Any venue outside of the Austin, TX city limits during the South by Southwest Music Festival tends to resemble Macy’s on Christmas morning- barren and empty.  Despite the untimely booking date, there were still plenty of folks milling around Silverlake’s uber hip hangout Spaceland desiring good live music.  The impressive line-up of You Me & Iowa, Drowning Men, Pacific Ocean Fire and The Antiques only goes to show that SXSW hasn’t caught onto all of the talent indie rock has to offer.

Hailing from the town of Leicester, England comes Pacific Ocean Fire.  One can’t help but scratch their head while pondering their choice in band name.  Hmmmm…. Should we inform them that England is about 7,000 miles away from the Pacific Ocean?  Upon hearing their cozy brand of alt-country (do I dare say Americana?) music, it all makes sense.  The passionate vocal style of Jon Bennet is reminiscent of a Whiskeytown-era Ryan Adams.  He has the rare ability to whisper a gentle lullaby or belt out an emotional lament if called upon to do so.   Jumping off the stage into the audience during “Night Driving” was also a nice touch in creating a close connection with his audience.

Pacific Ocean Fire has the ability to take the listener through a range of emotions using dynamics and instrumentation unique to most bands.  Just when your ears settle into a pattern of listening, Dave Fellows trades his bass guitar for a trumpet adding a rich timbre.  Add into the mix guitarist Ross Voce.  His guitar tones vacillate between sun drenched tremolo and twangy melodic arpeggios building a colorful rural landscape you can hang your hat on.  Andy Bennet’s use of mallets on his drum set from time to time rounds it all out offering a warmth absent from your average bar band.

Here’s a band not afraid of turning their amps down from 11 every now and then while captivating their crowd.  Powerful messages don’t need to make your ears ring by the end of the night, am I right or am I just getting old?