SXSW: Day 2, Part 1
Haven’t done a ton so far today. Went through the trade show (the down-economy version — kind of depressing) and Flatstock (the annual poster show; local artist Nevada Hill had a booth). Saw Gary Louris and Mark Olson from the Jayhawks at the New West Records party, and a band from L.A. called Yearbook Pictures that had a kind of Low thing happening. Slow-ish songs, lots of building crescendos, super-cute girl who sings some. Mostly I spent my time with my good friend Bob Mehr from the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, playing out a scenario in which Jay Farrar from Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt joined the Wu-Tang Clan after ODB died and imagining a East Coast/West Coast-style feud between Farrar and Jeff Tweedy. So, still extremely productive. Lots more planned for tonight (see the comments of SXSW: Day 1 for more). And Friday looks to be extremely busy.
In semi-related news: Getting around in this town has gone from mildly frustrating to nigh on impossible. I may never make it home. Tell my family I love them.
Stay as far away from the Congress Street Bridge during rush hour. Can take up to 45 minutes to cross when SXSW isn’t going on.
Can’t they reschedule that darn Rodeo? But then they’d lose that whole hipster-hickster vibe I guess. Nothing like a few thousand lost/drunk out-of-towners to gum up the works. At least they’re stylish. I think I’ll stay in the cozy confines of Leander this weekend. Party on.
I’m interested in a Farrar-Tweedy gang war. Tweedy sucks! Go Farrar!