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SXSW – GET THE BADGE |
 My CD on a cool café chair on S.Congress in Austin |
In all the years that I have been playing music, singing, writing songs and trying to "do something" with my career, I am amazed that I am only now discovering the rich South by Southwest Music conference in Austin Texas, or as it’s commonly spelled, SXSW. Of course, I had heard of it for years but for some odd reason, I never thought it applied to me and/or to my music. Or maybe I thought it would be cool, but could I afford it? All the travel (air, hotel, food) not to mention the cost of the conference itself. And then there is always that fear of :"should I go alone? What will I do? Who will I hang out with?" You know – the basic FEAR factor. This year I took a deep breath, got out my credit card and registered for THE BADGE.
So here I am just back from Austin, the morning after. This SXSW 2004 was my second conference. My first one was last year, where I performed and saw bands at night – but did not buy THE BADGE and therefore did not participate in all the great panels and networking that go on in the conventional hall itself. Also, without THE BADGE I had trouble getting into many shows. This year due to many unexpected and beautiful changes in my personal life as well as a recently released album, I decided not to perform but to bring my CDs and just go and receive – receive information, music, people, experiences and ideas. I wanted to be sponge with an unstructured mind and absorb new energy around music and songs and the business. And coming from the Los Angeles desert, where it is a dry music world with much to be desired, the moist and fertile air of Austin filled me to the brim with spirit, creativity and a renewed love for what I do – music. GET THE BADGE.
What is SXSW?
Basically, musicians, songwriters, publishers, merchandisers and fans either fly of drive into Austin for the 5 days conference. The way it’s arranged is like this: You register in advance for THE BADGE that gets you into the panels, the Hall and the Venues. Badges have priority at all venues. You can also purchase a wrist band ($115) that gets you in to the venues, but not the panels. GET THE BADGE! That is what this article is about.
Venues – 54 venues have got at least 6 bands on per night (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday). The schedule lists them all and there is usually a different band/performer on at each hour – at 8,9,10,11,12,and 1. The schedule has everyone listed with a map and info about each band.
FYI: When you go to a venue there are 3 entrance spots:
1. A long line of people who want to pay to get in.
2. A shorter line of people with wristbands who might get it.
3. An almost non-existent line of people with badges who can USUALLY waltz right in. (Although – there are some shows with so much buzz, even people with THE BADGE need to get there early to get in – like Nelly McKay this year).
The Convention Hall- There are a few bands that play in the convention hall itself. Every 45 minutes an artist gets a chance to play (pre-booked of course and if you’d like to apply – check out http://www.sxsw.com and submit your demo). Now, during the day you’ve got panels at the hall that range from private mentor sessions to interviews of interesting people (this year Ani Difranco, Joan Baez, Little Richard to name a few). Also panels about radio, publishing, playing guitar, politics, songwriting, touring and even a panel called "Where to Eat on the Road". Also inside the hall is a trade show where you can info about merchandising, networking, archiving music as well as hook up with great organizations like MIDEM, and OFFBEAT Magazine. You can also buy posters and shoes made out of hemp.
Parties – These are at venues in the afternoon – before the official SXSW showcases begin each night. These can be invite only but they are not always. My friend was walking to a party one Thursday afternoon and he heard music coming out of Stubs ( a larger venue). He went in and saw the B52s soundchecking. He said they sounded great and he basically had a private show. That’s the beauty of SXSW, you never know what or who is around the next corner. Esp when you’ve got THE BADGE.
This year I saw the subdudes, BR 549, Los Lonely Boys, Rosie Flores, The Duhks, Fast Ball, Alison Moorer, Nelly McKay, Tracy Bonham, The B52s, Liz Phair, Petty Booka, Drive By Truckers, Kris Kristofferson, Toots and The Maytals, The Hacienda Brothers, Tom Freund, Graham Parker, Old Crow Medicine Show, Patty Griffin, Bob Neuwirth, Jessi Colter, Charlie Musclewhite, Charlie Sexton, Dwight Yoakum, Tammy Faye Starlite, Old 97’s, Susan Cowsill and the MidCity Ministers, Hush, Tippi, Patterson Hood, and John Cale.
So – what can I say? Kris Kristofferson blew me away. His songs and lyrics come directly from the heart. I cried thoughtout his show and when I got a chance to meet him I told him I cried the whole time. You know what he said? "I saw you doing that". He is quite an aware artist and totally inspiring with his story songs touching on peace, war, love and life.
I loved BR 549. Good rockabilly swing. A great band with a groove. Rosie Flores knocked me out at the Alajandro Escovedo Tribute with her song "Aromatherapy Girl". Alejandro has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and the doctors told him to stop touring and performing. Amazing songwriters and players were gathered together on Saturday to pay tribute to his poetic and real songs. He is a sweet man who has touched many people with his music and heart. Go to http://www.alejandroescovedo.comand you can learn more and send a donation if you can. (He’s got no medical insurance and any bit will help).
You know, as I write this and look at all the great musicians/bands I saw, I realize I cannot possibly elaborate on each one. That’s again for another article. The point is, each time I saw a guitarist come up and play a series of chords, be them A to D, or C#minor to an "I don’t know what chord", I learned more about songwriting. And every time I heard a melody and a lyric, whether it was simple, complex, straightforward or esoteric, I learned even more about songwriting. When I heard the way a band incorporated a cello, a xylophone, a slide guitar with background vocals, congas and a guitjo (combination of a banjo and a guitar) I learned more about production and arranging. And when I saw the abundance of phenomenal musicians, it inspired me to go play my scales, practice, play more, explore, have fun, and create. (As Ani Difranco said at the conference, music is free – yeah, go out and make it.) And when I met a person who introduced me to people who brought me to an unexpected club to introduce me to someone who brought me backstage, I learned more about the power of networking and relationships.
Practical Information –
1. Always check the weather (weather.com) before you leave on any trip. It’s usually hot and humid in Austin in March.
2. Tennis shoes – I mean your most comfortable pair. Girls – I am SERIOUS. I only wished I had had a pedestrian odometer (or whatever those things are called). I must have walked 349 miles.
3. Get a boarding pass. (This applies to all travel, and I should have learned it my now). I was early and still almost missed the plane. And don’t worry if you’ve got a bag to check, they’ll take it at the gate. Just get a boarding pass!
4. People party a lot at this conference. I would recommend to keep things moderate – or you might burn out. Drink lots of water and try and eat meals. It’s quite a breakneck pace. The excitement and schedule require you to be a lot of places in a short period of time. I set aside time for stretching and yoga - a bit everyday and it was quite helpful.
5. Sunscreen and hat – You never know when you will be outside in the hot Austin sun. Some venues are outdoors.
6. Networking – the usual – business cards, CDs if you’ve got ‘em, flyers if you are promoting a gig, cell phone and camera. Photos are fun, helpful and getting a photo of you and your favorite group/person/star is inspiring and, or course, cool.
7. Finding a hotel that is centrally located is a good thing. The new Hilton, the Radison and the Four Seasons are good choices. Hotel San Jose is cool but down on S. Congress – close to a few venues but a cab ride to the Convention Hall.
8. Taxis are reasonable – usually 3-5 bucks to get across town – I also like the pedicabs for quick trips when your feet hurt and Bring BandAids for you feet!!
9. And my best recommendation for going out at night (if you’ve got all the stuff from tip #6) CARGO PANTS! (lots of pockets)
In conclusion, the reason that I feel strongly enough about THE BADGE to write this article is that I find that us songwriter/performers need to INVEST in our careers with a little more vigor if we want to make something happen "out there". I have learned through the years, the more seriously I take myself and back myself with the tools I need, the more the universe responds. So, check out the sight (sxsw.com) , do some investigating and then go GET THE BADGE!
Deborah Poppink is a songwriter/performer/recording artist/music teacher living in Los Angeles.
Her goal is to inspire, entertain and educate.
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Deborah Poppink, P.O. Box 661501, Los Angeles, CA, 90066
e-mail: deb@debpop.com website: <www.debpop.com>