While we were in Austin for SXSW, we swung by the Red House Pizzeria for a pizzastic breakfast one morning. Out in the backyard a host of bands were readying to kickstart another day of endless music, and England’s Fanfarlo, who was scheduled to go on later, had prepared a few songs for our mini-musical-documentary series: the Secret Garden. We walked a short distance away from the venue and halted outside someone’s house, where I was drawn towards a white garage and the entire British crew towards a car draped in a car cover behind a chain link fence. They played three songs there —”Finish Line”, “Luna” and “Comets”, all from their new album, Reservoir. Plenty of bird chirps were available for accompaniment!

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A new collection of Secret Garden performances will resume tomorrow, April 29th. Here’s a schedule of what’s in store. If you’re unfamiliar with this ever-changing magical garden, it is a mini-documentary series in which I film bands performing a few songs outside the context of a regular show. Along with the schedule you’ll also find some “candid band photos” that, as a tradition of my own, I take after each shoot.

If you’re a blogger who’d like to write a preview for any of these episodes before they release, just email me at hoovesontheturf [at] gmail [dot] com

2009 Spring/Summer Dates for Secret Garden Video Series

Arp 29 – Fanfarlo

Download “Harold T Wilkins“

May 05 – Cotton Jones

Download “Blood Red Sentimental Blues“

May 12 – Middle Distance Runner

Download “Brother John“

May 15 – Revival Times

Download “Curious Storm“

May 19 – Balmorhea

Download “San Solomon“

May 26 – Floating Action

Download “Absolute Sway“

Jun 02 – Sprengjuhöllin

Download “Worry Till Spring“

Jun 09 – The Tallest Man on Earth

Download “The Gardener“

Back at the venue, Slow Club had started to play.

Then we made our way back to the city where Suckers was playing a super fancy “All That Sparkles” party at Malverde, hosted by I Am Sound, ‘Sup Magazine and This Is Music. The sound was great there, and Suckers played one of my favorite sets.

Mapei was unable to make it, so Quinn Walker of Suckers filled in with a solo set with Brian.

But since his voice needed a rest, they handed it over to Brian’s brother Scott.

Couldn’t resist a smoke though.

The party’s hostess was Rebecca Havemeyer, who did a little number of her own.

Michachu and the Shapes, one of the bands I really wanted to see while I’m here, played next.

I’m a fan of Mica Levi’s nonchalant singing style.

With cowbells and confident drumming, the rhythm section was solid.

Peggy from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is really easy to spot:

The band sang “Happy Birthday” for band mate Raisa Khan.

On our way to other adventures, there was this place:

And more musicians:

We arrived at Club 1808 to see The Tallest Man on Earth and Chairlift. Aids Wolf played first.

These folks obviously have incredible skills but I think you’d really have to be tortured by your own existence, at some level, to be in love with this kind of music, so when I say that this was one of my least favorite sets, it’s probably a compliment. It was like feeding a horse a bag of olives when what it really wants is just a quality stack of hay.

Plenty of gestures and drama in this performance though.

All the Saints was playing on the outside stage.

Chairlift was supposed to play inside at 7:00pm, but their drummer wanted to play the drums that was on the outside stage. They were told that if they could wrap up by 7:45pm, they were welcome to play outside.

They decided not to play the drums after all, but after some time spending setting up, this move to the outdoors resulted in a very short set comprising of 3 songs. Still, it was a great set.

And then finally! The Tallest Man on Earth! After being let down by his non-appearance at Paradise the previous night, I was extremely happy to see Kristian Mattson hanging out at the backyard. He was my quality stack of hay.

He and his crew, like Chairlift, were a little amused by the “inside stage” that was basically just a carpet in a tiny room. His manager made the best of it by turning some of the lights toward the performing area. At times during the set we’d hear one of the workers there chanting “coming through, coming through”. They were moving things around; including trash. And at other times we’d keep hearing the crazy band playing outside whenever the door to the backyard was left open. Kristian was amused by it all, but he sounded awesome. I’m pretty he’ll sound awesome no matter what unfriendly circumstances he plays in. After the set, he turned the lights back towards the audience to make the end of the show all the more proper (this made everyone laugh). I don’t have many pictures because I filmed the entire set, which I will edit and post once I’m back in New York.

We made our way back to the city for These United States at Elysium, which was to be my first official SXSW show to go to.

The venue was a little weird, but the band was in its best form. They rocked hard!

We left with them to go to a Daytrotter bonfire.

It was at Daytrotter’s Austin studio.

Cotton Jones was there, as were other familiar faces.

We reluctantly left this cozy spot to go to Habana Calle 6, where These United States had “Rough and Ready” to perform at the Songs for Presidents showcase. To my luck, Shilpa Ray was playing a solo song on a harmonium. She sounded fantastic. But I couldn’t take a picture because a friend of mine who was holding my camera for me was nowhere to be found at the time

20. Those Darlins

This is the sound I was looking for when I clicked on far too many terrible country bands from the SXSW official artist list. I’m sticking with Those Darlins instead.

Download “Wild One“

19. Hurray for the Riff Raff

When Walt McClements plays that accordion and Alynda Lee sings her sad songs, there’s no sense at all in leaving the room.
Watch their “Secret Garden” video.

Download “Grocery (Live at the Secret Garden)“

18. Fanfarlo

I really dislike the high synth lines in this particular song, and there’s one track in their album Reservoir that sounds a little too much like its arrangement was modeled after Beirut, but this voice is too good to resist.

Download “Harold T. Wilkins“

17. Liz Green

What a hauntingly magnificent voice. In her live performances she is joined by the fabulous Gus Fairbairn and John Fairhurst (whose solo set itself is sure to be awesome). Liz doesn’t have any unofficial shows planned as of now, but you can follow my twitter if you’re interested in keeping up with any last-minute performances and/or house shows she’s sure to play.

Download “Midnight Blues“

16. Sharon Van Etten

One of a kind, and best paired with whiskey. She’s only playing unofficial shows.
Watch her “Secret Garden” video.

Download “It’s Not Like“

15. Left Lane Cruiser

This just sounds like an enormous amount of fun.

Download “Big Momma“

14. Cotton Jones

Paranoid Cocoon is a fine album, and Cotton Jones is one of the most graceful bands today.

Download “Blood Sentimental Blues“

13. Motel Motel

Motel Motel is easily one of the more interesting bands to have recently come out of Brooklyn.

Download “Coffee“

12. Dark Dark Dark

Their sea-bound traveling songs are always a treat. They’re only playing unofficial shows.
Watch their “Secret Garden” video.

Download “New York Song“

11. Adam Arcuragi

I love Adam’s wholesome voice; there’s just the right combination of swagger and heartbreak in it. He’s only playing unofficial shows.
Watch a video of him playing with his friends from These United States.

Download “The Bottom of the River (Live at IOTA)“

10. Lonnie Walker

It doesn’t look like there’s been much recorded, yet there’s an unmistakable and likable personality that comes through in the few songs available.

Download “Compass Comforts“

9. Micachu

This is probably the band in this list that intrigues me the most.

Download “Golden Phone“

8. Callers

When Sara Lucas sings, you can be sure that it’s to your benefit. It probably even makes your heart healthier. Callers is from Brooklyn.
Watch their “Secret Garden” video.

Download “More Than Right“

7. Suckers

Suckers is equipped with a great drummer and a fantastic combination of two very distinct voices; hopefully Quinn Walker has recovered his by now, after losing it temporarily. Suckers is also from Brooklyn.

Download “Afterthoughts and TV (Demo)“

6. Drink Up Buttercup

These guys seem to deliver engaging shows without a fail; probably because they’re some of the most confident and assertive performers I’ve ever seen, and they’re totally bent on making the shows fun for themselves.
Watch their “Secret Garden” video.

Download “Sosey Dosey (Live at Earfarm’s CMJ show)“

5. Floating Action

My favorite new band. Their upcoming self-titled is already one of my best-loved of the year.

Download “50 Lashes“

4. The Tallest Man on Earth

I guess Kristian Matsson must lead at least two lives, because he most certainly leads one in my dreams!

Download “The Gardener“

3. These United States

It’s a good thing These United States plays so many shows so very often, because I’m pretty close to becoming dependent on seeing them perform every now and then. I’d like to think that I’ve seen many great bands who are brilliant on stage, but not all of them have the dangerous effect of acting like a magnetic field to what you consider important and what you don’t. In your life, I mean.
Watch their “Secret Garden” video.

Download “Honor Amongst Thieves“

2. Tune Yards

Some of the most important songs I’ve heard recently are from Tune Yards’ album, Bird-Brains. Merrill Garbus, the woman behind it, is a rare jewel; her songs have nine lives, and her voice is their overarching, irreplaceable mother-ship. You’re gonna have to be driven if you want to catch her though: I was told she’ll most definitely be playing only one show, that being the Force Field PR + Asthmatic Kitty party. I’m guessing her other band Sister Suvi’s multiple-show schedule has something to do with it.
Watch her “Secret Garden” video.

Download “Hatari“

1. White Denim

Badass! Their album Exposion is one of my absolute favorites from the last two years, but I’ve never seen them play before. I’m on a high-priority mission to catch at least one White Denim show while in Austin this week.

Download “Don’t Look That Way at It“

On a side note, there will be no Secret Garden shows for the next two Tuesdays, but there will be daily updates from Austin, and there will be new videos after I return. If any of the twenty artists listed here interest you, you should follow me on Twitter.