I’ve been in a fog for the last five days, one both literal and figurative, so I missed the sad news that Austin fave Jon Dee Graham was in a serious car accident. Many wishes for a peaceful recovery to Jon and his family. I saw him perform I don’t know how many years ago, and it was one of the best solo shows I’ve ever seen. Please enjoy this footage of the man at work.

In other local-ish news, it doesn’t sound like The Butthole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes has mellowed out much if their recent performance at New York’s Webster hall is any indication. Rawk.

C3 has permanently scrapped plans for the Vineland festival due to the sudden popularity of… New Jersey.

And finally, we’re taking a break here at the SXSW Music Blog ’til the middle of next week as the SXSW 2009 site launches tomorrow. Can’t wait to see the new look, and we’ll have plenty of blogtastic postings for you to start your August off right. The RSS song will remain the same, and you can continue to (not) email us at musicblog@sxsw.com.

Farewell beautiful ‘08. It’s time to move on.

Tchussie for now, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: July 31st, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

For those that braved the traffic, the dust, Suicide Hill, and more… you were rewarded with Teletubbies courtesy of The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, The Tragically Hip playing over their allotted set length, two members of N.E.R.D arriving late (see above mentioned traffic), Jay-Z and Tom Petty. So, a mixed bag, methinks.

It took us two and a half hours to get to the Pemberton Festival… usually a 35 minute drive. Our intrepid driver took it upon herself to play chicken with oncoming traffic so we could jump the line. That was an adventure. Thank God for the police escort that finally arrived or we might still be sitting on the road with several already drunk (I saw a guy lift a girl in a move reminiscent of Dirty Dancing as we sat in a long line of parked traffic) festival goers.

The site, nestled in a valley in the Coast Mountains, was beautiful, but I think the organizers need to find some secret road to the protected potato field if they want smoother sailing next year. On the flip side, we did go to the top of a mountain yesterday which was not bad at all.

I recommend Whistler to anyone looking for some mountain adventures and excellent cuisine. As for Pemberton… it has potential, but they have some big hurdles to clear if they want to make it a premier festival. And I never even saw Chris and Gwynnie!

Did you go to Pemby? What’d you think? Email us at musicblog@sxsw.com

It’s nice to be home, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: July 30th, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

For those that braved the traffic, the dust, Suicide Hill, and more… you were rewarded with Teletubbies courtesy of The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, The Tragically Hip playing over their allotted set length, two members of N.E.R.D arriving late (see above mentioned traffic), Jay-Z and Tom Petty. So, a mixed bag, methinks.

It took us two and a half hours to get to the Pemberton Festival… usually a 35 minute drive. Our intrepid driver took it upon herself to play chicken with oncoming cars so we could jump the line. That was an adventure. Thank God for the police escort that finally arrived or we might still be sitting on the Sea to Sky with several already drunk (I saw a guy lift a girl in a move reminiscent of Dirty Dancing on the side of the road) festival goers.

The site, nestled in a valley in the Coast Mountains, was beautiful, but I think the organizers need to find some secret road to the protected potato field (and running out of parking wasn’t so great, either) if they want smoother sailing next year. On the flip side, we did go to the top of a mountain yesterday, which was not bad at all.

I recommend Whistler to anyone looking for some outdoor adventures and excellent cuisine. As for Pemberton… it has potential, but it seems like they have some big hurdles to clear if they want to make it a premier festival. And I never even saw Chris and Gwynnie!

Did you go to Pemby? What’d you think? Email us at musicblog@sxsw.com

It’s nice to be home, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: July 30th, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

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.
Comments: none

What’s going on in the world these days…

I’m glad to see that Nas’ protest of Fox News and Bill O’Reilly isn’t hurting his record sales as he debuted this week at #1 with sales of 187,000. Did anyone else The Colbert Report last night? If not, you can see a clip of his interview here and performance here.

50 Cent is suing Taco Bell for devaluing his good name. Did they make some sort of “Get Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes or Die Tryin’” commercial or something? I love 50 Cent, but I also love 7-layer burritos so it’s hard to know who to root for on this one.

Kanye West’s visits with returning veterans are being filmed for an MTV Choose or Lose documentary entitled Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming. Said West, “I teamed up with MTV and took the opportunity to share the spotlight with these veterans and hear their stories. I went to their homes to listen and get their firsthand experiences. I wanted to hear their stories.” Each veteran will receive a financial gift on behalf of MTV and the Dr. Donda West Foundation.

Slayer are considering retirement after their final record on their contract is released. Sad to hear that perhaps it will rain blood no more as soon they may be haunting the retirement home. In honor of Slayer, please enjoy this video of their “Born to be Wild” cover. Steppenwolf never sounded so good.

That’s all she wrote for today. I’m off to Whistler tomorrow to hang with the mooses whilst watching Jay-Z at Pemberton.

As always you can email us at musicblog@sxsw. Subscribe to the feeder here and get all your good time SXSW blogposts delivered straightaway.

Toodles, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: July 24th, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

Only two days left to cast your vote for the 5th Annual SXSWclick Festival. In addition to the Popularity Contest Award, jury winners in each of the five categories, including the Grand Jury Prize winner, will be announced August 1st.

Original post by jneece

Posted: July 24th, 2008 under Film News, Interactive News, Latest News.
Comments: none

In honor of Mamma Mia! opening (it’s totally uneven but pretty joy inducing, not despite but because of its kooky awfulness), here’s a truckload of Abba.

SOS

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

SUPER TROUPER

FERNANDO

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

It’s 3 am. I apologize for the not overly informative post, but then again, I’ve gifted you with Abba. No apology needed, right?!

I’m off to the Pemberton Festival in Canada on Friday. Are you? Death Cab for Cutie! The Flaming Lips! My Morning Jacket! Jay-Z! Canadians! I once saw some bears frolicking on the side of the highway en route to Edmonton!

What’s your favorite Abba song? The band your most looking forward to seeing at Pemberton? Email us at musicblog@sxsw.com.

Aprapo of nothing, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: July 23rd, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

Another summer of Hollywood blockbusters is winding down. Cars will stop exploding and super heroes will take the night off. Yes, this is the little window in the movie season that’s a bit more up my alley. I’m definitely excited for a couple of upcoming screwball comedies.

STEP BROTHERS
This Friday, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are back in “Step
Brothers.” Did you happen to catch them on the ESPYs last night?
Hilarious!

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
Then James Franco has ditched the summer blockbuster and gone
back to his “Freaks and Geeks” roots with “Pineapple Express”. A
much better choice, James.

TROPIC THUNDER
I didn’t see “Iron Man”, but I’ll definitely watch Robert Downey
Jr. in “Tropic Thunder”.

BURN AFTER READING
And the last comedy on the list is from my favorite directors,
The Coens. “Burn After Reading” has a stellar cast. Frances
McDormand is always great and I can’t wait to see Brad Pitt work
with that witty Coen dialogue.

AMERICAN TEEN
This one doesn’t fit in this genre, but “American Teen”
is another flick I’ve been anxiously anticipating. I sadly
missed the screening of this A&E IndieFilms production at SXSW.
I regrettably missed it at LAFF. Lucky for me, I can catch it in
the theater this Friday. Hey, maybe I’ll make it a double
feature!

Original post by jneece

Posted: July 22nd, 2008 under Film News, Latest News.
Comments: none

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.
Comments: none

So what’s slightly new and noteworthy, I wonder…

Crosby, Stills and Nash have asked Rick Rubin to produce a record of covers for them. Idolator suggests “All Apologies.” I’d like to hear them do “Enter Sandman.” Please enjoy this montage of ships and remember C,S,and N in olden days.

All hail the the return of Eminem. Apparently he’s in the studio and “has a lot to get off his chest,” according to Bishop Lamont. He should play SXSW next year. I’d like to start lobbying for that right now, thanks. This video of Weird Al and Eminem is like, you know what I’m sayin’, and involves a lot of Weird Al screaming. Whatever happened to Al TV?

Wow, wowee, wow! Jimmy Grumbles, I hope you’re reading this… British Lords of the Anthem, James, are headed out on tour for the first time since 2001. Of course they’re not coming to Louisville. Of course I’m leaving LA a week before they play the El Rey. Curses! Here’s the video for “Seven,” but it’s just one of their many kickass tunes.

Jarvis Cocker is writing songs for Wes Anderson’s upcoming kids movie. That all sounds rather perverse yet fashionable and twee but delightful. Doesn’t seem a stretch, that pairing. I feel like I must give you some “Common People” in honor of.

And lastly, can I just say that I love the fact that Billy Ray Cyrus credits David Lynch for starting his acting career? Awesome sauce.

Alright, I hope you’ve enjoyed this late night You Tubing silly news reporting of mine. News reporting? News regurgitating?

Either way… you can email us at musicblog@sxsw.com.

I’ll see what I can do, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: July 17th, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none