Our second day at SXSW 2023 began as a day in Austin should – with breakfast tacos. Austin bureau chief and SXSW tour guide David Hopper and I hit up El Chilito for a sack breakfast and some Austin-roasted Medici coffee. On our way into town, our Uber driver discovered we’re music journalists; he apparently is an Alice Cooper super-fan. We admired the picture of his 5-year old son in Alice makeup, and hopped out in front of the Fairmont Hotel.
First on our Day 2 agenda was a live remote interview with filmmaker and proud Canadian Ron Chapman. Ron’s new documentary, Revival69: The Concert that Rocked the World, had a very successful premiere at SXSW. It’s the story of a fabled rock-n-roll festival in Toronto in 1969 with major pop-cultural historical significance, and the promoter who nearly lost everything trying to make it happen. It’s a tense and compelling story, in which promoter John Brower risks his life, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono ultimately swoop in to save the day. Click here to watch our interview with Ron, as well as the trailer for his amazing film.
Speaking of films, a feature of SXSW is the concept of film check-downs. Since the music showcases we planned to hit weren’t until the evening, we figured we’d investigate some films in the afternoon. However, since most of the indie films are screened in smaller venues with multiple theaters, you get in line for the film you want and hope for the best. Eventually, a volunteer (very revered at the festival) will come out and ask for a show of hands for a particular screening. They do a head count and you realize you’re not getting in. You then check the schedule to see what else is showing there, and eventually settle for whatever isn’t full… or just bail. We got shut out of everything on this afternoon, including Black Barbie (the story of the first Black Barbie doll), Citizen Sleuth (a true crime podcast drama), and Flamin’ Hot (Eva Longoria’s feature about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos).
So, fuck it. We decided to go for lunch and get another signature taste of Austin – Terry Black’s Barbecue. Austinites and Uber drivers decry this joint as over-priced and packed with turistas, and it is most certainly both. However, there’s a reason things get popular, and in this case it’s the outstanding brisket and beef ribs and the understated sauces. They don’t try too hard here, they just make great barbecue (and sell a lot of t-shirts).
After lunch, we made our way directly to the ZACH Theater to make sure we didn’t miss the Indigo Girls documentary, It’s Only Life After All. Directed by Alexandria Bombach, this film is an extraordinary look at the lives and career of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. Bombach cut together a charming, heartbreaking, hard-hitting, and inspirational narrative out of candid interviews, TV clips, hours of Amy’s camcorder footage, and tons of other insightful stuff she shot for the film. I love the scene in which Amy shows Bombach the shoe boxes and piles of VHS tapes (and every other format you can think of), over which I seem to recall Amy saying, “Careful what you wish for.”
Up to now, I’ve only been a casual fan of the band, but I was thrilled and awed by the honesty of this film. Neither the subjects nor the filmmaker hold back, as the film delves deeply into tender elements of their private lives, in addition to their recording and performing career, and their passionate activism for gender-related issues and earth preservation. I was moved when Emily, discussing the vitriol that’s been hurled at them through the years, says, “I know it’s… fear.” My mind filled the pause with the word “hate.” The compassion these women have for their fellow people is truly inspiring. When they appeared on stage after the screening with the director and their earth-activist friend, I choked up. I’m glad we didn’t get shut out of this one.
Next it was on to Red River Street where we bounced back and forth between music showcases at Cheer Up Charlie’s and Stubb’s BBQ. (It also sounded like there was a bad-ass metal showcase at Mohawk down the street.)
Cheer Ups had a great slate of acts beginning with Bailen, a sibling band from NYC featuring Julia Bailen on guitar and her twin brothers Daniel and David on bass and drums, respectively. They play a sweet brand of alternative pop, with all three members singing tight harmonies. Next was The Lemon Twigs, another New York sibling act (two brothers) who could be mistaken for a yacht-rock parody if their music wasn’t so earnest. We missed The Twigs, as we were across the street at Stubb’s grooving to The Tiarras.
The Tiarras are a Latina power trio who draw inspiration from rock, soul, reggae, blues, and cumbia. These women throw down! I encourage you to click here to read our interview with them and check out their videos. We sticked & stayed at Stubbs for Austin super-group Caramelo Haze, which sounds like a cannabis strain, but is actually a kick-ass blend of Texas soul, Afro-Colombian folk and psychedelic Americana. After the Haze cleared, it was another Austin act, Urban Heat, a synth-heavy dark wave trio featuring Jonathan Horstmann. They had a bit of an issue with their sound kind of farting out, but they were intense nonetheless. Click here to read our interview with Jonathan and check out their videos.
Meanwhile, over at Cheer Ups, we snuck back in just in time for Overcoats, a duo self-described as “harmony-driven range pop.” JJ Mitchell and Hana Elion sound and look great together, with movement a big part of their show. I was near the front doing some hand choreography to my favorite song, “Never Let You Go.” JJ caught it and smiled at me. Made my night. Click here to read our interview with Overcoats and check out their super-stylish videos.
Our last band of the evening was British stoner metal outfit Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs (you counted that right). These guys reminded me of what it might’ve been like seeing Sabbath in the early days. Frontman Matthew Baty looks a bit like Freddy Mercury with his porn ‘stache and tank top, but he shouted and screamed like Ozzy in front of a heavy, heavy guitar/bass/drums lineup. They ended their set in a maelstrom of sweat and feedback. I followed the spent Baty as he stumbled off stage, and handed him a dry 360°Sound t-shirt. He looked confused but appreciative.
Spent ourselves, we popped into Voodoo Donut on “Dirty 6th” Street, where late-nighters can choose from snacks with names like “Butterfingering,” “Maple Blazer Blunt,” and “Cock ‘n Balls.” That was enough for Day 2. Whew.
