Technically, Abra Moore's set in Austin during SXSW wasn't part of the official festival. Rather, it was part of the Heart of Texas Quadruple Bypass Music Festival - an alternate Austin music fest that runs concurrently with SXSW>.

A few years ago, the founders of "Music Rock Fest" were looking over the SXSW lineup and found themselves disappointed with the number of local Austin and Texas musicians that were represented. Soon they set up a "local" artist showcase for the week of SXSW, that ran at a nonSXSW club. Over the next few years they quickly grew into their own respected Festival - with 2006 featuring musicians for 4 nights, spread out over 6 stages.

Plus - I love their site, they've got a little video clip showing celeberities promoting the Festival. Shaq's In Are You? Nice.

So - I went to see Abra, cause I love her tunes, and to support the cause of local artists.

I haven't seen Abra in a couple of years - not since this show, so I was pretty excited. I dragged my girl and one of her friends along to the show, and then was harrassed by my girl about "luving" Abra Moore for the rest of the evening.

It was actually a fairly different Abra live experience for me - I've seen her about 10 times, and its usually been a more acoustic/emotive set or straight ahead rock. This was the first time I'd heard a more country oriented effort, with the traditional steel lap guitar bringing more of Texas Country feel. Personally, I liked it.

Several new songs - and assorted cuts from the past. I particularly like the first track Sugarite - prounced Sugar-ee, and probably my all time favorite Abra track, Guitar Song. In this telling Guitar Song features a fairly well realized lead guitar solo. It make me realize I'd kinda been missing some kick ass solo coming in from nowhere, right after the bridge. Ah, Smashing Pumpkins - where did you go?

MP3s:
Sugarite
Taking Chances
Into the Sunset
I Believe
If You Want Me To
Guitar Song
Outro