PB&JxSxSW

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I love Peter Bjorn and John. Jason, Jared and I caught them at the Rhapsody tent on Saturday--I already loved the record, but I was blown away all over again by the energy of the live show. Everyone knows that PB&J is Drew Barrymore’s favorite band, and I was hesitant for a while to hop on the movie-star-endorsed-buzz-band train, but the truth is, girl knows her music.

Yesterday was Paste Fun Day, with our party in the afternoon and our official showcase at night. Dension Witmer + Rosie Thomas, Badly Drawn Boy and Eisley played lovely sets. There was a line down the street during the Cold War Kids wild performance, and sweet Sondre Lerche rocked out much more than we expected.

The day was fantastic, and the Paste crew headed over to Eddie V’s for a fancy celebratory dinner with Joe and Palmer from DiscRevolt, Rosie Thomas and Denison Witmer, Pasty and Chris from Nettwerk and Alexi Murdoch. Knate took a Knap at the table, and Jason and Reid ordered huge steaks with huger bones sticking out of them. They looked like cavemen.

Our official showcase was at the Austin Convention Center last night in one of the ballrooms. We were a little lost in the Convention Center, and I jokingly said, “Can someone help us find our party?” and Ron Sexsmith, who was just standing there, goes, “Are you talking to me?” Then Josh started talking to him about how we like him, then Reid started talking to him about Kiefer Sutherland, and it was nice.

We found our showcase. Danny Flowers played, followed by the unbelievably talented Brandi Carlile. She has one of the strongest voices I’’ve ever heard, and it’s always fun to watch her play with “The Twins” Phil and Tim Hanseroth. After Brandi was Pigeon John, and the whole room was dancing. At the end of his set, he brought out surprise guests Gift Of Gab and Lyrics Born for a song. It was far and away my week’s most fun performance. Then moe. played for an hour and a half, then the Polyphonic Spree did a 12:30am set. While I was secretly disappointed that instead of robes they were wearing military uniforms, and that instead of 20-something people onstage there were 19, the energy in the room was amazing.

Then we caught a cab where we heard “The Beer Song” by Psychostick to ring in St. Patrick’s Day. Awesome.