Although the Film part of the festival is gaining momentum, the Music has always been the big draw with SXSW boasting over 2,000 performers playing in more than 90 venues in Austin during four "official" days of the festival. The "official" title is an important part of learning how to navigate this carnival.
SXSW has lost much of what made it so special in the beginning. Although it has always been a music industry trade conference in the guise of a festival, it really was a way of showcasing exciting new talent and giving them exposure and an opportunity to play for people who could help make their dreams come true. Who hasn't heard the legendary tales of bands being signed while sharing a steaming piss trough with a record executive at Emo's after a good set. You could end up shaking hands with some record label asshole so fucking high on coke that everything sounds like heaven to him and end up on a world tour by July. Now, it just seems like an excuse for music industry folks to come party and eat BBQ once a year.
Despite the beast that is SXSW, the last 5 years that I have attended in varying degrees, I have made some amazing memories....
- Getting tattooed with the Destiny Friends crew.
- Seeing Fucked Up play the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge at 2am and yelling "J! Hey J!" while trying to get the attention of J. Mascis who was also in attendance.
- Verne H. Coleman and I getting free wristbands for showing up too late to Yo La Tengo at the Parish.
- Interviewing Georgia Hubley after a set at the French Legation.
- Throwing Dice on the Mugshots pool table.
- Pelican killing it at 9am with free beer.
- Early incarnation of Fleshlights playing a set in a front yard next to the French Legation.
 |
| Fucked Up on Lamar Pedestrian Bridge 2am ©Esther Lin |
So, despite having to deal with a ton of pretentious assholes, the usual hipster, scene-maker bullshit and getting gouged by every business in town right along with the tourists, SXSW can be a shitload of good times!
Sleeping Horse Pills Guide to Making Future Memories at SXSW:
- Fuck your Badge! 90% of the people that have badges hanging around their necks are assholes that treat you like shit because you are a true fan getting in their way of enjoying a company sponsored circle jerk. If they look down their nose at you, I suggest sticking a finger down your throat and puking Hot Dog King and free beer all over their sweet kicks.
- Get there early for free beer and food. Get your shit together man, hangovers are not allowed.
- Don't do anything "official". There are enough free parties and every band that matters will play these with as much if not more gusto as the badge or invite only shows.
- Don't get a tattoo anywhere near 6th street. You will be woefully overcharged. Check out Triple Crown on the East Side.
- Learn to play Craps or Cee-Lo. Dice are super portable, you might get bored, gambling is fun and you might win back some of the money you spent at all the free shows.
- Don't take anything from anybody passing out "free shit" on the street. It's worthless crap and you will end up with an armload of trash advertising consumer goods from A-Z.
- The blow and booze and pills and shitty Tex-Mex is gonna fuck with your insides. If you get to a safe, "non-festival" toilet, take your time and take advantage.
- If you can't get in somewhere, suck it up and move on. You probably don't want to hang out with those assholes anyway.
- Purchase the bulk of your illicit substances just before the craziness starts. Meeting up with your guy if he's not already tapped out will be hard during the week. Don't stock up too soon though because if you're like me, you'll taste it and then you'll be trying to meet up with your guy during the week.
If you have any memories or survival tips please share them in the comments. Enjoy yourselves and I hope to see one or two of you going wild in the streets!
0 comments:
Post a Comment