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sxsw2014 Mon Mar 10 2014
Heading South: Two Chicago Acts Tell Stories from SXSW 2014
Let's face it, it's been a long, dark, cold and brutal winter in Chicago. If you weren't forward-thinking enough to plan a beach vacation by now, you're out of luck. Some of us can't afford to get to Texas ourselves for the annual SXSW conferences, but some lucky Chicago bands are headed there right now, with the intent to rock the taco-consuming masses from venues including nondescript parking lots to sponsored showcase stages. As in years past, we're following two local acts, and asking them to send daily dispatches back north, so we can bask in the warm glow that is Austin, Texas, without the added cost of airfare or hotel rooms. This year, we're following Robbie Fulks and Archie Powell & the Exports (as well as some on-site dispatches from GB's Mike Ewing). If you're not familiar, here's a quick introduction, as well as where to see them perform this week in Austin:
Our first local act is a Bloodshot Records mainstay. Robbie Fulks is not only a current local artist, he's lived here for over 30 years. A little bit country, and a little bit rock your ears off, Fulks brings a traditional country singer/songwriter sensibility to the mic, without the coffee house pretension. Coming from a historic country tradition, his music is like a refreshing beverage arriving the second you need long, cool drink. Here he is with Jon Langford in the Bloodshot offices, recently covering a Barbara Mandrel song (or checkout this popup player for some other tunes):
His current (and subject to change) SXSW Music Fest schedule is below:
Tuesday, March 11, 1pm - Trade show
Wednesday, March 12, 9pm - Continental Club
Thursday, March 13, 4pm - Broken Spoke
Friday, March 14, 12:45pm - Yard Dog
Saturday, March 15, 2pm - Brooklyn Country Cantina
[The bookend shows are solo and the others are acoustic quartet (Raines, Cobb, Gjersoe).]
To catch Robbie Fulks back home, his next Chicago gig will be at the Pig & Weasel in Evanston on March 23 at 3pm. Suggested donation $15-$20 at door.
Our second local act is Archie Powell & the Exports. Archie Powell would make a great roadtrip companion (at least, that's my guess). The band's peppy tunes speak of the everyday topics we all dive into when faced with a long drive and an open bag of Twizzlers: heartbreak, work woes, triumphs and failures. Their album below, Skip Work, is a great representation of the group's efforts to elicit that magic transmutation of emotion into dance that music has been tasked with since man first beat out a rhythm on a rock with a pair of sticks. Whether you're strapping on the album to run a few miles at the gym, or you're just rolling down the windows during the Great March Melt of '14, this is your soundtrack.
Archie Powell & the Exports' current (and subject to change) SXSW Music Fest schedule:
Tuesday, March 11 - Red 7, Official DCASE Showcase, 611 E. 7th St
Wednesday, March 12, 2pm - Convention Center, DCASE
Saturday, March 15, 2:45pm - Good Land Record Party
Saturday, March 15, 3:15pm - Freedman's Bar, 2402 San Gabriel St.
Saturday, March 15, 6:30pm - Jam in the Van
Check back for daily updates from Archie Powell & the Exports and Robbie Fulks as the week progresses! We'll also update their schedule when we get updates.
