SXSW Mayhem

I have been an RSVPing, list-compiling fool for the past month. I haven't posted many links on here because I feel like a lot of blogs like The Peen Scene, ultra8201 and Done Waiting are doing a fine job so far. Do512 has an ever-growing monster list of parties for you to peruse.
Here are a few links that I felt were worth mentioning. I am still waiting for the Fader Fort RSVP info.
I will post a list of some of my must-see bands and must-attend parties soon.
SXSW fever is upon me!

This party is going to be awesome.  Three days of carnival-themed mayhem brought to you by iHeartComix and JellyNYC.  Go here and RSVP now!  http://www.austincarniville.com/

Rachel Ray has announced the lineup for her party and it's awesome. 

 

Brooklyn Vegan is putting on a ton of parties, including this one.  Fun times.  

 

More to come!

Shade and Honey

I was saddened to hear that another talented individual took his life on Saturday.  Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse was an unappreciated genius with a penchant for creating songs that catapulted you out into the ether.  His shaky voice and beautifully crafted lyrics have guided me through many highs and lows.  He will be missed.

Here is one of my favorite songs.

The Austin 100

NPR has a great SXSW mix over on their site right now.  It contains a lot of great music and is an effective primer for the festival.  Check it out here.

I've been obsessing over SXSW for a little while now, collecting party info, reading blogs and listening to some of the bands that will be here for the fest.  This year is shaping up to be a good one.  The party/showcase list that I am compiling is becoming huge!  Now, if I could only find a way to be in two places at once.

No word yet on the Fader Fort RSVP.  They usually wait until the last minute to spring it on you.  I'm sure, as usual, there will be some stellar acts performing there.  This time, I'm avoiding the rush and picking up my wristband on Tuesday morning.  

Filter Party SXSW

Filter always has some of the best bands performing at their parties (and Free BBQ).  This year is looking good with performances by Local Natives, Dr. Dog, The Delta Spirit, BRMC, Julia Marcell, Band of Skulls and a ton others. 

You can RSVP here. 

Cassette Resurgence

Remember tapes?  You had to rewind and fast forward to reach a favorite song.  You recorded homemade mixtapes for all your friends and lovers.  My friend Lori and I have a load of priceless tapes that we recorded on her Emerson stereo.   Yes, you can still make mixtapes (on CD's), but it's doesn't have the same feeling of catching the exact right moment and pushing the record button.

Pitchfork has a great article on an emerging cassette culture among indie musicians. With artists like Deerhunter, Dirty Projectors, Beck, Oneida and others releasing tape versions of their songs, cassettes are making a resurgence.   

Cactus Cafe to close in August

Is Austin losing its soul?

With a projected population of 1.7 million this year, Austin has moved on.  The sleepy college town that people came to know in the past is no more. 

The University of Texas has decided to close the much-loved Cactus Cafe in August of this year.  To some, this was the last bastion representing the "old" Austin.  It will join extinct venues such as Armadillo World Headquarters, Liberty Lunch, and The Back Room in the gallery of lost Austin gems. 

The New York Times featured an eloquent article on the closing. 

Mind Over Music

Come out to The Palm Door (401-A Sabine) tonight for Mind Over Music, an underground music trivia smackdown that benefits Grounded in Music.  The event, hosted by Andy Langer of KGSR and KLBJ's Charlie Hodge, will feature twenty-five teams competing for indie cred.  Some of the teams include KVRX (KVRXperts), WOXY, Twenty Tinnitus (Austin Chronicle), Austinist, and my team Cash is King.
Come on out to heckle, drink free Tito's and eat free food for a good cause.
The event starts at 7pm sharp.

Click on the poster for details.