It’s probably pretty boring to hear about everything I did while in Austin, since it’s a lot of walking and hangs with friends. So here’s a recap of Wednesday and Thursday with the occasional picture:
Best part about Texas: DUBLIN DR. PEPPER. It’s everywhere and it’s so delicious.
We arrived Tuesday night, dropped off our bags and headed to the Scoot Inn. Thee Oh Sees were playing on the outside stage and were awesome. After a 12-hour drive, it was nice to dance to their catchy tunes. A great way to start off the week.
Wednesday: I spent most of my day at the Topshelf/Count Your Lucky Stars Showcase. There are some places in your city that you can walk into any day and see all your friends, like a normal hangout spot.
Then there are times when you’re in a completely different city in another state and run into all of your favorite friends and people from across the country at once. The Count Your Lucky Stars and Topshelf Records Showcase at SXSW was exactly like that.
Not only did they have a killer lineup, but it was also an awesome environment. In between sets, friends were hugging, telling stories and catching up with each other throughout the entire day. As soon as I walked in the door, it was a familiar feeling. One that makes you feel at home. A home that happens to have 13 bands and tons of free stuff!
Gotta Groove Records gave out free limited 7-inches with bands playing the showcase including an unreleased Empire! Empire! track. There was free rum from 1-2 and then again late in the day from Treaty Oak Platinum Rum. Not to mention 150 free 9×25″ silk-screened posters courtesy of Soundtrack Printing.
This was the only showcase that I had the chance to stick around for the entire day. It set the bar high for the rest of my week.
Here’s a list of bands and I suggest you check out each and each one of them:
The Clippers | theclippers.bandcamp.com
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die | theworldisa.tumblr.com | theworldis.bandcamp.com
Annabel | annabelband.tumblr.com | annabel.bandcamp.com
Joie De Vivre | myspace.com/joiedevivreband
Reptilian | thereptilian.blogspot.com | thereptilianband.bandcamp.com
Pswingset | pswingset.com | pswingset.bandcamp.com
Into It. Over It. | intoitoverit.com
Football, Etc | footballetc.wordpress.com
Grown Ups | myspace.com/ihategrownups
Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) | myspace.com/empireempireiwasalonelyestate
Caravels | myspace.com/caravels
Moving Mountains | movmou.com
Defeater | notourstuff.blogspot.com
Thursday: Headed to Plush in time to catch Such Gold and Native.
Left to see Evaline, but sadly missed them. Had a not-so-good free margarita, then dinner at Hut’s and got a really large and delicious veggie burger. I suggest stopping there for burgers.
After that, I walked around sixth street to see what all was going on there.
There was a large crowd in a circle so I wandered over to see what was going on. A guy was in the middle of hammering a nail into the tip of his nose. It was a two-person act, where the finale was having the audience staple dollar bills to their chest. For $10 – you could staple it to his forehead.
Went out to the Mellow Mushroom by UT to see Sleep Bellum Sonno‘s set.
Got a ride back downtown and headed over to Lambert’s. Arrived just as Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band was setting up. The last time I saw KD was in Kansas City at a large theater, but seeing him at this smaller venue was definitely a better experience. Granted, at the larger venue he had the chance to move around more but as with most smaller places, it was a more personal performance.
I love everything about Kevin. His energy, his voice, plus he is always good about interacting with the crowd and introducing the Goddamn Band. Best part about his set? Songs from his project with Manchester Orchestra, Bad Books.
