For the March mixtape, I tried to mix in songs by bands that I saw live this month (sometimes more than once), focusing on bands that I saw at SXSW. For more specifics about my time in Austin, keep an eye on Inside Right Wrist – my day one recap is here. Let’s just say I fell a little bit in love with Divine Fits that day/night…
Or stream here.
1. Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside – Shivers
It was hard to pick just one song from this fantastic album. Sallie really brings the badass vibe live too. Pairing her with Thao & The Get Down Stay Down made for an energetic show at Neumos.
2. The Lone Bellow – You Never Need Nobody
Oh man, does this song dig deep down in me. They completely floored me when I saw them at SXSW – even though it was their FOURTEENTH set of the festival.
3. Hey Marseilles – Heart Beats
Hey Marseilles has managed to distinctly evolve their sound from their first album, but still keep the core feel of the songs, so that they are still instantly recognizable as Hey Marseilles songs. I love the drums on this one in particular.
4. The Twilight Sad – That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy
The Twilight Sad’s first EP is still my favorite, and when they opened for Frightened Rabbit with a stripped down set, I kind of missed the noisy layers of their usual sets. Also, holy crap, the last time I saw them was 6 years ago. Guess I shouldn’t complain!
5. Ravenna Woods – Careful Where You Are
They have new songs in the works that make great use of their new pianist addition. It was great to end SXSW with some familiar faces.
6. Josh Ritter – New Lover
Josh Ritter’s songs always have a truthfulness to them, even when they aren’t at all autobiographical. He’s a master at seeing things from someone else’s shoes, and putting you in those shoes alongside him. His latest record was written in the aftermath of his divorce, and while it’s one of the more positive breakup albums I’ve heard, you can’t help but smile at the dig at the end of this song. The beauty of it isn’t that it’s mean or spiteful, but that it is 100% legitimate.
7. Lyle Lovett – Fat Babies
This song is silly and amazing, and the line “I like you cause you like me and you don’t like much” always reminds me of a dear friend.
8. Tyler Lyle – The Golden Age & The Silver Girl
The unbridled way that Tyler sings the first line immediately brings back the heady feel of being in love in the summer and knowing that things are rushing too fast but never stopping to give a damn.
9. Field Report – Fergus Falls
This was my first band that I saw at SXSW, and this song gave me my first set of chills. I can’t believe I haven’t put it on a mix already.
10. Frightened Rabbit – The Woodpile
I absolutely can’t get enough of Frightened Rabbit’s latest album. Not a huge surprise, if you know me. Something about the cadence of this song just pulls me in every time.
11. Divine Fits – Shivers
Two songs with the same name on the same mix? Yup. Also did you notice how I have Lyle Lovett and Tyler Lyle back to back? That definitely wasn’t on purpose. Divine Fits played one of my favorite sets at SXSW, and I was right up front by Britt because he ALWAYS gives me good photos.
12. Thao With the Get Down Stay Down – Body
Thao shreds, you guys. Don’t ever miss a chance to see her live.
13. Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – Hanging Up My Heart
I closed out a long day of hanging in the Waterloo Records parking lot with a free set by Emmylou and Rodney. Their duets were masterful, and they were having so much fun on stage. I felt incredibly lucky to get to see these legends in the midst of all the up and coming bands.
14. Pickwick – Window Sill
My love for Pickwick is well-documented, and I love love love their finally-released album. Get it, and be prepared to dance around to it.
15. Ok Sweetheart – If You Let It
I loved their album Home, and was pleasantly surprised to hear a few newer songs at SXSW, including this delicately wise tune. Snag it here.