SXSW Festival exclusive: Part IV.

Music reviews from this year's SXSW festival!

Django Django

Four art students who met in Edinburgh formed Django Django in 2009.  Their sound is described as psychedelic, their style is called “maverick.”  This group looks for newness, and they are willing to be a little silly.  Comparing songs like Default, Wor, and Waveforms, there is an obvious experimental attitude behind the sounds. 

This time, at their first SXSW, the band wears casual jeans and shirts, focused more on the music and the fans.  These guys have energy, all right. They know how to spread it to their listeners, too.  Starting off with a shout, “Austin, Texas!” and the casual milling crowd stands to attention, then shouts back.  The drum beats sound Celtic, the vocal harmonies are 60s boy band, and the artists’ baby faces can almost distract from the stage outfits they have worn.  Almost, not quite.  They like trying new things in the name of art, and like the greater artists, they are not afraid to make mistakes.  Like when they wore bamboo leaves on stage.

The drums are part of the melody and rattle in the chest.  The guitars mesh nicely with the beat.  The overall effect is seamless and fun.  No wonder their debut album is so well received when there is something for everyone.  No matter what one’s taste, you can’t deny the adventure of this group and its sound.

Amanda Shires

It’s not enough that she joined The Texas Playboys at 15.  Amanda Shires appears on stage with the presence of a country western dame.  Her music resonates gently, directed toher listeners instead of at them.  Ms. Shires is a veteran performer, yet she seems unaffected by so much experience.  The songs are full while simple.  They are plain country; her voice is sweetly honest.  Yet Shires does not stay in one space with her music.  Songs like Swimmer and When You Need a Train It Never Comes have haunting melodies, whileShake The Walls has a surprising predatory beat.  Kudzu sounds almost orchestral.  As well-rounded as she is, there can be no doubt that Shires will continue to please in the future.

Amanda Shires released her newest album, Carrying Lightning, in 2011. 

MED

It’s pronounced M-E-D, and it’s short for Medaphoar.  He strolls the stage with a hip roll, then leans into the audience with a classic hiphop armthrow and shout.  MED knows how to work a crowd, and they’re shouting right back at him.  “Peanut Butter Wolf!” he shouts (featured DJ on stage).  The rhythms are crisp, his energy is powerful; MED is a natural performer.  He builds a mood and keeps it going.  There is some R&B and some funk in his sound, they get the buzz humming in the room.  The beat and tone are dead-on perfect.  It’s too bad that the songs are completely unmemorable.

The Trishas

What do you get when you mix gospel and country western, then add a touch of Motown?  You get The Trishas and they are worth hearing.  All four band members are singers and songwriters, which may explain the combination of influences.

After years of performing together, The Trishas have finally released their EP, They Call Us The Trishas.  The five tracks provide a peek into the broad corners of their live set.  The four-part vocal harmonies are moving in a primal, foot-thumping way. The country fiddle is smooth, the strings are well-rounded and full. So Blue builds a soulful journey, while Trouble About My Soul grabs the ear with stirring percussion.