American Analog Set Return for SXSW, Perform The Golden Band at Insound Birthday Bash

As SXSW music week draws near and the dust settles between last minute invites and patchwork schedules, the real gems of the week rise to the surface. Although the American Analog Set reunion show has been quietly anticipated, we'd be remiss not to mention the significance of it.

American Analog Set (AmAnSet if you're nasty) went on hiatus in 2005, never officially announcing a break-up (heartily refuting it, in fact). The Austin-based group had six full-lengths and a slew of EPs, singles, compilation contributions and unreleased singles collections under their belt; with the astonishingly mature The Golden Band (1999) as a fine centerpiece. With hiatus came other projects: Andrew Kinney toured with Broken Social Scene, released Home Series with Ben Gibbard, and scored Pickup and Return. His recent return to Austin has resuscitated the band, and his new project, Wooden Birds (with Ola Podrida's David Wingo, AmAnSet collaborator Leslie Sisson and Lymbic System drummer Michael Bell), will be playing gigs at SXSW (check the Barsuk listings). Sean Ripple is showing his art at a couple different places around town during the festival as well. Most of us are hoping to be free for Insound's anniversary party on Friday, where AmAnSet will reunite to perform The Golden Band straight through. The album stands out as a true gem in the minimalist post-rock genre, but don't let that description throw you off. We're not talking about Explosions-like drama and Dawson's Creek-side tearjerkers, we're talking about subtle gestures that land somewhere in between Bedhead and Codeine, patient songs that are never dragged about by frantic enthusiasm. They made a significant impact on the music scene that's hard to measure, and we're certainly proud to call them locals.

Whether or not this supports the faint hope of a true reunion with new material remains to be seen, and the smart money is on "don't hold your breath," as Kenny will most likely be spending most of '09 supporting the Wooden Birds Magnolia record (due May 12). You can be we'll keep you posted.