SXSW
SXSW Music is a 5 day conference and festival in Austin, TX that brings together Artists, Managers, Booking Agents, Record Labels, Promoters, Festivals, Venues, Publicists, Licensers, Aggregators, Stores, Media, Fans and anyone else related in any way to the music business.
During the day there is a Trade Show and Conference with panels, speakers and people to talk to about anything you're into. Neil Young gave an interview for the keynote on Thursday which was a great glimpse into the mind of a man I consider my #1 favorite songwriting artists of all time.
The panels are somewhat interesting, varying from music licensing to podcasts, festivals, resources, listening sessions and speakers. The trade show isn't necessarily the focal point of the event, but we have a booth for our FanMail product here so I'm finding myself talking to a lot of people who are walking by. So far the interest and traffic to the booth has been fantastic, well worth it. Even with so many people here, the conference still has an independent, grassroots edge to it as there is no Apple, Microsoft, AOL booths on the trade show floor.
There are dozens of parties during the day, some open, some guest list exclusive. I make it a rule to never go to a party that they won't let me into.
At night over 1400 bands play in the various bars around town for about 30-45 minutes each, which works well it you want to catch a taste and see a lot of different music. There's often 5 bands a night at each bar and they need to step up and throw their best stuff out for those watching because there's a lot of music to see and if you impress someone it might make the difference in your next tour or album.
I've seen a lot of incredible new bands and a lot of mediocre bands, ran into old friends and met some new ones. All in all it's been an incredible few days connecting with music and finding the vibe that works for me personally, and what I think other people will enjoy. Kind of a crazy way to discover new bands, but it really works.
On top of it all is Austin, with its selection of delicious BBQ. I've sampled the Beef Ribs, Brisket, Chicken and I would recommend them all. Iron Works and Stubbs are definately go-to goods.
Musical Highlights: Gomez, Jose Gonzalez, Steel Train, Dungen, Apollo Sunshine, Jonah Smith, Susan Tedeschi, The Slip, The Flaming Lips and dozens of others in between...
One more day tomorrow, our showcase at night and then back home Sunday morning...
During the day there is a Trade Show and Conference with panels, speakers and people to talk to about anything you're into. Neil Young gave an interview for the keynote on Thursday which was a great glimpse into the mind of a man I consider my #1 favorite songwriting artists of all time.
The panels are somewhat interesting, varying from music licensing to podcasts, festivals, resources, listening sessions and speakers. The trade show isn't necessarily the focal point of the event, but we have a booth for our FanMail product here so I'm finding myself talking to a lot of people who are walking by. So far the interest and traffic to the booth has been fantastic, well worth it. Even with so many people here, the conference still has an independent, grassroots edge to it as there is no Apple, Microsoft, AOL booths on the trade show floor.
There are dozens of parties during the day, some open, some guest list exclusive. I make it a rule to never go to a party that they won't let me into.
At night over 1400 bands play in the various bars around town for about 30-45 minutes each, which works well it you want to catch a taste and see a lot of different music. There's often 5 bands a night at each bar and they need to step up and throw their best stuff out for those watching because there's a lot of music to see and if you impress someone it might make the difference in your next tour or album.
I've seen a lot of incredible new bands and a lot of mediocre bands, ran into old friends and met some new ones. All in all it's been an incredible few days connecting with music and finding the vibe that works for me personally, and what I think other people will enjoy. Kind of a crazy way to discover new bands, but it really works.
On top of it all is Austin, with its selection of delicious BBQ. I've sampled the Beef Ribs, Brisket, Chicken and I would recommend them all. Iron Works and Stubbs are definately go-to goods.
Musical Highlights: Gomez, Jose Gonzalez, Steel Train, Dungen, Apollo Sunshine, Jonah Smith, Susan Tedeschi, The Slip, The Flaming Lips and dozens of others in between...
One more day tomorrow, our showcase at night and then back home Sunday morning...
posted by Andy at
1:59 AM
<< Home