I suppose you have to be a dork of a certain age to be excited by the prospect of a new collaboration by David Byrne and Brian Eno, and I am just old enough to be in that demographic. The project’s website has Mr. Byrne giving you the skinny via video. This item in Pitchfork contains a track list and further detail. I encourage all whippersnappers to get up to date on this.

Mr. Byrne has spoken and played at SXSW a few times over the years. Most recently, he gave a presentation “Record Companies: Who Needs Them?” at SXSW 2007, check out a few minutes of it here. This presentation morphed into a great article in Wired. I’m now turning my attention to the gods of the weather at Zilker Park on September 26.

Original post by The Daily Chord

Posted: July 28th, 2008 under Andy, Conference, Latest News.
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This week’s major news story in the digital music realm comes from the UK. Anti-piracy efforts that a number of ISPs have come up with include consideration of an ISP fee that would monetize music downloading from peer-to-peer networks. Yesterday’s Daily Chord linked to two articles: an overview from the BBC and analysis from The Independent. The Independent’s analysis notes that this license fee is easily perceived as a tax, and suggests that this initiative will not be easy to enact.

The issue of how to monetize distribution of music via peer-to-peer networks has vexed many. The reasons behind these efforts were discussed at a 2008 SXSW panel Mobility, Ubiquity and Monetizing Music. Watch a clip where Jim Griffin lays out the premises which have led to the current controversy. Griffin’s current work on behalf of Warner Music to create similar licensing structures in the US is still in a preliminary stage, and will doubtlessly be informed by the outcome of the issue in England.

Original post by andy

Posted: July 25th, 2008 under Andy, Panels, Conference.
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I’m back with mix #2 from SXSW 2008 showcasing artists, this time featuring artists who played on Thursday March 13. It’s just a taste of the variety of sounds heard emanating from various stages in lovely downtown Austin. Norwegian hip-hop, Quebecois lazer-bass, Swedish songcraft, weirdos from Athens GA, and much more await your ears, dive in. These mixes were made via www.muxtape.com, and you can post your own mix, too.

Last week I posted one of these for Wednesday. Any guesses what’s up next?

SXSW 08 Thursday Mix

Original post by andy

Posted: July 23rd, 2008 under Andy, Panels, Conference.
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Imagine my surprise when I commanded my Video Recording Apparatus (VRA) to replay the Neil Young interview on Charlie Rose that I blogged about last week, and learned that Charlie re-scheduled the airing. I was crushed, and didn’t catch it when it aired the next evening. Luckily, Charlie archives his shows online, and you can watch the interview here. The genesis of 2006’s “Living With War” and the subsequent tour with CSNY is covered, events which came right after his 2006 SXSW keynote.

This photo, shot by Gary Miller, captures the moment I met Neil as he made his way down the service corridor of the convention center before the keynote. That’s Jonathan Demme in front, with me to his left and Neil to his right. I can’t remember what I said, but I’m pretty sure it was dorky. Most of my brushes with greatness have happened in this service corridor.

Original post by andy

Posted: July 22nd, 2008 under Andy, Panels, Conference.
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SXSW ‘08 Keynoter Lou Reed is in the news as Julian Schnabel’s film ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ has opened in theaters in New York and Los Angeles. The NY Times gave a positive review here. The film has its own website, and fans should also have Lou’s home page bookmarked.

Relive highlights of the SXSW keyote via the SXSW 2008 Player. Scroll down to select the Lou footage, or download/watch directly here.

Original post by andy

Posted: July 21st, 2008 under Andy, Panels, Conference, Latest News.
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A few recent stories from The Daily Chord have brought the issue of music in games to the forefront. Today’s report from the E3 conference notes the popularity and growth of music games, along with new initiatives from the Wii people. The placement of a new Guns N’ Roses track on the upcoming ‘Rock Band 2′ drew the attention of the NY Times. Apparently Axl remains savvy enough to get his long-delayed tunes to the ears of his fans in today’s popular format, traditional CD releases be damned. The Financial Times reported on Activision Blizzard’s plans to develop a retail platform around their Guitar Hero franchise.

As you ponder the implications of this trend, take a minute to check out an excerpt from the SXSW Music Conference in March. Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing for Electronic Arts describes the unique ways in which music and games inform and enhance each other. Watch the clip via the SXSW Coverage Player. Scroll down to the “Music Placement in Video Games” clip. You can also download the clip here. It turns out that playing games is a serious matter.

Original post by andy

Posted: July 17th, 2008 under Andy, Panels, Latest News.
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Nick Hornby’s ‘High Fidelity’ nailed an entire generation of music loving guys who attempted seduction via the mixtape. The whole process of picking and recording songs to a cassette has been updated for the wired generation by a new site, muxtape.com.

For your listening pleasure, here is a mix of MP3s from SXSW showcasing artists from 3/12. It kicks off with 03 keynoter Daniel Lanois’ title track from his excellent “Here Is What Is” and ends with a piece from SOLI Chamber Ensemble, who performed at our Steve Reich night.

I hope you like it. Maybe we could go see a show sometime.

Original post by andy

Posted: July 16th, 2008 under Andy, Panels.
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2006 SXSW Music Keynote Neil Young is on Charlie Rose tonight. Lately Neil has been mostly interested in talking about the electric car project he’s working on, surely he and Charlie will talk about that. Another topic on the table is the documentary of the 2006 CSNY tour that is making its way to the marketplace. Hardcore Neil fans will surely be watching for some mention of the long-awaited Archives project. The latest word is that the project is going to be on Blu-Ray discs only and will be out this fall. After so many delays, I’ll believe it when it arrives at retail. Anyway, set your Video Recording Thingie (VRT) to catch Neil, it’s always interesting to hear what’s on his mind.

The 2006 Keynote with Neil Young and Jonathan Demme is still up in our archives, and well worth a watch.

Original post by andy

Posted: July 15th, 2008 under Andy, Conference, Latest News.
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Panelist update: Kudos to music supervisor and two-time SXSW panelist Alexandra Patsavas for her work on “Mad Men,” my new favorite TV show. I’m late to the praise party here, but the way all the elements of acting, storytelling, design and music work together to evoke NYC in 1960 is remarkable. I can’t wait for the second season to start on July 27. More info is available at the show site.

Kudos also go out to Sub Pop Records on the occasion of their twentieth anniversary party last weekend. By the report from writer/SXSW pal Jason Cohen, a fine time was had by all. The first time that Jonathan Poneman was on one of my SXSW panels, he showed up 15 minutes late, tripped and fell as he took the stage, and proceeded to take over the panel, offering great stories and insight.

Thanks for clicking your way here, don’t forget The Daily Chord, and see you tomorrow. I nicked the title “Monday Moanin’” from the late Detroit Free Press writer Bob Talbert, columnist of my youth. - Andy

Original post by andy

Posted: July 14th, 2008 under Andy, Panels, Latest News.
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Post numero two-o, and I have decided to drop the royal “we.” It’s annoying. Perhaps I should title my posts “mental recession,” it’s my new favorite phrase.

One surprise in today’s Daily Chord is the story that concert revenues are steady, at least for the first half of the year. With everyone impacted by rising gas prices, this might not hold through the whole year. Bon Jovi leads the Boss, $56 mil to $40 mil. Everyone from Jersey congratulate yourself.

If I was in Los Angeles this weekend, I’d be trying to weasel my way into the taping of the Who’s VH1 Rock Honors show on Saturday. Since I’m not, and most likely you’re not, check out this video of the Flaming Lips rehearsing their “Tommy” medley.

The show is set to air next Thursday, so set your video recording device, or VRD as they are commonly known.

I’m one of those dorks who’s had an iPhone for a while. Today, I can use it to control my stereo remotely. This is a giant leap forward. Now if I can figure out how to get it to flip records on my turntable, my transformation into a sloth will be complete.

Cheers, mate for reading the SXSW Music blog. Bookmark this bad boy and return often. More posting on Monday, have fun until then. - Andy

Original post by andy

Posted: July 11th, 2008 under Andy, Latest News.
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