Greetings from Austin everyone! I’m going to be here for the next two weeks where, just like last year, I’ll be covering the film and music parts of the South by Southwest Festival. This looks to be a good year. On the film side, there’s the premieres of Source Code (the new movie from Moon director Duncan Jones), Paul, and Bridesmaids. However, I’m more excited to see the new films from Ti West, Takashi Miike, and Miranda July. On the music side, I imagine enfants terribles OFWGKTA will be everywhere, along with 1990s revivalists Yuck, psych-glammers The Smith Westerns, and brittle folk-rockers Wye Oak (whose new album, Civilian, came out on Tuesday and is highly recommended by both Michael and myself).
I’ll be posting daily updates here and tweeting things as they happen on our twitter account, @tangledupinwire, so be sure to stay tuned!
The music section of SXSW is really more like an alternative Spring Break than some sort of professional music conference. From Tuesday night to Saturday (technically Sunday morning) I saw pieces of over 60 shows by pretty much every member of the indie rock class of 2009-10. I’m not going to go into every band I saw, so instead, let’s talk about a smattering of the most interesting ones.
TUESDAY:
Metric: There was a time where Metric was one of my favorite bands, but a lengthy hiatus and a weak follow-up album killed some of my enthusiasm. Still, live, the band is a force to be reckoned with and their style of slick, highly polished pop-punk is so distinctive and big that I’m a little surprised they aren’t a much more famous band. Their show at the huge Fader Fort on Tuesday showed that Metric are a band that could have no problems entertaining arena-sized crowds, if only they could sell enough tickets.
WEDNESDAY:
Here We Go Magic: I know HWGM as friends and tourmates of Grizzly Bear and for their excellent first record, which was pretty sedate and deliberate. So I wasn’t expecting their show to be as raucous and thumping as it turned out to be. The songs were ratcheted up and their new stuff, for a record due out later this year, was quite good.
jj: jj put out one of my favorite records of 2009 but they were, without a doubt, the biggest disappointment of the week. Their show consisted of singer Elin Kastlander standing alone on a bare stage while someone hit play on instrumental versions of their songs, which she then sang over, without enthusiasm or energy. The bands other member, Joakim Benon, eventually wandered through, lit a cigarette, and stared at her while she sang. As performance art, jj’s set was kind of amazing, but as a show, it sucked.
Sleigh Bells: Sleigh Bells, however, were as advertised. One of the hottest bands to spring to life in the last 12 months, pretty much all of their praise has focused on their live show, since the band only has a few demos to its name as far as recorded output goes. Nonetheless, their show was a frenetic dance party, almost as if a Madonna show and a Metallica show were happening on the same stage at the same time. Unlike other bands, Sleigh Bells found a nice balance between utilizing loops and samples and actually putting on a show.
THURSDAY:
Local Natives: Local Natives just put out their kind of incredible new record a few weeks ago, and arrived at SXSW at the perfect time to build on that buzz. Their songs have a pop live that I wasn’t expecting, while bringing out the energy and sunny pop vibe in their music. I saw them twice and was impressed both times, especially with their insanely catchy single “Airplanes” which seems destined to be in a car commercial very soon.
Surfer Blood: By my rough estimation, Surfer Blood played approximately 3,200 shows at SXSW, which makes sense since their record is perfect spring break music. Filled with chunky guitar riffs (Weezer is a common reference, but I’d compare their single “Swim” more to Van Halen) and thumping percussion, Surfer Blood makes music that is perfect for a sunny, boozy day. But, while their show was serviceable, it lacked the energy that comes across on the record.
The Besnard Lakes: Led by a husband and wife duo from Canada, The Besnard Lakes make music with the rustic feel of Grizzly Bear, but the sweeping grandeur of The Arcade Fire. I would hazard a guess that Stubbs’ outdoor amphitheater was the largest venue they’ve ever played, but soaring songs like “Albatross” had no problem filling the space.
Drive-By Truckers: DBT are a Southern rock band, not a Confederate rock band, and that crucial difference gets at why Patterson Hood’s awesome band works for me in a way that, say, Kid Rock or .38 Special doesn’t. The band’s music has a dark, gothic edge (reminiscent of one of my favorite writers, Flannery O’Connor) but Hood doesn’t forget to just flat out rock. It was my first time seeing DBT (and I suspect I was one of the few people there who was more excited for them than either of the two headliners), and they didn’t disappoint.
Band of Horses: I’ve seen Band of Horses twice already, but it seems like they’ve been a little revitalized by their new material. They’ve fully embraced their country side to solid effect as the new songs sounded pretty good. I was surprised that it seemed like they had as many fans at Stubbs as Broken Social Scene, but they definitely earned even more this weekend.
Broken Social Scene: I’ve seen Broken Social Scene 4 times now and, if this time wasn’t quite as transcendent as when they’re at their best, it was still a darn good rock show. They devoted most of their set to airing the new material from their forthcoming album, but it all sounded interesting and fit right in with their old stuff (including a nice run through “Anthems of a Seventeen Girl” featuring Emily Haines on vocals).
FRIDAY:
Free Energy: Between this band and the new LCD Soundsystem song (which sounds like L.A. McCartney), it seems like DFA is branching out to other 1970s sounds besides disco. Free Energy is a power-chord, glammed out 70s rock band that wouldn’t be out of place opening of Aerosmith in 1974 (except they’d, you know, blow Aerosmith away). If you want to have a good time, see a Free Energy show or, failing that, just by their record and crank the stereo.
Washed Out: Washed Out mastermind Ernest Greene has been hesitant to tour and its easy to understand why after seeing him live. The show basically has Greene cueing loops on a sampler and singing over it – not exactly the most compelling stuff (added to the fact that I kind of don’t like his record to begin with). He brought out a band to spice things up, but it couldn’t rescue a show that just wasn’t working.
Best Coast: Best Coast’s winsome, fuzzed out beach pop made for some of my favorite songs of 2009, despite the fact they’re singles and Bethany Cosentino hasn’t put out an LP yet. Live, the songs don’t lose their melancholy beauty but, except for her two big songs (“Sun Was High” and “When I’m With You), the set dragged a little and the crowd didn’t seem totally into it. Still, “Sun Was High” was positively gorgeous and I can’t wait to listen to the full record.
Memory Tapes: Another chillwave, sample-tastic band, but Memory Tapes also has a post-punk edge to it that came out live (unlike his compatriots in Washed Out and Neon Indian, Dayve Hawk actually plays guitar at his show) and really helped the excellent songs from “Seek Magic” come out live. The crowd was really into it and all in all, it was an excellent show.
Neon Indian: I was fully prepared for a “they are who we thought they were” rant about Neon Indian but, I’ve got to admit, I kind of dug his show. Flanked by a live band that seemed a little more prepared and fine-tuned than Washed Out’s, the songs had an energy and directness that the album was missing. I still think “Psychic Chasms” sounds too much like a lazy first draft, but I now have a little more hope for the future of chillwave than I once did.
SATURDAY:
Wye Oak: Wye Oak’s live show consists of Jenn Wasner singing (and her voice is positively haunting) and playing guitar while bandmate Andy Stack plays drums with one hand (and both feet) and keyboard with the other. However, beyond being technically astounding, their music retains its patient beauty live, and was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend for me.
Titus Andronicus: I’ve been thinking about “The Monitor,” Titus Andronicus’ newest record, for a while and trying to formulate what exactly to say, but I’m glad I got the chance to see them live. I liked them a lot when I saw them last year but, I don’t know whether it’s the confidence that comes with the added experience of a year or the insanely high level of their new songs, but they were on a totally different plane. Their highbrow punk rock was blistering and epic (in a 45 minute set, they got through 4 songs, including the 15 minute “Battle of Hampton Roads”). Making a 68-minute concept record about the Civil War may be an inherently ridiculous undertaking, but Titus Andronicus pulled it off, in what may have been my favorite set of the weekend.
Woods: Woods is kind of a weird band. A lot of their set is devoted to noise and cassette looping and its difficult to tell how much of the singer’s odd timbre is his voice and how much of it is caused by the special effect microphone he uses. But, as a huge fan of “Songs of Shame” it was really awesome to see them take their pretty, pastoral folk songs and turn them into Crazy Horse-esque jams. They are decidedly esoteric, but highly rewarding to listeners who can get into it.
Real Estate: Real Estate’s show is kind of the opposite of label-mates Woods. While a live setting brings out Woods’ eccentricities, it irons out Real Estate’s, giving an immediacy to their winning, beachy, Jersey Shore shamble. It made for a really great show, as they tore through songs like standout “Beach Comber” and “Suburban Beverage.” I saw them twice and was not disappointed either time.
MacGruber is not The Ladies Man, but its also not Wayne’s World. As a film, it works a lot better than I was expecting, and director Jorma Taccone (one of The Lonely Island guys) brings a very 1980s action film feel to the whole thing. He talked about Lethal Weapon and Die Hard as being influences, but the movie reminded more more of the ridiculous Schwarzennagger film Commando. Either way it definitely treads the line between homage and parody (not unlike Hot Fuzz), although, as you might expect from an SNL movie, the whole thing felt a little thin. More a long string of bits than a film, MacGruber expands one of SNL’s shortest sketches to feature length and its not hard to feel the strain of trying to turn a 30 second joke into a 90 minute film (especially given the relatively limited timeframe they had to make this movie). When the jokes work (like the two hilarious sex scenes or a small moment of subtitle fun), they tend to be playful nods and swipes at the storytelling conventions of those ridiculous action movies. But there’s too much filler, and long stretches where there’s just not very much going on. The cast is all strong, especially Will Forte, who shows that he has the charisma to carry a film like this. Kristen Wiig is very funny and subtle, and Val Kilmer is Val Kilmer (though not as gloriously so as in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). In the end, MacGruber is a relatively entertaining timewaster, but its a too uneven and disposable to have legs as a comedy classic (although it did play very well at the Paramount, so maybe I’m just being harsh).
Grade: C+
I wanted to go to the Mohawk to see Califone last night too, but it started raining pretty hard (its not a music festival in Austin without a little rain) and MacGruber got out later than it was supposed to, so I decided to bail. That’s going to just about do it for our coverage of the film festival. I may try to see No Crossover or Parking Lot Movie, but from here on out I’m switching my focus to the music and party side of things.
So, despite my efforts at doing so here, I was not prepared for SXSW. The mass of people. The lines at everything. I’ve gone to places I’ve been to a bunch before, like the Drafthouse and the Paramount Theater, but they were unrecognizable. Nonetheless, here’s my summary of what I’ve done so far:
FRIDAY:
Friday was like an education for me in how to do SXSW. I showed up to Kick-Ass an hour before it started and didn’t get in. Then I didn’t get into Trash Humpers (which I’m kind of okay with) and the Predators preview event. So it was basically a wash.
SATURDAY:
Film: Dogtooth
So, I started my festival with the dark, dark Greek film Dogtooth, which won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes last year. Dogtooth is about a husband and wife who, for reasons that are left frighteningly vague, keep their three children locked up in their country estate. They teach the kids different meanings for words, so they can’t communicate with anyone except each other, and feed them with lies about the dangers of the outside world (cats are the most dangerous animals; stepping outside of the gate will cause you to die). Into this sheltered world comes an outsider who the parents are paying to sleep with their son, and things only get more messed up from there. Dogtooth swings from darkly funny to genuinely disturbing in a whiplash inducing way. The movie stays with you after its over, and some of the weirder setpieces are still eating at me a little. I wish the film was a little more stylistically polished (the colors are a little washed out and the camera work is, at times, kind of flat), but for a Lynchian contrast between a bourgey, rustic setting and the terrible things that the people who live there do, you can’t do much better than Dogtooth.
Grade: B+
Micmacs
Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s follow-up to Amelie is going to be a film you either love or hate. If your tolerance for unironic whimsy, childlike magic, and absurdity are low then you will likely check-out somewhere around the first five minutes. But, if you are locked in on Jeunet’s particular brand of playful filmmaking then you’re in for a delightful and fun night out. Micmacs is the story of a band of misfits who team up to take down a couple of arms dealers, but its strength is much more in the high number of comic setpieces and the thrill of watching things play out. The movie draws from a number of inspirations – ranging from Pixar to Tex Avery to Ocean’s 11 – but the main touchstone is Buster Keaton. Jeunet uses as few words as possible, making for a visual (and visceral) experience that is able to mine laughs in a truly cinematic way. Some of its jokes are as old as Keaton films, but the flair and pizzazz that Jeunet uses to tell them makes them funny nonetheless. While its ending draws the film’s politics to the fore a little too much, Micmacs is still a delightful piece of filmmaking.
Grade: A-
Cyrus
The Duplass Brothers’ greatest strength – their emotional honesty and verisimillitude – is also their greatest weakness. Their films are so rough and unpolished that its easy to sit at the end and wonder what, exactly, was the point of it all. But that’s a feature, not a bug, and, with Cyrus, they’re poised to break out in a big, big way. Their first movie with stars, Cyrus is about a guy, played by John C. Reilly, whose life is in a lonely tailspin, until he meets and falls in love with Marisa Tomei. Things are going great, but there’s a big obstacle to their love, in the form of her emotionally stunted, 21-year-old son Cyrus (Jonah Hill) who still lives at home and is in a weird, somewhat creepy co-dependent relationship with her. The movie doesn’t strain for laughs but lets them flow naturally, drawing from a loose, naturalistic style (helped by the actors’ improvisation and the Duplass Brothers’ trademark, documentary-style camerawork) and feeling very real. Its helped on by some great performances. John C. Reilly is his typically great self, but I was surprised by Jonah Hill (best known for Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) who gave a very natural and poignant performance that was miles away from his Apatow persona. It feels a tad slight – treading the line between loose and lazy – but its a very funny film with the potential to be a huge smash at the box office.
Grade: B
SUNDAY
Winter’s Bone
The only film I managed to see on Sunday was Winter’s Bone, a smash at Sundance that should be getting released later on in the year. The movie is set in the Ozarks, focusing on a young girl who, with her mother struck with mental illness and father in and out of jail, has to take care of her family and household (including her two younger siblings) on her own. Things get complicated when the cops show up and say that, if her Dad doesn’t show up for his court date, the family will lose their house, which he put up for his bond. The movie looks absolutely gorgeous – getting full effect out of the rustic, mountaneous backdrop – but is also an intricately realized and very full story. While the Coen Brothers are an obvious influence, this movie never mocks or satirizes its characters. The movie is all about the innate, deeply held mistrust of others and pervasive sense of “minding one’s own business” that is held by residents of the area and only exacerbated when Jennifer Lawrence’s character starts asking questions that make some very scary people bristle. The movie boasts some fantastic performances – especially Lawrence’s weighty work in the lead and John Hawkes (who was just killed off on Lost) as her tough, tempremental uncle – and the last 15 minutes are absolutely wrenching. It takes some time to get going, and a few scenes are too on-point (especially one with the only army recruiter in America who actually turns away potential recruits), but Winter’s Bone is a richly detailed mystery that forgoes the typical hyperbole and conventions of the average noir/thriller in favor of a more subtle and human story.
Looking at the gauntlet that’s in store for this year’s South By Southwest can be pretty intimidating, so we here at TUIW are going to try to sort through the noise and find the stuff that’s worth doing. This preview is by no means complete, and it reflects my own particular biases (free food, free drinks, and eclectic, left-of-the dial leaning rock), but here goes.
At last we’ve come to the heart of SXSW, four days of music, networking, and, with a little luck, lots and lots of free booze. There’s a lot to get through, so I’ve made an executive decision to only focus on day parties and other events not on the official schedule, otherwise I will die. Every band with a video here is also playing an official showcase at some point, so if you like them, head over to the SXSW website and search for them to see when they’re playing (or check their Myspaces):
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
Austinist’s Gonna Get Down Party – 11AM – free – Mohawk
The Besnard Lakes just put out a really great record and they’re gonna be there, along with buzzy chillwavers Washed Out (you may like them more than I do). Plus I met the Austinist editor a couple weeks ago and he’s a real nice guy.
KEXP Live – 11:30 AM – free – Gibson Studios
KEXP is doing live sessions all week and they’re worth checking out. Best Coast (one of my favorites of the bands in town this week) and Crayon Fields stop by on Wednesday and The Very Best will be there on Thursday. Not exactly a “party,” but live music.
Brooklyn Vegan Day Party – 12:00 Noon – Free – Emo’s
This show really hits the SXSW Day Party Sweet Spot, with free food (including breakfast tacos), drink (vodka and Magic Hat!) and cool bands (Fucked Up, GZA, Titus Andronicus, Andrew W.K.)!
Terrorbird Media/Force Field PR SXSW Day Party – 12 PM – free – Red 7
This one has a really terrific line-up, headlined by Jersey beach-rockers Real Estate and chillwaver Toro y Moi (two bands who I’d make a point of seeing this week, and who you should have plenty of opportunities to), plus free drinks till 2!
Waterloo Records Day Party – 1 PM – free – Waterloo Records
Using the same setup they had for Spoon’s in-store, Waterloo’s going to be having some sweet bands out in their parking lot, including sure-to-be ubiquitous Florida rockers Surfer Blood (seriously, if I wanted to, I could probably spend the whole week seeing just them). But Surfer Blood + outside show probably equals a win.
IAmSound Records Showcase – 7 PM – free with RSVP – Malverde (400 W. 2nd St)
If you’re not doing an official showcase Wednesday night, this looks to be the place to be, between Sleigh Bells (who sound a little like Crystal Castles 2) and jj (mysterious Swedish poppers playing what could well be their first US show). Free drinks too.
THURSDAY, MARCH 18:
Day Parties:
Austin Carniville – 12 Noon – RSVP – Mexican American Cultural Center
Austin Carniville is a three day party that is absolutely stacked with music. Like, it looks ridiculous. Among the bands are Major Lazer, The Walkmen, Diplo (presumably doing a solo set in addition to one with Major Lazer), The Very Best, and Cymbals Eat Guitars. Should be fun.
Consequence of Sound & Sled Island Day Party – 12 Noon – free with RSVP – The Compound (1300 E 4th)
Titus Andronicus made a really great album called The Monitor (I may even write about it later today), so you owe it to them to see them live. Why not do it here, where they’re flanked by Surfer Blood and Royal Bangs?
Eastbound & Found – 12 Noon – free with RSVP – 1001 E. 6th
No Kenny Powers, but this event’s Facebook page promises plenty of capacity and fun. The lineup is a nice mix of local acts (Ume) with bigger ones like Grizzly Bear’s BFFs Here We Go Magic or Delorean.
Insound Party – 12 Noon – free with RSVP – Club Deville
Since you already get all your music from insound.com, it makes sense to hit up their day party, which has Vivian Girls, Delorean, Liars, and $3 for all the beer you can drink (a good deal, since most free beer goes pretty quickly)
NPR Day Show – 12 Noon – free – The Parish
I’m listening to the Local Natives record as I write (on Michael’s recommendation) and it is damn good. If you want to check them out, this is a good chance to do so, thanks to NPR. They’ve also got Sleigh Bells and Surfer Blood on the bill.
Other Music Presents – 1 PM – free with RSVP – French Legation Museum
Whenever I go downtown on Saturday nights, I usually park outside the FLM (TUIW: For All Your Austin Parking Needs) and it has always seemed like a cool place, so I completely support Other Music’s decision to put a free showcase on their lawn. The lineup includes Vivian Girls-approved Austin act Yellow Fever, Pitchfork-approved electro-dance band The XX, and me-approved fuzz-rockers Dum Dum Girls.
The Austin Imposition – 7 PM – free with RSVP – Longbranch Inn
The Longbranch Inn is a cozy spot on the East Side that will host this excellent looking show, that’s a good badgeless option for Thursday night. The lineup includes Woods, who made one of my favorite records of 2009.
FRIDAY, MARCH 19
Morning After Party – 11:30 AM – free with RSVP – 1711 S. Congress
Free breakfast tacos and bloody marys!
Mexican Summer Gorilla v Bear – 12 Noon – day party free, night party is an official showcase, RSVP here – Klub Krucial
I’m having a hard time thinking of a less indie-sounding place for this show than Klub Krucial, but nonetheless, the Facebook invite promises free beer, Dum Dum Girls, and Memory Tapes.
Homeslice Pizza/WOXY Pizza By the Slice – 12 PM – free – Home Slice Pizza (South Congress)
Homeslice is my favorite pizza place in town, WOXY is my favorite radio station in town, and Wye Oak is one of my favorite bands coming for SXSW. What could go wrong?
Mess with Texas DAY 1 – 12 PM – free with RSVP – 1001 E. 6th
MwTX is basically a mini-Fun Fun Fun Fest, but this year its moved out of Waterloo Park. Day 1 features Frightened Rabbit (whose new album shows they really, really like The National), Billy Bragg, and Man or Astroman?
Fader Fort – 1 PM – free with RSVP – 1101 E. 5th
There’s no real reason why I put this here, since its running Wednesday through Saturday with all kinds of good stuff (free alcohol). Basically, RSVP and go hang out. Now enjoy this video of The Very Best, one of the many bands playing Fader Fort.
Village Voice Media Party – 1 PM – totally free and open – La Zona Rosa
This year’s SXSW All-Star Surfer Blood performs with last year’s All-Star The Pains of Being Pure at Heart but, perhaps most excitingly, Superchunk is there!
Pitchfork Party – 1 PM – free, no RSVP – Emo’s
Boasting a lineup stacked with all your favorite Best New Music acts of the last six months, the P4K party seems like a good chance to knock out a bunch of must-see acts in one fell swoop, including Memory Tapes, Surfer Blood, Best Coast, Neon Indian, and Japandroids
Dickies Sounds/Filter Party – 3 PM – RSVP for afternoon shows – Lustre Pearl
Though they say they’re only allowing RSVPs for the afternoon shows, if you’re crafty, you may be able to stick around for She & Him (Zooooooooooey), Broken Bells (Michael may pass), and Warpaint at the night show.
SATURDAY MARCH 20:
East Meets Fest – 11 AM – RSVP – Uchi (801 S. Lamar)
There’s bands and stuff, but more importantly, Uchi is going to be selling a whole bunch of really delicious sounds Japanese street food. Yes, they’re selling, but compared to the average price of a meal at Uchi, think of this as a value deal. Plus, Austinites The Octopus Project will be there.
Brooklyn Vegan & M For Montreal Party – 12 PM – RSVP – Galaxy Room
Another free BV party (with free food and some drink specials), this should be a good time. Its also got Roky Erikson with Okkervil River, Local Natives, Wye Oak, Jason Collett, and Plants and Animals.
Mess with Texas Day 2 – 12 PM – RSVP – free with RSVP – 1001 E. 6th
Day 2 of this thing is waaaay more hardcore than Day 1, thanks to the combination of Fucked Up, Andrew W.K. and GWAR (yes, really). However, pale people like me will find plenty of stuff to do as well, between We Were Promised Jetpacks, Japandroids, and Smith Westerns
Stereogum Range Life – 1 Pm – free with RSVP – The Parish
Ben Gibbard graces our presence with a solo set, joined by Wye Oak and The Morning Benders. Plus, its a party named “Range Life” so there’s got to be, like, a 50% chance Pavement shows up, right?
Phew. Stay safe, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, have fun, and be sure to come back here all week for daily coverage of the whole damn thing.
Looking at the gauntlet that’s in store for this year’s South By Southwest can be pretty intimidating, so we here at TUIW are going to try to sort through the noise and find the stuff that’s worth doing. This preview is by no means complete, and it reflects my own particular biases (free food, free drinks, and eclectic, left-of-the dial leaning rock), but here goes.
While the music doesn’t start until Wednesday, there’s plenty of free parties and shows going on during the Film and Interactive Festival. Let’s look at some of the most promising, along with what you need to get in (RSVP, Wristband, Badge, etc.). If there’s music we like, there’s a youtube video posted so you can sample the band before you decide. And, finally, if you have any tips or know of anything else going on, post it in the comments or drop us a like at tangledupinwires@gmail.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 13
Mobile Social SXSW 2010 – 2:00 – 6:30 PM – Badges or can pick up a ride wristband from them – Info – Mellow Johnny’s (4th and Trinity)
Austin is a huge biking town, so Mobile Social is kicking things off with a social bike ride at 2, followed by a BBQ and Variety Show at 4. Beer, BBQ, and biking…can’t get much more Austin than that.
Mozilla SXSW Happy Hour Party – 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Open – RSVP here – The Cedar Door (201 Brazos)
If you’re reading this blog right now, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with Mozilla, so why not stop by and say hello (and take in some kind of marketing pitch). The Facebook event says “Happy Hour Drinks and Appetizers” so it doesn’t sound like there’s free stuff.
Lamebook Party – 6:00 PM – $3 with RSVP – Shangri La (E. 6th)
Office timewaster and hilarious tool of Facebook shame, Lamebook is branching out with a happy hour party at one of my favorite bars in town, Shangri La. They have some DJs and a little music (although no one who stands out to me) prizes, and BBQ, even though you have to pay to get in.
Gawker Media and io9’s Timebender – 9:00 PM – Seems to be open to everyone with RSVP – Pure Volume House (504 Trinity)
Gawker’s big party features a real sword fight! That’s right, at 9 the High Fantasy Society and the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts are going to show off their swordfighting skills. Plus there’s a DJ and an open bar. Basically, this cannot be missed.
SUNDAY, MARCH 14
PopBox Party – 7:30 – 9:30 PM – Open w/RSVP – Speakeasy
Sunday is a pretty slow day on the party front. Here’s one that has a DJ, free drinks, some food, and they’re going to try to sell you apps. Hooray?
Mashable’s MashBash SXSWi 2010 – 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM – Open w/RSVP – Buffalo Billiards
If I’m a little slow at work on Monday, this is probably the reason why. A 3 hour open bar, live DJ, and a ridiculous amount of people should make for one of the most crowded and nutty parties of the first weekend.
MONDAY, MARCH 15
T(ea) for Tennesse Party – 7:00 – 11:00 PM – RSVP – Elysium (7th and Red River)
There’s plenty of music on Monday as bands start to trickle in. This party has a couple of promising, if waaay below the radar, bands (including How I Became the Bomb, who I’ve always kind of liked), as well as free beer and free t-shirts.
eDoorways.come Interactive Party – 8:00 PM – Can’t find an RSVP or info like that – The Parish (6th)
Local dance-funk band L.A.X. headlines this (presumably) free show.
The British Music Embassy – 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM – RSVP but Badges and Wristbands Only – Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto)
Here’s your first chance to see punk legend Billy Bragg (who is going to be all over SXSW next week) and the amusingly named Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Beer Camp – 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM – RSVP – Emos (6th and Red River)
Of course, why go after music when you can go to something called Beer Camp? Their Facebook invite promises no hard sell, just some free beer and music, and even a beer pong tournament. Sounds pretty sweet to us!
ATX Emerge – 8 PM – 2 AM – Info – Mohawk
ATX Emerge has got some solid local bands, including Brazos and Califone, and it also ties into this year’s movie festival, and the Texas-shot-and-themed film Skateland.
TUESDAY, MARCH 16
Day Before the Mess Fest – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM/9:00 PM – 2:00AM – Open – 30th and Red River/707 W.21st St.
So this looks positively epic. As best as I can tell, this is a pair of house parties going on at a couple of co-ops around town with an absolutely insane lineup. The early show has local Phil Spector fans The Carrots and nostalgic chillwavers Reading Rainbow, while the late show has Woven Bones (last seen on Casual Victim Pile) and The Fresh and Onlys, among others. This looks awesome.
House Party – 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM – Open – 1907 Red River St.
I’m not sure if this is also a part of Day Before the Mess or not, but its the same concept. Performing here are booming Austin band Harlem and The Beets!
2nd Annual Panache Pre-Party – 8:00 PM – Badges, Wristbands, or $10 Cover – Scoot Inn
Here’s a promoter party, headlined by Be Your Own Pet alumni Turbo Fruits (who are going to be all over town all week) and punk band The Coathangers.
Art Disaster no. 10 – 8:00 PM – RSVP – Beauty Bar
There’s some DJs and buzzy local bands like Pomegranates and Bright Light Social Hour, but, more importantly, from 8 to 9 they have free beer and vodka.
PureVolume/Paste KickOff Party – 8:00 PM – RSVP – PureVolume House
Since its the PureVolume House, I imagine there will be some free food (although that food will be from Taco Bell) and drink to go with this party filled with Pastey artists like Eisley and Neko Case (performing with Jakob Dylan, so don’t get too excited).
Todd P Presents: Texas Bands and Friends – 6:00 PM – RSVP, open to everyone – Cheer Up Charles (E. 6th)
Promoter Todd P is actually holding his own festival in Mexico next weeked, but on Tuesday, he’s got a SXSW showcase featuring a lot of local bands including Pataphysics (who I’ve seen and enjoyed), No Mas Bodas (who I’ve also seen and enjoyed) and Ringo Deathstarr (whose name I’ve seen and enjoyed).
From the Mind of Adi KickOff Party – 8:00 – Free with RSVP or $3 at the door – Chupacabra Cantina
Dancing and free booze, the two staples of any good SXSW party, are available at this party, according to the Facebook event. I haven’t really heard of any of the acts (except for Austin’s own DJ Car Stereo (Wars) and folkers Peter and the Wolf), but it looks like a good time.
Going to SXSW but don’t know anything about the bands playing? Well stay tuned here for our comprehensive guide, but you can also download a couple of free samplers to get you up do date, with tracks from Spoon, The Walkmen, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Local Natives, Surfer Blood, Broken Bells, and more. Find one here and here.
Looking at the gauntlet that’s in store for this year’s South By Southwest can be pretty intimidating, so we here at TUIW are going to try to sort through the noise and find the stuff that’s worth doing. This preview is by no means complete, and it reflects my own particular biases (free food, free drinks, and eclectic, left-of-the dial leaning rock), but here goes.
Before we get into the music proper, though, there’s the first weekend, which is primarily dominated by the Film and Interactive festivals. There are a few bands, and a bunch of parties, but the emphasis is more on film and new media. I only have a badge to the Film Festival, though, so let’s start by looking at that.
If you don’t have a badge, you can still get a local film badge for $70 over-the-counter from the Drafthouse. They’ll also be selling individual tickets to movies (assuming there’s room, of course) for $10. So, what films should you shell out for?
FRIDAY:
Kick-Ass – 7:00 – Paramount Theater
As much as I hate the comic (which comes from the second phase of Mark Millar’s career, known as “Let me make comics specifically so they can be optioned into films), the latest trailer has finally gotten me psyched about this movie. The idea of a real-world, mocking deconstruction of superhero mythology sounds fun enough, especially the always batty Nicolas Cage and Hit Girl, a 9-year-old girl who is also a ninja.
Dogtooth – 6:45 – Alamo Lamar
Of course, if Kick-Ass fills or if your tastes are a little artier, there’s this well-recieved film, which has been making the rounds after debuting at Cannes last year (where it won the Un Certain Regard award). The film is about three teens who are locked away in isolation in their family’s rural estate, cut off from the world and forced to live under their father’s strict rules. Director Yorgos Lanthimos’ style has garnered a lot of acclaim and people who see the film love it, so I’m curious to see it. (Its also running a week later, on the 19th at 5:00 PM)
SATURDAY
Micmacs – 6:45 PM – Paramount Theater
Jean-Pierre Jeunet made one of my favorite films of the 2000s (that would be Amelie) and Micmacs looks like a return to manic form for the director. The film is being sold as an imaginative comedy about a scrappy group of people who live in a junkyard and seek revenge on an evil industrialist, but given its Jeunet, I’m willing to go in relatively cold and enjoy the ride.
Cyrus – 9:30 PM – Paramount Theater
A Sundance selection, Cyrus is the Hollywood debut of the Duplass Brothers, who aim to leave mumblecore behind with this comedy. John C. Reilly stars as an awkward dude who falls for Marisa Tomei but has to deal with her creepy, socially inept son, Jonah Hill. Given the Duplass’ talent for awkward, honest humor and the funny trailer, I have high hopes for this film.
SUNDAY
No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson – 11:00 AM – Paramount Theater
Just like how Winning Time premiered at Sundance, this installment of ESPN’s 30 For 30 series premieres here at SXSW and looks really interesting. Directed by Steve James (who made Hoop Dreams), it looks at the racial and social divides in Hampton, Virginia, which were exacerbated by the trail and imprisonment of Allen Iverson in 1993.
Winter’s Bone – 4:15 PM – Alamo Lamar
Winter’s Bone took Sundance by storm last month drawing comparisons to No Country for Old Men. The story concerns a 17-year-old girl who has to trek through the Ozarks to track down her absent father before he defaults on the house she lives in with her mother and leaves them homeless.
The Parking Lot Movie – 5:00 PM – Alamo Ritz
Set in a parking lot in Charlottesville, Virginia, Parking Lot Movie aims to use the trials and experience of the attendants there and project them into something larger about Us As a People. Even if the summary makes the film seem a little overwrought (including this line: “Something as simple as a parking lot becomes an emotional weigh station for The American Dream”), its still an interesting concept.
MONDAY
Strange Powers: Stephin Merrit and the Magnetic Fields – 7:15 PM – Alamo Lamar
This promises to be a fascinating look at one of the prickliest, and most talented, songwriters working today.
MacGruber – 9:00 PM – Paramount
Can SNL produce their first good movie since Wayne’s World? The trailer made this film look far more promising than it seemed at first and it should be nice to break up the heavy, festival fare with a goofy movie like this.
Enter the Void – 11:59 PM – Alamo Ritz
Gasper Noe’s newest film promises to be another taxing, dark journey through the horrors of the human mind. It debuted at Cannes where the response could be generously called divisive, and its midnight time slot should allow for the weirdness and mindfuckery to have its maximum effect.
THE REST
The Runaways – Thursday at 8:00 PM – Paramount
Its time for another drugs, sex, and rock and roll biopic, this time starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart as Cherie Curie and Joan Jett, repsectively. I don’t have terribly high hopes for this one (and will probably be going for one of the music showcases instead), but the buzz on Michael Shannon’s performance is really solid.
Waking Sleeping Beauty – Saturday at 12:00 PM – Paramount
While this video is the most important bit of Disney you’ll see all month, Waking Sleeping Beauty runs a close second. A documentary looking at the 1990s resurgence of Disney feature animation, it promises to be an interesting peek behind the curtain of one of the most interesting showbiz stories of the 1990s.
Four Lions – Saturday at 7:00 PM – Paramount
The closing film of the festival is another Sundance alum, this one getting buzz as the next In the Loop, mainly because its a dry British satire. Director Chris Morris’ film focuses on four jihadists who plan to carry out a terrorist attack, which should make for an interesting public reaction if it ever sees a real release.
Next: A look at the free parties this weekend (and the following Monday and Tuesday) as SXSW begins in earnest.
For ten days, Austin, TX is going to morph from a pleasant little metropolis to a post-apocalyptic wasteland of free beer, music, badges, sales pitches, networking, and couch surfers. Yes, South By Southwest is nearly upon us and, since I live in Austin, I’ll be here to provide all the gory details. But, like any battle, its best to plan before entering the fray. So, all next week, we’re going to give you all the tools to survive SXSW, with a series of posts spotlighting who to see and who to skip. Here’s the tentative schedule:
Monday: Film and 3/13-3/16
Tuesday: 3/17
Wednesday: 3/8
Thursday: 3/19
Friday: 3/20
I’m hoping to include all kinds of YouTube and MySpace links for sampling before you commit and, together, maybe we can make sense of the mess of day parties and showcases that is about to descend on ATX. Lone Stars and Breakfast Tacos on me everyone!
In less than two weeks, yours truly will be nursing a massive hangover in the thick of SXSW – the film, music, and media extravaganza that descends on Austin every March. While there are all sorts of sweet free parties and shows happening, P4K’s merits consideration because of its awesome poster. Oh, and also the fact that they have gathered a pretty great lineup. Real Estate, Surfer Blood, Memory Tapes, and Best Coast are all must-sees, even if you have to deal with Neon Indian and Washed Out.
Anyway, next week I’ll be posting a comically incomplete comprehensive guide to SXSW, so stay tuned dear readers.
If you're a label or studio interested in sending us material to review or if you just want to get in contact with us directly, shoot us an email at tangledupinwires@gmail.com
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Tangled Up In Wires 
