Mixtape Atlanta

SXSW 2011: Friday, March 18

Atlanta artists invaded Austin throughout SXSW, but as the final weekend of the festival started even more ATL bands pulled into town for showcases. The ATL Yeah! showcase brought a small but lively crowd out to Red Fez to see sets by Trances Arc, Death on Two Wheels, Mood Rings, Mermaids, and others. Many bands also took to the streets to make their own stages on street corners and center lanes. Lovett continued to garner even more buzz as the full 12-piece group paraded down 6th Street.

Friday night, several of the week's most anticipated showcases took place including Lost Highway Records' 10 Year Anniversary party co-sponsored by BMI. Taking place at the new ACL Live at The Moody Theatre, Lost Highway showcased their impressive roster of talent from Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears to Lucinda Williams. The night's favorite performer seemed to be Ryan Bingham's surprise set with his band, The Dead Horses.

Check out some photos from Friday's trip around town here.

Related articles:
Mixtape THIS: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Lovett at CNN Grill SXSW

 

Mixtape THIS: Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears

Why: Allow me to take you back to a time when soul ruled the dance floor. Clubs and bars were packed with smoke, women covered dance floors in Jackie Kennedy dresses and beehives, blues musicians ruled, and funk was emerging with a busy horn section. Lead by guitarist and singer Black Joe Lewis and backed by his band The Honeybears, this Austin based 1960s retro soul band is starting to steal the scene.  They began in 2007, after Lewis picked up a guitar while working in a pawn shop and have now been labeled by Esquire Magazine as one of the “Ten Bands Set to Break Out at 2009’s SXSW Festival.”

Drawing from blues roots, modern R&B, extensive vamping and vintage “call and response” solos and chorus, this band must make the “The Godfather of Soul” proud. Obvious sounds emote the inspiration from Howlin Wolf, Wilson Pickett, Bo Diddly and even smooth crooners like Sam Cooke.  You’ll be surprised they have no blood relation to these founders of soul music, I kept looking in liner notes for some famous recognition, yet something inside of this band convinces me the founders of soul embody Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears and are praising them from up high. This weekend they gear up for Lollapalooza surrounded by the newest chart topping acts. Although they may be considered a little green, it will not come as a surprise if they are hailed for an encore after their performance. If you are at Lollapalooza, be sure to catch their set and tell us about it!

For Fans of: Soul food, reliving your mom's childhood, soul glory days, dancing the mashed potato

Add this Song to Your Mixtape: “Sugarfoot” from Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is