Joe Ely "It's a Little Like Love"

The second day of Music Fog showcases came upon us way too early, and after working too late on too little sleep. We were all a bit bleary eyed when we got to Threadgill's. The doors opened at 11 am, and a crowd collectively marched into to the back room and sat down, filling all the tables! Wow. We were treated to amazing performances by Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, then Kasey Anderson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Gurf Morlix, and Joe Ely. And the room just kept filling. Then there was a gaggle of people listening outside our room as they gathered by the doorways and partitions, plus a slew of people sitting on the floor at the foot of the stage. And when Ely entered and stepped on, it was to thunderous applause. He said he was not around much for SXSW this year. I am not certain how many performances he made, I only know we are so honored that he graced the Music Fog stage! Here is the first song he did for us, "It's a Little Like Love."

-Jessie

Carrie Rodriguez "You Won't Be Satisfied That Way"

She has a heart shaped face, bewitching curls, and the most amazing shoes. The ones she wore the other night for the Music Fog showcase were grey suede peep-toes with kitten heels. She has it all, shoes notwithstanding.

Carrie and I were introduced back in her early days with Chip Taylor when the CD Let's Leave This Town came out. Such a great story. She was a teenaged prodigy. Taylor saw her playing with Hayseed at a SXSW showcase in 2001. Chip and Carrie's collaboration has yielded four full length albums and an EP, and launched her solo career. Her latest album, coming out on April 13th, is called Love and Circumstance, and it is a well chosen collection of other people's tunes, an action meant to honor, as well as to give her a chance to catch her breath for what has to have been a frenetic nine years. Great to have her coming home to Austin for SXSW, and great to have her, along with Hans Holzen, on camera for Music Fog.

-Jessie

Jack Grace Band "Sugarbear"

SXSW day four dawned windy and raw, which was causing cancellations of outdoor shows all over town. The Music Fog stage at Threadgill's, being an indoor affair, was proceeding as scheduled. The day was amazing in its diversity and intensity. Here is the band list: Chatham County Line, Stonehoney, The Deep Dark Woods with Kendel Carson, Elliot Randall, The Jack Grace Band, Austin Collins and The Rainbirds, David Beck and the Well Dressed Thieves, Matt King and the Cutters, Chris Scruggs, and Eleven Bones. We were drenched in glorious sonics of every description, as you will see here in upcoming days, weeks, and months. We had a hard time even deciding what to bring you, but the horns ultimately won!

Jack Grace and I just met at Christmas in NYC. He is fighting the good fight in what many would call enemy camp. It isn't really of course, but just the perception that roots music can't grow in New York. He brought the band, and the Mariachi Horns, and Earl Poole Ball. We did the strut, we laughed, we had a blast!

-Jessie