So, you’ll never guess what I did the very next day after SXSW. Oh yes, I went to a concert. Miranda Lambert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I know what you’re thinking, but yes, I do like pop country. Besides, Miranda can rock. She does more head banging than anyone I’ve ever seen in concert. I’ve seen her three times and there is one thing she always does. She will throw her hot pick electric guitar aggressively across the stage. Obviously to someone who is there to catch it, but still, it’s cool. The first time I saw her she had a big tattoo down the inside of her forearm that you could see when she played. Similar to the one Keith Urban has. The second time I saw her it was gone. She faked it. It was a stencil or something. This time she brought Blake Shelton on-stage to do their duet together. He said, “are you talkin’ or am I doin’ the introduction?” She replied, “Well, I was just gonna say he’s pretty cute ain’t he girls?” When the song ended she introduced him as her boyfriend and gave him a big smooch on-stage. Awww.

This was the last band I saw at SXSW. The very end of two 18 hour days of underground rock band performances. As my back-up to not getting in to see British Sea Power, these guys were great. I didn’t understand the crowd though. I think I was missing something. It was at the same bad venue where they stuck Low vs. Diamond (The Wave) and the fans were mosh pitting. I felt like the only one who didn’t know who The Virgins were. Then again it may have been the very very end of a full week of rockin’ out and a few too many drinks.

Sorry, no video on this one. Don’t worry I didn’t leave ya hangin.’ Click below and listen to “Life After Love.” I added a widget. A what? Like I said, I’m new at this. I think this is my new favorite band. I’ll get a video up ASAP, I promise.

For their set at SXSW they stuck ’em in a crummy, and very small, venue where their sound cut out. It’s okay guys, I still love you. I tried ordering a limited edition LP from hmv.com but it’s still on special order from the supplier. I don’t think it’s coming. I may just have to wait until the Album April first on itunes, don’t miss it!

Picture taken at Bowery Ballroom in NYC courtesy of SML’s photostream on Flickr

Back at the Parish in Austin, I saw Tift Merritt perform tracks from Another Country released February 26th. The last time I saw her was at Warehouse Live in Houston opening for Nickel Creek on their ‘Farewell For Now Tour.’

She was a special guest at SXSW. I love her. She was great! Take a look at my facebook and you’ll see pictures. I was so close I saw her bitten fingernails with chipping nail polish. Henry sang along so loudly that I could hear him from across the stage where he sat. I think Henry is her assistant. He made sure she had what looked like a vodka tonic beside her keyboard before she went on. Billy Bragg stepped on-stage to join her for a few numbers. He said he liked her song-writing and, therefore, wanted to collaborate with her. She acted like she had no idea that she had a platinum selling album or that everyone knew who she was. I saw her later that night just walking around on her way to see some shows.

The Sea Wolf is a book written by Jack London. And, it’s the name used by Alex Church, the only member of the…well, I guess you don’t call it a band then do you? He selects different musicians to accompany him when he tours.

Ok, I wasn’t going to post any bootlegs but this is a show I was at. The Grand Archives from Seattle. Frontman, Mat Brooke, is the former guitarist for Band of Horses. I guess you can’t really make out the words from this video. cbd products well, deal with it. It’s cool for me cuz I was there. And I got the set list. This one written in shorthand as “Mini.”

Here’s one off Liam Finn’s debut solo album, I’ll Be Lightning. He’s awesome live. Very good at improvising…looping and making up songs on the spot.

An indie rock band from Illinois. Looking at their MySpace it seems that they like to release LPs, and EPs. Ok, there’s a CD releasing on ituens, Some Racing, Some Stopping. I’m not familiar with the group so I’ll have to check it out. From what I saw they were good, even though the much anticipated Liam Finn rushed them off the stage.