Photo Courtesty KLRU / Scott Newton
In its 40th TV season, KLRU’s Austin City Limits has brought a loaded hand to the table. With tapings from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jeff Tweedy, Los Lobos and Beck, the series has continued to honor venerable legends and legends to be. Looking ahead, we see a stellar future lineup of singer-songwriters and new-wave purists alike; Jenny Lewis, Future Islands, and Spoon, to name a few. The show’s charm lies in its ability to bring an audience, both in studio and watching at home, closer to the live performances our artists are able to pull off so gracefully in front of a stellar set of studio professionals. World-class audio and light displays are captured with precision and clarity for the viewer back home.
Photo Courtesty KLRU / Scott Newton
Continuing with this tradition Tuesday night was J. Roddy Walston and the Business, whose southern-infused rock and roll charmed the audience enough for a standing ovation and encore. Roddy is a workhouse, as seen throughout the hour-long set of non-stop adrenaline-raising hooks and sing-along choruses. Standing at the front of stage with long wavy hair cascading off his self-described 5’9″ frame, he waved his hand above his head and from side to side, wooing the audience to dance and sing, carouse and enjoy the moment, to lose inhibition. And while the audience may not have indulged as much as Roddy beckoned, the packed Moody Theater was visibly engaged by the four-piece and their amped bar room RnR. At times drawing influences from contemporaries like their similarly southern-fried friends, (early) Kings of Leon, they quickly were able to jump to more traditionally roots-inspired blues and Texas boogie shuffles.
Photo Courtesty KLRU / Scott Newton
Lead guitarist Billy Gordan graced stage left with a swagger contained only by a black leather jacket and jeans with holes in the knees. His wailing tones built the highest dynamic moments, giving Roddy a brief respite from the spotlight that he fills so naturally with visible hardworking effort: sweat. “I’m already sweating,” Roddy confessed after the first song.
Photo Courtesty KLRU / Scott Newton
Complete with three-part harmonies, the band dove deep in their catalogue for throwback, “Sally Bangs,” demonstrating obvious showman’s talent. While not necessarily reinventing the wheel with their brand of tavern-style drinking songs, they approach the live show as an opportunity to connect with the audience in true rock and roll confidence–they ain’t too proud to beg–as seen by Roddy getting down from the stage in entering the throng of true blue “J. Rowdies” to show his love for the crowd.
J. Roddy will be back in Austin for Austin City Limits Oct. 3 and 10, in addition to a special aftershow at Stubb’s.
