The Cover Letter continued to rock at Sahara Lounge Thursday at SXSW – The Cosmic Clash
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All photos: Brandon Sandler
Guest contributor: Heather Forrester
At The Sahara Lounge, the walls have musical history. The venue, for decades was known as TC’s Lounge, hosting a long-standing popular blues night with The Little Elmore Reed Band. Since rebranding as the Sahara with new ownership, the venue has been a proponent of a variety of genres, hence it was the perfect setting for the blend of music The Cosmic Clash booked on Thursday of SXSW music week.
The Cover Letter took to the stage late in what was the second evening of the Cosmic Clash’s unofficial SXSW events, dubbed Four Daze of Clash. They’d been drinking in the artist lounge prior to the performance and looked a bit askance setting up, but the effects of alcohol (and perhaps a bit of nerves) instantly dissolved once the set kicked off.
The Cover Letter is an Austin-based act known for a full sound orchestrated by a keyboardist, two guitar players, bass player, a drummer and a backing female vocalist who also sings second lead. If the audience wanted bantering they would get none. There was no time for it. Frontman Jacob Shipman proclaimed: “Hey guys we’re The Cover Letter, we didn’t come here to talk but to play some fucking music,” with that the band started jamming.
Some of the people playing pool and chatting stopped to listen. It’s impossible to ignore this band. They are too talented, and their sound is expansive. And fun. And makes you want to smile.
From the band’s official bio: “We are never still,” says Jacob. “Every day we grow, we write, we change, and we live. We’re excited for the next chapter.”
The night of the Cosmic Clash showcase The Cover Letter debuted several songs off their upcoming album. One of their to-be-released singles, “I Will Be the Sun” involves a guitar solo by Shipman. The old gods of the blues from TC’s past and the ladder day guitar soloists of present were felt in this moment on the tiny stage of the Sahara. Audience members took out their phones and recorded.
This is why you go out and discover bands during SXSW. “I like that” a concert goer kept saying, over and over again as the guitar solo ended and everyone caught their breath. Same here music fan… same here.
Editor’s note: The Cover Letter was the only act that headed straight for the keg first in our artist lounge across from Sahara. Not sure what we’re saying here, but there you have it. 😉
