SXSW 2009 in Review
Installment Two

We kicked things off Friday at Habana Calle 6, lured by the false promise of free drinks. Portland’s Parenthetical Girls took the stage at noon and unleashed their moody brand of experimental pop on the small but attentive audience.

I’m still not sure how I feel about frontman Zac Pennington’s singing voice. It’s a bit of a mixture between Morrissey and Julie Andrews, which can be hard to swallow. I do appreciate his commitment to character though. Sporting a patterned sweater vest over a mint green button-up shirt, Pennington had no qualms hopping off the stage and skipping through the half-awake crowd as if prancing through hills alive with the sound of music.

Mikey Goes to Austin
Part 4 - March 23

So much for a good night's sleep.

Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't fall asleep until after 2a.m. last night. After not more than an hour I was woken up by hooting and hollering through the paper thin walls of the apartment next door, meaning I slept poorly and insufficiently for the fifth night in a row. My body needs a vacation from my vacation.

SXSW 2009 in Review
Installment One

Vanessa and I flew into Austin late Wednesday night and immediately hit the hay so we’d be in peak form for Thursday’s SXSW festivities. We woke up feeling spry and began our day with Pete’s Original Breakfast Tacos, followed by a steady stream of bloody marys and Pabst Blue Ribbon at the Red Eyed Fly.

We were startled when embedded NadaMucho reporter (and At the Spine frontman) Mike Toschi appeared in long pants and a hooded sweatshirt. Not one to judge, I gave him a hug and welcomed him to join us for beverages. There was music playing but we didn’t pay much attention. We were more concerned with hydrating ourselves for the long day ahead.

After enjoying a few drinks on the patio while J Tillman sound checked, we scampered to the Radio Room for Daniel Johnston. A huge throng of onlookers gathered in eager anticipation of the brilliant, sweat suit wearing songwriter.

March 22, 1 p.m.
Ahmed and I walked a hot mile into town yesterday from the sleeping spot and caught a goofy Austin band called Wicked Pro Wrestler on a porch.

Then we caught a bit of a Swedish showcase that didn't move me while waiting for San Diego instrumental metalish band Earthless with special guest J. Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. It was loud, heavy, with long songs that were noodley and Sabbathy on and off. It was good but some lyrics and variety would have made it more interesting.

We wandered out of there and met an Oakland hip hopper named Balance who is playing a show Saturday night with NYC band the Dead Prez. He pointed Hi-Tek out to me - a hip hop artist who has produced songs for Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Snoop Dog. Balance was a friendly guy and an acquaintance of lyrical genius Boots Riley from The Coup, who is one of the few hip-hop bands in my music collection. I look forward to checking out his stuff when I get home.

Mikey Goes to Austin
Thursday, March 20

Since I left you yesterday afternoon, I saw a free show at Red 7 with Tennessee workhorses Lucero and Twin City via NYC rising stars The Hold Steady.

Lucero is not my favorite band, but I can appreciate their hard work. My only exposure to The Hold Steady thus far was their performance on one of the late night shows, which was underwhelming, but Dan from Solyoni talked me in to going and I'm glad I did. They sound like a blend of Bob Mould and Bruce Springsteen, and I enjoyed their set as much as the rest of the first-pumping crowd. The show was high energy and definitely worth the 10 minutes I stood in line.