Golden Bear Credit: Photo by Mary Sledd

Go Entertainment Day Party

Scoot Inn, Wednesday, March 12

Celebrating their recent launch, local management firm Go Entertainment inaugurated SXSW on Austin’s Eastside with three stages at the Scoot Inn. Singer-songwriters held court inside, though Leatherbag had to contend with fellow ATX trio the Always Already bleeding through the walls with their solid synth-guitar dance rock. Debuting new material from upcoming sophomore LP Love and Harm, Leatherbag balanced the Turtles-esque jangle pop of “When We Were Young” with the banjo/mandolin folk of “Carolyn.” Newly local quartet the Model UN convened outside with their fresh debut Tiger Physics, Warren Mill’s nasally, high pitches bursting with promise atop a bed of Voxtrot pop, but a solo set from Pennsylvania’s Matthew Ryan stole the show to a packed inside crowd. Working his 11th album in as many years, Ryan powered the dramatic intensity of Irish balladeers like Glen Hansard or Damien Rice, but cut with the gruff vocal grit of Springsteen. Following Pink Nasty‘s mellow set, Austin up-and-comers Brazos chimed melodic indie waves from a trifecta of guitars swelling with Martin Crane’s soulful croon on “Mary Jo” and stunning new tune “Lifters.” Ever-exuberant local headliners Golden Bear closed out in style, bursting “Ten Thousands Orchestras” alongside new songs, as frontman Chris Gregory shimmied and howled against the sunset.

This article appears in March 14 • 2008.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.