Caveman @ Bat Bar, SXSW, March 13, 2012

My final band of the first (unofficial) evening was Caveman.  I'd discovered their debut CD at the end of 2011 and fell in love with it on first listen.  It's a superb album and they were one of my must-sees for SXSW.  I really enjoyed their set - the sound wasn't perfect but overall the band sounded great.  I was a bit disappointed that they didn't play Great Life (they're working on it for their live show) but there's so many great songs on the album that it didn't matter.  A great end to my first night of the 2012 festival.

Yellow Ostrich @ Bat Bar, SXSW, March 13, 2012

Next stop was the Bat Bar on 6th Street for Yellow Ostrich.  I'd seen them in Vancouver just after SXSW last year and really enjoyed their show so was quite pleased when they fit nicely into my schedule.  For a band that started out as one guy in his bedroom, the change is very impressive.  The Bat Bar was packed and it was nice to see them play to an appreciative audience.

Sleepy Vikings @ Beauty Bar, SXSW, March 13, 2012

Funny how things work sometimes but the last band I saw at SXSW in 2011 were the first band I saw at the 2012 festival.  It had been a while since I'd seen them and they'd had a lineup change (down to a 5 piece) and well, they sounded rather wonderful.  There were quite a few people watching and Flashlight Tag got a great cheer (rightly so, I'd say).  All in all, a perfect way to start the 2012 festival for me.

Los Campesinos @ Electric Owl, Vancouver, February 3, 2012

Los Campesinos have been on my radar for a few years but they don't get heavy play on my iPods but I'd never seen them live and the combination of a few friends going and early show was too tempting to resist.  I enjoyed them, they put on a high energy, fun show and seemed very likeable.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday night.

Alabama Shakes @ Media Club, Vancouver, January 29, 2012

I first heard of Alabama Shakes in August or so when I was checking out the bands playing CMJ ... I liked them but not enough, really, to go check them out.  A few months later, they announced a Vancouver club show and I  to see what all the hype is about.   They are talented and the lead singer does have quite a superb voice but ... and here's the rub, I get it, I understand it, but it's not for me.  Music grabs you or it doesn't and I enjoyed the show to an extent but it's not really my thing.

Concrete Blonde @ Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, January 26, 2012

It's a funny thing with bands and time ... I always have a list of bands that I'd love to see live, but it's constantly changing and I'll feel very differently about some of those bands in 5 or 10 years.  I used to really like Concrete Blonde but I don't think I'd listened to them for ... eeks ... quite a few more years than I'm willing to admit.  The show itself was interesting because some music can remind you of a time and a place and I spent the night thinking back to when I was a Concrete Blonde fan and well, I've moved on since then.  The band sounded great but the trip down memory lane but a damper on my enjoyment.

K.Flay @ Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver, January 19, 2012

Shortly after new year, I found out that K.Flay would be the support for a show that had already been announced.  Having already seen her in New York, I'd decided that whenever I got the chance, I'd see her. I will admit to not particularly liking the hip-hop/rap genre but good music is good music and K.Flay is very good.  Her lyrics are superb ... at times they're very witty but there's also an honesty as well which at sometimes makes me want to give her a hug.  Sympathy, though, was the last thing on my mind when watching her live.  She's very energetic and is constantly moving and working up a sweat.  She had a drummer with her in New York as well but the sound was better in Vancouver and I was very impressed by how good he was.  All in all, an outstanding way to begin my gig-going 2012.