SXSW Day 1 (night): Dreamers // Idgy Dean // Dead Leaf Echo // Hamish Anderson

It feels a little funny to go all the way to Austin to see artists from Brooklyn, but that’s what we did for most of the night. It started with Dreamers, a rock three piece, who were on when we entered The Main II on Red River Street. I know next to nothing about them, but Elke and I liked what we heard.

Idgy Dean at The Main II

But Idgy Dean was the reason why we originally came for: the SXSW schedule labels her as a one-woman rock band and that is what she is: she loops drums, a guitar and her voice into big sound. Normally, the danger with the solo entertainer thing is that it can come over as gimmicky , but Idgy Dean does it in an elegant and effortless way. We’ll definitely watch out for her in Brooklyn.

Dead Leaf Echo at Cheer Up Charlie’s

Next stop: Cheer Up Charlie’s and Dead Leaf Echo. Of course we have seen them many times, but they still surprised with a new song Temple, which is a bit more on the punk side. I believe they plan to release a new album this year – that will be interesting for sure.

Hamish Anderson at Lucky Lounge

We wanted to see Shura and Catfish and the Bottleman but no way: while Shura was playing the lines was not moving an inch. So we decided to close the night of with some blues at the Lucky Lounge: first for Benny Turner and the Real Blues, diverse jazz quartet and singer/guitarist Hamish Anderson from Australia, who reminds a lot on John Mayer.