Texas, like Las Vegas, is pretty much a whole ’nother nation in and of itself: They run off their own unspoken laws, answer to no one and refuse to be messed with. The attitude translates sonically not just in all kinds of shit-kickin’ country, but also a surprising lot of dark and magical noise bands.
When it comes to droning, you can’t beat A Pink Cloud, whose pumps of psychedelic metal, lulling in their density, cut through any thought you might have, completely inhabiting your brain. RUA Minx takes the opposite tack, with choked vocals, ghostly synths and drum machines gasping for breath slowly seeping in your system.
This is roughly the same posse from whence sprung tribal trance jam band Indian Jewelry, a transient bunch who’re currently somewhat settled in Chicago. Their guitarist, Brandon Davis, just released a softly marauding electronic CD, Magic Is Real (Girlgang Records) as the Electric Set. He conducts a rotating cast of shamanic noise-makers, conjuring a trail of tears and dusty cowboy chuck wagons, and the whole thing feels like it’s on a spiritually elevated mission of resigned sadness.
The cats in Austin are a little sillier, and I blame South by Southwest for that. With a bunch of strangers invading your home in search of hype (sound familiar?), if you take yourself too seriously you’ll get your heart broken. In fact, during the festival, Cry Blood Apache self-released and circulated a CD-R meant for industry folk making fun of those aching for the brass ring through ridiculous in-fighting and purposely not-good rapping. When the rowdy lads settle down, though, they’re sparkly, not giggly, with cannibalistic black eyeliner tracks to thrust your hips to.