S.A. Weekly Music News and Updates
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© 2008
S.A.M.B.E. SXSW Nightly (Almost) Reviews & Updates
March 6, 2008
Volume 10, issue 52
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SXSW 2008 Film Screenings
03/07, 03/08, 03/09, 03/10, 03/11, 03/12
03/13, 03/14, 03/15
SXSW 2008 Music Showcase – Wednesday 03/12
Thursday 03/13 <•> Friday 03/14 <•> Saturday 03/15 <•> Sunday 03/16
SXSW 2008 Venue & Hotel Map
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Quik-Piks
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Friday March 7
Arrive In Austin! 1:30pm
Compared to the mishaps of last year at the Courtyard Marriott, The Hilton Garden is a great place to stay. Stayed here before when it was the Garden Plaza and there are distinct improvements.
Kudos to the SXSW Volunteers and Staff. Went to register about 4:30pm and the line stretched all the way to San Antonio CORRECTION Trinity St. NOT (Red River St. Entrance). I thought, hell, time to do a little reconnaissance. Came back and the butt end of the line was in New Braunfels, (information Booths). It didn’t take but 10 minutes to get from New Barunfels to San Marcos (the escalators to Austin) Another 10 Minutes and I was in Austin (second floor {4th leve} Pre-registration). Should have known that after several reminders to HAVE YOUR PICTURE ID READY, I would be the one to gum up the works. Due to the ability of the young lady that was the checking ID’s, like any good traffic cop, she just pushed me aside and directed traffic around me. It was great! After 22 years SXSW has gotten the registration nightmare down to an exact science. 3:45pm 03/10/08
FILM: The Upsetter: The Life & Music of Lee Scratch Perry (9:00pm) @ Alamo Ritz 1 320 E. 6thTo be honest, I never heard of Lee “Scratch” Perry before I read the introduction in the SXSW film intro. Time for some schoolin’ and schoolin’ I did get. The beginning of the film seemed at times to be the ravings of a complete lunatic, but when taken as a whole, were and are the words and works of a true genius. Perry has the uncanny ability to take abstract words and phrases and construct a world that has more meaning, while defining intense emotions, that even Shakespeare could not comprehend. The crowning point of the film is when Perry encounters an arrogant asshole in a gift shop and deftly dances around the insults thrown at him while completely humiliating his antagonist. It was totally spontaneous! “You could not script it”. During the Q & A after the film, the producers said it was very difficult to not lay down the cameras and get physical. Would I recommend seeing this film? Hell no!
I demand that you go see this film. Leave your closed mind and prejudices at the door and expect to be enlightened an entertained. PS: There is a sequel in the works.
03/08/08 12:40am
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Saturday March 8
Stoney’s Pizza @ Corner of Red River & 6th.
Great Thin Crust pizza with fantastic ‘spice rich’ sauce. 03/08/08 11:55pm
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Sunday March 9
Day Light Savings WHAT?? 9:44am 03/09/08
The PopSci.com Party at Emo’s turned out to be a DRAG for this non-smoker. PopSci should have informed attendees that Emo’s is NOT SMOKE FREE!? SMOKE Em’ If Ya’ Got Em’! Enter at your own risk! 515 E. Sixth St., Austin, 494-9336 1:25am 03/10/08
Eat Early! or go hungry!! Of course there is always, UGH! Microwave ‘stuff’ 1:25am 03/10/08
If you want authentic 6th Street blues, Nuno’s On Sixth is the place to go. 2:33am 03/10/08
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Monday March 10
Emo’s (NOT SMOKE FREE!? SMOKE Em’ If Ya’ Got Em’) Enter at your own risk! 515 E. Sixth St., Austin, 494-9336 1:25am 03/10/08
Older Than America is NOT in Distribution.
Wake Up! This is a great story about injustice that should be spread across the planet.
3:45pm 03/10/08
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Tuesday March 11
Widgets? Are they a necessary tool or just a new piece of net clutter?
When artist/musician/band blogs become more of a marketing tool than a means of really interacting with a fan base they become meaningless. 12:55pm 03/11/08
How will Piracy save the Music Industry? It will NOT.
LABELS are DEAD. They are like the roach that has just been sprayed. They are on their backs with their flailing legs in mid air. They are dead and dieing! At some point in time a more appropriate way of providing music to the masses will appear. Will it be the stepchild of piracy? Maybe! Will artists be compensated fairly? Are artists compensated fairly now? The labels claim of supporting artists is the same as when salve masters tried to justify slavery and indebted servitude.
Overheard!
“I still have my music collection on 2 track tape.” Wow. Talk about an audiophile. Will digital ever acquire the same sonic capabilities as 15ips.
In One Ear and In The Other Ear!
The concept of having micro-mini panels at round tables was ingenious. The trouble was staying focused.
Archiving to RAID, Labels are trying to survive! How large of a hard drive is large enough, and the chaos went on and on. It was great! 4:45pm 03/11/08
From end to end Sixth St is moving to music!
And Moby does What? 3.25am 03/12/08
I miss BRUCE STERLING! A gaping space was evident without his wit and humour! 12:00p, 03/13/08
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Wednesday March 12
When you sign on the dotted line make sure it isn’t in YOUR blood.
Online: Are you part of the CHAOS and NOISE or a part of a Community?
Preferably a community that enjoys your music.
Check out: Bebo, Last.fm
Canadians throw a hell of a party! 5:48pm 03/12/08
As expected the only thing to be expected is the unexpected.
Lil’ Brian at the Musicians Co-Op & Gym on 6th @ I35. 7:30pm 03/12/08
Sometimes the expected is more than you expected. Case in point:
Kalashnikov Web-site: http://www.myspace.com/kalashnikovarmy
This band shoots bullets that sting your conscious and disturb your soul. Did someone say Spinal Tap. If you need a history lesson on modern human violence listening to Kalashnikov will bring that lesson and all the associated gore right to your ears. They are also fun to watch! 8:45pm 03/12/08
And it happens again! I cross Brazos on the way to Antone’s when a sharp chord punctuated the air. I am stopped in mid-stride. I must find out who is making this sound. It is constructed by Pinstripe, a band from South West UK and all of seventeen years old. They are mesmerizing a crowd at BD Riley's. A crowd outside and a SRO crowd inside. The room is filled to capacity! Is this the beginning of another English Invasion. We are talking NEW music, New Sounds!. 10:30pm 03/12/08
Confusion & Chaos Reign at Pangea! Audios Daniel! 10:55pm 03/12/08
And the British Invasion continues with Bo Pepper @ BD Riley's. This group is filled with Pop and lots of Pepper. Sharply crafted songs and engaging melody lines keeps your attention glued to what they are doing. The energetic frontwoman / guitarist makes it all seem like childs play. 12:35am 03/13/08
The nightcap, the artist that brings it all home.
Johnette Napolitano @ 18th Floor at Hilton Garden Inn
Who needs Amy? We have Johnette! 3:50am 03/13/08
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Thursday March 13
Lou Reed …if you have not experienced good sound than MP3s sound great.
Music is not something you learn, it comes from instinct!
“They are not fighting wars over tubes.” 12:10pm 03/13/08
Two Day Parties – Two Great Bands poated 4:30am 03/14/08
Sounds From Spain @ Brush Sq. Park “It’s The freshest thing at SXSW!”
Great food! Even better music by Jet Lag! They would be at home in a Stadium or Dance Club.
Music from Ireland @ BD Riley's 204 E. 6th
Channel One would make a great Ambassador of Music. They are not traditional Irish music. They cross cultural barriers as easily as the wind crosses the sea. An Irish Electro/rock band that will keep you on your feet.
Found at Joe’s Bar & Grill on West Ave. (between W. 5th and W. 6th)
Typhoon Ferri
Another one of those unexpected surprises. If you DO NOT want to think, stay away from this band. If you BELIEVE IN WAR, stay away from this band.
If you believe in peace, then you may not be considered an American! 8:30pm 03/13/08
This just in from L.T.
YB @ SESAC Lounge 12:00pm 03/13/08
“YB presents a beautiful re-creation of the music of the seventies with todays technology and absolute perfect vocals. 9:30pm 03/13/08
Full Service (behind a fence on 6th) 10:30pm 03/13/08
Dahebegebees @ One 2 One Club
If you want to gyrate, tap your foot or just wiggle your ass then this is the band you HAVE to see! 12:30am 03/14/08
Buttercup (1:00am) @ Lamberts Patio 401 W. 2nd St.
Remarks that Lou Reed made during the Keynote presentation DO NOT apply to Buttercup. These guys create on the fly. Rock & Roll Larry takes a dive off the stage “Beer Down, Beer Down” and it instantly becomes part of, not only the song, but the music as well. Sardonic lyrics with an ironic twist. Mental gymnastics that might give a traditionalist a roaring headache. 1:15am~2:00am 03/14/08 poated 4:30am 03/14/08
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Friday March 14
Homogenization is great for milk but LOUSY for music! 4:30am 03/14/08
The future for Record Companies and Artists is unclear, but, the future of the traditional Record Company is bleak. Artists, consult a Great Entertainment Lawyer before signing ANYTHING! 12:30pm 03/14/08
Ok! So Apple sells music to sell iPods. Why can’t artists sell tickets, provide a discount for show tickets or sell other merch and GIVE THE MUSIC AWAY! Record companies fear that artists will begin doing just that. It would be the final nail in the coffin of the traditional record label. WARNING! Labels will do what ever it takes to convince the naive artists that they cannot go it alone. They have many years experience doing just that. 3:30pm 03/14/08
Daniel Lanois @ SXSW Live (The Bat Bar) Austin Convention Center
After the Pangaea fiasco, the thought of missing Lanois for a second time was not comforting. Sometimes the wait is worth it. His performance may have been more personal and intimate but in the Bat Bar the glory of a Lanois performance over powering. A look into the soul of man as stillwater with an introduction to the condition of man to the mournful sounds of a pedal steel. 8:00pm 03/14/08
Japan Night / Avengers in Sci-Fi @ Beerland
After my first deafening experience of Japan Night several years ago I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea. 2008 has been full of surprises. Maybe I am going deaf or somebody has finally realized that for music to be appreciated it has to be actually heard. Avengers in Sci-Fi have learned that lesson well. Not only was their performance at a listenable level it was as tight as drying paint. The drummer kept time as well as any atomic clock while the bass kept the pulse pounding and guitar brought it all together. What a great show. 9:30pm 03/14/08
The Downbeat 5 @ BD Riley's 204 E. 6th
Guy’s, if you don’t want to fall in love, then you do not want to check out this band. Ladies, if you want to heat up your love life, take your man to see this band. OK, so all this is sexist. So What! Telling you that this is a great band usually draws a yawn. But to over use a quote “whatever it takes”. This band is hot. You will experience the ‘bigger than a Texas sky’ vocals of Jen D’Angora, be dazzled by the lightning fingers of JJ Rassler and consumed by the bottom held together by Mike Yocco and Eric Almquist. They have released 3 CD’s that need your immediate attention. Need I say more. 12:10am 03/15/08
The Answer @ The Latitude 512 San Jacinto
If there is such a thing as rock n’ roll DNA then these guys have been experimented on. This hybrid of Led Zeppelin / Areosmith / Rolling Stones reminds you “rock and roll will never die”. There was an awful lot of Irish testosterone flowing. This is a good thing. 1:00am 03/15/08
Supersuckers @ Emo’s Annex
The Supersuckers may claim to be the “greatest rock-n-roll band in the world” but one thing is for sure, the Supersuckers are the hardest working rock-n-roll band in the world. They are willing to do what ever it takes to please their fans. Virtual non-stop touring border to border, coast to coast. They are coming to a city near you soon. 1:50am 03/15/08 posted 4:30am 03/15/08
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Saturday March 15
There it was! Big as life! The reason that song kept repeating over and over in my head. Ya see, there was this cat sitting on a newspaper rack at the corner of 6th and Congress, ignoring everybody passing by, as he strummed his guitar and growled out a Steve Earle song. Is this guy the next American Idol? Nah! He was not doing karaoke, he was just singing for the sake of the song. So, who was this guy? Yep! Texas born and bred from of all places Kerrville, Texas. If you do not know anything about Kerrville and music then you must have been asleep at Music 101. I asked if he could do one of his own songs and as quick a road runner dodging a coyote he let ‘er rip. Down and out, up and down, on the road, off the road, it was all there. By now you are saying to yourself shut up already. Who is this guy? Well, his name is Woody, Woody Wentworth. 12:00pm 03/15/08
Time to get a little self indulgent. The rooster crowed at 11:00am and it took a while to get it together. Panels shmanels! Yes, information and hearing other opinions are part of the reason SXSW is such a value, but they are not the only reason.
Day Party-SFxSXSW: Mud (1:30pm) @ Bourbon Rocks, 508 E. 6th
Covered in glorious MUD. Some bands like playing music. Some bands like just perfroming. Then there is Mud. There was one continous frame of reference. I “Should’ve Known” that this would happen. And I might even have to visit “Apt 4” where you sit where the cat likes to pee. The band gives the distinct impression that ‘this is what we do, this is how we do and we like to have fun doing it’ On of those rare bands that is in tune enough with each other that they move from one song to the next without so much as a ‘boy howdy’. Get Muddy and enjoy yourself. This band may not be in your neighborhood soon but if you are in theirs it would be worth the trip. 12:30am while listening to Mud 03/16/08
Wandered around in a daze for most of the time today. Heard great music and not so great music. All in all it was fun. 6:00pm, 03/15/08
Rachel Goodrich Web-site: http://www.myspace.com/RachelGoodrich 10:00pm 03/15/08
On the prowl again and bored stiff. There is something I am listening for but I just can’t hear it. I must be going Tone Deaf. 12:31am 03/16/08 posted 12:40am 03/16/08
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Sunday March 16
Good Night Austin. It has been a great party. Saw some great shows, missed some great shows. Could it have been better? Of Course! I could have seen ALL THE GREAT SHOWS! I can dream or is that have a nightmare. Desert later today. The Softball Game. 2:05am 03/16/08
Major Upset! Mixed Media Mongrals defeat Print Media in Semi-finals!
Softball Champs for 2008 SXSW!
Talent Buyers led by Mike Mordecai
Runners Up-Mixed Media Mongrels 03/20/08
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SXSW 2008 ‘Almost Nightly’ Updates
SXSW 2007 ‘Almost Nightly’ Updates <> SXSW 2006 ‘Almost Nightly’ Updates
SXSW 2005 ‘Almost Nightly’ Updates <> SXSW 2004 (3/17-20)Updates
News & Views
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