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AUSTIN, TX- The dark interior of The 13th Floor was a welcome reprieve from Austin’s sweltering heat. I greeted the AC like an old friend as I approached the front of the stage to watch Noah Vonne perform. Giddy attendees were gathering at the front, and the energy in the room was joyous. If you’re unfamiliar with Noah Vonne, her music combines elements of indie rock, blues, pop, and even a little dance. The indie rocker was all smiles as she walked onto the stage with her backing band. I later realized that the palpable joy was due to the audience largely consisting of her friends. As it turns out, Vonne is a Texas local turned LA transplant, and this was a hometown show for her. This showcase wasn’t just another SXSW performance—it was a reunion.
Noah Vonne’s history is evident in her music from the first note. She’s an expert in blending her Southern roots with SoCal cool. There was a growl in her voice plucked straight from old-school blues that she manipulated in interesting ways. Her guitar anchored itself in the bluesy rock language of artists like The Black Keys. There was also a heavy dose of pop in her arrangements and in her songwriting as a whole. Her melodies felt current and singable like a straight-up pop song, but her gritty voice kept them from being too sweet. Her backing band was solid and held down the groove so Noah could let loose. Bassist Ell Burgos smoothly transitioned through moments of funk and a more straight-up rock approach, while her drummer (Jake Will) and guitarist (Tate Sablatura) strayed from flashy overplaying and supported Vonne perfectly. The band played a huge role in keeping the energy up and driving the set forward—no easy feat on a sweaty Austin Saturday afternoon when most folks are still sleeping off their hangovers.
Her friends hyped her up from the audience as Noah Vonne wailed over driving guitars. You could tell she was feeding off their energy with each passing song. Her most bluesy contribution, LA Witchy Woman, was a highlight, showing off her perfectly dirty vocals, while the dancey, Blondie-esque track Genuine was a welcome surprise. Beyond her powerful voice, Vonne’s superpower is staying true to her sound while trying on new ones. She’s able to add a little disco to the drums or a little funk to the guitar without losing what makes her magical. After she performed, it was heartwarming to see her friends rush to embrace her. SXSW shows can feel like an endless revolving door of artists with very little downtime in between. But in the divey 13th Floor bar area, everyone took a moment to celebrate Noah Vonne’s enigmatic presence.
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CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE ACTS WE CAUGHT AT SXSW!
