I was out way too late after the xx concert last night and I’m paying for it. Don’t get me wrong, i had a blast… I even made a new friend. But DAMN… smack me and call me Sally! Who has a after party on a Monday night anyhow? I’m sitting at my desk now though I might as well be at home in bed because mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I’m definitely not here. This track off of MGMT’s upcoming album Congratulations is speaking to me at the moment.
So here’s my annual retrospective of sorts… Coupled with the live postings, this should be sufficient. Be sure to check out all of my previous retrospectives too… 2007, 2008, 2009 .
It seems that SXSW was shorter this time around and I feel like I missed so much… arriving on Thursday rather than on Wednesday is likely the reason. I’m hoarding as many vacation days as possible and since last year felt exhaustively long at times… shortening the trip by a day seemed like the right move at the time. I guess I was wrong.
Also, compared to last year, the parties seemed much tamer as it seems like there were fewer good DJs in town, and the few decent ones were playing out door venues. (Not ideal for ragers in my opinion).
Now with all of that said… lets jump right into it!
WINNERS:
The Drums - Wins the best band award for 1) an awesome performance and 2) for their strangely erotic stage presence.
Bad Rabbits - Cramped, sweaty, and out of control never felt so good!
The Chrystal Method - Surprise Surprise… I didn’t even know they were on the bill!
Delta Fiasco - A 3piece from the UK that makes catchy dance tunes while looking as fuck!
Les savy fav - The dude is insane! nothing else really to say… if Vice takes credit for saving Texas… then Les Savy gets a metal for Saving Vice!
Fader Fort: consistently delivers! internet + power outlets, great atmosphere, good bands, free booze!
Chain Drive: Crappy punk music in a gay bear bar needs no explanation.
The Music Gym - This year’s official… when all else fails, after hours spot. Free booze and good under the radar bands.
Hypem Out of Control 2 - barely made the list because of its absurd drink prices… but i never had to wait on a line and the bands were pretty decent too!
LOSERS:
Weather - Highs in the lower 40s… In Austin? WTF!!!
Emo’s - I hate to add them to my losers list because i love em to death… BUT the lines were just ridiculous… how about a 21+ admission policy to shorten the lines?
Oh, this year’s most elusive prize goes to Frightened Rabbit… I guess I’ll have to catch them next time. And with that I’ll say “See you in 2011 SXSW”.
SXSW did not disappoint this year. It seems each year I go it takes on a entirely different feel, or at least I tend to find myself in new territory, which fortunately keeps it fresh. This year was no exception. It was definitely my shortest and tamest sxsw… (am i getting old?) I still a great time! Below you’ll see the live blogging feed pulled for twitter, scribblelive, and foursquare. I cleaned up the original post for formating and to eliminate redundancies, but forgive me for the gaps and non sequiturs… live blogging in sxsw conditions of (spotty network coverage, limited power access, free booze, audible and visual distraction) is pretty tough. If you prefer… wait a day or so for my SXSW wrap/summary. Also… Check out last year’s coverage.
While most of the North East was wading through filthy flood water I was privileged enough to attend my good friend Chad’s Bachelor party. Talk about gorgeous weather… highs in the mid/low 70s without a cloud in the sky! It kinda makes me miss the early springs offered in the south.
In all it was 2days/3nights of fun debauchery; good food, many drinks, and some intense dancing. Here’s a quick abbreviated rundown of events.
Day 1
- meet up with the bachelor who’s already put in 4 hours of boozin
- head to french quarter for drinks
- bachelor rides a whale
- gentleman’s club
- bachelor calls it quit but some of us continue on
- 80s dance party @ One Eye Jack’s (Corey Haim Tribute… projection of Lukas and The Lost Boys)
- gentleman’s club… funny b/c i didn’t see not one “gentleman” in the place.
Day 2
- sleep in/headache
- lunch @ Coop’s Place, market, then lounge in the park
- check out some street music and antique guns
- feeling better, I go for a jog along the trolly tracks
- shower up
- my friend steps in large puddle of mud right before our fancy dinner.
- awesome dinner at Brigtsen’s
- catch live music @ Faubourg Festival
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith piano bar for a singalong to ‘Fast Car by Tracey Chapman‘.
- my crew heads back to the hotel… I go ‘hunting’ for a bit at OZ
- I end up at Club 544 till late late late.
- back at the hotel in time for the sunrise
Day 3
- sleep in
- BBQ lunch near the hotel
- watched “The Fast and The Furious”
- showered up
- billiards
- dinner at Crescent City Brewhouse… the Catfish is amazing
- burlesque show @ the House of Blues
- all nighter at Club Ampersand for a party called “Black Out II - Electric Boogaloo”
Not bad if you ask me… the bachelor seemed pretty happy too! We’re supposed to do this again in 20 or so years as the bachelor presumes he’ll be ready to move on to his second wife.
Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38. (Associated Press)
Ohhh no, I can’t believe he’s died!!! Although I didn’t keep up with Corey Haim’s career as he grew older, I’m still saddened by his death. When I hear his name I still remember him from the 80s. It’s like part of my childhood has passed away too.
I remember when my uncle had a huge bootleg VHS collection and License to Drive (1988) was one of my favorite movies and I would watch it repeatedly during summer breaks. To a lesser degree I also enjoyed Silver Bullet (1985), The Lost Boys (1987), and shamefully Fast Getaway (1991). Looking back, I think I probably had a crush on him.
R.I.P. Corey
Show me the night!!! Yeah, I’ve been loving this song by electro-rock duo Jump Jump Dance Dance! And then come to find out there’s a music video? A well executed music video directed by Claire Carré of Partizan? I need to keep on top of my game; this one almost crept by me.
Also… You’re going to want to grab the Grum remix for this song. Jump Jump Dance Dance - Show Me The Night (Grum Remix)
Jeeze yall’ i’ve never had so much fun putting together a mix before. Searching for tracks was the easy part this time around; narrowing them down to 10? Very difficult… it’s like they were all Fire. I guess it’s just that time of the year again; everyone’s ready to put winter to bed, set fire to the sky, and dance their way through summer’s end. Very well, so be it!
Diligent Dance: March 2010 Mixtape
This video is pretty on the mark if I do say so myself. My favorite elements were the projection mappings, they definitely put this over the top. Animation on it’s own doesn’t excite me much… but when it’s done well I can really appreciate it! I am, however, a big fan of geometrics, especially when set to bomb ass electronic music. I dabbled with visuals & projections a while back but never could commit myself; Too tedious! And the stuff I was attempting had nothing on this! Watch the making of this video you’ll see what I mean.
Directed by Nobody Beats the Drum’s VJ Rogier van der Zwaag
