SXSW 2010, Day Two: Mayer Hawthorne charms, Pierced Arrows remain legendary, and Trail of Dead tones it down

March 19, 2010, in Austin

By Dana Raidt
Published: March 21st, 2010 | 12:00am

With predictions of rain and 50-degree temperatures for Saturday, there was extra initiative to get out and enjoy the weather and the horde of bands playing Austin on Friday. The French Legation Museum, slightly out of the way of the downtown goings-on, was an idyllic setting for the Other Music/Babelgum/Dig for Fire showcase.

L.A.’s Dengue Fever entranced the crowd on the museum’s Hill Stage with its combination of traditional Cambodian pop and psych-garage rock, complete with flute and horns. Singer Chhom Nimol’s haunting voice was a lovely complement to the rest of the band’s instrumentation. “We are very nervous today,” Nimol announced early in the set, although the band barely missed a beat when a stack of PA equipment nearly toppled off of a table by the stage (luckily some quick-thinking audience members saved the day).

Chicago-based violist Anni Rossi mixed up her usual routine a bit as she performed with a full band—drums, keys, bass, and all—on the Museum’s Valley Stage. She played a mix of tracks from her 2009 full-length debut, Rockwell (4AD), and newer, more rocking songs that will hopefully make it on to her next record, due out this year. While she played her viola like a guitar for much of the set, she did go back to the solo setup for a few of the older songs.

Sassiness (and dancing) abounded when Stones Throw’s own soul heartthrob, Mayer Hawthorne, a.k.a. Andrew Cohen, took to the Hill Stage. Complete with his trademark glasses, tie, button-down shirt and dapper red V-neck cardigan (his backing band, the County, wears matching black cardigans), Hawthorne played songs from 2009’s A Strange Arrangement. A Michigan native, Hawthorne has said his soul-meets-hip-hop—or as he referred to it onstage, “baby-making music”—is heavily influenced by Detroit’s rich soul and R&B history.

Austinites …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead kept it short, sweet, and (for them) pretty quiet a few blocks away at the ND. Founding members Jason Reece and Conrad Keely played a stripped-down set beginning with a batch of cover songs, including one dedicated to the late Alex Chilton, before former bass player Danny Wood joined them for some older tracks. Well-known for their loud, chaotic shows—they often play with six or more members and two drummers—the band’s performance at the ND was a much more casual affair.

Some of Friday’s most tireless performers were also some of this year’s most seasoned veterans. Portland’s garage-rock heroes Fred and Toody Cole, along with drummer Kelly Halliburton make up, Pierced Arrows. The trio is booked for several shows throughout the week and didn’t disappoint at Encore for the WFMU showcase. The Coles have been a pillar of the Pacific Northwest’s DIY scene for decades, and now in their sixties, continue to play just as loud and fast as musicians half their age. Recently signed to Vice on the recommendation of the Black Lips, the band’s cult following was evident as fans sang along to every word of their newest album, Descending Shadows.

Also notable on Friday’s schedule were Moon Duo, Sonny and the Sunsets and Bear in Heaven. The SXSW adventure continues through the weekend, and if Friday is any indication, it will be an exciting one.

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For more photos, visit Venus Zine's Flickr page.

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