotlight here at SXSW. The lineup was a great mix - Wonder Villains, Rams Pocket Radio and Unknown showcasing a variety of the talent we have back home. Wonder Villains bounced on stage in their usual manner, as hyper as a kid on ten packs of smarties. Phil Taggart announced them as a cure for depression and he is totally right - you can not possibly be unhappy listening to this band!

Rams at SXSW

After that Ram's took to the stage for a gorgeous performace, overcoming no end of obstacles - including cancelled flights and a piano failing to arrive. However, they made it on stage and like the true professionals they are, played a belter of a set, ending with "Love is a Bitter Thing" which hang in the air as they left the stage. An absolutely beautiful show.

Unknown at SXSW

Then it's up to Unknwn to get the crowd moving again. Their set was flawless and its nice to see Chris no longer hiding on stage behind various camouflages but standing up front along side Gemma, whose haunting vocals are truly stunning - she's so petite you just don't expect such a big voice.

Phil Taggart at SXSW

So thats the live music over andold ATL chum Phil Taggart fires up his DJ set. The crowd have drank the free bar dry and I hear one girl complain the music is too loud (clearly in the wrong place if thats an issue!).

At the end of the evening, the 20min glorious cycle in the sun was replaced with a terrifying night time route of pitch black river trails and I'll admit, I got lost and ended up in a 24hour cafe begging for help and directions. When that failed, my host for the week came to the rescue like a night in the shining armour of a jeep. Cycling is not for the unfit, add a camera bag and I have muscles sore where I didn't even know there were muslces! But it's been a great day one and with that I bid you goodnight for now!

Carrie Davenport

Tagged with: