The SXSW Lowdown


Written by Monica Monique

Being my first South by Southwest experience I wasn't sure what to expect. Sure I'd been to other conventions likt CMJ and Foundations Forum but this was different. It was Texas and I didn't think much happened in Texas let alone a music scene. So off I headed.
I decided on going to the whole convention (including the Interactive and film). During the Film portion I got to see a good number of films. Some I would recommend like "Dead Man's Curve" starring Matthew Lillard, "Divine Trash" the autobiography on the life and times of Divine and "The Newton Boys" which I happened to luck out and go to the world premire.

Picture from the Newton Boys premiere: L-R Linklater, Margolis, McCoughney, Hawke and Yokam

Then there were films I wouldn't recommend like Barbaque a love story. All I can say is that it was midless, plotless, dribble. And those where the good points. Thank god I was there for the MUSIC portion of SXSW I endured the pain of movies until the music part of SXSW started. Ahhh just what I was waiting for. Open Bars, meeting people, seeing bands, oh did i say open bars? That Wednesday night I managed to catch one good show The Beat Angels. Since the beat angels are a pretty high engery group I figured I'd call it a night and just gear up for the next day. Well I wont bore you with the day by day convention panels because, well, frankly they were like every other panel I've ever gone to. Chit chat, inside jokes and fake smiles. But don't get me wrong I like panels, they are nice and predictable.

I Finally went out to enjoy the nightlife on 6th Street in Austin. VERY SURPRISING! Bar after bar after bar. It was like being in TJ except everyone spoke english and I didn't have to worry about passing out and waking up minus an internal body part. Piano bars to techno bars to rock n'roll bars. Austin had it all and Austin seemed to have all the people too. It's a place.. well I could get used to if I needed to.
The venues in Austin are extreme! VERY close together and well managed. La Zona Rosa was probably my personal favorite. Big, Airy but close and friendly. That's where I had the pleasure of seeing Sonic Youth as well as Bran Van 3000, I also checked out the CD NOW party there.. TWO horrible bands played but I will spare their names to protect them. But if anyone else was there they know who they are.
All in all Austin was a great city and SXSW proved to be a memorable experience. I met a lot of locals as well as Industry people and had a lot of free drinks. Highlights? The Falling Wallendas, The one night i got LIT and the cool people I met. Lowlights? Lame airplane ride, shmoozing for party passes and comming home.

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