One of the best ways to enjoy SXSW is to roam, talk to locals and only use your handwritten schedule as a rough draft. Perfect example of this theory happened Saturday at the Filter BBQ. I went there to see Sea Wolf, who were excellent and packed the Cedar Street courtyard. I had planned on skipping the headliner, Kate Nash, until it was announced that Billy Bragg would accompany her for a few songs. So, of course, I stayed and found myself in a very nice conversation with the local anchor of the Austin NBC affiliate, Michelle Valles, and her producer, Haley Cihock, who persuaded me to drop all of my plans for later in the night and see Carolyn Wonderland at Antone’s.

I explained that I really wanted to see my girlfriends the Donnas at Emo’s, to which Valles took her sunglasses off and said, “Tony, forget about all those little bands down there on 6th street. Carolyn is Janis Joplin, only better.” And sure enough, at midnight, there I was standing feet away from Ms. Wonderland, at Antone’s, and after the first tune in which she shredded all over the lap steel, I smiled at Ms. Valles, who was completely and utterly correct. Carolyn Wonderland is the real deal. She’s an amazing guitar player. She whistled a solo. She even played the trumpet! And damn, can she sing.

If Jack White is looking to partner up with another veteran female singer, the same way he backed and produced Loretta Lynn so marvelously, he should beeline it to Austin and team up with Carolyn Wonderland. She is the perfect match for him — she plays real blues, sings like someone from a different time, and she’s a ridiculously talented musician who has recorded 20 albums and yet, she’s this local treasure who remains virtually unknown.

Video and more pictures after the jump.

Nash and Bragg complimented each other perfectly during the encore of Nash’s set at the Filter BBQ. (photo by Michelle Valles)

Sea Wolf filled the stage with musicians, and filled the courtyard with dark, dynamic tales.

Thanks for the tip about Carolyn, Michelle (above, right) and Haley (above, left). I owe you one!

– post, video, and photos by Tony Pierce