SXSW, and why you wear sensible shoes.
So SXSW 2011 is over, done and dusted. I don’t know where my handbook is that has the details of who I saw, so I know I’ll miss someone out and have to come back to it.
In terms of day parties, we got into Rachael Rays party, this is one of the good day parties, as there is free food and alcohol all day (vodka, tequila, spiced rum). Actually, spiced rum is much more prevalent here than at home, I have developed a liking for it though.
The main reason for attending this party wasn’t the free alcohol, it was because Wanda Jackson was performing and boy can she still perform. She regaled the crowd with stories of touring with Elvis Presley and the advice he gave her and she performed some amazing tracks with an all star local band. It’s always great to catch a star performance and Wanda was stellar, for a tiny lady she has quite a voice. The Bravery also played and we were lulled into thinking they were okay until they played their popular songs again.
After this we visited the Aussie showcase, saw Blue King Brown and Wolf & Cub (who were so active on stage Yogi had to keep racing across replugging them in) and then had dinner.
After Dinner Mel and I went our separate ways and I made the Trek down to AMC to see The Meat Puppets with Rocky Erikkson, unfortunately the sidewalks in this part of town aren’t great and I managed to roll my ankle (and double knee drop into the gravel), I figured it’d be fine and pushed on. The Meat Puppets where phenomenal, they opened with Plateau and it was part of the Austin Music Awards. This was also the venue where I saw Wu Tang and Filter play, it was one of the new venues used for this sxsw as well. No sound problems this time though thankfully.
After the Meat Puppets I walked to Moody Theater for the Perez Hilton Party, word was there was going to be good swag (lies), but due to this venue running late I got to see Liz Phair! And she played Polyester Bride, which was amazing. She’s a great performer as well. Then I stayed on to hear Pretty Reckless (the chick from Gossip Girls band), they would have been okay if it wasn’t for her looking like a stripper. The band and songs weren’t bad (not spectacular) but she seemed to be trying to be one of the backup dancers in a Motley Crue video.
This was where it all turned a bit tragic, after sitting down at the Perez Show (and possibly the Jamesons wearing off ) I stood up and realised how bad my ankle was. I went back to the hotel and they suggested I walk to Walgreens in SOCO (about 2miles walk) to get an elastic bandage. So I did what any self-respecting SXSWer would do, I went to talk to the Police and got them to call EMS For me. Unfortunately EMS in America have no idea what the term “strapping” or “elastic bandage” is and it took me 5 minutes to explain that I just needed my ankle “Ace wrapped” as they call it. They tried to convice me to go to the hospital, but I was pretty sure it was just a sprain so they wrapped me up and off I went (to get more Jameson).
The next band on the list was Quintron And Miss Pussycat from New Orleans (I know, it’s a theme). They opened their midnight set with a 15minute puppet show, I could describe them as the musical version of the Mighty Boosh, they were pretty good, musically they’re quite electro which isn’t my normal scene but for a 2 piece (with puppets) they put on an amazing show.
After this I stumbled to see Black Heart Procession (i think) who were one of Sookies picks and while not necessarily a 1am sxsw closing set band, they were spectacular. I’ll have to chase down their cds.
Mel ended up hitting the secret Death from Above 1979 show, at which the riot police rocked up at, but by this point I’d hobbled back to the hotel to put some ice on my ankle (only 5 hours later than I should have) and pack.
Sunday Morning Mel flew home (what a fleeting trip) and I got a lift to South Congress to go shopping (couldn’t buy cowboy boots coz my ankle was too swollen to try them on.. epic fail) and then lunch at Fado’s before heading to LA (via vegas, with a 2 hour storm delay).
Monday Sookie picked me up from the Airport hotel and her Bam and I spent most of the day at a coffee shop catching up. I can’t even explain how amazing it is to be hanging out with these two lovely ladies together again.
I’m staying with Bam and Mike in Long Beach (which is beautiful, I think I could fall in love with it here) and there has been board games, good food and games of “were going to the moon”, which I think is my new favorite pasttime.
Tonight Sookie and I are checking out the LADD Por Vida class, Ref Training (with GAMES!) and then the rec league flat track scrimmage. Thankfully Bam and I have the same size feet so I’m looting her gear.
Probably won’t be online a lot this week so expect sporadic to no posts. This is the “holiday” part of my holiday.
