SXSW: Kurt Vile and Keys N Krates at the Music Gym

We once again crossed the big ol’ road to hit up the Music Gym to see
Kurt Vile and Keys N Krates. Since we hit town, we have found the most
satisfaction out of this venue, with it’s relaxed and wholly chaotic
feel. During regular hours it’s a rehearsal space for bands and isn’t
so deep into the Sixth Street business.

Keys N Krates are like
Girl Talk, but with live instruments. The four-piece hails from Toronto
and at one point somehow managed to meld New Order and Gloria Estefan.
The small crowd on the patio was digging it, with errant beer flooding
the atomosphere.

Kurt Vile went on a good fifteen minutes
late, reducing his set to a two-song jam complete with saxophone, Deep
Purple riffin’, pre-programmed drum fills.Vile sings behind a bushy
mane of Ritchie Blackmore fuzz and his bassist looks like Thurston
Moore circa 1980.