It was a night of cosmic queer country and roots music at Ortlieb’s Sunday night when Paisley Fields and Sug Daniels teamed up ahead of their respective tours to Austin this spring to play the SXSW music industry conference and festival. Both artists will perform at the Don Giovanni Records showcase on Thursday, March 16th at 13th Floor with Teenage Halloween, Lee Baines & The Glory Fires and more.
Daniels is new to the SXSW family, having just released her debut single with the label, the effervescent “When I’m Gone.” At Ortlieb’s, she teamed up with studio collaborator Sam Nobels on electric bass as she got the crowd moving with her uke, her voice and her charisma. Paisley Fields has been in the mix at the label for a little longer; they’ve been making music for a decade, released their 2020 album Electric Park Ballroom with the label, followed last year by Limp Wrist. At Ortlieb’s, they brought sweet melodies and sartorial flare reminiscent of Orville Peck to an intimate crowd.
Opening the night was the only non-DG affiliate, Philly’s Sean Barna, who is releasing An Evening at Macri Park via Kill Rock Stars in May. He too is on his way to Texas, playing the Western Wave SXSW showcase at apparel store Brooke Rodd on March 17th. Paisley Fields and Sug Daniels are taking separate routes to Austin — Paisley playing Snug Harbor in Charlotte tonight, Sug playing Kable House with Lizzie No tomorrow — but they’ll reconnect this time next week.
Check out photos of the Ortlieb’s show below, care of WXPN photographers Megan Matuzak and Paige Walter.
