[b]SXSW DAY -1[/b]
The festival hasn't officially started down here, but the place is already pretty hopping - could be a sign that it'll be a crush this week. No matter, Tuesday was a perfect start. I headed past the surprise Motorhead pre-party at Stubbs to the RSVP-only, free-booze Media Temple closing party for the previous days' Film and Interactive Festival at the Mohawk. This venue has pretty much turned into my favorite - great chilled atmosphere, half indoor/outdoor, multiple balconies. The crowd was well-lubricated and just really happy. Venue was about 3/4 full, leaving lots of elbow room to move around and enjoy the lovely ladies dancing to the mariachi band. Yup, I said mariachi band - in fact, one of the highlights of the night was Mariachi El Bronx (from Los Angeles) - a sorta indie-rock 7-piece mariachi outfit with dudes that could have walked straight off some uber-hip Roberto Rodriguez movie set. And the cool thing was that I got to relax and totally enjoy it rather than worry that was missing some "must-see" showcase elsewhere - I'll have to remember that this week.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/812517939_7Sz2b-X3.jpg">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1uihI8UOM4
Another decent band was Austin locals The Sour Notes. It's hard for me not to like a keyboard and guitar outfits, especially one with an absolute knockout bassist. They had several almost-high notes, but in the end just lacked the personality to really engage.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/812517957_jPnwX-X3.jpg">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQhEWQoyVHM
A really good find in the indoor stage was Norway's (I think) Casiokids. They played a lot of, um, keyboards. A sort of electropop outfit with heavy drum and base. A good meaty sound sound live. Tons of fun, great personality. They had a sorta ironic self-knowing nerd chic thing going on, a bit like Beck. I'll seek out more of their stuff.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/812517917_xbEUM-X3.jpg">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOGWjMGDNRM
Headliners were the excellent We Are Scientists. I was actually very surprised that they ripped through their songs not so much like indie popsters but almost at a punk pacing, especially their very talented lead singer/guitarist. He really rips into his guitar. Hilarious banter throughout, especially the running gag that they'd just debuted a new song but were actually "punking Sam I Am because they just debuted the new Black Eyed Peas song". Several toasts of "cheers with beers!" followed by much drinking.
<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/812517974_MYnyp-X3.jpg">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1W5JBKeF04
Not a bad morning of the first full day here either, with a view of the Capitol out my window to the north and the landmark 400 Congress building to the west. I think this just might be good.
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<img src="http://blir.smugmug.com/photos/812517985_rPLw6-X3.jpg">