SXSW 2012, Day 3: JD McPherson

photos by Brittney Bollay

Rounder Records has picked up the throwback rock/rhythm and blues record Signs and Signifiers by JD McPherson, which they will release on April 17. The record has been floating around since October of 2010, and McPherson has slowly been garnering YouTube fame and acclaim from independent radio across the nation (you can grab the single “North Side Gal” for free off his website). Now, McPherson is ready to hit the big time and bring his unique sound to the masses. McPherson pulls mostly from roots rock’n'roll, rhythm and blues, and rockabilly, but his voice and his arrangements easily put him on par with modern rock bands. While indie bands have been mixing new and old for quite some time, McPherson does it in a fresh, new way that will keep people interested for years to come. After SXSW, McPherson will make a few more tour stops in the Midwest and the East Coast, but unfortunately won’t be making it over to Seattle.

JD McPherson joined Of Monsters And Men as the only bands performing from Mellow Johnny’s this week to have an encore demanded of them. Considering how good Of Monsters And Men’s performance was, that’s saying something. The Oklahoma-born rockabilly up-and-comer treated a packed house to an incendiary set of rip-roaring jams that sounded like they were lifted straight from the 50s. McPherson played from his forthcoming release (including a rousing rendition of “Northside Gal”), and was supported on stage by an upright bassist, drummer, organist, and sax player who brough just as much energy as McPherson himself. The band’s through-the-roof energy was the story of the performance, and for an audience full of weary festival-goers, it served as a much needed shot of life.