My SXSW Stories

INTERACTIVE

Sarah Szalavitz, Veoh
With the recession stewing and the industry of expression becoming unhinged, I feared this year's SXSW might have been a funeral for my dreams. Blissfully, out of the deepest darkness, renaissances spring forth.

At the behest of @monstro, I blindly agreed to compete in Battledecks2, told only it was like being a game show contestant. Straight off my flight, I found myself comparing the virality and virility of Mark Zuckerberg to Stalin, in front of 400 people. Despite my terror, I managed to tell some kind of story and even found myself approached by potential investors. From there the fest took off: I attended panels and served on one, met with possible collaborators, plotted, schemed, partied, danced, listened and simply wondered!

After 10 days of over-stimulation, tired and twittered out, I returned to the Austin airport, inspired and sad to leave my geek mecca. I sat down next to a stranger and asked if I could share his plug. After the standard twitter name exchange (@dearsarah, @whatevrnvrmind), we reviewed the festival: were we Web 2.over it? Was social media transforming itself into mob rule? Wasn't it cool that a movie actually sold? Are we all doomed to the fate of the music industry? What about all those li'l struggling musicians in their tight pants, unable to afford $4 a gallon gas for the way home? But, what about Parlour Mob? Astra Heights? My Morning Jacket? Even amidst all these questions and economic woes, SXSW still left us overwhelmingly hopeful, believing in the possibilities and potential for collaboration and connection.
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Smitha Prasadh, IBM
I was just impressed by how friendly the crowd was. And as someone with very few web design/culture-savvy contacts back home in Atlanta, the novelty of being around so many other designers still hasn't worn off. Also, you have to love a conference that offers both yoga and kickball for its attendees.
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Robin Monheit, Passive Aggressive Notes
After six months of backpacking through Australia, I was in no hurry to come back to a New York winter, but my best friend Kerry convinced me that meeting her in Austin for SXSW would be the perfect transition back into the real world. She was right. Although the details were slightly different (from "What do you mean our hostel doesn't have indoor plumbing?" to "What do you mean our hotel doesn't WiFi?"), the essential elements of my backpacking experience — friendly people, fascinating conversations, and mind-bending new ideas — were all there.

Fast forward to party-time, night three. The music was pumping, the lights were low, the drinks was flowing, and the couches were filled with small groups huddled over ... their laptop screens …

After about an hour of watching a guy face-deep in the white glow of his Macbook Pro, I decided it was time for an intervention. I marched over, sat down, and demanded to know what, exactly, he was up to, which turned out to be "Making an avatar." For a girl he liked, who was across the room.

"Why don't you just go talk to her?" I said. We left soon afterward, but Computer Guy e-mailed me a week later to fill me in.

"I did wind up putting the Macbook away and eventually chatting up lots of interesting folks — and even dancing," he said. I wrote him back with the URL of my brand-new Tumblelog — where I'm already counting down the days until next year's SXSW.
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OVERHEARD AT SXSW INTERACTIVE (compiled by Denise R. Jacobs, Dotmarketing, Inc.)
"Oh my god, I've been so crushin' on her new site design!"
"It's on the 4th floor? Forget it then! I'll wait for the next presentation down here."
Written in the Web Standards Confessions booth: "Sometimes I don't validate my HTML."
"Do you want a cupcake? It's a 'Michael Jackson'."
"My website is 'lovetube'. I bought the domain from someone in Korea…"
"I can't believe what I said in Tech Cab Confessions…"
"Okay, I'm going to go make out now. Bye!"
"What makes the difference? My friends are what makes the difference."
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FILM

Becky James, Director of I Hate You Don't Touch Me or Bat and Hat
SXSW gave me legs. Well, gave me-the-animator legs anyway, helping me really, finally decide that it is right and reasonable to keep making films. There was an inspiring horizontality to SXSW—wildly different genres, budgets, and career paths were all mixed up, with everyone excited to be there and actually interested in everyone else. The celebratory enthusiasm of whole thing gave me a real trust in the world.

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MUSIC

Jody Stephens, Ardent Studios/Big Star
I landed in Austin around 11:30am Wednesday and during the course of the next few days had one of the best times ever in my 19 or 20 years of attending SXSW.

Started and ended that Wednesday with R.E.M: first, their sound check at Stubb's that afternoon and then their extraordinary performance later that evening. Hadn't seen them in forever and couldn't stop smiling as they ripped into a great mix of new and old material. I knew this already, but as I watched Michael Stipe be one of the most engaging front men out there and listened to Peter Buck's cool guitar parts and sounds, I realized it wasn't really complete until Mike Mills leaned into the mic and delivered his signature background vocals. In the whole wide world, that was where I needed to be at that moment.

The 6 Degrees of Memphis Showcase "shook 'em on down" on Friday. The North Mississippi Allstars, Amy LaVere and The Bo-Keys were all wonderful highlights of this showcase and the conference. Something about Memphis players ...

I ended SXSW with Duffy's performance at Stubb's on Saturday evening. She was stunning! A bit of Carla Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and a little sassy. She could have been a part of last year's SXSW Stax showcase at Antone's. I never cease to be amazed at the influence Memphis has had on the world of music.
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Judy Davids, Author and guitarist of The Mydols

As a first time author, I was a little anxious about my first book signing at the SXSW Music Trade Show. My memoir Rock Star Mommy: My Life as a Rocker Mom had just dropped, and I wondered if anyone would show up. After a sleepless night, I showed up at the Austin Convention Center and noticed a name under mine on the author sign. It was Andrew Loog Oldham, the author of Stoned and manager of the Rolling Stones during the mid-'60s. As one could imagine, our joint signing was well attended, (though few were there to see me!)

This is the great thing about SXSW — artists just starting out have the opportunity to rub shoulders with bona fide rock stars. I really enjoyed my book signing and the opportunity to eavesdrop on Loog’s Rolling Stones’ stories. I couldn’t have dreamt of a more memorable scenario for my first book signing.
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Fiona Bloom, The Bloom Effect
I've been attending SXSW for several years now, but this year was really special and historical for me because of the participation from so many great independent soul artists from all over U.S. I was there from the beginnings of hip-hop at SXSW and watched how huge of a presence that genre has become with names as big as Ice Cube, David Banner, etc; I can’t wait for the time at SXSW where soul is at that same reach and span. My personal soul highlights were Karina Nistal and Maya Azucena. On another note, Daryl Hall made me cry (joyful tears) and meeting people who I've been communicating with! Love the networking, the oh so many parties and incredible new talent that I discover every year! I'm addicted! It's the one conference/festival I'll always go to.
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Amy Freeborn, Xtaster
My highlight of SXSW '08 was the Q party, organised by Xtaster – it was an invite-only event, and before the doors opened there was a queue around the block of the amazingly cool and classy Driskill Hotel.

Lightspeed Champion was the first band on and played a blinder set with great songs and a guest appearance from a member of The Vines, which was met with a clamour of appreciation from the crowd.

These New Puritans filled the stage with keyboards and a very charismatic front man whipping up a storm of swirling electronic winds, beats and sonic storms, all punctuated by brooding vocals. The band is all dark-wave style like characters from a Brett Easton Ellis novel, and it works so well in the SXSW setting

There is a definite feeling of anticipation as the stage is prepared for Kate Nash, at her only SXSW gig, who comes on to great applause. The audience pushes forward to get a closer look at the charismatic singer who is simply accompanied by a guitar. Nash engages immediately with the crowd and creates an intimate environment and the crowd enjoys a few new songs.

The next band on, the Pigeon Detectives, turn out to be the most impressive of SXSW. The Detectives kick off their set with more dynamic than any I have seen — so much energy, as they rip through their set with swirling relish that leaves many of the audience asking for more song after song of rousing choruses and guitar lines to kill for. Best band of the week by a mile!
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Roggie Baer Elm, rajiworld.com
For me, SXSW is about two things, desire and fulfillment. I left SXSW this year still yearning. After 18 years, my memories are all good. I am blessed. This is my real life and every year I get to go, all access to the best and biggest music festival in the world.

I have watched Beck meet Johnny Cash, Billy Ray Cyrus be discovered, Texas girls fall head over heels for British Boys, watched bands I care deeply about reunite, watch bands others care about break up, break bones, get arrested, gone in a matter of minutes from 5 star hotel to dives, privy to songs written in silence in the midst of the mayhem. I have escaped near mishaps in cars, and on bike, and in hotels with bills too rich for my blood just to have a nice stranger pick up the tab. I have been serenaded in the Four Seasons lobby, several of my clients have been signed with my loaned pen. I have fallen in love and spoken on an ethics panel while on illegal drugs. I have been told my panels have changed lives, more than once. Eager participants from my mentor sessions have been hired. Last year I was pictured and interviewed on the front page, above the fold, of the Austin American Statesman for the SXSW issue.

Generally I take an observer’s stance and let the magic find me, but this year after attending Moby’s day interview I wanted to share a meal with him so badly I had an entire staff of a very big and very busy hotel try to help me find him. His interview gave me renewed passion in what I do every day and why. I felt 16 and hopeful…. Thanks again SXSW.
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Nancy Prager, Prager Law
This year I experienced SXSW on many levels. I participated in a day of interactive and film events, which was really worthwhile. I met a range of new people, was exposed to great new technology and saw an amazing documentary, 'Bama Girl. On Wednesday, I moderated a panel on Red Flags in Contracts on which we discussed terms and concepts that might be of concern for musicians. The questions from the audience were great as was the positive response we received from those who attended. I even was able to see one of my co-panelists, John Strohm, showcase at the Hilton Garden Inn. The range of music this year was great, from The Wilders, a honky-tonk band, to Lord T & Eloise, aristocrunk at its finest, and everything in between. Significantly, this year, I had the opportunity to double-back with both Peter Jenner and Billy Bragg, three years after the seeds for Billy's protest against MySpace were planted at SXSW 2006.

Yet, the most significant element of SXSW is that everybody who attends shares something in common: a love of music. For those who attend for business purposes, SXSW provides an informal setting for meetings and networking that can lead to great opportunities. And for those who attend as fans, they can see everything from the big buzz bands, legacy artists and the unknown artist that they might start to champion. The range of experiences attendees can have at SXSW is what makes it great.
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Onry Ozzborn, Grayskul
SXSW was a great time this year. It was the first time Grayskul did it, and it turned out nice. We did a show with Tech N9ne & Mac Lethal, did a commercial for MTV, made friends with Bushwick Bill and saw D.J. Pooh at the barbeque spot. Who could ask for more?!
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Luis RC Arce, Chikita Violenta (Mexico City)
As first-time participants of SXSW, we can only say good things about our experience. From the first day at registration all the way to our last showcase, everything flowed with ease. It was definitely an ideal setting for a band like us that comes from Mexico, yet sings in English and is looking to spread its reach beyond our national borders. At SXSW, we were able to perform in front of very different crowds ranging from labels and bookers to curious lookers who just happened to walk in. We are already seeing lots of benefits of having played at the festival, and we can't wait for next year. P.S. Chikita Violenta is all about keeping Austin weird.
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Julio Pineda Fernández, Photographer

When I arrived to Austin, I was very excited because I was going to take a lot of pictures of bands, but when I arrived I couldn’t believe the festival was so big. All the streets where full of people, bands playing in all places, churches, parking lots, bars. Also I was really surprised about the street musicians. They where in all corners just trying to be listened to by the people that were walking around, just making their music and feeling happy.

The SXSW festival is the most important music conference in the world. I was surprised because all the bands had to plug and play without sound check! That was so crazy!

I started to walk around with my bag full of cameras. I was making fish-eye pictures, digital and film. I was like a big tourist with all cameras on my neck. I was feeling cool taking pictures of everything.

My experience of SXSW was incredible, and I'm going to be there every year.
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Steve Poltz, Musician

I think the first time I played SXSW was back in 1994 or ’95 with my band The Rugburns. We played at The Driskill Bar and there was a line outside to get in to the show. We stayed at The Austin Motel and the phallic neon sign had a short in it and kept flickering all through the night like something out of scene from some B movie film noir. I’d like to think that there were hookers outside on South Congress and cars cruising all through the night. That’s how I fondly remember it. I’m probably wrong about what year it was but I think I remember wearing only a pair of diapers on stage and the show being frenetic and seeming to last all of two minutes. To me, it was such a big festival back then, but now… now? This thing has grown like a ballplayer on HGH/ steroids and “the clear” and whatever else is on the black market.

I know there are heaps of people and musicians out there that think the music fest has grown too big. But I still love it. Every year I gear up for it and route my tour through Austin for the madness that is SXSW. Lord knows it hasn’t made me famous and I never get paid for it. So why keep doing it? Because these are my people. My tribe. I love traveling hardworking musicians and the rest of their ilk. I feel better when I’m around them and we are trading info like little kids trading baseball cards. I like running into doormen and sound women from other clubs across the country and having an ad hoc reunion of sorts in the middle of some Austin street at 2:00 in the morning.

This year I brought a band with me for the first time in years. Ya see, I went solo years back and decided to traverse the world with just an acoustic guitar and stories and songs. It makes load-ins a breeze and load-outs even breezier. But this year I had 12 shows in 3 days. To set the bar higher I stupidly booked the 12th show in Dallas. We drove into Austin from Atlanta, which is a wussy drive of about only 13 hours. Admirable, but I’ve done worse drives than that many times before. We made it on time for a ME television appearance at 8:00 am. That’s just plain idiotic. Then we loaded up all of our gear (which is a small boat load) and drove over for a showcase at Mother Egan’s for The Conqueroo Guitar Town party. We went on at 11:00 am and the place was already jammed and we had time for a 2-minute sound check and proceeded to play our little hearts out. Then I had an interview with Voice of America in the quiet confines of my van while the next band went on. There is always a next band going on at South by. Always someone loading in and out. I made sure to get a picture with James McMurtry who went on right after me. I love James and the way he speaks as if his jaw’s been sewn shut. His guitar playing and tone always amazes me.

The next morning we had another 8:00 am appearance. Who books this crap? This was in the lobby of The Four Seasons for KGSR. I’ve done this show every year but this was the first time with a band. Lyle Lovett was the guest host on the air. He purchased both of my new CDs and asked for an autograph. I kept thinking I was going to get punk’d by Ashton Kutcher and Lyle was going to say he didn’t really want my music and laugh in my face. Thank God it never happened. Although I guess it still could. I am still haunted by this nightmare on the occasional restless night.

There were a slew of other shows throughout the days and nights. One of the highlights was a show at a gay bar called The Cock Pit. I made up a song on stage and had the audience singing along. “what is the greatest bar in the world?” ba da da da da da “The Cock Pit!” Gay bars are fun to play and now I want to play more of them. The crowd has more energy like they’re doing something more exciting and naughty by being in a gay bar,

My official showcase was at the 18th floor of The Hilton Garden Inn. I was excited because my dear friend Tom Brosseau was going on right before me. I love Tom’s music and was excited to hear him and catch up with him. The show went well and I had some friends from The XYZ Affair show up and sing in falsettos with one of my songs. I met them earlier in the year when we shared a bill in Minneapolis. We hugged each other and scampered into the night to watch the Swedish sensation Kristoffer Ragnstam who we met the night before at the Cock Pit.

On Saturday morning I played at Mojo Nixon’s Jalapeno Pancake party at The Continental Club. We went on at 11:30 in the morning and there was a long all the way down the block. Mojo is an old friend from San Diego where I still live. He and Country Dick Montana (r.i.p.) and Buddy Blue (r.i.p.) from The Beat Farmers were my teachers. Country Dick used to put his arm around me and say “it’s a big stage- use it all, scum!” I would listen like a wide-eyed child and take it all in. So I decided to stage dive and crowd surf at The Continental Club that morning. I didn’t notice the ceiling fans that were spinning on high while I was passed to the back of the bar by the more than willing crowd. Thank God someone else notice and warned me in mid air to “watch my fucking head!” I ducked just in time to avoid getting scalped and then sold a crap load of merch after the show. With crumpled up 10-dollar bills in my pocket I watch Jon Dee Graham’s riveting set and gave him a hug and sped off to Dallas for a night show. Half way up I-35 I wondered if it was all a dream. I must have only slept a total of 3 hours a night in my lovely room at the “4 Seasons Econo-Lodge” on the side of the freeway. But I have o tell you it was all worth it. I loved every minute.