SXSW is a music, film, and interactive festival and conference held every Spring in Austin. SXSW is one of the biggest music festivals, with a thousand plus performers performing in the course of a week in every venue of downtown Austin. A venue will have bands performing back to back for ours...literally some performers don't go on until 2am.
The SXSW is considered an "industry" event because the concept is for up and coming artists to perform for everyone in the biz over the course of the event. But in the last few years, fans have infiltrated SXSW making it an event for all.
When I flew into Austin yesterday, the airport was packed. I actually had to wait twenty minutes for my luggage (that never happens in Austin). I have lived in Austin for four years now and never taken in SXSW...so last night I ventured out with a few of my friends to experience SXSW. SXSW requires badges (for industry people), wristbands (for people who want to hop from venue to venue--SOLD OUT), or tickets (sold IF there is room in a venue for a specific performance).
Or so I thought...I actually ended up at the
Eighth Annual Heart of Texas Quadruple Bypass Music Festival. What? Apparently eight years ago a festival was started to highlight unsigned Austin artists. The event coincides with SXSW. The benefit to the Heart of Texas Festival is that it is completely free.
I went to see my new band, Alpha Rev. They played my song. I don't even know what the song is called, but it has a little funk and a little soul in it. In this song, the violinist, Brad (he plays as blue violin) plucks the violin like it is a guitar, Casey the lead singer starts, then the lone women/keyboardist in the group blows, wow she can sing! And then Brad, the blue violinist breaks in hitting money note after money note. Then the three break it down together--do doot do doot. You had to be there. The song isn't on either of their cds, but I am on a quest to get a recording of it.
So imagine if you will, walking down the infamous Sixth Street for example in Austin. Every single bar has a line going out into the middle of the street with people waiting to get into a venue. Some venues are strictly SXSW and some are strictly the Heart of Texas festival, and some are a mix.
If you are in Texas this weekend, I encourage you to get to Austin and enjoy the festivals. You won't be disappointed.
SXSW
Eighth Annual Heart of Texas Quadruple Bypass Music Festival
Alpha Rev
Have a great weekend! I am headed to Houston this morning to host the live Semifinals of Inspire the Desire.
-RXW
2 comments:
Roxanne,
My name is Stephen and I do publicity work for Alpha Rev. Thanks for your notes about the band!
The song that you mentioned is called "Midnight" and is available on the debut Alpha Rev EP. The EP itself is out of print, but is still available for digital download via iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody and some others. Please feel free to contact us if you need more specifics!
-Stephen
Thanks Stephen. I am on a quest to get "Midnight" as we speak... I realized I goofed...the violinist's name is Brian not Brad. eek! I think I should just refer to him as the blue violinist...I can't mess that up. ;-) -RXW
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