Thursday, March 19th, 2009

SXSW ‘09: Q and Devo

by Ken Shane

I’m writing to you from the press center at SXSW. I have just come from a two hour, stirring keynote speech by the great Quincy Jones. Part biography, part music history, part fatherly advice, part creative inspiration, and yes, a bit of rambling, it was a wholly extraordinary experience to even be in the same room as this giant who has been a part of so much musical history. He made it clear that at 76 years old, he’s not done yet.

At the end of the speech, Q introduced his newest proteges. Teenage singer Bianca Ryan performed an impressive version of “God Bless the Child,” and then young Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez just tore the house down. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone play the instrument better in a jazz setting. He’s a remarkable talent, and you’ll be hearing from both of these people.

When I moved over to the press room, I had the good fortune to stumble into a press conference being given by the immortal band Devo. As I write this, the press conferenced is going on right behind me. The best thing about it is that the band is all in uniform, and each member has his flowerpot hat on the table in front of them.

They’re wrapping it up now, and so will I. I have photos of all of these activities, which I’ll share with you tomorrow morning.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 19th, 2009 at 5:52 pm and is filed under Popdose, SXSW '09. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Can you say Devo reunion album? Please?
  • JohnHughes
    Actually happening, minus one of the Bobs. There's already a new track ("We Can Work It") available on iTunes.
  • JohnHughes
    "Watch Us Work It," rather.
  • Got it:

    The fall of 2009 will bring a new DEVO studio album, their first one since 1990's Smooth Noodle Maps . It'll mark their first new music since the strong fan reaction that greeted the 2007 single “Watch Us Work It,” which was produced by Sweden's TeddyBears (Robyn). They're now in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new album (title TBA).

    The five-piece-- featuring co-founders and songwriters MARK MOTHERSBAUGH (lead vocals, synthesizer innovations) and GERALD CASALE (lead vocal, bass) and rounded out by BOB CASALE (guitarist), BOB MOTHERSBAUGH (guitars/vocals) and JOSH FREESE (drums)-- are set make a special U.S. appearance at SXSW this year including a press conference (4:00pm) and keynote panel (5:00pm)--moderated by radio veteran Nic Harcourt--set for Thursday, March 19 at the Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez St.). They'll follow that up with a Friday, March 20 one-night-only SXSW concert at the Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St.). Pre SXSW, DEVO fans in Dallas can catch a special one-off show on Wednesday, March 18 at the Palladium Ballroom. To purchase tickets, go here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0C004251D5078... .
  • When they left the room, they actually put their little hats on. Priceless.
  • Like Bart Simpson once mused, they're committed to the bit.
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