Category Archives: SXSW

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SXSW 2010 Over Interactive

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Dude, I love my blog. I can share my life, thoughts, typos and photos with ease in one place. I love my Twitter account. I am mainlining everything there is on the internet about the Olympics. I’m learning things about technology for free. I follow npr and cnn news to feel smarter. I love mental floss.  I love knowing what my friends in San Diego and Austin are up to.

As I prepare for another annual trip to Austin for my favorite week of the year, I am getting a little nervous about SXSW. When I first went with KD and LC, I thought I was getting in a secret club. The emails that went around had a small number of names at the top. You didn’t forward to someone who wasn’t deserving. I had to pass a test (kidding). There were free parties for people who loved music and SXSW but were in the cool kids club that weren’t going to pay for it.

Today, as I look through the 20 people I’m following on Twitter that have tags like ‘freesxswparties’ and ‘sxswforfree’ I’m seeing they have thousands of followers. There aren’t that many parties. Or venues that fit that many people. At least not that I know of. Last year there were parties we couldn’t get into, we’d just sigh and move on. We’d show up earlier and earlier to ensure we got in to see who we wanted. And there weren’t that many Twitter/facebook invites.

This year everything is on facebook. There are a dozen blogs and sites with links to the rsvps we used to have to hunt down. Anyone can see it. Should I be nervous? I am. I haven’t even booked my flight because I’m thinking about going early for the interactive parties I usually miss just to make sure that I can get in and around.

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SXSW 2009 – Saturday

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We got off to a little bit of a late start Saturday. By the time we got downtown, LC had let us know not to bother with the 5 block long line at the Rachel Ray show. We took our time and enjoyed a lunch at the Brick Oven and headed over to the Mohawk Hot Freaks Showcase.

Boy were we glad we did. KD, SB, RB, and I picked the right place at the right time (again!). I got frisky with the door guy and finagled a crazy extra amount of extra free drink tickets. Yum. JC showed up and met us, and some of KD’s friends. We saw the Vivian Girls, Viva Voce, Camera Obscura, and Peelander-Z. Peelander-Zis the band you see three hundred pictures of. Maybe it was the 50 PBR’s, but their show was pretty hilarious.

JP and JC suggested that we go see the Gay Blades, a band that had played the Midgetmenshowcase Wednesday that I sadly missed. So we headed over to the Jackalope after joining up with DW. It was there I met my sister in law for the first time. Super exciting! We got along so well we didn’t even notice some band had canceled and there was no music. Oh well! The afternoon was a blast – my favorite kind of let’s all just go with the flow day. The Gay Blades music and showmanship was great and I was excited to be running around town in the great weather.

Click here for the ton of Saturday day show photos.

Everyone went their separate ways for the night and KD and I decided some home cooked food and a break sounded good. We headed to her place and not only caught the end of a close UT game, but saw the fireworks over Auditorium Shores for a show there right from her place. It was pretty amazing. A short snooze later we decided to check out the iheartcomix party, with a lineup that included Popo, Jaimie Fanatic, Maluca, and Diplo. We tried our best to ignore the strange surroundings, the weird crowd, and the warm beer, but couldn’t handle the awful sounding music and the wait in between sets. We made it to until about 2 and called it a night, sorry Diplo. That’s two years in a row I couldn’t hold out for you…We were glad to have made it out, but there are no photos, as there was not much to photograph. As far as I’m concerned, it’s best that we made it back out even if it was a bust, or we would have always wondered…

peelander-Z

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SXSW 2009 – Friday

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Friday KD dropped me off right on time to walk right in to a door with no line, where I could go inside and meet all the boys, get a wristband for all the beer I could drink for $2, and listen to more fantastic music. Yes, I went in. Yes, I got the wristband. Yes, Club Deville can sure throw a day party!

A few silly conversations and Tallboy PBR’s later, we saw a great lineup: The Obits, American Analog Set, The Thermals, and The Hold Steady.All good stuff. Other highlights of my day included seeing more old friends, watching the boys make everyone’s mouths drool by ordering a pizza, and switching from tallboys to normal size beers, but realizing that would mean a four-for-one plan would be set in place. I didn’t get a picture of the group, but I’ll find you one. We were the party, that’s my favorite!

Here’s the link to the Friday Day photo set.

I ran out to see my favorite band, pH10, on their way to setting up, and met up with LC, JA, etc at Side Bar and saw a band called Deer Tick. (Thanks, LC!) It was adorable. Look at the pictures. They are young. And fun.

Friday night KD and I met up with JC and finally remembered there are places to eat that don’t get busy, you just have to hunt for them. We ate at Saba, and super happily SA and JM ran over to say hello. We all ran in to the craziest bar party ever just to be able to have a drink and visit. It scared JC so much he went home- but it was exactly what I needed, a drink and loud music trying to get you excited. No one’s fault it wasn’t very good… SA and JM happened to be meeting up with a friend at the same place KD and I were headed – so I got to run into a friend from kickball – which you know is a long time ago since it was one of my first blog posts! We hung out for a bit and watched the few bands and WB also met up with us. Then it was time for Honeyclaws, a band I really enjoyed last year. It was fun to see how much they’ve improved and how they came together and adapted to better suit their individual styles.

WB gave in since it was late but KD and I made it all the way across town for the greatest performance from pH10. With a limited time to set up and rock out, they did just that. I couldn’t be happier to have such talented friends! We also caught i45. Fun stuff.

Here’s the link to the Friday Night photo set.

fri-night

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SXSW 2009 – Thursday

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Let’s get the recap party started.

I arrived in Austin Thursday afternoon. KD, being all business, picked me up and we headed to the Fader Fort, it was a great time to pick up our wristbands for that. We dumped my stuff and headed to the Red 7. The Mexican (full strength!) beer, the warm sun, and no idea what band I was about to see. The Hard Lessons killed it. And reminded me the music really was why I was here….

Lucero came out next. Another fun set of dancing rock music. And then, the Hold Steady. I started to feel spoiled. We were having a great time and I got to see almost all my old buddies right away. Then, the littlest man ever decided to pick a fight. Then a nice guy saved us. That’s why there are weird pictures, had to get one of the creepy guy and one of the nice guy. After the fact the story doesn’t have as much punch, but it was a continued theme throughout our weekend that I kept wondering if my marriage or life keeps the weirdos away…

I took so many pictures you all need to sign up for snapfish if you haven’t already, I can’t possibly get them all up here. This is the link to the Thursday day pics- click and join – it’s free!

That show ended and we happily headed over to the Fader Fort. As you know if you’ve read Who’s Going Softly, my favorite band is Massive Attack. I got to see them back at ACL. They got me in to Tricky, and he happened to be appearing at the Fader Fort. I was super excited. We had a little bad DJ set wait, and then as it got dark, this crazy beefed up rock star emerged and looked like he was tearing it up. He looked intense. Problem was we couldn’t really hear him all that well. We’ll chalk that show up to an experience, either way.

We wandered, ate, and went out for a show that I would love to tell you about – but I don’t know what any of the band names were, and all my pictures look like black rooms with red dots. Hmm…I bet that was because of the Free! Vodka!

Here’s the link to the second set of photos, Thursday Night. Trying to make this easy on you…

fader fort tree

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Can You Believe

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You’ve all missed me terribly, I know! Well, of course SXSW was amazing and I actually got some really great pictures that I look forward to sharing with you. I had a blast and as always love going back to Austin the best week of the year.

The thing is, though, that I decided I wasn’t done. Or MK did, really. So we’re still vacationing. And it’s a good one. Can’t wait to catch up but you’ll have to give me some time!

outta here

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Overheard

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Updated to add:

As you see to the right, Worpress updated and added a Twitter widget! Now either click the link “Some Twitter” to see that page or view the updates in the sidebar. W00t!

There’s nothing like listening in. Maybe it’s not even on purpose, but someone speaks out so loudly you can’t help but hear. Especially in a big crowd. At SXSW last year, one of my moves was “That’d make a good band name” if we all heard a silly comment out of context. Or sharing with the group if it was worth repeating. A personal fave of mine would be LC’s eyes going mega wide if we heard the same hilarity.

One SXSW feature this year is a compiled site from PepsiCo called Twitter Visualizations. It lets you know what people are doing, where they are and even if there’s a line to get in the party you’re headed to.

My favorite part by far is the Overheard section. By putting OH in front of the Twitter message – you know someone couldn’t believe their ears and needed to share. There’s nothing funnier than hearing something that makes you wonder about the stranger standing next to you. Except maybe immediately writing it up and sharing it. 😉

I’ve enjoyed “Breakfast is the most important taco of the morning”

“Can we “crash” the Microsoft party?” (get it…?)

and

“How do you get BBQ sauce off your iPhone?”

twitter OH

Updated to add:

As you see to the right, there’s a link for you to find and follow me. Not much up yet but next week should be fun. Between Twitter,  Facebook and this blog, I’m so out there!

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Free Limo Anyone?

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TheRSVPing has begun. I’m just all up on the internet looking up last years parties (totally the first time this blog has been a resource for anyone) and trying to find the new ones. The free ones. The best ones. SXSW’s a little ways a way but sneaks up on us fast so I’m going for a head start so we’re not pulling a last year (Sparks at the house for hours of “where do we go from here?” debates). Actually that was funny but you know what I mean…

This year the intensity of my excitement is making me nervous. It’s honestly been a crappy couple weeks (months?). Don’t get me wrong- I love skiing and being here but as you know it’s been a little heartbreaking and sad. Getting back to Austin with some of the greatest people I know has me so happy. I hope SXSW can live up to these high expectations. I want to see pH10! I want that place packed! I want to get free drinks, not wait in lines! See the bands everyone is dying to see.

So imagine my chagrin when I see so many great line ups so far away from my foot-coverable ground. We couldn’t even find cabs to get us to the East side last year, it was a zoo. The buses were slow. So we need some help.  I’m going to go ahead and put out there that I need a limo. You put it out there you get it right? (We learned all about that JC and KD). No cab for me. We’re going all out. I want someone to volunteer to drive my friends and I around. Let’s all focus our energies or whatever (I didn’t read the book, what do you call it…) and it’ll come true. Right?

A girl can dream…

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Appreciating Your Understanding

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Man, I miss you guys! This intermittent blogging is just not working for me! I’m not even sure what’s going on or what to tell you about. We’re sending the computer in so that’s the good news, mainly that it’s not my fault and will get fixed apparently under warranty. Bad news is I’m going to be begging for blogging during SXSW! That’s right folks, finally after much drama my flight is (correctly) booked and I’m off. I was nervous MK wasn’t going to send me but I convinced him getting away will be good for me. SB and others will be there and that has me super excited that this year will be the best yet. The party invites are already rolling in. The band list looks great, as always.

Hopefully KD will put up with my chronicling our adventures this year for posterity from her gear since I’ll be empty handed. Or maybe even JC’s iPhone would do the trick – Apple had a WordPress application that Blackberry doesn’t. Boo. If nothing else, know that I’ll take a ton of pictures and good notes!

In other quick blurt update kinda news we had a ton of snow this week. I still end up last all the time but have to admit I impressed myself – if no one else- this week by learning a lot about how to ski when you can’t see your skis.The pictures don’t do the snow of the crazy new runs justice. I almost want to get myself the shirt ASH liked, “Sometimes I amaze even myself!”

powder lotsa snow new run tb in powder me ski

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SXSW Edumacation

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Last year, I posted this hilarious list as my post SXSW wrap up . It held true this year as well. In addition, in Vice style, I’ll show you my personal Dos and Don’ts. We’re getting pretty good at this, my friends and I. I mean, we managed this with me as a quasi non local this time around. Add yours in the comments if I missed some…

Do:

  • Bring more band aids. Those blisters aren’t battle scars you can brag about.
  • Wear almost whatever you want. Everyone else is going to. Just don’t expect to ever get it really clean again.
  • Act like a rock star. Why not?
  • Buy the biggest sunglasses you can find. It’ll be your little secret how wasted you are.
  • Announce “That would make a good band name” any time it applies. Never gets old.
  • Tell everyone that hasn’t been to SXSW that you can’t really explain it. They wouldn’t understand.
  • Force everyone you know to listen to the new music you discovered. It’s your duty.
  • Create more options than you have. Make your own party.

Don’t:

  • Listen to the radio for at least two weeks. It will only disappoint.
  • Wear Palestinian head scarves around your neck. I’m sorry, that one doesn’t cut it.
  • Make excuses for the post SXSW week depression. It’s yours to own.
  • Eat anything healthy for a week, or try to work out. Your body won’t be ready.
  • Try to talk about Vampire Weekend. You’re already too late.
  • Go see any bands with raccoon tails in their pants. Or no pants. Just trust this one.
  • Tell people you’ll write about it daily on your blog. You won’t.
  • Forget to reserve this week next year: SXSW March 13 – 22, 2009. Until then…

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SXSW 2008 – Night Five, The Grand Finale

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Saturday did not stop. Around 10 or something we wrapped it up at the park and decided it was time to get things started. It’s our last night out, you know? Have to go out with a bang. So what do we do? We texted, we wandered. What is the plan? Imagine the surprise to run in to Fail Safe. They decide to go eat. Some stuff I don’t remember happened… We met back up. We decide to go to Vice Land. The super secret big deal after party. This party last year.

Some of us were on the list. Some of us were not.

You know, the more I think about it, the more I’m not sure if I want to tell you how we all got in. It’s kind of top secret. Not to mention our photos are all over this blog, and I don’t want to be blacklisted. Let’s just say my friends are genius. Like rocket science style. I can tell you what it didn’t involve, and that was money. Read this story. Suckers.

I met some writers. I actually met people that were astonishingly interesting to talk to. The Sparks helped. The ‘little people’ helped. AM dipping his hand into their sombreros looking for chips and dip helped. Ear plugs helped. Every time I’d hit a low, KD would pump me up. We had a little photo shoot. The last pics are all of our “Vice Party Dos”. We made that party, even if we were mostly oblivious to the rest of it. J listening to me ramble helped me stay awake. We were there almost 6 freaking hours people, I was delirious. I probably owe people apologizes for things I don’t know happened. T punching people in pictures helped. The leg guitar made my laugh muscles hurt:

Looking back, the only bad part of the never ending night was the bruise I’ve still got a week later on my ankle, due to some over zealous beach ball kicking. I can handle it.

You still haven’t looked at all my pictures? Here they are.

Last Year, Night Six

Last Year, The Finale