The Amazing Pilots

The Amazing Pilots are actually two amazing brothers, Phil and Paul Wilkinson, of Coleraine, Northern Ireland (Come on you Bannsiders!), although they have relocated to Dublin. They play this amazing (sorry) pop that soars like the wonderous landscape of the North Antrim coast, providing relief from the cramped housing estates of Coleraine. This same pop is remniscent of the sounds of Moose, the lilting acoustic guitar, the wandering slide guitar, and a pop sensibility that can get those toes a-tapping. They’re one of what, 1,200 bands, playing SXSW, so for anyone attending who needs some help filtering through all the choices, remember, the Amazing Pilots.

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Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel

So, my wife and I are taking our daughter on her second trip to Chicago (or “Ka-goh,” as she likes to say) a week AFTER Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel plays at Schuba’s, one of the greatest bars in the whole world. I bet the kid would love Anna’s clear vocals and rootsy country-rock (in fact, she’d probably say “better,” in comparison to something else that wasn’t as good). I’m not sure if they’d let almost-two-year-olds in, though.

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