So I went down to Texas for SXSW again this year, and a lot of stuff happened. It was like one hot blur from which it’s hard to recall specific instances out of the general mayhem of it all. It’s difficult to register much when you’re being constantly shuffled between 30 minute sets, and I repeatedly found myself referring to the experience as a marathon. Luckily I took a few notes on some particularly special shows. Here we go.

My first show of the festival was Darwin Deez, which was for lack of a better word: adorable (hell, just look at that picture up there). We walked in as they were soundchecking still, but as soon as the band was done, they left the stage and made a proper re-entrance, Darwin now sporting some killer shades. Admittedly I hadn’t listened to much of their music (save that one remix, below) so I didn’t know quite what to expect. Chock full of quirky pop tunes as well as dances, it was pretty hard not to smile. In between songs, the boys dropped their instruments and performed a series of choreographed dances that proved that these guys truly know how to have a good time. Lighthearted and fun, this show was the perfect start to four days of music.

Darwin Deez – Radar Detector by LuckyNumberMusic

Darwin Deez – Up In The Clouds (Jake Bullit Remix)

After another long day in Austin, I found myself at a Mountain Man performance somewhere near 1am during the Underwater Peoples and Gorilla vs. Bear showcase. Delirious and exhausted, I was holding out to hear these lovely ladies. Due to technical difficulties, the trio decided to cast their microphones aside, instead choosing to perform acoustically while seated on the stage. The entire audience followed suit, huddled close to one another attempting to grasp every note. It was one of the most intimate musical experiences I’ve had, especially when considering that this scene took place inside a crowded Austin bar. Longtime fans and new converts gathered together in silence for a truly magical collective experience. Microphone Memory Emotion said it better than I ever could have here.