SXSW 2010: Mountain Man @ Buffalo Billiards-3-18-10
Three women singing a capella folk songs might not sound like a pleasant recipe for a 6th Street bar (and one where patrons were more interested in the NCAA than SXSW), yet Mountain Man delivered a stunning performance at Buffalo Billiards on Thursday night that ranks among the best of the fest. The ladies claimed it was their first time to perform amplified, yet they showed little apprehension. The trio performed in a tight semi-circle around three microphones, oftentimes holding hands and singing directly at each other with pitch perfection. With a mix of originals plus a few hymns, the show had an otherworldly feel–the harmonies were certainly of another time altogether, like some late-19th century choral group. South By Southwest attracts many noteworthy acts, but none are as immediately refreshing as Mountain Man. With so much noise and hype swirling around, there’s brilliance to be found in simplicity and quietness.
-Art Levy
