We had our big unofficial SXSW showcase at The Scoot Inn on Wednesday, and it's my biased opinion that it was an awesome and eclectic afternoon. Really though, the amount of talent and different genres represented was a great surprise, from rockin' Southern psychedelia to personable singer-songwriter folk.

Things kicked off outside with the darling Krista Muir, a Canuck who took the stage with a ukulele, flower print dress and even a flower behind her ear to take us to the shores of Hawaii, back up to the Great White North, and more otherworldly destinations - the subject of painkillers popped up at least once or twice.

Following Muir on the inside stage were Silverghost, a band from Detroit (proper? really?) who traded in slinky, semi-sinister grooves propelled by guitar, synths and drum machines. Instead of coming across as uber-trendy, though, the mix was a great success, combining the classic sonic foundation of bands like The Cramps and The Misfits, and shuffling, modern sensibility and the strength of dueling vocals and stage energy.

Outside, Sleepy Sun from California made an impressive psychedelic squall combining a male-female vocal dichotomy that worked wonders. With pummeling drums, and guitars that felt pulled from a "Since I've Been Loving You" breakdown, it was utterly groovy but commanding of real attention.

Things took a turn for the gothic with the stylings of Larkin Grimm an interesting trio of violin, guitar/vocals and something that looked like a huge dulcimer that sat propped up between two bar chairs. It got downright mystical and weird on the audience, with stories spun about blessings, an "orgasm galaxy" where said orgasms had to be scooped up like - another direct quote - "greased piglets."

Night Horse, meanwhile were all about the ROCK, like foot-up-on-the-monitor-while-you-solo rock, like Black Crowes with a lil' Buckcherry thrown in rock. This band is signed to the label of our partners in SXSW crime, Tee Pee records, and while their style wasn't necessarily a big hit, their enthusiasm was enough to keep us on our toes.

Until tomorrow!