Jordan Kleinman on March 17th, 2016

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Yoko and the Onos, LEXI, Video7

Explorations by a SXSW first-timer after the Buzz Bands LA day party Wednesday:

Punky bluesters Yoko and the Oh No’s played a hair whipping set at the Ginger Man right before sundown. Singer Max Goldstein dance-walked quite sensually during their cover of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made For Walking” strutting his stuff like he owned the stage. Employing elements of glam with the rawness of blues and punk, these folks could have made a splash at any high school “under the sea” themes prom. They play the same venue again at 7 p.m. Saturday.

As nightfall arrived on Austin, plenty of activity began in downtown. But for those with a keen ability of “knowing someone that knows someone,” opportunities to explore the happenings outside the Austin city limits became promising. One of which was a warehouse six miles out of downtown. Indira’s Awarehouse, which partnered with the Park House, a music collective, to bring 20 Detroit-based artists to SXSW for a show called “Born and Raised in South Detroit.” Feeling like the bigger, Southern cousin of the Los Angeles beat-scene staple, Low End Theory, Indira’s Awarehouse boasted an enormous floor, with high ceilings, a balcony, and copious amounts of free tequila.

The highlight of the night was experimental-R&B-future-soul-trap-groove producer LEXI performing with Video7, a septet featuring vocalists/rappers, guitars, keys and a saxophonist. The set included ripping solos, irresistible dance grooves, and vocals that cut to the core with love — at points it seemed as if the singers would burst into tears while harmonizing. It was a moving experience to say the least…

With the ability to transition between jazz-hop, reggae, and a number of other styles, the group expressed tremendous talent and range. LEXI explained that this group effort was put together specifically for this show and that they had never rehearsed prior to the performance, a shocking revelation given the level of cohesiveness. Answering the plea of their healthiest jam and closing track, “Don’t Hide What Your Are Feeling,” we will not hide what we are feeling — which is the intense desire to see them again — fingers crossed they have another performance this week.  To those that suffer from SXSW FOMO, guess what …