Free Week Pics: Modern Outsider Takeover @ Emo’s (1/5)

Ume. There is the general feeling around these parts that they just need to blow up; power trio rock with the remarkably charismatic powerhouse lady putting down the jams should be a lock. I love photographing this band. I think every music photographer in Austin loves photographing this band thanks to Lauren’s hair.

But they weren’t my highlight. Modern Outsider is a friend of the program. They have several great acts on their roster and bedsides being really good people, they call Austin home. So naturally, they decided to host a pre-SxSW showcase as part of Free Week 2013.

Click through for plenty of pics of Soft Swells, My Jerusalem, The Black and White Years, The Calm Blue Sea and Ume.

Soft Swells is really Tim Williams. He was in town and decided that a nice little solo acoustic set was in order and the Free Week show accommodated. Impressive stuff to here it all stripped down and nekkid, fantastic vocal.

Next up was My Jerusalem. The band gets better every time they play. The songs are more natural if that makes sense. The constant here is the energy expended on stage. It is left up there, and someties taken out into the crowd.

The Black and White Years have a few of my favorite jams. They busted out a couple new tracks, but for the most part, stuck with the hits. Keeping an eye on them this year.

The Calm Blue Sea gives me the first opportunity to discuss our hosts. Big room needs big sound. They filled it. “Literal” was the best I have ever heard it, holy crap I love that song. New guy on guitar, didn’t notice. I want them to take the place of Explosions In The Sky in the national eye. Please make that happen, world. They won best performance from me.

…and finally, Ume rocked.

More pics at the photo site…