Jeff Tweedy performs for an Austin City Limits taping.
Photo by Chad Wadsworth
For a town that claims Wilco as a second son, Austin has enjoyed its fair share of time spent with Jeff Tweedy and company. Friday night though, the man in denim gave us two firsts, an Austin City Limits taping without the backing of his Wilco band mates and an introduction to material from his forthcoming album Sukierae, played by a new troupe simply named, “Tweedy,” featuring his son Spencer on drums and childhood friend, bassist Darin Gray.
The evening’s 27-song set was neatly split between well-received tunes from the new album with lush background vocals, care of guests Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, and well-worn Wilco and Uncle Tupelo favorites that Mr. Tweedy delivered mostly solo. Watching Mr. Tweedy work the raucous Austin crowd, you wonder if the man could just have easily enjoyed success as a stand-up comedian. Commenting on why it took him more than 30 years to write a solo album, Tweedy quipped, “It took me 18 years to grow a drummer.”
Jeff Tweedy performs for an Austin City Limits taping.
Photo by Chad Wadsworth
Jeff Tweedy performs for an Austin City Limits taping.
An Austin production company is launching a new local sketch comedy series, and they want Austinites to get in on the fun in person. Originator Studios already has a 20-minute Lawn Party pilot ready to go — but as filmmakers Willie Rockefeller and Derek Gildersleeve are shopping it out to film festivals and investors, they want to start gathering an audience.
Having a loyal audience will ultimately increase Lawn Party's chances of being picked up, so Originator is throwing an actual party December 6 at event venue Shady Springs (9401 Sherman Rd.). Guests can expect stand-up comedy, live sketches, live music, and even kiddie pools and one big pool, despite Austin's weather taking a recent turn for the very cold.
It'll also be a good opportunity for comedy fans to get in touch with the local scene, thanks to a cast full of Austin comics: Sarah Yoakley, Chad Werner, Kelsey Pribilsky, Kaci Beeler, Rochelle McConico, Yola Jean Lu, Tinus Seaux, Kolby Jacobs, and Garrett Rojas.
Synth pop duo Jane Leo will provide sonic support, and spacey musical cult Grandmaster has lent music to the cinematic and fun series intro.
For those abstaining from December swimming, there will be food, drinks, lawn games, and raffles for prizes including Moontower Comedy Festival badges.
“We’ve spent fifteen years running a production company,” said Rockefeller in a press release. “But Lawn Party is the thing we’ve always wanted to make. We built the sandbox; now we’re inviting everyone to come play.”
Even if Austinites aren't closely following local comedy, they may know Originator from its work on Stavros Halkias' Netflix comedy special, Fat Rascal, or Joe List's special Small Ball. The studio also works on commercials, livestreams, and other creative content.
To pull off the Lawn Party series, Originator has already raised more than $30,000 on a Kickstarter campaign that ended December 1. The campaign promises "uniquely strange characters plucked from everyday life" along with "relatable situations gone awry" and of course "a hint of social commentary."
“We wanted the series — and the event — to feel like Austin," said Gildersleeve. "Smart, weird, collaborative, slightly unhinged in the best way.”
If this success continues, it looks like plenty of Austinites will be able to watch along from home someday. But until then, there's Eventbrite. Tickets are $17.85 with tax and fees.
“When you show up for Lawn Party, you’re not just supporting local comedy,” said a team statement. “You’re joining it.”
