The first day party we went to (on Wednesday) we got to see these people:
This is part of Horse Feathers. They kind of sound like Iron and Wine or Sufjan Stevens. They're a lot like aural klonopin.
We also saw this cool chick :
She's from (something) with the Get Down Stay Down. They sound kind of funkish/country. They're really cool and they put on a great show. She even told the crowd how she stole from Whole Foods that day.
We also saw Marnie Stern
She taught herself to play the guitar and fingertaps in this crazy way that's really cool. A picture really doesn't do her justice so here's a video.
The Thermals were the last to play, they put on a really good show and the girl next to me was really excited to see them. All in all, a great start to SX09. Until I realized how sick I was feeling. --Let me back up.
Monday I had gone to the Chiropractor to get my back adjusted and put my hip back in place so that I could walk during the festival. That afternoon, though my hip was feeling better, my arms started feeling weird. I couldn't really figure out the connection (if any) but I figured it was from getting my back all cracked and stuff. So Tuesday I went back to the Chiropractor to see how my body took to the first adjustment. After this appointment, I think I was mostly concerned with getting us ready to go to Austin that I wasn't really paying attention to how I was physically feeling. Wednesday I was nauseus and my muscles felt very strange. My arms didn't feel like they belonged on my body. Thursday I thought I was going to have to go to the ER. I felt like I couldn't get my blood sugar up and that no matter how nauseous I was, I couldn't throw up. It sucked big time. Friday Jeremy and I started the day with a shitton of Vitamin C (the vitamin, not the singer) and I felt a lot better. Saturday I finally felt good enough to drink alcohol again for a while, but I didn't want to push it.
--Ok back to the music.
Wednesday night Jeremy got to see the Decemberists play their new album "The Hazards of Love" in its entirety and I was very very jealous. Not having a ticket blows. The good news is that I was able to hear the whole thing perfectly from outside and Jeremy said I didn't really miss anything. They aren't exciting on stage I guess. Thursday I didn't really see any shows. Jeremy went to see some bands, but I just hung out with our friends from Dallas and tried to take it easy. (check out the SACurrent's blog at http://sacurrent.com/blog/default.asp - Lots of great coverage by Abbie Kopf, Jeremy Martin, Johnston Farrow and Chuck Kerr) Friday, same story. Saturday, though -- HOLY SHIT! We went to the best party of SX. This party was outside under a tent with a big shade tree, free food and an open bar. The weather in Austin was beautiful and the music was amazing. After a couple of vodka-tonics I was ready for some music (and a cigarette). We heard The Little Ones, some other band that I can't remember the name of and then...the best show of the week...JANELLE MONAE!!
Yes, Janelle Monae again. But seriously, watch.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This bitch is amazing.
Isn't she just gorgeous?
Miss Jane performed her album "Metropolis: The Chase Suite" This is from her entrance/first song and she kept this level of energy up the for her whole set. The coolest thing about Jeremy's job is getting to do stuff like this and going to cool concerts and getting to stand on the front row. I know I'm a total nerd for Janelle and when Jeremy took me to get a shirt I totally geeked out to her merch guy. Seriously you guys, she's about to be huge, just give her like 6 months and she's going to be everywhere.
That night we went to see the Crystal Method (thanks Brian and Abbie!). This was my first electronic music show. I really enjoyed it! It may have been better had we gotten some E or acid or something. But it really was a lot of fun.
So, a great week in Austin. I'm so glad I got to see our friends from Dallas and get to know some really cool people better. Not as much drunkeness as I'd like, but it may have saved us some money. I hope Jeremy had fun, I know I was hard to deal with on Thursday and Friday, I'm sorry babe.
And now I leave you with more Monae:
