Seraphina Lotkhamnga on March 20th, 2011

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[Show-hopping continued on Friday night … Although I’m pretty sure I could write an entire essay on the physical pain from SXSW, the celebration of music throughout Austin provided salve for the wounds.]

American Music Club (The Parish) — The highly revered American Music Club led by vocalist Mark Eitzel kept the Merge showcase going strong on Friday evening. Because the lineup boasted upbeat acts such as Times New Viking and Telekinesis, Eitzel unnecessarily apologized after a few songs into their set. “I know this is an indie-rock thing and all,” he said. “I’m sorry if some of that bored you.” On the contrary, the room was only filled with adoring fans while AMC played their accessible yet majestic arrangements. As the crowd witnessed the spotlight shining down on his lost-in-the-moment expressions, there was no denying that Eitzel’s vocals alone created a special, exclusive moment right there in the Parish. Eitzel was charming as ever – even when he inserted Charlie Sheen jokes into his banter. American Music Club has gone through several different lineups since 1982, but the current three-piece continued to cultivate their legacy.

Wye Oak (The Parish) – Wye Oak, who are masters of temperamental yet precise roar and distortion, played the second to last set of the night and for just two people on stage, the music soared to astonishing heights. Just as their music darts back and forth between drastic moods, Jenn Wasner’s banter between songs was a nice juxtaposition to the somber lyrics she sang. Mostly performing songs off of their latest album, “Civilian,” Wye Oak tore their way into the night with folk-tinted tunes which would occasionally become engulfed by Wasner’s shredding on guitar. Andy Stack’s percussion was nothing less than a perfect complement to her varied tempos and volumes as he also incorporated the heavy bass lines.

Twitter: @Seraphina_L