canadian blast

SXSW 2010: It has begun

And for the first time in 6 years, I won’t be in Austin to join in the festivities. Thinking about it though, there are some things I’m not going to miss this week from SXSW. The sunburn, the endless crowds and chaos, the over hype and excess and the general sick feeling I pick up at the end of the week.
I will of course miss the bands and showcases, but mainly the people. I have met and spent time with some amazing people in Austin, some of which have already been giving me a hard time for not making it down this year. I received a couple e-mails last night with photos of friends I’d normally be spending time with this week (below).

Seeing as how I really can’t do a good job reporting on the festival from Toronto, or don’t have the time to go through every showcasing artist, I’ll just point you in a couple directions.

The official showcase/band schedule is here,but Austin360 has a comprehensive list of all the official and unofficial parties happening. Also, you might want to check out this page. Thats a lot of mp3s, all from showcasing bands playing the festival.

Also, I read on Aux.tv about the Canadian bands going down for the festival (all listed here as part of the Canadian Blast). Head here to download a near-free 87 song sampler of those Canadian. Also, the Canadian Blast BBQ has just started at the Brush Square Park (featuring Plants and Animals, Born Ruffians, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Hollerado, Justin Rutledge and The Beauties, Radio Radio).

To my fellow comrades in Austin. Please say a quick prayer for your fallen soldier. And pour some Lonestar out for me.

SXSW ’08: Wednesday

I started this day working for some good friends, helping set up the outdoor party for the Canadian Blast. I mounted a left arrow on a fence and hung flags. Pretty easy work to do in the sun. It was a solid lineup that day at the Brush Square. The United Steel Workers of Montreal opened (and if you check the flyer, it looks like two bands had the opening slot, The United Steel Workers and Of Montreal). Next up was The Pack AD, Mints’ newest band. I’d agree with Andrew from Red Cat Records by saying

“Awwwwwooooogggaaaaararoraroarrrrrrr. Janis Joplin, meet the White Stripes. Now, go and drink a bucket of bourbon and hang out on a Civil War battleground.”

City and Colour were next. Was nice to see Dallas play in a venue that wasn’t full of screaming girls. Hot Springs were 3rd last. I’ve gotta say, since seeing them at NXNE last year, they’ve really improved. Previously I was blah about the band, now I’m diggin their songs and developing a crush on any lead singer that rocks like she does.

Here’s their video for Headrush. Here’s the mp3.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNRF4W7_EOQ[/youtube]

The 2nd last band was Dragonette. Up until that point, no other band had my attention like they did. I don’t think I ever looked away. Definitely for fans of Metric, featuring Dan from The New Deal. Check out I Get Around on their myspace page, here’s the Van She Vocal Remix.

Then, to upstage their act, we had a slew of Canadian DJs/producers/MCs take the stage and precede to blow it up. Ghislain Poirier, Cadence Weapon, Megasoid (Hadji from Wolf Parade and Sixtoo), Skratch Bastid and Grand Analog.

Sick.

I can’t remember what I did for dinner. Pretty sure I was drunk by this point…..

Later on,

I caught the last song of The Delta Spirit‘s set, People, Turn Around. Get it at I Guess I’m Floating. I was singing, felt like part of the choir. From there, we headed to Buffalo Billiards to get in for The Ting Tings, one of the most buzzed about bands down in Austin. Again, like previously noted, they were great. Someone book these two on some Canadian dates.

Here’s the video for Great DJ.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=myJnsqGgxxM[/youtube]

After that was Walter Meego, about 13 secounds of Cut Copy, and whatever I could take of The Tough Alliance.

Went home tired, sun-burnt, drunk. Went to bed spinning. Got a couple winks and got ready to do it all again.