Video: Grandaddy's Jason Lytle At SXSW

by Robin Hilton

We're back from Austin and still recovering from last week's orgy of amazing music at the South by Southwest conference and festival. In addition to all the concerts we webcast and broadcast, Bob, Stephen and I were lucky enough to find time to record some of our favorite artists giving solo performances. We're still cutting up the video, and will get these out to you as quickly as we can, starting with Jason Lytle.

Lytle, the singer, songwriter and creative force behind the band Grandaddy, met us at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin for this shoot. He was joined by Rusty Miller, singer for the band Jackpot, who offered some nice harmonies.

This first cut is a new track from Lytle's debut solo album, Yours Truly, The Commuter. It's called "Brand New Sun." The area where we were sitting is pretty cavernous, so you can really hear the echoes of people walking and talking nearby.

This cut is also from Lytle's new album. It's called "Birds Encouraged Him."

One of the things I love most about Lytle's music is his storytelling: Few songwriters can craft a tale as well as he can, and they always cut to the bone. This song, which is actually a Grandaddy tune, is a good example of that. It's not very well-known -- it was only released as a B-side to a single in 2003 -- so it was a real treat to get to hear him do it. It's called "Derek Spears."

Since it's a pretty rare cut, Miller said he didn't know the song. It's nice to watch him listen and see the look on his face as he follows Lytle's story.

More videos to come, including PJ Harvey, Asa and Mirah.

1:08 PM ET | 03-26-2009 | permalink

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