SXSW Day Two: Party & Playboy

By Marc Hawthorne  |  March 17, 2007 | 1:31am
Music Features Music

Before I start talking about the second day of SXSW, I'd like to point out a few details about Wednesday night that I inadvertently left out yesterday due to being in a rush to get to The A.V. Club's day party. First off, the rumors are true that one of the women in Yo Majesty likes to take her top off; it says a lot about their show that by the time she got naked, it didn't really seem like that big of a deal. Also, it's worth mentioning that the band's best song of the night was "Kryptonite Pussy." A couple of other things: Though I had originally planned to stalk Rose from The Pipettes all weekend, I've decided to save the best for last and just see the band on Saturday; and by that time I'll also let everyone know what is more annoying about Emo's: the disgusting bathrooms (even the backstage one is gross!) or the huge, inky hand stamps that become face tattoos in the morning.

Thursday, March 15

1:05pm: She's one of the first artists to play the A.V. Club/Tag Team party at Emo's, but Kaki King has drawn a sizeable crowd in the inside room and she's transfixed everyone there with her beautifully layered, effect-laden lap steel. She even makes up a song on the spot just for us.

2:25pm: Amy Millan is saying "Bands, bands, bands, bands, bands" to soundcheck her microphone, and at the same time she's pretty much singing the SXSW soundtrack. With the help of a large backing band (she's Canadian, after all), the Stars member's countrified solo work sounds fantastic.

3:44pm: Before Maritime's set, I spot Jason Gnewikow at the party, and as Davey von Bohlen, Dan Didier & Co. are kicking out the pop-rock jams, I begin to fantasize about The Promise Ring reuniting. Maybe I'll mention something next time I see one of them.

4:35pm: I didn't notice it when I listened to their record, but Tokyo Police Club sound a lot like The Strokes as they play to a packed outside stage. Rumor has it that these Canadians are hooking up with Saddle Creek. Watch out.

5:35pm: Despite having every intention of going outside to see Andrew Bird, Aziz Ansari is just being too damn funny inside for me to leave, even though he's just told everyone who watches the MTV dating show Next to get out. Michael Showalter follows up with even more laughs.

6:45pm: With our party now over, I find myself on a rooftop drinking free beer and celebrating the new emo guidebook written by Alternative Press scribes Trevor Kelley and Leslie Simon. I'm also told there are some free Guitar Hero 2s here, but nobody is pointing me in the right direction.

10:45pm: Following a disappointingly rocking set from the supposedly "synth-pop" band Small Sins, Sondre Lerche's wonderfully rocking set brings to mind Supergrass at their best. His new Phanton Punch will more than likely make my top-10 list at year's end.

12:40am: Though I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to get into what is one of the biggest shows of the week, here I am basking in the danceable rock of Bloc Party, who are tearing into both of their albums with infectious energy. The band breaks into "Banquet" and the place goes nuts, as well it should. That song really is one of the best singles of the decade.

3:35am: Out in the sticks, there's this Playboy party that's supposed to be overrun with Bunnies bouncing to the DJ stylings of Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke. I spot Okereke, but I can't find a Bunny to save my life. But I do find my co-worker Sean, who saves my life by driving me back to my hotel. I owe you, buddy. It's time to go to sleep.

 
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