(pg. 42)
The Real Vocal String Quartet
(rvsq.com), from Berkeley, had a different sort
of handicap: As part of a classical-crossover
lineup, they appeared at a venue that
adjoined a loud dance club. Big mistake,
SXSW bookers. “This is a challenging
thing,” one of the semi-mortified players
deadpanned. Yes, these women were a
singing string quartet — kinda like the
Roches with rosin — but they couldn’t
overcome the logistical nightmare handed
to them. Nor did they help their own cause
by, four songs in, insisting to play “something
soft and delicate.”