David Wax Museum - “Uncover the Gold”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 10; Popularity Index: 5

Pairs Well With…Punch Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Shovels & Rope

I’ll admit some bias when a favorite all-time bands hits the SXSW circuit, but it’s worth a constant recommendation for one of the most vibrant live acts performing today. While David Wax Museum started rooted in Mexican and Americana folk forms, seven records in with 2019’s Line of Light and the Charlottesville-based duo is more a warm indie rock band than straight roots revivalists. There are still acoustic ramblers like highlight “Equal in the Darkness”, but it’s the dreamier moments of Line of Light that show a band continuing to evolve without losing an ounce of their natural charm. (Kevin McStravick)

2019 Review: A perennial favorite of Operation Every Band, David Wax Museum returns to SXSW to preview record number seven and there’s plenty of paths the Charlottesville-based duo can take given the tracks they have already lain. Hooky pop songwriting, Mexican folk traditions, indie rock/pop diversions, chamber folk atmosphere - all of these forces equally enforce 2017 full-length Electric Artifacts. David Wax Museum are fun and brilliant live, but they are also sonic explorers from studied corners of the globe. The perfect SXSW act.

2016 Review: Five albums in, David Wax Museum continues to evolve with Guesthouse, their most emotional, engaging yet.  The indie folk-pop duo of David Wax and Suz Slezak mine their songs’ roots from traditional Mexican Son melodies, but then reconstruct completely new compositions that oftentimes bloom so strongly that the original idea is merely an added flourish to the band’s rock-solid folk songwriting.  Wax’s voice has even developed a grizzled honesty to fit the open heart of Guesthouse, molding his vocals, as well as all the eclectic instrumentation that David Wax Museum has cooked up, to whatever the song calls for.