SXSW 2010 - Day 1 Music and Madness
Day 1 in Austin-As it is my inaugural SXSW Festival, I hit the ground with map in hand looking to see as much and do as much as humanly possible. The downtown area, although rather small and quaint, can pack in more music than one could see in a year. Be it street corner, church, flower shop or standard venue, showcases are everywhere.
Badge in hand, ready to move, I began my journey at Emo’s Annex for the annual IODA Opening Day Bash featuring a line-up of Bay Area up-and-comers. San Francisco’s Sleepy Sun, accompanied by the Austin Children’s Choir, closed down the show with an explosion of energy that made me hungry for more music and strangely, BBQ. Following a quick visit to the Iron Works to refuel on some Texas fare, I pieced my way through the crowds to check out the Warp Records party at The Phoenix. Warp, a London based label with offices in NY, had some great music to offer. I caught Nice, Nice and Pivot, groups that are both heavy and synth-driven. While inside, I met up with Josh Mills of It’s Alive Media. Mills manages Dengue Fever, and band who has ventured away from their disco-pop sound to embrace early 70’s Cambodian rock. Mills and I will meet up later tomorrow for a chance to chat with The 88, another band on Mills’s roster.
Today was all about the music. Tomorrow is all about the meetings. Thank god for good shoes and caffeine.