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 Saturday morning:
7AM – Ásgeir
Icelandic singer-songwriter, Ásgeir is a mere 21 years of age, but that didn’t stop him from becoming a national sensation. The release of his song, “Dyrd i daudathogn” (“In the Silence”) two years back, brought him overnight stardom and made him Iceland’s fastest selling debut album by a domestic artist. It also led him to pick up the title for ‘Best Pop/Rock Album’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Iceland Music Awards in 2012. The english addition of the song and album, In the Silence wasn’t released until last year, but garnered mass appeal as his sound recalls the likes of successful international acts like Iceland’s, Sigur Rós, American artist, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and English artist, James Blake. The creative process behind the lyrics on the album, which were all written by his 72-year-old father, was another point of interest for Americans and world-wide fans alike. Ásgeir will be joining us bright and early at 7 a.m. The early bird gets the worm!
8AM – Black Pistol Fire
With half allegiance to Canada and the other half to Austin, TX, we’ll take what we can get in this scenario. Because rock n’ roll pair, Black Pistol Fire rock, and rock hard. I’m sure the band is nauseated by the the comparisons to the Black Keys, early KOL, Credence Clearwater, and the White Stripes so we won’t mention that (but really, if you’re going to get compared to someone, those are flattering comparisons, amIright?) You do not want to miss Kevin McKeown (guitar, vocals) and Eric Owen (drums) at 8 a.m. because this wild, rambunctious duo is sure to melt your face off. We hope to hear a song or two off their upcoming album, Hush or Howl, set for release April 1st!
9AM – Shinyribs
Texas native, Kevin Russell got his start in the biker bars that dot this beautiful country, ‘Merica, but has since grown roots in our darling city, Austin, TX. Best known as the frontman for The Gourds, Russell eventually yearned for something fresh and different and thus, his side project, Shinyribs was spawned. Shinyribs has since become so much more than a side project, it’s one of Austin’s most beloved local bands. The music is colorful and fun, with titles like, “Poor People’s Store” and “The Song of Limejuice and Despair.” Russell’s songs benefit from a combination of vivid characters, sly but rarely precious wordplay and a tour through a variety of roots and southern musical styles that Russell has become master-level at over the years.” Come check ’em out at 9 a.m.!
10AM – Tinariwen
Tinariwen‘s philosophy is, “simplicity is freedom.” Perhaps it’s the sort of divine clarity that dawns on those in the midst of great hardship. The bandmates belong to the Tuareg, a nomadic tribe that call the Saharan Desert home, or did. Due to political unrest in North Africa, Tinariwen have had to re-locate to the deserts of California and make their home in a new land. With an incredible story and beyond inspirational music, this is not an act to be missed. We are honored to have the 2011 Grammy award winners of ‘Best World Music’ conclude our official SXSW showcase.
