Jason Lytle Storms South By Southwest
Spring Thaw Brings Former Grandaddy Frontman out to Support ANTI- Records Debut Yours Truly, the Commuter
After emerging from a self-enforced retreat during the first winter in his newly adopted Montana with a brilliant new record Yours Truly, the Commuter (out May 19 via ANTI- Records), Jason Lytle is making the most of the sunnier climes of Austin TX with three days of appearances at SXSW 2009.
Lytle's sudden reappearance on the music scene after Grandaddy's quiet demise three years ago has been welcome news to both fans and music writers from Pitchfork to Spin to Magnet who are all eagerly awaiting the release of Yours Truly. And they will not be disappointed. Lytle's first solo record, with its swirling vintage synth sounds, affecting melodies and fuzzed-out guitars, recalls his acclaimed decade of work as singer and principal songwriter for Grandaddy. Yet there are new elements running through this current record. Perhaps it is the broad vistas of the Montana skyline or the newly-found freedom of writing and playing every single note of music himself, but somehow the themes of loss and redemption, highs and lows that have been present in all of Lytle's writings, are less tragic, more forgiving, especially towards himself.
Jason Lytle at SXSW (more sets and set-times to be announced):
- Pirate/Epitaph Party: Thursday, March 19 @ Room 710 / 710 Red River / w/Jessica Lea Mayfield, Say Hi, Hot Panda, Blue Eyed Blacks / Doors: 12pm / 4pm
- OFFICIAL SHOWCASE: Friday, March 20 @ Central Presbyterian Church / 200 E 8th St. / w/Ceci Bastida, Fanfarlo, Low Anthem, Lisa Hannigan, Laura Marling, Howe Gelb / 1am
- Under the Radar Party: Friday, March 20 @ Flamingo Cantina / 515 E 6th St. / TBD pm (30 min set)
- The Ship Party - Location TBD / Saturday, March 21 / Jason: 5:15pm
- Mess With Texas / Saturday, March 21