SXSW Dispatch #2: Daytrippin’

Hey Oklahoma. Carney checking in again. Miss you bunches.

So after a couple hours spent at the Buffalo Lounge’s day shows this afternoon, here are a few things I learned:

1. If infectious, fun-loving bands like Givers and  can achieve indie fame, there’s no reason Tulsa’s Guardant shouldn’t. Those analog synth lines and uptempo beats are all the makings of a quirky, lovable good-times band.
2. Musicians of any type, genre, style, whatever can all learn a lesson from watching Josh Sallee rap live. The dude works a crowd like a real showman, riding deep in the pocket of the beat and spasming his whole body in coordination with whatever he’s saying. And when Myke Brown came out for a guest appearance in the middle of his set they did a buddy-cop routine that got the crowd –easily the biggest one for any of the Buffalo Lounge day show bands– hollering for more.
3. At this point it’s pretty safe to say at this point that ACM@UCO is the foremost influence on young musicians in Oklahoma City. Just about every other band I talked to either formed there or had members who are students there.
4. The range of musicality on display today impressed me. ’00s alt-rock, indie-pop, hip-hop, and top-notch bar room blues all had a place among the 14 or 15 bands that played.

Some general notes and observations before we get to the photos:

• 12-year-old-looking kids in Odd Future gear tally: 12
• Wayne Coyne is reportedly walking around with a bedazzled face, so there’s that.
• Not drinking enough water was nearly my downfall today.

Blake Fischer

Dustin Pittsley Band

Guardant

Brave

Josh Sallee