As SXSW crams so many bands into a few days I spent a good deal of time observing not only each bands performance but the setup interaction before the show actually started. So it was that I noted that Victoria Legrand, the recognizable vocalist of Beach House, appeared a bit nervous before the packed crowd filled in among the ivy covered brick walls and high tent cover. Beach House is still an up and coming band and perhaps the enthusiasm for this mellow, yet tight, late 70's hippie attired group was a bit more than they are used to.
Still when their set began Legrand's slow, low, and at times raspy, voice sounded confident and Alex Scally deftly handled guitar, laptop and vocal duties. Legrand, though melodic and calm in her vocals and anchored by her keyboard looked as though she actually would have liked to be dancing, pulling her feet back in a sliding motion and taking advantage of the few moments that highlighted Scally's slide guitar to sway around with her egg shaker. Also a point of focus for this photographer was the snarl like curl of her lip when she added extra emphasis on her notes. Not the upbeat dance party music many other bands might bring to an event but very enjoyable music indeed, perfect perhaps for a sunny and lazy afternoon or something to put on a mix tape with Pink Floyd or Grizzly Bear.
