V V Brown Lights Up the Stage at SXSW Gas Pipe Gig

Posted on Mar 20th 2010 2:28AM by Mike Ayers
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In the third of Spinner's four SXSW pop-up shows this week, up-and-coming British soul singer V V Brown played the parking lot of the Gas Pipe Emporium, giving a few hundred fans a taste of the V V experience. And that experience casts a wide net of influences -- she even describes her 2009 debut album 'Traveling Like the Light' as drawing from at least "seven different genres."

Brown took the stage wearing a peacock feather mask, adding a little flare and mystery to her two opening numbers, 'Everybody' and 'Game Over.' To get herself -- and the crowd -- amped, she began by beating on a drum and utilizing a megaphone during the verses of 'Everybody.' Brown proceeded to take the crowd through a myriad of different musical arrangements, showcasing a knack for classic soul on 'Bottles,' '60s-inspired girl pop on 'L.O.V.E.' and a love for modern rap with a cover of Drake's 'Best I Ever Had.'

Brown is currently enjoying a nice wave of buzz during SXSW and is clearly feeling the love. She explained that this is her first time performing at an American festival and tha that she's been wowed at how US audiences have been receiving her. But it's not hard to see why. Onstage, Brown's dynamic ranges draw from the attitude of Erykah Badu, the spasticity of Karen O to her own sincerity. Her voice knows how to transfix itself from one influence to the next, leaving one guessing what else could be in store. Her eight-song set was highlighted by the bygone sounds of a California boardwalk organ jam during 'Quick Fix.' It was a moment where Brown shows a futility in pigeonholing anyone who dares to walk out in the afternoon with a peacock mask.

Watch V V Brown on Spinner's Special 'Live From Austin' Interface