If I ignore it, maybe it's not really happening. So, as I write this, nearly all my friends and most of my favorite bands are probably nursing hangovers with breakfast tacos in my former adopted hometown. SXSW 2007 is in full swing, and for the first time in (oh, I am loath to say this...) ELEVEN-ish YEARS, I am not there.
(Ok, technically, I missed the festival in 2001 because I was in a wedding in Abilene, Texas -- but at least I was in the state -- and utterly traumatized that I was missing Matthew Sweet play in Republic Park.)
But to be honest, I've kind of enjoyed the lack of SXSW in my life this year. There was something really disturbing about getting a party flyer for an event at Red's Scoot in sponsored by Microsoft Vista. There was also something really disturbing about going back to Austin so soon. It would be like meeting your ex-boyfriend a few weeks after a messy breakup and deciding that one last makeout session for old times' sake wouldn't hurt anything. And we all know that just gets messy. Same thing with me and Austin right now. It would just end in tears.
And yeah, I'm missing bro-downs and free bbq and parties and in-stores galore. But I also don't have to deal with sitting next to assholes at Moonshine and sore feet and crowds and my makeup slowly melting at muggy, stuffy day parties. And the waiting. Oh god, the waiting around. Even with a Platinum badge, so much of SXSW is just ... waiting. Great networking opportunities, sure -- but by Friday night or so, you just want everyone to get on with it already.
Anyway, I have a bead on all you crazy people. I saw The Winterkids' first Stateside gig at the Mercury Lounge the other night, and that's really all I cared about. (They were a little rough around the edges at first, but totally pulled it together by the end. I don't care if This is Fake Indie, they're really charming and fun -- Bloc Party meets Art Brut for the Panic! At The Disco crowd. Don't let that put you off, though. Remember when music was fun? It's good for you.)
And anyway, The Double is playing Cake Shop Friday and Saturday -- and there's a screening of Liquid Sky at The Museum of the Moving image, with members of the creative team in attendance. Plus, I'm saving about $2000, at least. $2000 that I totally don't have after an insane cross-country move without a job lined up -- and buying a fancy new computer. Ahh, reality. The reality being that well, I just couldn't afford the SXSW experience this year.
Because really, besides say, a few other assorted European bands that I've championed here over the past year, everyone I'm interested in seeing, I've seen before -- or they're playing up here in the next few weeks. Though I am sad to be missing a few Cue appearances, I will fess up to that. And naturally, the Beggars/4AD showcase, too. Which would be like, Rich Girls Name Dropping HQ. Hahaha. (I mean, come on -- the chance to see Wayne, Pete & Aurelio, John & Peter AND the Voxtrot kids all in one go seems almost tailor made for us you know.)
But hey, I'm burned out. I needed a break. And good night, the last thing I ever wanted to be was a LOATHSOME MUSIC BLOGGER @ SXSW for the third year in a row. (Though, I am sorry we had to turn down all those requests for dj gigs...)
If you'd told the 19-year-old me, peering through the chain link fence at Liz Phair's SXSW appearance at Liberty Lunch in 1996 (which was ELEVEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Y'ALL) ... that Microsoft would be sponsoring parties dive bars on the East Side -- well, that version of me would have laughed in your face. For like 20 minutes, at least.
That being said, I hope everyone has a great time, really -- and here's a few things you should check out if you're down in Austin. Tell 'em The Rich Girls are Weeping sent you.
+ The instores at End of an Ear. Pick up a tote bag and tell the gang we said, "Hey."
+ Hungover rockstar breakfast @ Bouldin Creek CoffeeShop. The breakfast of champions -- complete with hair of the dog in the form of a frosty Lone Star.
+ Taco Shack. Eat a breakfast taco for me. Eat two. With bacon. Mmmmm.
+ Need new shoes? CREATURES on South Congress.
+ Oooh and ahhh at the beautiful things at Uncommon Objects
+ Go see the Animatronic LBJ at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library.
+ DO NOT TRY AND PICK UP ANY OF THE PRETTY WAITSTAFF AT STARSEEDS. Also, no, they can't turn the stereo down. Suck it.
+ And, remember -- do go to the Teleport Door parties (they helped us throw our grand party last year). Especially Saturday, because Pony Pants & Scream Club rule you.
And remember, please don't do coke in the Beerland bathroom. Seriously. And if you're sick of nasty bathrooms, make a pitstop in the Driskill lobby. Just look like you know where you're going (enter on Brazos Street, walk thru the lobby, take a left at the grand staircase, and the loo's on your left -- alternatively the ones by the bar (up the staircase) are handy as well.) You now know our biggest SXSW survival tip. Well, almost. Maybe next year, we'll tell you where to park for free. EVERY NIGHT. Heh.
WinterKids -- Tape It
Calla -- Sanctify
The Mountain Goats -- Against Pollution
Voxtrot -- Trouble
Pony Pants -- Factory
(Ok, technically, I missed the festival in 2001 because I was in a wedding in Abilene, Texas -- but at least I was in the state -- and utterly traumatized that I was missing Matthew Sweet play in Republic Park.)
But to be honest, I've kind of enjoyed the lack of SXSW in my life this year. There was something really disturbing about getting a party flyer for an event at Red's Scoot in sponsored by Microsoft Vista. There was also something really disturbing about going back to Austin so soon. It would be like meeting your ex-boyfriend a few weeks after a messy breakup and deciding that one last makeout session for old times' sake wouldn't hurt anything. And we all know that just gets messy. Same thing with me and Austin right now. It would just end in tears.
And yeah, I'm missing bro-downs and free bbq and parties and in-stores galore. But I also don't have to deal with sitting next to assholes at Moonshine and sore feet and crowds and my makeup slowly melting at muggy, stuffy day parties. And the waiting. Oh god, the waiting around. Even with a Platinum badge, so much of SXSW is just ... waiting. Great networking opportunities, sure -- but by Friday night or so, you just want everyone to get on with it already.
Anyway, I have a bead on all you crazy people. I saw The Winterkids' first Stateside gig at the Mercury Lounge the other night, and that's really all I cared about. (They were a little rough around the edges at first, but totally pulled it together by the end. I don't care if This is Fake Indie, they're really charming and fun -- Bloc Party meets Art Brut for the Panic! At The Disco crowd. Don't let that put you off, though. Remember when music was fun? It's good for you.)
And anyway, The Double is playing Cake Shop Friday and Saturday -- and there's a screening of Liquid Sky at The Museum of the Moving image, with members of the creative team in attendance. Plus, I'm saving about $2000, at least. $2000 that I totally don't have after an insane cross-country move without a job lined up -- and buying a fancy new computer. Ahh, reality. The reality being that well, I just couldn't afford the SXSW experience this year.
Because really, besides say, a few other assorted European bands that I've championed here over the past year, everyone I'm interested in seeing, I've seen before -- or they're playing up here in the next few weeks. Though I am sad to be missing a few Cue appearances, I will fess up to that. And naturally, the Beggars/4AD showcase, too. Which would be like, Rich Girls Name Dropping HQ. Hahaha. (I mean, come on -- the chance to see Wayne, Pete & Aurelio, John & Peter AND the Voxtrot kids all in one go seems almost tailor made for us you know.)
But hey, I'm burned out. I needed a break. And good night, the last thing I ever wanted to be was a LOATHSOME MUSIC BLOGGER @ SXSW for the third year in a row. (Though, I am sorry we had to turn down all those requests for dj gigs...)
If you'd told the 19-year-old me, peering through the chain link fence at Liz Phair's SXSW appearance at Liberty Lunch in 1996 (which was ELEVEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Y'ALL) ... that Microsoft would be sponsoring parties dive bars on the East Side -- well, that version of me would have laughed in your face. For like 20 minutes, at least.
That being said, I hope everyone has a great time, really -- and here's a few things you should check out if you're down in Austin. Tell 'em The Rich Girls are Weeping sent you.
+ The instores at End of an Ear. Pick up a tote bag and tell the gang we said, "Hey."
+ Hungover rockstar breakfast @ Bouldin Creek CoffeeShop. The breakfast of champions -- complete with hair of the dog in the form of a frosty Lone Star.
+ Taco Shack. Eat a breakfast taco for me. Eat two. With bacon. Mmmmm.
+ Need new shoes? CREATURES on South Congress.
+ Oooh and ahhh at the beautiful things at Uncommon Objects
+ Go see the Animatronic LBJ at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library.
+ DO NOT TRY AND PICK UP ANY OF THE PRETTY WAITSTAFF AT STARSEEDS. Also, no, they can't turn the stereo down. Suck it.
+ And, remember -- do go to the Teleport Door parties (they helped us throw our grand party last year). Especially Saturday, because Pony Pants & Scream Club rule you.
And remember, please don't do coke in the Beerland bathroom. Seriously. And if you're sick of nasty bathrooms, make a pitstop in the Driskill lobby. Just look like you know where you're going (enter on Brazos Street, walk thru the lobby, take a left at the grand staircase, and the loo's on your left -- alternatively the ones by the bar (up the staircase) are handy as well.) You now know our biggest SXSW survival tip. Well, almost. Maybe next year, we'll tell you where to park for free. EVERY NIGHT. Heh.
WinterKids -- Tape It
Calla -- Sanctify
The Mountain Goats -- Against Pollution
Voxtrot -- Trouble
Pony Pants -- Factory
Labels: sxsw 2007=no
posted by cindy hotpoint at 12:00:00 PM
8 Comments:
At the top of this NPR Morning Edition audio report, Stephen Thompson "experiences" SXSW, and re-discovers the "great" band, Shearwater. The link includes their tune, "Hail, Mary," which was performed in a church. In addition, he notes their reissue of their "best of 2006 album," Palo Santo, and predicts it will be best for 2007.
Hahah. We know Stephen! (;
I may be at work right now, but I am so glad I'm venturing out into the rain in Chelsea rather than the rain on South Congress...mainly because it's about 20 degrees warmer there. Ick.
well you both are missed - and we even have a band from/or living now in Brooklyn playing nearly everyday (and hopefully James M isn't bringing a fog machine Sat)
BTW - the new Cyann & Ben is really good.
oh - and you would be totally impressed with Leslie's fashion choices for this week - he/she outdid himself this week - I guess to impress the out-of-towners. Today it was sort of like seeing Princess Leia after a long night of drinking full bottles of Jack Daniels.
Oh how things change...I don't think the new Scoot Inn qualifies as a dive bar anymore now that it belongs to the Long Branch guys and has gotten a facelift.
Wow - is there a festival in NYC next weekend? Wait, no, but damn - it seems like it. Buck up, former Austin-er, this is the one weekend concert-going NYC rests up for the other 51 festival weekends of our year:
(not to mention mazarin tonight at the Knit, and tomorr Jennifer O'Connor at southpaw and emma pollock/jena malone at union hall)
oh, next sat 3.24 at 3rd ward: Lightning Bolt & Marnie Stern;
oh Fujiya and Miyagi at Merc Lounge on a frikkin tuesday;
oh Young Knives same place next thursday, not even sold out;
oh oh langhorne slim southpaw fri;
oh Changes Wed @ Union Hall;
and I suppose I'm missing others. El-P's at bowery thursday, but that new album is godawful. really. Prawnfork is out of their minds with that sticky 8.0 they've been handing out (new Patrick Wolf is better than new Low? Phooey) lately.
ph and you probably know this:
sun april 8 at bowery:
Xiu Xiu
Shearwater
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
hohum
dan: sounds like a riot, as always. did the fog machine make an appearance?
j. frank: AGGGGH!!! How did I miss Mazarin? Criminal, I tell you. I wanted to get out to see Jena Malone, but figured everyone not in Austin would be there. Did you go?
But yes, I'm totally looking forward to the super-Cindy-approved bill of Xiu Xiu, Shearwater, and CTFTPA. Couldn't have put together a better tour if I tried.
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