Once again we’re partnering with the Four Seasons Hotel Austin to give you a taste of some of the best musical acts SXSW Fest 2014 has to offer! From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday March 12 through Saturday March 15 we’ll have live performances open to the public on the hour every hour. The musical acts will include the likes of Rodney Crowell, Shinyribs, Lucius, Wye Oak, Tinariwen, and more! No badge or wristband required. Admission is $10 each day, which will include a breakfast taco, granola, and unlimited coffee. All proceeds will benefit the Seton Shivers Cancer Center.
Here’s what’s on the schedule for Friday morning:
7AM – Mother Falcon
Local band, Mother Falcon definitely has their own thing going on. The 18 or so plus group is an orchestra, but one that belongs in a rock hall, not a theater. Although many of the band members majored in classical music at UT, and the group has more than one cello, viola, and violin, their songs are indie-rock all the way. However, don’t call them that either; they won’t be pigeon holed into just one category. The group’s ‘genre’ on Facebook reads, “Asking us will result in awkward and uncomfortable squirming.” Check out their song, “Dirty Summer” RIGHT HERE!
8AM – Spanish Gold
Headline reads: My Morning Jacket’s, Patrick Hallahan teams up with Hacienda’s, Dante Schwebel, and ex-Grupo Fantasma guitarist, Adrian Quesada to produce album under Dan Auerbach. It’s a headline that’s intriguing, and one that may leave you wondering much like the band’s name, Spanish Gold, “is it the real deal?”And we’ll answer you this, good listeners, it is. Their debut album, South of Nowhere isn’t out until circa May 27th. Get a taste of riches to come at 8 a.m.! Until then, check out Spanish Gold’s “Blackout Party” RIGHT HERE!
9AM – Andrew Belle
A full year before Andrew Belle had released an album, his gift in songwriting was being recognized with the prestigious, John Lennon Songwriting award in 2009. That, coupled with his intent to fill his debut record, The Ladder (2010), with well done, melodic pop music made for a smash hit among fans. His follow up and latest album, Black Bear (2013) went in a dreamier more electronic direction with Belle listing the likes of Beach House and M83 as inspiration for the songs. The album’s larger approach, however, is more personal, centering around the struggles in his life and his feelings and relationship with loved ones and God. Don’t miss him at 9! Until then, check out his video, “Pieces” RIGHT HERE!
10AM – Lee Fields and the Expressions
With a 45 year long career, there aren’t too many singers that can still sound great. Lee Fields is an exception; like a fine wine, the man gets better with age. In a 2009 piece for us, DJ Oliver Wang told NPR that, “In a curious case of musical evolution, the older Fields becomes, the closer he gets to perfecting the sound of soul that he grew up with as a young man.” His latest album with his band, The Expressions, Faithful Man, is an embodiment of that statement. We’re hoping their upcoming album, Emma Jean, set for release June 3 will be the same. Our bet is that it will be. Get a taste of the new record and see a true soul legend at 10! Until then, we leave you with “Faithful Man” by Lee Fields and the Expressions below!