Words Wendy Weisberg

As reported by jaded old industry woman who has recently left the 18-34 target demo

Wendy Weisberg and friend at SXSW 2006, in Texas.

 

Hello Canadian Citizens and esteemed others.

SXSW is the spring break of the music industry. It is the annual invasion of the only liberal town in Texas by the odd international tribe of music biz swine.

I went back to the belly of the beast in 2005 after a seven-year hiatus. Despite getting sick, I had so much fun that I booked early for 2006. SXSW is really an amazing event but it keeps getting bigger and bigger each year, like some out-of-control circus. The choices for day parties are now mindboggling, whereas previously, the evening’s festivities used to be the only dilemma for conference attendees.

I splash out the money for a badge to gain easy entrance to all shows but rarely attend the daytime seminars and tradeshow floor. After all, there is free drink and BBQ to be had! Not to mention a few good parties. Daytime shows provided my SXSW highlights.

The Paste party at Maggie Mae’s boasted delicious brisket but nearly as tasty was pint-sized UK piano pop wonder Jamie Cullum. Though his style in no way resembles Ben Folds, the piano antics did recall the good old Ben Folds Five days. I was also treated to part of a wicked set from Inland Empire, CA stars The Bell Rays, fronted by powerhouse Lisa Kekaula (you may know her voice from that massive Basement Jaxx track “Good Luck” off of Kish Kash). Imagine Aretha Franklin fronting the MC 5 and you’re getting warm. Couldn’t stay for the whole show because I got to feel all VIP-like as Gomez’s tour manager put me on the list for the band’s set at the Levi’s Fader party. I’ve been a Gomez fan since I worked their first album back at Virgin, when I was in diapers and was eager to hear the new songs. I was not disappointed in the least—go out and grab the new album when it’s in stores.

GOmez performing live at the Fader Party at SXSW 2006, in Texas.

Ben Ottewell and Olly Peacock of Gomez at SXSW 2006, in Texas.

Other musical highlights included a Gang of Four show for the URB Next 100 party, followed by some time spent in church. Yes, you read correctly. This nice Jewish girl sat in church watching Billy Bragg, Joe Henry and other fab types do an old-fashioned hootenanny. I was especially happy because my previous attempts to catch Billy during daytime parties got fu*ked up due to my poor sense of direction and meanderings into coffeehouses with my party people.

Jon King from Gang Of Four at SXSW 2006, in Texas.

Andy Grill from Gang Of Four at SXSW 2006, in Texas.

Other good discoveries were an Asian noodle house with good udon type stuff and these sugarfree Oral Fixation lime mojito mints (http://www.oralfix.com/tins.php).

Now get ready for me to really geek out. You’re probably unimpressed because all the artists I have previously cited were ones you’ve heard of. Well I’m a publicist, not an A&R or manager swine, dammit! The Hilton Hotel, where I stayed, has a dreamy schvitz room. For those of you not so well versed in Yiddish, that would be a steam room. Hints of eucalyptus whilst you sweat your you-know-what off after a workout. Now THAT’s entertainment.

I should also give props to Nada Surf who turned in a swell in-store at the famed Waterloo Records. Not realizing how packed that would be, I arrived a touch late and was not able to get close to the front to drool over frontman Matthew Caws. That’s probably for the best, since, as I already reminded you, I am OUT of the target demo.

All in all, a decent time was had but I am not rushing to book early for next year. I think I may do a nice holiday at that time next year instead. Canada, perhaps?