Grrrl power was alive and well at Swan Dive as this Free Week showcase drew from Austin’s depository of feminist musicians, running the gambit of sound from gentle to deafening. Falcon’s sweet, sleepy acoustic set opened, featuring truly excellent whistling and vocals that would make Karen O look up from the bar. Also wielding only an acoustic guitar, Sahara Smith followed with a stark set of folk, her voice balancing warble and tenacity – an arresting belt calling to mind Presley and Orbison. Local quartet Zettajoule kicked up the energy with Eighties keyboard-driven dance pop, fog billowing during their set as they danced wildly. Glam rock party aliens Calliope Musicals, clad in colorful outfits and sporting giant smiley faces on sticks, ushered in a crazed energy carrying on throughout the rest of the bill. Theatrical and commanding frontwoman Carrie Fussell proved both an insanely fine vocalist and out-of-this-world cheerleader championing positive vibes. Enter Sailor Poon, possibly the most badass babes on the block and the loudest goddamn band on the planet. (“The sound guy doesn’t know what to do with us!”) Pummeling a sassy, important set of true girl power, they were brief, brash, and a necessary “fuck you” to the patriarchy. Mom Jeans, a trio turned duo given the absence of their bassist, closed out with a fast and loose performance of sparse punk.
Mom Jeans, Sailor Poon, Calliope Musicals, Zettajoule, Sahara Smith, Falcon
Swan Dive, Jan. 2This article appears in January 8 • 2016.