SXSW Send Off at the Hideout

Chicago – Did someone say free beer? Ummm, yes! This past Saturday the Hideout was packed with plenty of music and 312 beer lovers. The Goose Island Brewing Company was one of the many sponsors giving out free goodies for the Hideout’s Annual SXSW Send Off Show that helps raise money for local bands’ traveling expenses. Good music and free beer equates to fun filled day. Yes, I said day. The show kicked off at 1pm and lasted well past midnight. With so many great bands – and legend Jon Langford! – we had to narrow it down. So let’s focus on the real newbies of the bunch.

The young bucks known as Marrow played a fantastic set early in the day. Please don’t let their age deter you because their musical maturity is astonishing! The band, Pegged as a Chicago Band to Watch in 2014, describes its sound as experimental alternative rock, which is interesting knowing that most of them are former members of the hip-hop group Kids These Days. After walking away from a record deal and splitting from KTD, Lane Beckstrom, Liam Cunnigham, and Macie Stewart decided to start another band, brought in Matt Carroll on drums in June of 2013, and soon recorded their EP Two. Their jazzy rock pairs wonderfully with Stewart’s voice, that’s comparable to a mix of Erykah Badu and Tori Amos. Liam, who at times sounds like a young Bob Dylan, also adds vocals; Marrow’s songs especially come to life when Liam and Macie harmonize. When asked about their musical influences Macie said, “We have so many different influences between the four of us. Lately we’ve been listening to Beck, Thundercat, Erykah Badu, and the new St.Vincent album, which is fantastic by the way. We also love the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. We try to expand our ears as much as we can, so we’re always looking for new stuff to listen to.” You too will be able to expand your ears because the members of Marrow are currently in the process of recording an LP. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for their upcoming release.

Basic Cable took the stage next. I should really say they devoured the stage with their heavy garage rock. This Chicago band, composed of Luca Cimarusti, Michael John Grant, Joel Bednarz, Ryan Duggan, and Matthew Hord, has been building a fan base and gaining attention purely through word of mouth since forming in early 2013. Their humorous, hair-flying, crazy stage antics make for a thrilling live show. Shortly after recording a demo on tape, the band released a limited vinyl pressing of their first LP I’m Good To Drive. You’ll be hard up to find much about this self-proclaimed analog band on the Internet. I asked bassist Luca Cimarusti about their avoidance of social media and the rumor that he’s the only band member with a computer: “Who needs Facebook or Twitter? We’re more into making a racket and drinking beer, so band social media isn’t really the sort of thing we want to add to our schedules. And as far as me being the only member of the band with a computer, this is true. I might actually be the only member of the band who knows how to read, let alone use the Internet.” And quite a racket they are making. People in the audience could be overheard talking about Basic Cable’s performance long after their set was over. You can hear some of their music on bandcamp or purchase their record I’m Good To Drive through Permanent Records.

Later in the evening, eighteen year old singer Bonzie took the stage, with her remarkable back-up band, and quickly captivated the crowd. Nina Ferraro, aka Bonzie, is a tiny, talented beauty with a tremendously powerful voice. Her dreamy mix of experimental indie and folk rock layers well with her stunning vocals. Ferraro sounds similar to Fiona Apple, with a stage presence much the same as Björk, and sharp-witted songwriting that has critics comparing her to Cat Power. She released her debut album The Secret of Things in August of 2013 and recently toured with Cayucas. She has been working on new material, so she may perhaps release some new tunes within the next few months. She treated the crowd to her latest song, “Forward,” sans her band; she sang softly and sweetly about falling in love, while playing acoustic guitar. With so much talent and her twenties just around the corner, I expect great things from Bonzie as she embarks on early adulthood and the journey of self-discovery.

The SXSW Send Off at the Hideout was a great success. Cheers to all the Chicago bands taking over Texas the next few days! May you have fun and rock your socks off!

Marrow will be playing the SXSW Bandanza at Cheers Shots Bar on March 15, 2014.

Basic Cable will be playing the Permanent Records Showcase on March 14, 2014.

Bonzie will be playing multiple shows at SXSW, including the Nylon Magazine Showcase and the Chicago Made Showcase.

(All photos by Sarah Hess: smhimaging.com)

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Sarah Hess

At the age of six, Sarah Hess discovered True Blue by Madonna. This resulted in her spending hours in front of the bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone, belting out "La Isla Bonita" off key. Her love for music only intensified over the years thanks to her parents; her mother exposed Sarah to The Jackson Five and had her hustling to the Bee Gees, while her father would play her albums like 'Pet Sounds' and 'Some Girls' from start to finish, during which he'd lecture on and on about the history of rock & roll. Sarah would eventually stumble upon rap and hip-hop, then punk and alternative, and fall madly in love with Jeff Buckley and film photography.

After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.

You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.