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FEATURED: An Americana Revival at Austin

One band in particular that seems to be bringing up this racuous Americana revival? The Felice Brothers- a band we have consistently been raving about. When we caught them at a Lou Reed ‘Berlin’ benefit at Pangea this past Wednesday, we were absorbed in their vibrant hell-bent stage presence, vast instrumental talent, and brothers-where-art-thou air. The three brothers Simone, Ian and James and two mates had no difficulty bringing a motely, tired SXSW crowd to romp on their feet.

James (looking devilish with his trusty accordion) of The Felice Brothers.

The burly, bearded James was a central character with his accordion, while the wiry Ian had a glorious, quaking voice – similar to Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. Meanwhile, the heavily tattooed Simone wailed on the drums – while crooning. Then towards the end, Simone surprised the whole audience by ditching the drums and doing an emotional stage-center vocal solo- while hoisting his pants to his waist and interspersing rap-talk and cat-calls to unsuspecting women. Worked like a charm.

Simone on drums.

The crowd went barn-wild- everyone smiling, singing along, grooving in cowboy boots, chugging beers, and linking arms. This type of camaraderie is rarely witnessed in concerts these days. True- it's the kind of home-grown plunking Americana music most appropriate when played within a wooden barn, with chickens running around and hay on the floor. Or in the Catskills Mountains where they're from. But the beauty of it is it can be transported to any place- even an ironically swanky, bottle-service lounge in Austin- and still manage to get people to thrown their heads back and chillax.

And in comes of the washboard. hell yeah.

Other bands representing this revival? At one SXSW showcase Portland-based Builders and Butchers passed out a bucket-full of instruments into the audience for them to play- to further accentuate the home-grown feel. Also, Phonograph is a great little up-and-coming NY-based American roots folk troupe that we caught yesterday at a private house party.

Download: The Felice Brothers - San Antonio's Burning

Download: The Felice Brothers - Frankie's Gun

The Felice Brothers at MySpace

The Felice Brothers at Team Love

Builders and the Butchers @ Myspace

Phonograph @ Myspace

Photos by Faith-Ann Young

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