The SXSW 2011 Experience
There are things that I find enjoyable, and there are things I am incredibly frustrated by during the year; but there’s only one time that the two are combine. South by Southwest.
If you’ve never been to SXSW, it’s one of those things that you have to do. It’s hot, you have to walk around A LOT, and you’ll see roughly 13 people through out the week throwing up or going to the bathroom on 6th street. Quite the experience, but in between all that vomiting and urine, you’ll find some crazy amazing shows.
The music portion of SXSW is about 6 days long. I was up there for 4 of those days, technically 3 1/2, but whatever it felt like seventeen. I suppose the easiest way to get this done would be to go day by day.
So I started my week off on Wednesday with my favorite North Caroline band, Floating Action. I’ve been a fan of theirs for a little bit now
and it was so wonderful to finally meet them. A great introduction to the week, for sure! I then hung out for a bit before going over to Easy Tiger and checking out my San Antonio buddies Hacienda, who are always a great time! I decided to end the night early, since I knew Thursday was going to be a nightmare on my feet.
Cue Thursday. Early morning, really like 10 am, alarm and I’m out to attempt to snag a good parking spot. I didn’t not. By the time I parked and started walking I was close to being late to my first show of the day. Wakey!Wakey! I heard one of their songs a bit ago, so I was looking 
forward to seeing them. After my 12 block walk, I went in to the bathroom to freshen up. I really enjoy meeting and talking to random people so, naturally, I started talking to the only girl in the bathroom. She so happened to be Anne, the bassist from Wakey!Wakey!. The set was brilliant. Mike Grubbs, is one of the best pianists I’ve seen live…also I’m a total sucker for the piano, brilliant instrument. I digress. After they finished I talked to Anne and met Tanya, who sings with Mike, both telling me I have to stick around and watch the next band, Pearl and the Beard. SO happy I did! They were, by far, the surprise of SXSW for me!
After that I ran over (by ran i do mean walked and complained about my blisters) 
all the way down S. Congress to get to San Jose to see another Hacienda show. This was a magical show because after they played, a wonderful band by the name of Vetiver, put on a great show. I’d seen them once before in New York and they did not disappoint. To cap my Thursday off, I beat the crowds at Auditorium Shores to watch The Strokes play. No, I was not in the mob of people knocking over fences. Yes, I do enjoy the fact there was a little anarchy to see The Strokes. Julian Casablanca wasn’t as fucked up as he has been in recent shows, so that was thoughtful. Great set list + fireworks = happy me.
Goodnight Thursday, which leaves us with Friday. By now I’m just poor enough to
stand in a line with a bunch of other dirty, smelly, homeless looking young people to get free food. My decision to go to the Brooklyn Vegan event that morning was the best ever. I, not only, saw David Wax Museum play an amazing set, but I got to meet and hang out with Emily and Jocelyn, the girls from Pearl and the Beard. Gotta love the band connections during SXSW, because the girls went up and sang with David Wax Museum. Needless to say, it a fun surprise. After I filled up on vegan tacos, I took a nice walk down 6th street for Wakey!Wakey!’s last show of the week.
On my way, I passed by a restaurant with an outdoor patio that opens to 6th street. As I approaced it I heard something strange. At first it was very Charlie
Brown’s teacher, but then it became clear. Hanson. I had left with enough time that I could hang out and watch from the street. Oh yeah I did. What you wouldn’t???? Please. You know you would. About 25 mid twenties to early 30’s females sang along with every song. I couldn’t contain myself. I laughed quite a bit. No “MMMBop” which was terribly disappointing! After Wakey!Wakey! I ran over to Emo’s to see Givers and Friendly Fires end the free day show there.
I made it in just in time to see Givers, who were absolutely brilliant. I wasn’t expecting too much, so perhaps that’s why they wowed me, but
it was still a great show. Gotta give it up to bands that still bring it at the end of the festival. The Friendly Fires were insane! After 20 minutes to do the sound check, which is bullshit for a lot of bands, but these guys needed it. They KILLED it after that. I was squashed against the stage, but somehow managed to get pictures and dance my ass off.
To end my SXSW experience, one of my favorite record labels, Park the Van, was having a showcase. The last time I saw a PTV showcase was in Brooklyn, and I was crazy impressed. Since then, I can say that I’ve made 
friends with a few of the bands, so it was fun hanging out with my buddies and watching insanely talented musicians. First up was Empress Hotel, the only band on the bill that I had never seen before. After they were done impressing the shit out of me, my Louisiana boys, Brass Bed blew my mind. Native America and Floating Action followed them, with the Spinto Band and Generationals closing out the evening with incredible shows. The day and night were so packed, that by the time I got to sleep, it was already morning and I was spent.
I left the next day exhausted, hungry, dirty, and over it. Then I got home and said to myself, “Damn that was fun.”
All of these pictures, and much more from the week, are on my flickr account.
