Amy, Wanke, Queen of the SXSW Sales and Marketing Department, totally cheated and sent me a picture of the back of her head. I swear it’s her, though. Or do I? She also cheated and picked four bands. Damn, she’s sneaky!

Wanke says she’s pretty boring, but I’m guessing that’s not true. It’s always the ones who say they’re dull… still waters, etc etc… Though circumspect, she did confess to loving sushi, red wine (best drunk with good friends while listening to old country records), her cat Maverick, her family, and Netflix.

And now, Ms. W’s evocative Pick Three…

X: I had never even heard of X before a few months ago. I know. I’m out of touch. You know that part of the movie High Fidelity where Jack Black asks John Cusack how someone with no interest in music can own a record store? That’s what I feel like sometimes working around so many people who know so much about music… that I don’t know ANYTHING when it comes to music. But I’m lucky in that I get introduced to some amazing artists that I might not have otherwise discovered on my own. Luann Williams introduced me to X and their album More Fun in the New World and it’s so infectious, I can’t stop listening. I’m in love.

Vampire Weekend: We often listen to the Internet broadcast of a fantastic radio station called KEXP in the office. (They didn’t pay me to say that. Promise.) John in the Morning for a time was constantly talking about Vampire Weekend and playing their music. On at least one occasion, maybe more, they played one of his “John in the Morning at Night” shows. So with all this talk and promotion of the band and listening to them everyday on the station, I of course felt a great need to actually get to see them. They played at Mohawk here in Austin a while back and for some reason that escapes me now, I couldn’t go. So now, finally, here’s my chance!

3. Tie: Talib Kweli and South:
Talib Kweli – Talib is one of the most amazingly gifted artists I have ever laid ears on. His lyrics are beautiful and his delivery is always on point. That’s it. I just really want to see and hear him live.

South – How can a band make a fiddle sound so beautiful and hip in the same song? I can’t answer that question, but I know it can be done because South did it on With The Tides. And did it well. After hearing one song I was hooked. Admittedly, this is the only album I am familiar with although I’ve heard other songs here and there and no matter the mood or tempo of the song or the instruments they play, it’s always the most delicious musical ear candy.

You are super peachy keen for reading our little ol’ blog. It’s nearly 10pm here at SXSW Central and the Manic Street Preachers are getting me through the night (no, they’re not playing). Here’s the linkage to more Pick Threes. Back tomorrow with Bob Cowsill tackling the LP Questionnaire and some other goodies. Email lions and tigers and bears, oh my to musicblog@sxsw.com. Under neon loneliness, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: February 26th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Now why, you might be thinking, is Linda featuring some MTV guy? He’s not performing at SXSW. Well, every year when I return to Austin I have to go through mounds of Festival coverage and when MTV sent me James Montgomery’s SXSW blog posts, so compelling were they (and so charmed was I by his Bonnaroo piece) that I thought, why not get the handsome Mr. Montgomery to weigh in?

He sent me a wonderful bio, which is nice because I’m in the middle of a wicked food coma and making up random fascinating stuff is just not within the realm of possibility at the mo.

“James Montgomery writes about rock music, politics and popular culture for MTV News. He also contributes a weekly column, “Bigger Than The Sound,” to MTVNews.com, which is usually about one of those three things (though it is occasionally also about fantasy sports, professional wrestling and/or Lifetime Original Movies.) He previously served as a contributing editor at Surface magazine, and his work has appeared in SPIN, TV Guide, Stop Smiling, FHM and The Journal News. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and their cat, who is named after a brand of Irish potato chips (or “crisps” if you prefer.) He was born a Boston Red Sox fan, and thinks less of you if you support the New York Yankees. He is also probably one of only 27 Orlando Magic fans on the planet, and he thinks Dwight Howard is the truth. His favorite band of all time is probably Pavement. He is 29 years old, 6ft 2in tall and weighs 165 pounds. He no longer buys clothes from thrift stores. He wishes he could quit smoking. Talking about himself makes him uncomfortable. So … how are you?”

I am über excited to present to you, the viewing public, Le LP Questionnaire du James Montgomery…

Name: James Montgomery, staff writer, MTV News
Pro Wrestling Name: Dash Demon

1. Pretend you’re 15 (and tell us what year it is, if you don’t mind). Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.

Okay, so I am pretending to be 15. Which means it is 1993, and I am in tenth grade. And in the spirit of the exercise, I’ll also pretend that I listened to cool music back then, and not, you know, Phish (though A Picture of Nectar and Rift are actually pretty solid records if you haven’t heard them). So … if I were trying to woo a special young lady, I’d probably start a mix with Pavement’s “Loretta’s Scars,” because it’s sweet and sloppy and off-kilter, which is how I’d undoubtedly be feeling about the girl I was pressing play and record for. Then I’d throw on “Divine Hammer” by the Breeders, because I’m pretty sure it’s a song about sex. And then maybe Traffic’s “Mr. Fantasy,” because I’d want her to think I was awesome and smoked unfiltered cigarettes and played harmonica and carried a pool cue with me at all times, though this probably explains why I never got laid in high school.

Which evil villain would make the best president? Anton Chigurh? Magneto? A-Rod? I don’t know … I think current evil villain in the White House is doing a better job than any of those guys could ever do.

2. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? Anything with anthropomorphic cats battling an evil mummy in a far-off galaxy.

3. What superpower do you wish you had? I would probably want to be able to fly, except I can guarantee you that at some point during college, I would’ve been at a party somewhere, and we’d all be drunk, and so I’d think it would be a good idea to show off my ability, and I’d inevitably fly into some power lines or a tree or something. So I’ll go ahead and say that I wish I were able to freeze things at will, because then I’d always have refreshing cold beverages around.

5. What would the title of your autobiography be? Are You Going to Finish That Sandwich? or maybe I’ll Have a Large Coffee.

Pick Three

The Plastic Constellations: These guys are from Minneapolis, and they’re awesome because they sing about brotherhood and drinking on front porches and dragons and stuff like that. Also, they’re about to go on indefinite hiatus, which they knew before they made their new album (”We Appreciate You,”) so it’s full of fist-pumpers about saying farewell to their youth and the open road and heading into adult life with no regrets. Which means a) the record is both awesome and sad at the same time; and b) their farewell show at SXSW is gonna be a burner.

The Dodos: These guys sort of remind me of the Flight of the Concords, even though they’re not really funny or anything like that (neither are the Flight of the Concords, now that I think of it.) They sort of look like those dudes though, so maybe that’s why. Anyway, I like them because they play really complex, roiling indie rock about the kind of trivial bullshit I fill my weekends with in Williamsburg. Don’t hold that against them, though.

Vampire Weekend: I wanted to hate them so, so badly, primarily because of everything I’d read about them, not to mention the whole “Pastel Polo/popped collar/boat shoes” thing, but as it turned out, their album is actually really great. Just strummy, sunny, cheeky stuff. And while it certainly sounds an awful lot like Graceland, it also reminds me of stuff like Rushmore and a Benetton ad from the ’80s. It’s totally disposable, and unspeakably white, but I’ll probably be listening to it all year long, put it w-a-a-y too high on my Top 10 list, then look back in a year and be like “Wait, what?”

Gratitutde to ya for reading. I’m listening to Underworld in hopes of waking up (and no, they’re not playing). Is it really only Tuesday? Email tetris keyrings to musicblog@sxsw.com. Do not email me invites to model parties in NYC. I will not go and wouldn’t even if I lived there. Read more LP Questionnaires here. Subscribe to our feed and I’ll be your best friend. I get thoughts about you, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: February 26th, 2008 under LP Questionnaire, Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

We’re thrilled to announce the interviewers/moderators for our “Conversation” sessions as part of the SXSW Film Conference. HDNet co-founder and media mogul, Mark Cuban, is confirmed to interview fellow mogul Michael Eisner during a “Conversation with Michael Eisner” on Tuesday, March 11. In addition, acclaimed journalist Elvis Mitchell is scheduled to moderate our “Conversation with Billy Bob Thornton”, and BMI’s Doreen Ringer-Ross with moderate the “Conversation with Moby” also on March 11. Meanwhile, Ain’t It Cool News founder and chief Harry Knowles will moderate the “Conversation with Harlan Ellison” on Sunday, March 9. That same day, Associated Press film reporter Christy Lemire will moderate the “Conversation with Helen Hunt.” The SXSW Film Panels and Conversations are open to all SXSW Film, Gold, and Platinum registrants.

Original post by jneece

Posted: February 26th, 2008 under Film News, Latest News.
Comments: none

Conor McAnally of Blaze TV, the production company that brings us SXSW Live, is more than just a tely producer, more than just the man who also brought us CD:UK (for which I’m totally jealous that he knows Cat Deeley!) and CD USA, Conor Mac is also a motorcycle enthusiast (he has three bikes - a 2002 HD Silver Roadglide, a 2000 Road King Classic and a 2006 HD Street Bob) and thrill-seeking sky diver who’s done over 600 jumps.

Mr. M rides 10-15K miles a year. In the past he’s gone from London to the South of France, to Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. This year he’s doing LA to Sturgis and says, “There’s nothing better than riding my motorcycle to a drop zone, going up to 13,500 feet, jumping out and then riding home again. Perfect day for me.”

Hrm. My life seems rather dull now! Conor’s life is fascinating all around – ask him how he and his wife met. Another great story.

Please enjoy his excellent Pick Three choices…

Sia: I have only seen one performance of one song, but the range of her vocals, her enormous sense of fun and the commitment to performance are all things that appeal to me so I am really looking forward to that.

Daryl Hall: Really keen to see what he has to offer outside the
partnership with Oates.

Paramore: I saw their lead singer play a couple of tunes with Dierks Bentley recently and can’t wait to see them do their own stuff. Great voice.

Thanks aplenty for stopping by. I’ll be back in a wee bit with James Montgomery of MTV’s LP Questionnaire and Pick Three. Isn’t that exciting?! I know that I, personally, am thrilled. I, personally, am also thrilled to go get lunch. I, personally, am also thrilled to be listening to the Starland Vocal Band (no, they’re not playing). Email your views on figure skating to musicblog@sxsw.com. I heart Bumblebee! lp

Original post by LP

Posted: February 26th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Visit the Trade Show News page for updates on schedules and featured exhibitors!

Come meet your favorite authors and musicians at the SX Bookstore presented by Barnes & Noble during the Music and iF! Trade Shows. We’ll have lots of books, CDs and DVDs from SXSW artists for sale. Some confirmed signings: Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Daniel Lanois, the guys from Human Giant, 1960’s Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, Saul Williams and Tift Merritt during Music. And during Film and Interactive, tons of signings are scheduled, including: Henry Jenkins, Kathy Sierra, Zoe Margolis (aka Abby Lee) and many more! Check the Full schedule for Music here and for Film and Interactive here.

Once again, SXSW brings you a SESAC Day Stage schedule that rivals any nighttime showcase, featuring national and international talent, new and established alike. Just some of the fantastic artists to showcase: Mala Rodriguez, Noisettes, The Cool Kids, Ida Maria, The Slits, Dan Deacon, The Lemonheads, Liam Finn and HEALTH. Check here for the full schedule that spans four days.

New to the Adobe Day Stage Café this year are SXSW Clicks. Stop by and meet up with your “click.” We have them for Film Production hosted by Scenchronize, Web Designers, Interactive Designers and Online Video hosted by Adobe. Not in that business but want to meet someone who is? Stop by anyway! The more the merrier. For the full iF! Day Stage schedule, click here.

Need a break from all of that excitement? Don’t forget the Trade Show Bar’s Happy Hour, everyday from 3pm – 4pm!

Original post by melissa

Posted: February 26th, 2008 under Latest News.
Comments: none