Good morning Austin. Despite a late night, we were able to go for a run and than have breakfast this morning and that prepared us for a long day ahead
Because of how much we enjoyed yesterday's shows, we decide to go to British Music Embassy to see a few bands again. The showcase starts with Antony Szmierek. This Manchester artist mixes a nice blend of rap /dance/spoken word together all on his own (his band is there but not playing with him). It's a fun little start to the showcase.
Now out on the outdoor stage, where we are approaching 95 degrees in the Austin sun, we have The K's again. Even better sound makes this show even better for me. This band is well suited to outdoor stages and their anthemic indie pop tracks may be even better today. Jaime's voice might not be at earlier showcase levels but the band make up for it with energy.
Then another new favourite, Cortney Dixon is on inside. We grab some food ( Brit Embassy treats us well every day ) and manage to score ourselves free drinks as we watch Cortney burst through another great set of punchy indie rock. This youngster is captivating, love watching her perform. Very creative and expressive, what a great little band. We can see them playing bigger stages soon. I get to talk to Cortney afterwards and thankfully she is great to chat to. Very friendly and appreciative of the crowds reaction.
Now Dilettante hits the outside stage. This art pop band from Northern England features Francesca Pidgeon from BC Camplight and includes alot of fuzzy guitar work..saxophone..synths, some great vocals that produces a very quirky Indie sound.
It's refreshing and smooth which leads well into what's up next inside. There we find Amelia Coburn. Amelia is a great little folk singer. Lovely sound to her band, lots of amusing stories and questions about Tinder in Austin, its a sweet little set of charming songs.
Now a perfect transition to Finn Forster. Another great voice, and a solid little band...this Teesside singer balances well between folk and pop. He has quite the twang in his voice and fits right into a patio in Austin.
Next comes quite the shift in styles and inside is OneDa. This Manchester based artist brings some drum & bass/dancehall to the stage and it's a huge change in pace. Her show is upbeat and lively.
The last artist at British Music Embassy is Ellur. Having been able to catch some of her set the day before, I really wanted to see this full set on the outdoor stage. Ellur has one of the best voices I will hear all week. It fluctuates between delicate and powerful and the songs are brilliant. Some great guitar work and wonderful story telling bring together one of the best sets of the week...a wonderful way to end this afternoon showcase.
After a dinner break we are back at the park to see Yndling. This Norwegian artist( Silje Espevik) performs some very light, shoe gazy dream pop. As a big fan of Mazzy Star & Cocteau Twins, the songs sound familiar and it has a very dreamy quality to it.
Now we are off and back to the British Music Embassy.
On the outdoor stage we start off with a big one. Jasmine.4.t. Jasmine Cruickshank is the first UK artist signed to Saddest Factory Records ( Phoebe Bridgers) and Jasmine has put together an all trans girl band that just had their first album produced by Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers and released to glowing reviews. The album is about love, and how to be loved after alot of pain, and family issues and living rough.
This indie rock band songs sound warm and inviting but the words hint at alot of pain and despair. It's still a very positive set but there is an underlying theme of pain which is hard to avoid. Jasmine explains how hard it was to come to Austin as a trans artist, feeling so uncomfortable that all 4 members of the band felt it necessary to take self defense lessons. Also explaining how their road ahead took them through at least one state that would not allow them to enter their washroom of choice. This made these lovely melodic songs hit just a little harder and has made an album I enjoy very much one that will take on a new meaning going forward. A wonderfully sad and beautiful set of songs.
Inside we have Mary In The Junkyard. This experimental rock trio ( guitar/vocalist, bassist, & Viola player) play some pretty chaotic songs. This is another intriguing UK rock band. Hard to really nail down what their performances are like..traditional indie rock with an experimental element, it's a nice change.
Freak Slug up on the outdoor stage and now this place is packed. Messy, indie rock, Manchester rock n roll from Xenya Genovese. She's produced some pretty smooth Indie pop tracks but her most recent release is a little harder and more experimental. A bit nostalgic with a Joy Division vibe that appears and even some Pixies in there. I get the buzz I've been reading about.
Back inside and I'm not sure people are prepared for what's coming. I've been well informed about the power of Maruja, and despite that, I'm in the front row. This Jazz & Post-Punk blend is powerful and noisy and lead singer Harry Wilkinson is impossible to ignore. This man is fierce. This band forces you to pay attention and they are mesmerizingly powerful. They kick ass and I find it hard to describe just what that show was. I got caught up in it by being so close to the stage...just a massive blur of a set.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw is up on the outdoor stage. This art rock band from London is a complicated one to describe. Six members, couple of vocalist, violin, guitars up front, songs going in every direction..it's alot. It's chaotic but it sounds fantastic. They are having fun, and the songs come together nicely no matter how much is going on.
A complete shift now as we go inside to watch ALT BLK ERA. UK sisters Nyrobi and Chaya produce something alot different than what we've heard so far. It's a fusion of rap, rock, and Alt pop and despite how young they are, the sisters, along with their band, hold their own. Much like many bands, this is their first trip to the US and they do their best to keep the crowd bouncing and grooving.
The next band is a bit of a surprise. Outside stage has Big Special. Having listened to one track of theirs (black dog/white horse) I was expecting a loud indie rock band, but what happens next is one big joyous dance punk event. And again, I am up front. I am in the front row as this two piece comes on and clearly this crowd is well prepared. They know every song, and sing along and everyone is bouncing and dancing for 40 minutes. These two, Joe Hicklin & Callum Moloney, are quite the team/band. It's a comedy show, mixed with political statements mixed into rather fun punk energy. It is exhausting to be apart of and a heck of alot of fun. The set builds up nicely..and when Maruja members appear in the crowd with the bands stand up cymbal..it really kicks off. The final song, as band members join together, it becomes a big love in. And a powerful finale. It's a beauty way to end the evening.
A fantastic day and night.
Jim