SXSW 2009: Down by the river with Beach House; Shiny Toy Guns brighten the night

March 21, 2009, in Austin

By Melissa Bobbitt
Published: March 22nd, 2009 | 9:45pm

The thunderclouds started to roll into Austin — perhaps a sign that I was about to be whisked away by some metaphorical tornado out of this musical Oz and back into my black-and-white life in suburbia. The final proper day of South by Southwest certainly had its share of curious characters, among them Japanese Lolitas, glittery Bay-Area rioters, and a parade of Segway riders. People do come and go so quickly here!

And the rapidness of the week caught up with me. So it was imperative that I began day four easy like Sunday morning. Los Angeles duo Great Northern churned out a languid acoustic performance at the Convention Center Day Stage that culled from its incredible Remind Me Where the Light Is (Eenie Meenie) while dazed listeners noshed on soggy sandwiches. Preceding the band was Japanese curio Natccu: pixie punk at its finest. The diminutive Natsuko Sato cheerily addressed the crowd: “Austin is very hot. It makes me want to drink beer! But we cannot drink in here, so let’s all drink water!” (She was charming, as Northern’s Solon Bixler and Rachel Stolte swigged beer throughout their set.)

Just across the street was the Rockville party (with a godsend of an open bar). A collection of really swell acts hit this tent, the first being Tampa troubadour Matt Hires. Hires’ breezy acoustic songs accented the atmosphere perfectly, even when an audio shortage plagued him. Expect to hear his name around — he’s already written material with well known acts such as Sara Bareilles. Also entertaining in the tent were the Republic Tigers (Midwesterners who dig the Madchester vibe) and theLittle Ones (twangy rock from the West Coast).

I headed to the riverside to see Beach House, and was treated to a much more engaging show than I had anticipated. Best known for its hushed, glistening melodies, the Baltimore-based band had the kookiest stage banter of the entire festival. “You guys are great,” deadpanned singer-keyboardist Victoria Legrand. “Frosted Flakes are great.” Between willowy tunes, Legrand assured those present at Auditorium Shores, “I am not drunk, in case anyone was wondering. I am a professional. … My brain just popped out this morning and I ate it in my taco.”

Tacos were indeed consumed for dinner, sans indie-popper brains, and thus began the trek across town to the Red Eyed Fly for Exene Cervenka’s intimate gig. The punk legend toned down her ragged drawl and instead played a series of starlit ballads from her solo disc, out this summer. It was the most true-to-Texas concert I’d seen in Austin this far.

Then it was back to the Convention Center for a rather unconventional SXSW show. Most bands here leaned toward the fringes of rock and peculiar subgenres. Not Tinted Windows, though — these guys are pop at its purest and most unabashed. What else might one expect from a supergroup led by Taylor Hanson? Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins, A Perfect Circle), and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) rounded out the ranks. This felt so far removed from the wily spirit of the rest of the festival, ever so polished and radio ready. As a diehard Iha fan, I am loath to speak poorly of his post-Pumpkins career choices, but the conveyer-belt cheese of Windows just doesn’t jibe with me.

I scurried back to the hub of the action at the Ale House for a brief taste of Whispertown 2000’s folksy sound, then mentally prepared for the hedonism of Gravy Train!!!! at Radio Room. Aiming to be the most antiestablishment foursome at SXSW, the group damned the badge holders with unlimited access to shows, the capacity limits, and the fact it got paid squat for its sole performance of the week. Not that the band members’ sequined and sweaty audience cared for politics — they just wanted to dance. And they did, violently so, rushing the stage as the dandy Hunx nearly dropped his trousers in a fit of hysteria. I’ve seen these electro-clashers in concert a good half-dozen times, and they’ve always reveled in spontaneity, which usually leads to poorly controlled chaos. This time was no exception.

The night was capped at Vice with the industrial pop of Shiny Toy Guns. They were delayed by about half an hour, but that didn’t seem to dampen fans’ enthusiasm. Hands waved continually as Sisely Treasure and Chad Petree (dressed as a steampunk aviator) traded vocals and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Behind them, Vice’s windows were ajar so inquisitive passersbys on 6th Street could check out the band. Spilling out into the streets was the only proper way to end a rollicking South by Southwest. All for one, and one for all — the “one” being music.
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For more photos from day four of SXSW 2009, visit Venus Zine’s Flickr page

Want more SXSW coverage? Check out our other articles here:

SXSW 2009, Day 1, March 18: Fans go to church for St. Vincent; the Decemberists create Hazards on stage

SXSW 2009, Day 2, March 19: Tori Amos entrances at La Zona Rosa; Ebony Bones channel Tina Turner and M.I.A.

SXSW 2009, Day 3, March 20: Margaret Cho brings the laughs; Melissa Auf der Maur brings the rock