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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Laurie on January 17, 2008, 11:48:14 PM

Title: SXSW advice
Post by: Laurie on January 17, 2008, 11:48:14 PM
So, I'm considering checking out SXSW. I've never been. I have a room booked, but I haven't gotten a badge yet. Is it fun? Is it worth it? Will I be lonely, as a media and industry outsider? The registration site asks for my company name. What shall I call myself? Funemployment Enterprises? Rollercoaster Tycoon? Also, I will probably wind up going all by myself.

Furthermore, I'm not keen on dropping $600 on a badge only to get locked out of all of the shows I want to see. That would be NO FUN.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Denim Gremlin on January 18, 2008, 12:01:44 AM
Hyperglobalmeganet
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Gilly on January 18, 2008, 12:04:16 AM
Anyway you could find a way to get on a panel? You could get a cheaper badge. That might have changed, I haven't looked into it for 5-6 years when I was a music director at a college station. I think you'd have to sit through some seminars too, but I think you also have better access. I don't know, I didn't look into it all that hard so maybe somebody else has some info on that. One of my friends works for Rhymesayers and he's gone for the last 6-7 years and he says it's a blast.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: pupscout on January 18, 2008, 12:37:08 AM
i could be wrong because i've never gone, but my friend has gone for the past 3 years and never bought a badge. he always gets the see the bands he wants. i was thinking about going this year, and he encouraged me not to spend that kind of money on a badge, because it doesn't make much of a difference. but i'm not sure how true that is.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Sascha on January 18, 2008, 01:00:49 AM
We've been going for a few years, have never gotten badges or wristbands, and have only a handful of times been turned away from shows we wanted to see (and then only because of our poor timing or indecision.)  If I'm not mistaken, when you get a badge you get near-guaranteed access to every show.  People with wristbands stand in one line, people who want to pay cash stand in another, and badges generally just wait in line long enough for the doors to open and then walk right in.  I'm sure this isn't always the case, but you should get into nearly anything you want to, especially if you get there at a decent hour.

We've really enjoyed it in the past and have seen some great shows, but we have other business in Austin that made it better than it would have been had it just been a music vacation, and we live not far away.  So is it worth it?  Probably, especially if you've never been.  Just be aware that the city is fucking overcrowded, people act like assholes, and sometimes things that sound like they will be great end up sucking (while things that appear crappy end up being great.) 

The only advice I have is to drink a whole lot of water.  I always feel dehydrated at SXSW.  Park by Progress Coffee just east of I-35, and walk to 6th/Red River/wherever (there's nearly always free parking there on 4th and 5th.)  Go to the Oklahoma-only showcase at Progress if you have time, 'cause we're all real cool, or just get coffee there because it's pretty neat.  They have a great happy hour, too.   Read http://donewaiting.com/category/sxsw/ and http://showlistaustin.com/ as the week approaches to find out about who the "Special Guests" and "TBA" really are and to find out about day parties/promotions/etc.

Oh, and DO NOT eat at Mekong River on 6th street, unless you want to spend an hour in a portapotty in the Emo's parking lot during the Secretly Canadian showcase, only to run into (literally RUN directly into) Craig Finn with "I just spent an hour in a portapotty in the Emo's parking lot, howsabout we make out now?" face.  Don't do that.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Rainer on January 18, 2008, 01:11:25 AM
Completely off topic, but I'm relieved that your avatar, Gilly, is a man made up to look like a cat, and not what I had mistaken it for: an octogenarian being suffocated -- a la Ben Kingsley in House of Sand and Fog -- with a plastic bag fitted over his head.  Yet another reason for me to go into therapy.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Gilly on January 18, 2008, 01:19:45 AM
Telly Sevalis as the Cheshire Cat! I highly recommend getting your hands on the Alice in Wonderland musical TV special made in 1985. It was finally released on DVD this summer. Star-studded and fun.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on January 18, 2008, 12:25:20 PM
If you do get a badge, you should say you're from Consolidated Cardboard.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Laurie on January 18, 2008, 12:27:35 PM
Lamont, you have the best ideas.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Chris L on January 18, 2008, 12:32:52 PM
If you do get a badge, you should say you're from Consolidated Cardboard.

...or the Shout! Network
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: samir on January 18, 2008, 12:33:50 PM
Surely WaWa Records and Filmed Entertainment?
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Laurie on January 18, 2008, 12:40:29 PM
Surely WaWa Records and Filmed Entertainment?

You have even better ideas.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Phantom Hugger on January 18, 2008, 01:07:40 PM
  Just be aware that the city is fucking overcrowded, people act like assholes, and sometimes things that sound like they will be great end up sucking (while things that appear crappy end up being great.) 

Ive lived here (in Austin) for 9 years and have never paid for a badge. And honestly, going to a showcase where you're only interested in one or two bands kinda sucks because they only play for 30-45 minutes. Then you're stuck with a crowd of FWD in an over priced bar.

What has worked for me is going to all the free shows and parties during the daytime; you'll get to see all the bands that are playing showcases later that evening but for free, usually with free beer and food, and you  beat the crowds. Lists of "secret" and free shows usually start circulating a week before, I'll post some free listings/parties on this thread as I find them, for all the FOT to see.

Also I would HIGHLY recommend coming for the film portion of the festival (where buying a pass will be worth it). Ive seen so many great films that have yet (if ever) to see the light of day in distribution.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: John Junk on January 18, 2008, 01:20:54 PM
I might go.  The band I play guitar with now might get a show.   I'll drop you a line if I do.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: samir on January 18, 2008, 01:35:22 PM
Rob Corddry called me "British as shit" at SXSW - always going to be a life highpoint.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: TL on January 18, 2008, 08:15:13 PM
Rob Corddry called me "British as shit" at SXSW - always going to be a life highpoint.

Typical - that the Brits would claim "shit" for their own, along with everything else.







(yes, I realize it was an American with a Welsh name who said it)
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: samir on January 21, 2008, 11:13:15 AM
Rob Corddry called me "British as shit" at SXSW - always going to be a life highpoint.

Typical - that the Brits would claim "shit" for their own, along with everything else.

Hey man, I'm British Indian - I don't know where to stand vis a vis imperialism. Or shit.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: buffcoat on January 21, 2008, 02:47:22 PM
Rob Corddry called me "British as shit" at SXSW - always going to be a life highpoint.

Typical - that the Brits would claim "shit" for their own, along with everything else.

Hey man, I'm British Indian - I don't know where to stand vis a vis imperialism. Or shit.

Regarding shit, I'd stand as far away as possible.  Regarding imperialism, just don't listen to this guy:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16657357/

Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Phantom Hugger on March 01, 2008, 09:35:31 PM
Here's a handy local showlist site that is pretty well informed about all the worth while free day shows,



http://showlistaustin.com/



Scroll down to the middle of March for the goods.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on March 02, 2008, 11:25:39 AM
Laurie, this is from a friend:

I've only been to
Austin once before so don't have any great suggestions except that for
people trying to keep track of your SXSW schedules, you might want to
try

http://sched.org/

Which is just a big clickable chart of all the events from the 7th to
the 16th. You log in just by typing your name up top and you can use
it to both see what's happening and track where you're likely going,
plus it's importable into ical and you can see what's "popular" just
in case there's something you might have missed. Color coded for
movies, interactive, and music.
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: dania on March 02, 2008, 07:28:30 PM
If you go, I highly recommend you check out one of my favorite local Chicago bands called Aleks and the Drummer.  They are brilliant! 

http://www.myspace.com/aleksandthedrummer
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Phantom Hugger on March 11, 2008, 04:36:55 PM
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/starkwl/2323783450_1740ef6b3d_b12.jpg)
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Gilly on March 11, 2008, 05:21:44 PM
I heard The Homosexuals are playing SXSW. Is that true and is it the original lineup?
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Martin on March 11, 2008, 06:36:30 PM
I heard The Homosexuals are playing SXSW. Is that true and is it the original lineup?

From the WFMU blog:

Quote
8:00 Central/9:00 Eastern:
THE HOMOSEXUALS (Outdoor Amphitheater stage):  One of the most underappreciated and flawlessly-great punk/post punk bands of the late 70s/early 80s DIY UK era. Crammed with more ideas in a song than most bands deliver in a discography, the Homosexuals were the collision point of urgent punk attack, sideways pop hooks, dub dementia and literally anything else that might exist in a British kitchen at the time. Hyped 2 Death released a much-needed 3CD overview of this mysterious outfit and its many pseudonyms/side-projects a few years back and Bruno Wizard then jumped back into the live music scene (albeit sporadically). Tonight he's in command of a USA-staffed support backline and appears live WFMU bill for the first time ever.

The rest (http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2008/03/whos-who-at-the.html)
Title: Re: SXSW advice
Post by: Gilly on March 11, 2008, 06:42:53 PM
I didn't even know FMU was putting it on. That would be a great show. Anybody going to SXSW should definitely check that one out.