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 Lou Reed |
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Story and Photos by Andy Argyrakis Lou Reed  In keeping with a prominent keynote speaker tradition
that's included Robert Plant, Pete Townshend and Neil
Young, iconic rocker Lou Reed kicked off the
festivities with a look back on his storied career.
The one time member of the Velvet Underground turned
solo star is currently plugging the Julian Schnabel
directed film "Lou Reed's Berlin," which reflects his
1973 album of the same name. The appearance covered
everything from the project's failure to find
commercial acceptance at the time of its release to
later becoming a critical cornerstone of his catalogue
that was finally bought to the stage in December 2006
(as chronicled across five nights in New York
throughout the documentary). Yet even more compelling
than the conversation was a surprise festival
performance at the end of a tribute concert in his
name (featuring members of My Morning Jacket, Sonic
Youth and many others). Reed joined electronic
mainstay Moby at the Levi's Fader Fort for a few lines
of the ultra famous "Walk On the Wild Side" with his
signature swagger in tact (and thriving). X Jane's Addiction front man/Lollapalooza leader Perry Farrell turned out as special guest to introduce these punk icons at the Spin showcase at Stubb's (regularly regarded as the event's best day party) reminding a jam-packed crowd that England might have its Sex Pistols and the Big Apple may have birthed the New York Dolls, but Los Angeles would always be known as the place where X was conceived. This year marks the group's thirty-first anniversary tour with the original line-up, including feisty female front woman Exene, backed by the scalding rhythm section of John Doe, DJ Bonebrake and Billy Zoom, who are just as relevant as they were over three decades ago when literally inventing the genre's west coast roots. Carbon/Silicon In equally seminal punk circles, Mick Jones of The Clash and Tony James of Generation X (the band that birthed Billy Idol)  turned in a blistering performance
as Carbon/Silicon. Though the pair first linked up in
2002, the group's sound has evolved through today to
merge alarming rock n' roll intensity with
garage-derived insistence. For those who couldn't
catch the undertaking first hand from The Lonestar
Lounge, DIRECTV broadcast the smoldering set (and all
others from that venue and the neighboring Bat Bar),
resulting in one of the week's most exciting and well
attended attractions.Martha Wainwright The Lonestar Lounge also played host to folk-flavored tunesmith Martha Wainwright, sister to singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright with a voice that's simply ravishing. This gorgeously pensive tunesmith previewed somber yet superb tracks from the upcoming album I Know You're Married But I Got Feelings Too (Drowned in Sound). Those who can't wait that long or missed the TV taping can also turn to a guest slot on her sibling's recent DVD Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy!: Live From the London Palladium (Geffen) where she tastefully croons like the late great Judy Garland. R.E.M. Though individual members popped up at SxSW on several occasions over recent years, a full-fledged version of Athens, Georgia's highly influential alt-rockers R.E.M. packed the outdoor Stubb's club to plug the forthcoming Accelerate (out April 1 on Warner Brothers). Despite eclipsing several of the hits that led them to jangle pop royalty, the album thankfully hearkens back to their vibrant, charismatic and politically charged roots (following a few more reflective, under the radar releases as of late). BoDeans They may be forever known as the band who wrote the "Party of Five" theme song "Closer To Free," but Waukesha, Wisconsin's BoDeans have endured a remarkable twenty-five years and counting. The roots rockers' outdoor show at the Auditorium Shores Stage ushered in the sounds of summer (and songs from its brand new independent release Still) thanks to eclectic combinations of acoustic and electric guitars with some aggressive accordion squeezing. "Body of War" It's not the name of a specific group, but rather a soundtrack to a documentary about Tomas Young, a 25-year-old solider who was paralyzed during the war in Iraq. An extensive concert was set up to unveil highlights from this month's Sire Records release of the same name, including a remarkably diverse cast that ranged from Rage Against  the Machine guitarist
Tom Morello to punk rockers gone acoustic RX Bandits.
The best on the bill was insurgent roots rocker Billy
Bragg, who continues to craft consistent protest
anthems with the utmost sophistication (aiming at the
current administration to withdraw troops from
battle). Though his message was equally bold, System
of a Down singer Serj Tankian made for the most
annoying set of the showcase, offering vocal shrills
equivalent to nails on a chalkboard across sparse
piano soundscapes. A pair of panels He may be best known for a collaborative career under the banner Daryl Hall & John Oates, but there was plenty to talk about beyond the group in Daryl Hall's public interview session at the Austin Convention Center. The unexpected indie rock appreciator offered disdain over the corporate structure of today's record labels and insight into collaborating with untapped talent on the internet concert series "Live From Daryl's House" (www.livefromdarylshouse.com). Famed artist/producer Alan Parsons was also on hand at the Austin Convention center for the round table "Producers: The Analog-Digital Shift," revolving around the particularly intriguing advancements made within recording technology. New and noteworthy The top two newcomers were a toss up tie between experimental singer/songwriter Liam Finn and French-Israeli pop siren Yael Naim. If Finn's last name looks familiar, that's because he the son of Crowded House singer Neil Finn, though he had no trouble holding his own at the  Paste and Stereogum
combo party or in the DIRECTV taping at The Bat Bar.
No matter what the location, the newcomer was a
lightening-like force who switched between the guitar
and drums, recording samples of each instrument and
then playing them back within seconds over one another
to evoke a full-band flavor. Naim's material wasn't
nearly as complicated at The Driskill Hotel, but she
did provide a strikingly beautiful blend of warm
acoustic guitars, dreamy keyboards and angelic vocals
from a self-titled CD on Atlantic (featuring "New
Soul" from the current MacBook Air commercial).The rest of the fest The Pitchfork showcase at Emo's once again unveiled a series of indie artists for highly discerning tastes, including the brooding folk/pop stylings of Bon Iver and the joyfully cacophonic noise rockers No Age. The BBC hosted MGMT at the Rio Grande, declaring the psychedelic-tipped alternative rockers from New York one of Britain's biggest buzzes at the moment. Fellow countrymen The English Beat returned with front man Dave Wakeling in fine form, offering horn-slapped ska sounds that remain golden examples of the genre in its purest pop-flanked form. Rap/hip-hop duo The Cool Kids are also making waves across both styles, but an Austin Convention Center performance was incredibly problematic due to DJ difficulties and general technical issues. Though all the rage a few years earlier, The Raveonettes continue to attract attention for its minimalist noise pop, but were still plagued with practically non-existent stage presence at the Spin party. That same event also boasted the highly hyped Vampire Weekend, who disappointedly didn't live up to expectations. Outside of an animated stage presence and appealing looks, the Big Apple-based foursome provided a generic palate of beat infused electric rock, sending a sour note through an otherwise exciting expedition. |
 The Raveonettes |
 The Raveonettes |
 The Raveonettes |
 Alan Parsons |
 No Age |
 No Age |
 Martha Wainwright |
 Martha Wainwright |
 Yael Naim |
 Yael Naim |
 Vampire Weekend |
 Vampire Weekend |
 Vampire Weekend |
 Serj Tankian |
 Paddy Casey |
 X |
 X |
 X |
 Daryl Hall |
 Liam Finn |
 Liam Finn |