South by Southwest
Conferences and Festivals

SXSW Interactive is excited to partner with Mashable, one of the web’s top blog sites for social media news. Did we mention that they also know how to put on a pretty good party? Indeed, Mashable is coming to a city near you to connect with local tech communities and those who lead, power and embrace them. These events mix networking with prizes, food, drinks, music, and web interviews. Come see for yourself at SummerMash Austin, occuring at Buffalo Billiards at 7pm on July 30.

• Nas tops sales with 187k
  Chart watch from Billboard.
• Gas prices impact rock bands
  Story from LA Times. (site reg req’d)
• Parsing Pitchfork’s non-review of the Black Kids
  Post from LA Times.
• Music retailer thrives serving captive audience
  Story from Billboard via Yahoo.
• K-Swift’s death a blow to Baltimore club scene
  Story from Baltimore Sun.
• 10 people who escaped the music business
  Gallery from Rolling Stone.
• Man busted for 14k hits of acid at music fest
  Story from WNYT.

The Freshest Faces
Filmmaker magazine’s annual list highlights 25 up-and-coming filmmakers. This year’s group includes SXSW alumni Barry Jenkins, The Zellners Bros., Jesse Epstein, Joshua Safdie, Tom Quinn, Benh Zeitlin, and John Magary.

Simon Pegg’s Geek Roots Show in Spaced
An interview with the actor/creator, just in time for the US DVD release.

Another One Bites the Dust
indieWIRE’s Anthony Kaufman has the scoop on Netflix’s decision to abandon the theatrical acquisitions and production business.

Harrington to Head Up IndiePix Studios
Ryan Harrington, a former A&E IndieFilms exec, will spearhead IndiePix Studios, a newly launched production and filmmaker relations branch of the IndiePix site.

In honor of Mamma Mia! opening (it’s totally uneven but pretty joy inducing, not despite but because of its kooky awfulness), here’s a truckload of Abba.

SOS

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

SUPER TROUPER

FERNANDO

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

It’s 3 am. I apologize for the not overly informative post, but then again, I’ve gifted you with Abba. No apology needed, right?!

I’m off to the Pemberton Festival in Canada on Friday. Are you? Death Cab for Cutie! The Flaming Lips! My Morning Jacket! Jay-Z! Canadians! I once saw some bears frolicking on the side of the highway en route to Edmonton!

What’s your favorite Abba song? The band your most looking forward to seeing at Pemberton? Email us at musicblog@sxsw.com.

Aprapo of nothing, lp

We’re finally back from the whirlwind that was BlogHer ‘08. We sat in on discussions about green/social change blogging, fashion/beauty blogging, DIY promotion, mommy blogging, women bloggers without children, and politics and blogging. We watched the closing keynote, went to a department store party, and ate cheeseburgers with some talented and amazing women including Whoorl, Fluid Pudding, Jenny Frazier, Schmutzie, Jenn of Tiny Choices, This Military Mama, greenLAgirl, Holly Burns of Nothing But Bonfires, and Stephanie Klein of Greek Tragedy. All in all, a smashing success and we’re glad we braved it alone. Click here for live blogs from the event.