Mar 24 Break Free

Andreya Triana stopped by The Factory in the middle of a hot afternoon in Austin TX. The London native delighted The Sessions crew and guests with her enchanting voice and her approachable personality. Andreya played dress up with the Gypsysun Vintage team before walking upstairs for a photo shoot with Holly Bronko. Before the photo shoot began, Andreya knelt down and sang a quick song for all of us. It was beautiful…. see for yourself. A few more pictures from the Holly Bronko photo shoot at The Factory. …

Mar 19 Barcelona

Eternally singable and likable fellows, Barcelona have a dark, quiet, romantic quality about them. Twangy reverberated guitars dance over jangly acoustic ballads about the uncertainties of life’s larger roadblocks, while a reserved rhythm section nods along behind lead singer Brian Fennell’s easy tenor. With two releases under their belt, Barcelona took their opportunity at the Factory to play some material that is set to be on their upcoming release. The date is still undecided. Originally describing themselves as piano-rock, the Seattle foursome have dropped the keys and gone for a more folky ambiance. You can see early cuts from their album on the livestream channel: www.livestream.com/thesessionsfactory. …

Mar 19 Jenny O.

It’s day three at the Factory. Jenny O. has just played a subdued charming acoustic set to a small, enthusiastic crowd. Aside from tuning problems, which I 100% attribute to the fact that everyone who is involved on the production side of SXSW – artists, promoters, sound guys, and production companies – are exhausted right now, she was flawless. Her music is subtle, often finger-picking the strings instead of strumming and singing hushed instead of crooning. But it works for Jenny O. in a way that not a lot of other singer songwriters can pull off. She’s got progress in her songs and hooks, which she uses most effectively in her staple tune, “Opposite Island”. “We’re standing on opposite islands” she sang to the audience. …

Mar 19 Mystery Schools

Mystery Schools is made up several musicians from several other projects. Prominently promoted on Alien Ant Farm’s website, their drummer Mike Cosgrove plays in both bands along with guitarist from Subrosa Union, the lead singer from the now disfunt Brooklyn band, the Urgency, the bassist from Pretty Neato, and Mike’s personal friend, violinist and guitarist, Matt. I’m unsure whether Mike Cosgrove’s deep roots in the annals of late 90s alt-rock is a major influence on the band’s sound or not, but Mystery School do seem to be avoiding the tender atmospherics of indie rock and aiming straight for radio-friendly rock. Haunting those head on arrangements of 90s guitar, downbeat bass are lilting melodies shared by both the lead vocals and the violin. You can see …

Mar 19 White Sea

Over the last few years indie rock has seen a rise in chamber pop artists that play intellectual and classically informed music, like Andrew Bird or a sedated Owen Pallet, and White Sea falls within that category. Although they do have a full line-up complete with bass and drums, the L.A. based group performed a stripped down version of songs from their latest release. Fronted by Morgan Kibby former collaborator with M83, the White Sea duo worked through four tracks of violin, synth, and beautifully harmonized two part vocals. Their symphonic swells literally brought tears to the audience as they soon witnessed that they were watching something spiritual. With only an EP under their belts, the White Sea have a very refreshing, intense sound. You …

Mar 18 All the Elements that Make the Earth

Along with international touring acts, national buzz bands, and rumors of Hanson, The Factory is playing host to brand new acts just cutting their teeth at SXSW 2011. All the Elements that Make the Earth is the latest project led by long-time Austinite and musical mainstay Drew Smith, who normally fronts Drew Smith’s Lonely Choir. In the downtime before the Eastern Sea, Drew Smith and co. decided to pop by for a short set at the Factory, hot and sweaty from their previous outdoors show down the road. Typically playing a straightforward approach on pop, Drew Smith departs his cheeky roots to divulge his urge to explore more tenuous climbs. All the Elements that Make the Earth are a dead on rock three piece that …

Mar 18 Cloud Control

“Cloud, cloud, cloud, cloud…” Cloud Control play loud, beautiful indie rock. They’re super nice too. On stage they’re an unassuming bunch – modest and quiet – repeatedly soundchecking their gear to make sure they’re in top form for the livestream. (At the time of the photo, their sound guy was setting up. So this is not the band, just their sound guy.) Fresh off a headlining tour of the UK, CC have earned their international chops. They sounded tight, mixing world rhythms, 90s alt-rock, indie rock, and soaring vocal lines. “Gold Canary” was a superb take from their 3 song set. Please watch it at the livestream: www.livestream.com/thesessionsfactory. …

Mar 18 Robotanists

All that I really knew about the Robotanists before they opened up day 2 at the Factory was that they recorded Radiohead’s “King of Limbs” cover to cover within 24 hours of its release. That’s quite a feat considering that the band released it 24 hours in advance, not to mention that it was one of their most difficult albums to date. But the Robotanists jittered with mature angst considering that it was noon on the Friday of SXSW after St. Patty’s Day. Their set was made of songs from albums previous as well as a couple from their latest album, Plans in Progress. Most notable was their set closer which you can watch on the livestream channel. www.livestream.com/thesessionsfactory. The Robotanists also decided to hang …

Mar 18 The Eastern Sea

A couple of years ago, I watched lead singer of the Eastern Sea Matt Hines play a show solo and was really impressed with his panache for songcraft and the way he layered vocal melodies and shimmering guitar. But now, with the Eastern Sea as a full five piece – guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet, and drums – what was once a quiet, understated set of emotional songs is now fully formed pieces of music that contain intricate interplay between all parts, including the songwriter. As a band, I have watched the Eastern Sea grow more confident with every show and today they looked like bonified SXSW veterans, sweating, much like the rest of the bands that have come through the Factory today, and boasting 1 …

Mar 18 Uh Huh Her

Hailing from L.A. this two-dude, two-girl foursome were the first act to hit the Factory that I would call dance rock. Unlike Fitz and the Tantrums (who are also from L.A., but play soul R&B), Uh Huh Her revel in electro-indie pop and, at times, heavy rock & roll. It’s a precarious dichotomy to follow but Uh Huh Her do it well, mixing effect laden drones with blippy machine beats. (I urge you to check out the livestream to see what I mean.) The quartet began the show after a trying soundcheck and seamlessly flowed through their set of 5 songs from their recent EP, Black and Blue. Uh Huh Her, played strong considering that it was nearing the end of SXSW Friday, several shows …

Mar 18 Vetiver

Vetiver have been playing since their debut album was released in 2004. Since moving to San Francisco, lead singer and songwriter Andy Cabic has moved from more rural sounds to 60s pop inspired tunes rife with jumpy ambivalence. Filled out with guitar, keys, bass, drums Vetiver have plans to release their next LP, “The Errant Charm” in the summer, which seems appropriate given the summery charm of every take. All three songs that they played wriggled with major chord changes and a bright disposition. They are certainly a band to watch in 201 …

Mar 17 Andrew Belle

Man, I am loving these soundchecks! Radiohead – No Suprises and Everything in it’s Right Place. Andrew Belle sounds really confident for only being a face on the scene for a couple of years, yet he and his band play with precision and execute like veterans. Riding high on some high-profile placement on popular TV shows, Andrew Belle is currently rising in the pop music ranks. On record, his songs are lush, provocative bits of well-written, well-produced tunes. With such a clean and full sound on recording, you always wonder how artists will sound live, but Andrew Belle exceeded all expectations. His melodic indie-pop stands out as some of the most creative being written right now, and his latest album, “The Ladder”, is proof. …

Mar 17 David Ramirez

I’m not sure if it’s of any consequence that David Ramirez was the first musician to perform at the Sessions Factory showcase, but amid the clamor of tying up the loose ends of soundcheck and set-up, his weary drawl cut through the chaos like a savior. His soundcheck was a cover of Ryan Adams’ “Jesus Don’t Touch My Baby” and for anyone who’s even remotely fond of Adams and his music, Ramirez isn’t so much of a far cry. You can check out the Livestream here: http://www.livestream.com/thesessionsfactory A modest crowd showed up for the noon performance and watched in silence and awe as Ramirez performed a handful of his beer-soaked ballads, reminiscing of decade old nostalgia, slow-dancing in dining rooms, vodka, and leaving town. “It …

Mar 17 Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrum’s are one of 2011’s biggest buzz bands. Hailing from LA, their music has all the energy and infectiousness of a gaudy Hollywood Boulevard nightclub. In April, they’ll be featured as VH1’s You Oughta Know Artist on the Rise, and over the past year, they’ve been wowing audiences on the late show circuit, performing on Last Call with Carson Daily and more recently, Conan O’Brien. They draw easy comparisons to Sharon Jones and Austin’s own Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, only they’re a poppier more approachable R&B group and assured in their soul-driven pop. Their songs are strongly anchored by an experienced and capable rhythm section composed of drums, bass, and organ allowing lead duo Fitz and female counterpart, Noelle Scaggs …

Mar 17 The Civil Wars

Ah, the Civil Wars. What is there really to say? As one of the most hyped bands to be playing at SXSW this year, their two person, acoustic line-up is kind of out of the ordinary considering SXSW typically caters to the indie rockers. The name alone conjures a certain kind of imagery – American pastiche, sepia-toned photographs, and Ken Burns doc re-runs on late night public television. But for all the things that “The Civil Wars” could be, they are just a guy, a girl, a guitar, and two incredible voices that reverberate with heartbroken earnestness. Joy Williams and John Paul White make up the duo that is the Civil Wars. On stage, their chemistry is remarkable. Williams and White sings almost as if …

Mar 17 The Jezabels

The Factory so far has played host to soul pioneers, acoustic troubadors, and pop wunderkinds, but none more appropriately filled the room than the Jezabels. Fronted by Hailey Mary, the Jezabels do a lot with a little. Using only drums, guitar and keyboards, this punky little Australian quartet produces a massive wall of melodramatic indie rock. What started out as college band in Sydney, Australia has now blossomed into a full-fledged rock group fit to be heard and appreciated at SXSW. For such an unassuming frame (lead singer Hailey Mary stands somewhere near 5’3” at a glance, with black hair cut short), she has the ability to project powerfully, while the rest of the Jezebels, including Heather Shannon on the keys, Nik Kaloper on drums …

Mar 16 The Factory

It’s like Warhol – only in 2011. Just across the street from the Fader Fort, The Sessions team is rabidly setting up “The Factory”. An old, white brick building, usually used as an acting studio, is now being converted into a posh venue and artist’s playground. Stage left, a forest. At the back of the venue, a photo booth. On the second floor loft, an interview tent. We literally had to fight people off to get a parking spot in front of the venue. Needless to say, this is precious real estate. We’re right here in the middle of the mayhem, sharing the same space as SXSW big digs The Fader Fort and Pitchfork. To say the least, this is precious real estate. But the …

Mar 11 I Will Forget