Your Austin Music Minute maven is a fan of The Sideshow Tragedy for several reasons, but two stand-out points come to mind: Basically, the immediacy of their sound that hits you straight in the face, and the fact that they fearlessly kept last year’s full-length release, Persona, all rough around the edges. This is exactly why that album rocks so damn hard.
The self-described “blues-damaged garage rock ‘n’ roll” duo, featuring guitarist and vocalist Nathan Singleton and drummer Jeremy Harrell, recorded Persona at Big Orange Studio in East Austin, the very same spot they made their 2011 EP Gasoline. But instead of focusing on perfecting tracks and obsessing over cleaning up rough spots, the band dedicated themselves to going with the flow, opting to follow their artistic impulses by unleashing a very raw, unpolished, no-nonsense R&B kind of rock kept all down, dark and dirty. Yet, this approach is very much in keeping with their signature style – unadulterated energy, uninhibited attitude.
This has got to be one of the busiest bands I know. Most of their time is spent touring relentlessly, and this time is no exception, with upcoming dates in NOLA, Detroit, New York City and Nashville. However, they’re doing a hometown gig first that you won’t want to miss. The Sideshow Tragedy will play a show that’s part of a weekly series known as The Wine Down, today at the ACL Live Music Porch., 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. It’s an early show, 5 to 7 p.m. Perfect setting and atmosphere. And it’s free. Your favorite price. This one comes highly recommended.
