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“We played five shows in 48 hours. It's been f*cking
crazy, we're on our way to our sixth show right now,”
states Stars of Track and Field drummer,
Daniel Orvik, in his blog entry on VH1.com.
I’m guessing he couldn’t spell out fucking
since it was on VH1. So I’ll say it. Fucking crazy.
By the time Saturday comes at around at SXSW, there’s
really no other way to explain it.
That’s how I felt that night as I ran, literally,
to the Austin Convention Center for the 8pm LIVE set
of Stars of Track and Field. I was already pissed about
missing about five other bands that week that were on
my hot list. I wasn’t about to miss these guys
too.
They were already into “Centuries” when
I arrived. I knew I missed the beginning of their set
because I got scolded for taking pictures after the
‘first three songs’ limit. I was able to
talk the guy into taking at least a few, thankfully.
But more than anything, I just wanted to stand and stare
like the others, taking it all in.
The glow of the Lone Star Lounge sign hanging above
the trio was an ironic contrast to modern twists of
Simon & Garfunkle and Catherine Wheel harmonies,
which ebb and flowed guitar tidal waves with sonic noise
jesters.
Their set was memorizing. Refreshing. Like you’ve
been in the heat all day, your throat is parched, and
you finally drink down the coldest sparkling drink that
quenches every last cell of your being, with a tickling
ear aftertaste. The finale, shaking a bottle of champagne,
moment came with their closing number, “Movies
of Antarctica.”
No doubt, Stars of Track and Field make beautiful music.
But they also rock it out in huge way, making for an
extremely memorable and on-your-toes experience.
The vocal collaboration between lead singer/keyboardist/guitarist
Kevin Calaba and guitarist Jason Bell
comes together like a hand and glove. You could feel
the fucking crazy passion from Orvik as he pounded that
house kit. And for some reason, when they ended the
set, Calaba went over and put his foot through what
I thought to be an amazing red stained acoustic guitar,
one that had caught my eye at the beginning of their
set. That made me a little sad, but you couldn’t
wipe the beaming smiles off my face or anyone else in
the crowd.
Stars of Track and Field play the BlueBird
this Tuesday, April 10. This is one of those
opportunities to see a rising band on their way up.
You’ll kick yourself if you don’t make it
out. They play with The Long Winters and The Broken
West.
www.starsoftrackandfield.com
www.myspace.com/starsoftrackandfield
-Kim Owens
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