If you’ve been paying any attention during the festival in Austin you know bands flock from around the world to play as many shows as they can fit in between eating and drinking free food and beer. But for a handful of local bands, Austin presents a unique opportunity. Daniels and Animals, an Austin band, have been playing shows together for just six moths and took full advantage of the impromptu venues and multitudes of crowds waiting to hear good music. These boys played at a foosball club, for cryin’ out loud.

Yet, the small room above Coyote Ugly on 6th Street was packed with fans and passersby alike. Daniel McCalib, the singer and point man for the group says he had one of the best shows to date because of the good attitudes of the crowd and loyalty of the bands fans. “The amount of people downtown and the desire of every single person to want to hear good music is just intoxicating. I worked all week, but as soon as I got downtown I could feel something different. There’s just something unmistakable in the air.” Kristian Rogers, drummer, says he is proud to play in Austin because he’s got a good eye on the competition. “The fact that we can make it as a local band in the music capitol of the world is just amazing.”

Words and Photos by Courtney Dudley