At the end of both days of the Wall Of Sound Festival my thoughts were this: It was as good as any single day of South by Southwest. Lance Yocom of Spune Productions put together some of the best talent I have seen in a long time. There was one surprise after another. The artist were mostly from Texas so this speaks very well for the local music scene. Octopus Project from Houston was elaborate and dancable. They are headed to Coachella this weekend. The Sound Team from Austin showed why they have just been signed by Capitol Records. The Lord Henry showed why they should be signed. Both are in line to join forces with the Killers, The Bravery and Panic at The Disco in the dance rock genre. For those fans of Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Warlocks, The Black Angels from Austin put on a show that made me think of the Doors.
The experimental/jam band genre was well represented. Fra Pandolf from Denton, Texas, Cue, Experimental Aircraft, Stumptone,
Mazinga Phaser II and Hummin’ Acoustical Acupunture . The last can best be described as Jack Johnson meets Ladysmith Black Mambazo. There were reunions. The New Year had not played together in at least a year. The Lassie Foundation together for 10 years has been on again off again. They are are band who should be a household name. Their melodic pop rock is reminescent of Keane, Coldplay and Brain Wilson’s psychedelic era vocalizations. The Earlies frontman Brandon had his earlier band the Danes together again. Several bands have been around 2 or 3 years and still trying to win the recognition they deserve: Radiant, Record Hop, What Made Milwaulkee Famous and Deathray Davies. All four put on flawless sets. I’m still hopin’ for Record Hop to get picked up for a tour with Sonic Youth. It would be a perfect match. Midlake took a leap from a more synthesized sound to more pop oriented songs.
Singer/songwriters were topnotch. Doug Burr is on the way up. Kristy Kruger, hailing from Dallas, was like Jenny Lewis meets Lucinda Williams. Lamonica attracted the interest of a very established producer in the audience. Amanda Leggett was stirring. Cordelane had some catchy tunes. Other standouts were The Theater Fire, Southern Sea, Deadman, Kissing Cousins, Chao and 8mm. As I tried to leave Saturday about 1:30 AM, I heard a horn warming up in the lounge. Before I could get out the door the band kicked in and I raced back up and was amazed by Ghostcar. Imagine Miles Davis or Arturo Sandoval sitting in with the Mothers of Invention… and that’s why I stayed.
The headliners did not disapoint. David Bazan, Starlight Mints, Starflyer 59 and Low were excellent. Perhaps Okkervil River stepped up to the plate best closing out the festival Sunday night by playing their hearts out to a group of deserving hardcore fans. The festival featured 87 artists under one roof. Another star of the show was the venue itself. The Riglea Theater. Three stages were used: the main stage, a side stage(used while the main did set changes) and an upstairs lounge stage(offered the most intimate setting). Another cool aspect to the festival was how many of the artists stayed around to catch the other acts. Next year labels and fans alike are well advised not to miss this festival. Its only going to get better, if that’s possible.
