A Dixie Chick Goes To SXSW

Natalie Maines has two gigs to premiere material from her upcoming solo album. Her upcoming appearances at SXSW promise to showcase her edgier side with the Dixie Chicks singer performing her version of a Pink Floyd classic plus other songs.

Photo: AP Photo

The Dixie Chicks lead singer performing during the Fire Relief, The Concert For Central Texas at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

Not only does Maine’s May 7 release on Columbia Records feature her covering Pink Floyd’s “Mother,” but she chose the song for the album’s title. Maines’ version originally appeared on the West Of Memphis: Voices For Justice soundtrack album that accompanied the release of the film documentary “West Of Memphis.”

Produced by Maines and Ben Harper and recorded in the latter’s studio, Mother is touted as being a bit more rock ’n’ roll than fans of the Dixie Chicks might expect. Even though DC members Martie Maguire and Emily Robinson share songwriting credits on one track – “Come Cryin’ To Me” – Maines said the song was excluded from the Chicks’ 2006 album, Taking The Long Way,” because it was “too rock.”

And what better place for a Texas-born singer to showcase her solo material than at SXSW? Maines will appear March 13 at the ACL Live @ The Moody Theater during an evening that will include performances by Family Of The Year, Lord Huron, Iron & Wine and Dawes. Maines will also appear March 15 at Austin’s Central Presbyterian Church on a bill that also includes Charlie Mars and The Wild Feathers.