Live music review: 41st Austin Music Awards featured Jackie Venson, Como Las Movies, Kathy Valentine and more

February 28, 2023 Greg Ackerman 641 Views Adrian Quesada, Austin Music Awards, Como Las Movies, Die Spitz, Jackie Venson, Kevin Curtin, live music, Review, Sabrina Ellis, Sir Woman

On a springlike evening Sunday at Mohawk, the Austin Chronicle hosted the 41st Austin Music Awards to a sold-out venue that saw a lineup that truly ran the gamut of the Austin musical landscape. Everyone one could possibly imagine was in attendance. Musical impresario Adrian Quesada was there to collect three awards with his lovely wife Celeste. Former Chronicle Music Editor, now on saddadical (our term not his) Kevin Curtain was inside interviewing winners on a ridiculous stage filled with props. A rumor swirled about Dionne Warwick attending. Sir Woman won for Band of the Year. Spoon won for Album of the Year. Drag Queen Brigette Bandit hosted. There was an excited buzz in the air. It felt like Austin has truly recovered from a disastrous COVID-induced musical decline. The ticket sales even benefited music NPO Sims Foundation.

Early arrivals for the Austin Industry Awards were treated to performances by Mike Buck and Eve Monsees, a performance by Kathy Valentine (The GoGo’s), a mind-blowing beat box rap by Ben Buck and the whole Industry Awards segment was hosted by Billie Buck (Sailor Poon) who completed the circuit by belting out a tune herself at the conclusion. The Buck family is clearly talented and a wise choice by event organizers, who hit the nail on the head repeatedly throughout the evening. Inviting Como Las Movies to perform an extended (for an awards show) set of song capped by a spellbinding duet with Sabrina Ellis and Nelson Valente Aguilar was another great move. So was having a tribute to fallen hero, Daniel Sahad of Nane who died tragically last year.

Como Las Movie’s appearance with Sabrina Ellis (Sweet Spirit, A Giant Dog) was a poignant moment where Ellis strength and versatility as a vocalist was on full display. In an interview with Curtin following the incredible performance, Aguilar let it slip the pair were planning to release a recording in the future. It was a tantalizing reveal for fans of both artists.

Other highlights included watching Curtin work inside on the small stage with winners. His interview with Ellis and Como Las Movies was humorous improv in the twisted way of Austin’s de facto cultural ambassador (no offense McConaughey). Watch for Curtin popping up at The Cosmic Clash’s Psychedelic Plants Clash with Play to the Plants on March 14 at 13th Floor. Limited advance tickets are available for this show featuring Austin’s The Octopus Project.

The super talented Bastrop native Deezie Brown won Best Hip Hop act. Fans can catch Brown headlining The Cosmic Clash + The Loyalty + BLK Vinyl event benefiting SIMS Foundation during SXSW on March 16. RSVP and join the fun at a family-friendly day party sponsored by Weird Water, Independence Brewing and Drinking with Your Ex Podcast.

Non-profit record label Spaceflight won Best Record Label while the Black Angels-owned 13th Floor won Best New Venue as examples of newer businesses who were recognized last night. In another first, Amanda Justice won for Best Live Sound Engineer at the Industry Awards portion, becoming the first female winner in the history of the awards.

Three-time winners this year, Die Spitz provided perhaps the most entertaining live performance of the night with their take no prisoners approach to punk and garage rock. Coming off a sold-out opening slot for Amyl and the Sniffers in Los Angeles, the all-girl band looked tour sharp and ready to take on SXSW.

Austin native and Blue impresario Jackie Venson capped the evening’s performances with a stellar solo set that was positively electric with the singer laying down a blistering Blues solo to put an exclamation point on an evening many industry members view as a time to reconnect and share plans for SXSW and the remainder of the year.