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SXSW Diary: Goodbye Austin

by Colin Medley

March 21, 2010

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Well, I have to be awake in 4 hours to start the trip home to Toronto, so I'll share my thoughts while they're fresh in my mind. Saturday, my last full day in Austin, was also the coldest day of the festival. It kinda blew, because apparently it was colder here than back home.

Well, I have to be awake in 4 hours to start the trip home to Toronto, so I’ll share my thoughts while they’re fresh in my mind. Saturday, my last full day in Austin, was also the coldest day of the festival. It kinda blew, because apparently it was colder here than back home.

I started the day by heading to the Six Shooter House, where I snacked on delicious bagels with lox, quich, and a few of their famous cookies. Eventually, I had to leave because Forest City Lovers had to load in to their nighttime show, and I wanted a ride back downtown so I left with them. Shortly thereafter, I made my way to the Fucked Up and friends showcase, where Katie Stelmanis was playing. Her set was amazing – she has a new live setup, with a bit more of a straight up rock band (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard) than the more all electronic setup she had before. Those new songs are hits.

Next I went to the Mohawk to see JEFF the Brotherhood, a band who I’d wanted to see all week long. I gave their new album Heavy Days a spin when it came out because I liked it’s album artwork and got really into it, and I’d heard their live show was something you really had to see. The band is made up of brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall, and as much as I’d like to compare them to some bands for you, just do yourself a favour and look them up. The crowd was made up of a lot of their friends from Nashville, so maybe they’re more familiar with their songs than most, the sing alongs and stage dives (from both the band and fans) made for a great show. Definitely my festival highlight!

I ran over to Paradise on 6th St. to catch Toronto’s Bonjay, because I had heard their name a whole lot but never their music. It was a great show – Alanna, the singer, is a very gifted vocalist and had total control on stage.

Alright, it’s 7 am now and we’re packing up to leave, so I need to wrap this up quickly. I went and saw Joan of Arc at the Galaxy Room, it was awesome, before heading to the Ale House to see my friends and travel companions Forest City Lovers play their big show of the festival. It was the perfect way to end the week.

Okay, time to drive back to Toronto. Thanks for reading! If there’s one last thing to say about SXSW, it would be: I’m surprised more people didn’t die.

Tags: Music, News, Bonjay, Colin Medley, Forest City Lovers, Joan of Arc, Katie Stelmanis, SXSW, SXSW 2010

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