If you made a timeline of your life, what would it look like? Centro-Matic’s charming, prolific and handsome frontman Will Johnson’s looks something like this…

1980. Dance-a-thon winner at age 9 with Shelley Wooten.
1982. City wide top popcorn salesman for cub scout fundraiser, Kennett, Missouri.
1992. Made Timothy Leary a ham sandwich with a glass of whole milk. Personally served.
1994. First foul ball caught/rolled to me while drinking beer at Greer stadium. Nashville Sounds vs Carolina Mudcats. Crowd of 3,500 booed strongly, understandably.
2008. Present at Lambeau Field for Favre’s last game.

And now… der Langspielplatte Fragebogen von Will Johnson

Name: Will Johnson
Pro Wrestling Name: Grizzly Blade

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.

1986. Sweet days of yore.
1. The Replacements - I Will Dare
2. The Replacements - Within Your Reach
3. The Replacements - Unsatisfied

2. Which evil villain would make the best president? Francis Buxton from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.

3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? A tie between Mr. Magoo and The Harlem Globetrotters.

4. What superpower do you wish you had? Instant and magical load-out at the end of the night. At the snap of a finger. Poof.

5. What would the title of your autobiography be? I Never Made Any Friends With An Accordion In My Hands

Pick Three

The Dexateens: Rock greatness from Alabama finally coming to Texas.

PPT: Undeniably great hip hop from Oak Cliff. Favorite show of last year’s festival.

Darondo: Bay Area legend’s first show in many years.

I know it seems like nepotism central over here on the SXSW Music Blog since I feature loads of people I know. Well, I swear on a stack of Poisonwood Bibles that this wasn’t because I only care about people I know but more because I knew I could make them do it. I wasn’t sure how successful this little venture would be and it’s rather exceeded all my expectations. F’ing cool, right?’

Happy Monday people. SXSW Music starts in two days. Are you ready?

If you run into me next week, tell me what you’re excited to see (or have seen). I’ll be making possibly vain attempts to write about all that’s going on. Just look for the short Korean lady with the shellshocked expression on her face. That be me.

Read all the totally bitchin’ LP Questionnaires here. Read all the totally bitchin’ Pick Threes here. Subscribe to our totally bitchin’ RSS feed here.

Have a totally bitchin’ day (or rest of your night if it’s still wee hours for you, too), lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under LP Questionnaire, Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Though I am fond of all my media outlets, am I allowed to confess that I’m always especially happy to hear from one guy in particular? Who is this mystery man? It’s Damian Vaca, a Production Manager at MTV. Yes, he’s responsible for making sure John Norris and James Montgomery make it here to do all their groovy reportage. He’s also the PM on Cribs and My Super Sweet 16 (I think my fave episode of Cribs was the one with Redman. I loved how positively normal his house was).

Through his efforts I’ve started donating every year to the youth outreach program that affords young peoples the opportunity to attend the GLAAD Media Awards. He was featured in the book The Pink Project which benefits RAINN and the Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance.

D had no clue what SXSW was when he first attended four years ago but is now addicted. His favorite moment of SXSW 2007 was watching Amy Winehouse and Mika perform back to back in a room with no more than 400 people.

He enjoys Grey Goose and tonic and hanging out at Rain when in Austin (and work allows).

He’s pictured here with my secret boyfriend, K-Fed (although I liked this photo of him drinking with a lion better).

His Pick Three…

Digitalism: LOVE this Electronic act. It’s all about the late night/early morning bass thumbing-words that don’t make sense and are repeated over and over kind of vibe. They are from Germany, and I’m so excited to find out that they’re making their way to SXSW this year. Heard about them while I was in Mexico City and could not get enough of them. “Idealistic.”

Robyn: I have heard of Robyn off and on for the last couple of months. Not exactly sure if she’s the Swedish answer to our Rhianna, Columbia’s Shakira, or Australia’s Kylie. Either way – if perezhilton.com is backing her up and people around the office excited to see her then I am looking forward to it. The remixes of “Be Mine” are pretty good for the iPod plane rides to Austin.

Mala Rodriguez: I saw Mala perform in Las Vegas on a complete fluke. It was an abandoned building way off the Vegas Strip – when this woman stepped out of the cab – in full fur and gold – hip hop culture just oozing out of her veins. People didn’t know what to do with the gorgeous girl who took the mic and showcased her beat boxing and rapping skills – while wearing 4 inch heels. She was so different and just a great change. It’s an awesome mashup of a sound.

Damian, I’m sorry I couldn’t get you on the same page as Dolly. You’ll be on the same page as J-No, though! I guess that’s not as exciting since you see him all the time. Hrm.

Email choose your own adventure stories to musicblog@sxsw.com. We’re peachy keen, jellybean! lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Though I am fond of all my media outlets, am I allowed to confess that I’m always especially happy to hear from one guy in particular? Who is this mystery man? It’s Damian Vaca, a Production Manager at MTV. Yes, he’s responsible for making sure John Norris and James Montgomery make it here to do all their groovy reportage. He’s also the PM on Cribs and My Super Sweet 16 (I think my fave episode of Cribs was the one with Redman. I loved how positively normal his house was).

Through his efforts I’ve started donating every year to the youth outreach program that affords young peoples the opportunity to attend the GLAAD Media Awards. He was featured in the book The Pink Project which benefits RAINN and the Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance.

D had no clue what SXSW was when he first attended four years ago but is now addicted. His favorite moment of SXSW 2007 was watching Amy Winehouse and Mika perform back to back in a room with no more than 400 people.

He enjoys Grey Goose and tonic and hanging out at Rain when in Austin (and work allows).

He’s pictured here with my secret boyfriend, K-Fed (although I liked this photo of him drinking with a lion better).

His Pick Three…

Digitalism: LOVE this Electronic act. It’s all about the late night/early morning bass thumbing-words that don’t make sense and are repeated over and over kind of vibe. They are from Germany, and I’m so excited to find out that they’re making their way to SXSW this year. Heard about them while I was in Mexico City and could not get enough of them. “Idealistic.”

Robyn: I have heard of Robyn off and on for the last couple of months. Not exactly sure if she’s the Swedish answer to our Rhianna, Columbia’s Shakira, or Australia’s Kylie. Either way – if perezhilton.com is backing her up and people around the office excited to see her then I am looking forward to it. The remixes of “Be Mine” are pretty good for the iPod plane rides to Austin.

Mala Rodriguez: I saw Mala perform in Las Vegas on a complete fluke. It was an abandoned building way off the Vegas Strip – when this woman stepped out of the cab – in full fur and gold – hip hop culture just oozing out of her veins. People didn’t know what to do with the gorgeous girl who took the mic and showcased her beat boxing and rapping skills – while wearing 4 inch heels. She was so different and just a great change. It’s an awesome mashup of a sound.

Damian, I’m sorry I couldn’t get you on the same page as Dolly. You’ll be on the same page as J-No, though! I guess that’s not as exciting since you see him all the time. Hrm.

Email choose your own adventure stories to musicblog@sxsw.com. We’re peachy keen, jellybean! lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

Continuing the theme of fierce chicks (yes, that was so very Christian, I apologize), I present to you Argentinian hottie Coni Lisica of the band Capsula. Run run run to BD Riley’s on Wednesday night, boys and girls, to catch the band that’s been described as “live sexy animals onstage.”

Hola! This is Coni from the band Capsula.

We are a weird sweet family from Buenos Aires, Argentina who grew up listening to The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and 60s bands from South America (Yeah! there are a lot and really wild) spending most of our time on the road, from the desert of Chile to Germany, Ireland or France.

We cant wait to be at SXSW!!! The showcase will be as wild as lysergic!

Really hard to choose just three but here we go:

The Soundtrack of our Lives: We are playing away from our city most of the time so we see bands when we play with them! But in this ocasion we could see TSOOL in Bilbao. And what can we say people went soo mad with them!

Be Your Own Pet: They become one of the bands we play a lot while travelling on the roads. Love their crazy drums.

The Kills: Two blocks away just after our show, yeah baby.

That was energetic! I’m psyched that we have bands from exotic lands like Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia and Slovenia playing. For five days Austin becomes its own It’s a Small World ride. Crap, I am sounding super Hallmark or something. Must move on… email satellites to musicblog@sxsw.com. Ciao, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

I once saw Tammy Lynn Gilmore give a riveting performance (which sounds trite but it really was quite good) in J. Jimenez-Smith’s Among the Sand and Smog, a play about the mysterious murders of hundreds of women in Juarez.

When not acting, Gilmore enjoys biking, working at film festivals, reading biographies and blogging.

Her Pick Three choices are…

Colin Gilmore: Colin’s from a long line of Texas musicians, but he’s definitely bringing something new to the formula. His latest EP has some of my favorite songs on it, and I’m excited to see him with a full band. Also, he’s my husband, so I have to.

Asobi Seksu: I heard about them everywhere when I was staying in Brooklyn. They are favorites of some of my NY friends, and I really want to see their live show now.

(Sadly Asobi Seksu are no longer on the sched. Check back for TLG’s replacement pick.)

The Helio Sequence: I first saw this band while living in Portland, Oregon. These two guys and their laptop rock harder than a full band any day. Really interesting musical layering and they sorta remind me of Muppets when they play, so what’s not to love?

When I first met the very sweet Luann Williams she was the editor of Pop Culture Press. She now works in the SXSW Sales Department and makes sure we have the opportunity to eat gourmet vegetarian fare once a week.

Hailing from a large family in Tennessee, she spent the mid-80s working in a Memphis record store. Ms. W is a big-time traveler whose been to New Zealand and Thailand (what about Greenland and Icleland?) who loves her dog, Shakespeare.

Doesn’t anyone at SXSW have a cat? A parakeet, maybe? I feel like I’ve written about a hundred dogs (which just makes me miss mine more). Anyway, please enjoy Luann’s Pick Three (and how freaking cute is that picture??!!)

Future Clouds and Radar: I have been a fan since their previous incarnation as Cotton Mather, whose Beatlesy pop lured me like a siren at sea. FC&R takes things a few steps futher: more orchestration, more layers, devilish wordplay… more icing on the proverbial psychedelic pop cake, if you will. For heavens sake, their debut is a double CD!

Barbara Mason: “Yes, I’m Ready.” You’ve heard it even if you don’t realize you have. I saw this Philly soul legend last fall on a bill with Barbara Lynn and Roy Head. If you love Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, you owe it to yourself to check out Ms. Mason.

Ed Harcourt: Lush, melodramatic, haunting and smart. I love him like I love Rufus Wainwright. You should love him too.

More honorable mentions than I can count: The world music shows at The Copa each night, especially the Brazilian show Thursday night. Wonderful Welsh (I will call him a troubadour, in the best sense of the word) Christopher Rees. And from the least likely hip-hop burg of Edmonton, Alberta, comes the clever, lyrical stylings of Cadence Weapon. And I’ll be the fifth or sixth vote for Liam Finn!

I feel like I have made vague promises about fast and furious posting and barely delivered. Well, here we go. It’s midnight madness over here at SXSW. Three more coming so I can go home (which makes it sound like I don’t care, but truly I do. Everyone who has contributed to the blog holds a special place in my exceedingly black heart).

Email Billy Corgan’s genius to musicblog@sxsw.com. And now it’s just a matter of grace, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under Linda Park, Pick 3, Music Festival, Latest News.
Comments: none

The Interactive / Film Trade Show is filled with cutting-edge companies who are more than happy to tell you more about their product or service that would enhance your business. And to quench your mid-afternoon thirst, stop by the Trade Show Bar Sponsored by Sapient. From 3:00-4:00 pm each day Sapient is providing free beer at the bar - how cool!

Original post by melissa

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under Latest News.
Comments: none

I feel like my brain is on Mars right now, but I have one more post left and I’m not going to leave Luke Temple out (I mean, Sufjan Stevens and Ben Gibbard love him, and frankly, he has a name lovely enough to give Parker Gispert a run for his money).

Me, I’m baffled yet bewitched by his answers… so strange and perfect for this new 3 am that’s 2 am world.

A review of Luke’s said, “His voice recalls a young Graham Nash by way of Elliott Smith… has enough understated soul to give Conor Oberst a run for his money.” While that sounds vaguely insulting to me (I’ve been conditioned to believe that name dropping comparisons are the devil), one can’t deny that’s quite a power trio.

Temple studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and now I’m fascinated to know… does he paint? What do they look like? Maybe someday (like next Thursday at Central Presbyterian or Saturday at Fado) I can meet him and ask.

In the meantime… LT and The LP Questionnaire…

Name: Luke Temple
Pro Wrestling Name: Napalm Jackal

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. The year is 1802. “Jus Pickin On You” by Bud Mop, “Handsome Hand” by Freds, and “Chicken Talk” by artist unknown.

2. Which evil villain would make the best president? Bugs Bunny because he has collapsible bones.

3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? Harold and Maude because Maude reminded me of Mr. Magoo who was my favorite cartoon as a child.

4. What superpower do you wish you had? Greatest stomach expansion technique. Buildings would be in there

5. What would the title of your autobiography be? The Worlds Greatest Hope of all Time to Come and Coming Be Gone by the Riddle of Shame!!!!!!!

Pick Three (in the key of Jim James, it appears, with the exception of the third… I think)

The Moon Brothers: They have a non stop rage filled set that breaks your spirit.

Mash Up Checkout: Mash Up Checkout is another hell razing act but in a more desperate way.

The Subjects: Filled with the holy spirit, they are a united band of brothers.

There’s an AT&T commercial on my TV right now that features “I Just Want to Celebrate” by Rare Earth. I only hear Metallica, though. I’m starting to look forward to Bonnaroo where I can resume my Kirk Hammett stalking. Maybe I can steal his spoon this time. Have you ever filched the flatware of the famous? Tell me about it at musicblog@sxsw.com. Ellipsis, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: March 9th, 2008 under Conference.
Comments: none