Oh, I really need a great digital point-n-shoot with a zoom and a super fast lens. Recommendations?

Man, this man and his band will always have space on my music shelf.

I then ran across town to catch The Boxer Rebellion.

As you can see from that pic, these guys were rocking the hell out of their last show.

And what SXSW would be complete without a Frightened Rabbit sighting.

So damn good. I’m pretty sure the plane ride home will feature lots of their tunes only interrupted by…

Visqueen.

This was my second time seeing them but now I’m completely in love with Rachel Flotard. Why? First, she saw me singing along and mentioned it. Second, the set was awesome and she even took an off-the-cuff request from the audience. Third, she referenced both Winger and “Pigs in Space“. Seriously, Rachel, when you’re in LA drop me a line and I’ll take you out for a dinner.

Next up was Minipop.

Why these guys? Because I like their song from the 1,038 MP3 SXSW music sampler I told you about. What an added bonus that the lead singer is such a cutie.

I then saw Best Coast because my friend Kate tole me to.

Since they’re a new band and the lead singer was whining about having played so many shows at the festival (who didn’t?) all I’ll say is that I should have checked out Surfer Blood instead.

And finally I braved the cold night to witness Death.

They were awesome and if you don’t know their story you should listen to this NPR story. And obviously they’re my pick-of-the-day.

And with the I say adios to SXSW. I hope to come back soon. LA, here I come.

BTW, the next stop on the Tony Music Express is Coachella!

BTW, it sounded great.

After grabbing my badge and a quick bite at Stubb’s it was time to check out Visqueen.

Rachel Flotard sure can rock and man does she have a great set of pipes… and the rest of her ain’t bad neither. Rachel, if you’re ever in LA I’d be more than happy to treat ya to dinner and drinks.

Next up was The Walkmen.

Having seen them before, I knew they’d sound great but probably still feel as if they’re… I dunno, I’m not a fan of their stage presence.

I quickly ran up the block to see Here We Go Magic.

It wasn’t magic for me.

Two blocks down (gotta love these short sprints) I saw Power Solo at someone’s insistence.

It was different.

As I raced across 6th Street for my next show I stumbled across an awesome, mesmerizing voice and beat. Turned out to be The Asteroids Galaxy Tour.

.

Must check them out, give them a proper listen.

The room was packed for We Were Promised Jetpacks and it’s clear why.

These youngins from Scotland rocked it.

Finally I caught one of my favorite acts, Frightened Rabbit, and while I’m still warming up to the new album (it didn’t knock me out instantly like the last album did) their stage presence and musicianship is only that much better.

Fuck, they were awesome.

I tried to end the night with Surfer Blood but the room was so packed I was never gonna get in. I decided to stumble home but instead wandered in to see a bit of Spoon. They sounded great but I’ve seen them a few times and the siren song of a full night’s sleep was just too powerful.

That wraps my first day. That means it’s time for my pick-of-the-day. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to fall in love with We Were Promised Jetpacks.

Until next time.

At the 7 o’clock hour I caught NPR interviewing Rachel Flotard, lead singer of Visqueen, about her latest album, “Message to Garcia“.

Allow me a digression. I stumbled upon this band and album when Amazon offered a free download of the lead single and said “…with Neko Case singing back up.” Here’s that song.

The song kicked around my iPod and I kinda liked, it was growing on me, but there was also this “other” attraction. It’s hard to describe but that song was resonating with the dark of my heart and creating some interesting harmonies. I download the rest of the album from eMusic and my unspoken relationship with this set of songs grew more intense. I can’t tell you how many hours I sat absorbing the pop-rock that emanated from my speakers.

And then I heard this NPR interview

I sat in my car leveled. It all makes perfect sense. I get why that harmony happened. I now love this album and band more that you can possibly imagine, more than I care to share.

That’s all I have to say about that.