SXSW, Day 3 w Sounds from Spain, Dehd, Molly Burch, Buck Meek, rev rev rev, The Reputations, and Heart Bones

Heart Bones

Paella Party

I was scrolling through the SXSW GO app over my Texas-shaped waffle when I noticed that Wednesday was the day for the Sounds from Spain Paella Party in Brush Park across from the Convention Center. Based on my emails leading up to South By Southwest, it seemed like bands from Spain and other mostly Spanish-speaking countries were one of the big trends at this year's festival. I thought it would be a good idea to check out the bill being presented by Sounds from Spain, and I'm always up for free Paella.

After a torrential downpour during the morning, Wednesday shaped up as beautiful day. It was a great day for hanging in the park. When I got in the paella line, I ran into our friends Jess and Jono from High Waisted. We got our food and settled in to watch the bands.

The bill was organized with some of the more traditional Spanish bands -- Pipo Romero, Diego Guerrero, and Twanguero -- kicking things off, followed by the rock and pop of Baywaves, Trajano!, and Delaporte. It was a nice sampling of the things coming out of Spain. Trajano!'s Spanish-language post-punk stood out for me.

Pipo Romero

David Guerrero

Twanguero

Trajano!

Delaporte

Following a dinner break with Rosi, I headed over to Barracuda and caught sets from Chicago garage pop band Dehd and Austin's Molly Burch. Chris Dickman and the Yawn Mower guys texted me that they were in town, and I headed outside to meet them. Chris and I took the guys on a little tour of 6th Street until we got to B.D. Riley's to say hi to Dentist before their official showcase. It was a little Asbury Park party right there on the street and love was all around.

Dehd

Buck Meek

From there, I broke off on my own to catch Buck Meek. Meek plays with Adrianne Lenker in Big Thief. His solo set was quiet and conversational, full of good vibes and good stories.

rev rev rev

The Reputations

Heart Bones

Then I headed across the street to The Velveeta Room for a bit of Italian shoegaze band rev rev rev before sliding in next door at Esther's Follies to close things out with Austin locals, The Reputations, and Heart Bones featuring Har Mar Superstar and Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog / Sweet Spirit). The Reputations play energetic, soulful pop. Heart Bones had the crowd moving to their disco-inspired originals. They told us we could all come and see them in about 6 hours when they had a 7 AM set for KUTX at The Four Seasons Hotel. I slept in because we had our own showcase set for the next day. More on that later.