Always a special occasion when a local artist makes their Austin City Limits taping debut. Shakey Graves not only lived up to the expectations of the prestigious hometown limelight on Wednesday night at the Moody Theater, he turned in one of the best performances for the show in recent history.
Alejandro Rose-Garcia’s genuine excitement, casual charm, and youthful energy permeated his hour-long performance. The Friday Night Lights actor’s on-camera charisma also helped notch another victory for the fast-rising songwriter since the release of last year’s official debut LP, And the War Came.
Stepping onstage in a black suit and white cowboy hat, the 27-year-old troubadour smiled broadly to a packed house that appeared as excited for the milestone show as the singer himself.
“I’m just gonna take a second to soak all this in,” declared the Austin native. “It’s good to be home.”
He launched into a guitar breakdown while keeping beat on his trademark suitcase kick-drum for “Roll the Bones,” title track from Graves’ self-released 2011 disc. His warm, scratchy drawl echoed Swedish songsmith the Tallest Man Earth with a more aggressive edge. Graves’ inclination to jam erupted when drummer Chris “Boo” Boosahda joined him and the two traded high-watt sounds as intro to “If Not For You,” before then expanding into a full trio with guitarist Pat O’Connor for “Family and Genus” and “The Perfect Parts.”
Shakey Graves masters the art of reeling in an audience with the explosive breakout of each song. Whether with full band or solo, he’s in a constant exchange of catch and release. His winking playfulness adds to the appeal, as with the kazoo-break on “Chinatown” and the self-deprecating intro to “Tomorrow,” which he wrote at 16.
That allure sometimes belies the actual talent of Graves as a songwriter, demonstrated by the stomping and twisted “Proper Fence” and restless lope of “Built to Roam.”
The highlight of the taping came with closer “Dearly Departed,” for which he introduced rising local songwriter Carson McHone to duet. She’s due a breakout this year when she releases her new album. McHone’s hardened twang played perfect foil for Graves.
The standing ovation anticipated a short, two-song solo encore with “Hard Wired” and “Late July.” For the enthusiastic crowd, the entire night felt like a proper celebration of one of Austin’s own. Between Shakey Graves and Gary Clark, Jr, Austin’s found two modern acolytes to represent the city’s sound and authenticity.
“I’ve been lucky and lazy enough to be here my whole life,” laughed Graves.
This article appears in May 1 • 2015.
