SXSW 2009: Wednesday recap

Here are some highlights, observations, thoughts, photos, video about Wednesday’s events:

– The line at the Fader Fort just to pick up wristbands was about 50 people deep when we (me, Duffy, Kevin) arrived. Can’t imagine what it’ll look like when Kanye plays there on Saturday (just a rumor at this point)


(Duffy and Kevin in the Fader Fort wristband pickup line)

– Didn’t get to see Benjamin Wesley at the Co-Op Lab because apparently not all the proper permits had been obtained. We did, however, drink Tito’s Vodka and Iced Tea mixed drinks and eat free Chipotle burritos delivered by our new metal/punk loving friend Mike (I think that was his name). Check out his band Slowly Truth Dies.


(David and Ross at the Paste Party listening to The Heartless Bastards)

– Loved Austin Collins’ set at the Saxon Pub. Collins is an alt.country artist kind of somewhere between Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn, and Jay Farrar and leans more towards the country side than the alt side.

The Damnwells at Thredgill’s in the afternoon and at Vintage Lounge proved to be highlights of the week though that doesn’t come as a surprise and shouldn’t for anybody that knows me. Alex and Jay were backed by Alex’s wife Angela and the former rhythm section of Mineral/The Gloria Record. While I wish Ted had made the trip, it was still great to hear The Damnwells, especially the new stuff that I haven’t seen performed live yet (“55 Pictures”, “Like It Is”, “Soundtrack”).


(The Damnwells at Vintage Lounge)


(Angela Dezen of The Damnwells)

– Caught two female-fronted bands with heavy emphasis on synths though they don’t sound anything alike. Crocodile was the first “official” SXSW performance I saw and they loaded the stage with keyboards and synths. A great way to kick off the fest. Then it was across the street to see one of my faves, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer. I really wish they were sticking around and playing a few shows this week, but, alas, they probably have already left Austin as I type this to join the Pink Spiders on tour.


(Crocodile)


(Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer)

– As a time-killer while waiting for The Damnwells, I saw instrumental band My Education. Amazing. I’m not good as describing instrumental music but these guys (and girl) were truly jaw-dropping. I found myself closing my eyes quite a bit during the set and just swaying back and forth to the beautiful sounds. I’m definitely going to burn up some eMusic credit on these guys.

– A few of the people we ran into while out and about: Kelly from The Dollyrots, the Energizer Bunny, Blake Smith (Fig Dish/Caviar/Prairie Cartel) and …. drumroll please … former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield who is as enthusiatic in person as he is when he’s on MTV or the radio.


(Me and my new friend Matt Pinfield)

3 thoughts on “SXSW 2009: Wednesday recap”

  1. The Damnwells: Our New Record

    Pledge here to help us make the rock while doing a nice thing for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and TB.
    http://www.pledgemusic.com

    Hi from Alex and Ted

    So since our last record was free, we figured that now would be a good time to get you guys involved early in the making our our new record! Pledging gets you exclusive access both to the making of the record as well as other cool stuff once it is finished. From signed, numbered CD’s, to your name actually being in the credits, House Concerts to hand written lyric sheets, we invite you to come on this journey from the studio to the road.

    On our updates page here we will be posting regular Video, Audio, and photo blogs which will include unreleased tunes, rough mixes and demos which will be available to Pledgers only!

    But wait. It gets better. With your generous donation, you will also be helping a great charitable cause!

    So come on down and let’s make this happen.
    Great to have you on board.

    All the best

    Alex and Ted
    The Damnwells

    The Damnwells
    http://www.thedamnwells.com
    The Global Fund
    Donation: 10% of any money raised after the target is reached.

    Raised: $0.

    About the Global Fund

    The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.

    Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the main source of finance for programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with approved funding of US$ 15.6 billion for more than 572 programs in 140 countries. It provides a quarter of all international financing for AIDS globally, two-thirds for tuberculosis and three quarters for malaria.

    Global Fund financing is enabling countries to strengthen health systems by, for example, making improvements to infrastructure and providing training to those who deliver services. The Global Fund remains committed to working in partnership to scale up the fight against the diseases and to realize its vision – a world free of the burden of AIDS, TB and malaria.

    http://www.theglobalfund.org Exclusives Available
    Everybody who pledges receives a download of the project when it is complete, plus access to exclusive updates (so far 2 Mp3s) that can’t be found anywhere else. If that’s not enough, there’s more:
    CD $12
    Signed CD $15 (457 left)
    Signed CD + T-Shirt $25 (353 left)
    Skype live into a rehearsal $35 (10 left)
    Skype into a mixing session $40 (8 left)
    Your name in the credits $50 (11 left)
    Skype live into a recording session $55 (5 left)
    Come down to a rehearsal $125 all gone!
    Introduce the band at the show $125 (5 left)
    Come down to a sound check $150 (17 left)
    House Concert NYC $500 (3 left)
    House Concert Anywhere in the US $1,500 (4 left)
    House concert (anywhere in the world) $5,000 (5 left)

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