Thursday, March 19, 2009

SxSW Day 1 highlights: La Papuna, Follow that Bird!, Blues Mafia & Girl in Coma

Started off the day traipsing around downtown Austin with my friend from PDX Pop Now! and stumbled upon Brazilian dance band La Papuna at the Beauty Bar. This is not your typical salsa band, they mix surf music, rock and the regional Brazilian Guitarrada style. It was fun watching the already intoxicated hipsters "dance."

Later I took the bus down to Joe's Coffee on South Congress to volunteer for a Grounded in Music and Girls Rock Camp benefit party and sell merch and $2 beer. My favorite bands were Austin's local Blues Mafia and Follow that Bird!

If you like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's you will dig this band, the little ladies of Girls Rock Camp do too, they LOVE them.  Follow that Bird! (pictured in dryers) will be playing tomorrow at the Girls Rock official day party on the roof of Whole Foods.

Another band that knocked my socks off was Blues Mafia straight out of highschool and Austin's Rock Camp (where boys are allowed).  FYI: lead singer Sasha Ortiz is 19 years old and sounding a little like Amy Winehouse. This is a singer to keep your eye on. 

After dinner I headed down to the Girls Rock Camp Showcase.  Favorite band of the night: Girl in Coma from San Antonio (featured with giant mic above).  These Latin ladies put on a terrific show and drew a large crowd. I love lead singers facial expressions.

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