SXSW So Far

Tuesday 17th March, Austin Texas

SXSW is pop culture heaven. Music, film, liquor and Mexican food are abundant and free and there are more parties, showcases and screenings than one could ever hope to attend.

The music festival starts tomorrow so I’ve spent the last few days cutting my teeth on the film festival. Coolest movie by far, had to be My Suicide, not only isn’t brilliant in both its storytelling and visual effects it also hosted an amazing soundtrack that included Bright Eyes, Radiohead, Devendra Banhart, My Morning Jacket,Animal Collective, TV on the Radio and Joanna Newsom.  I went to the after-party following the movie and not only were the director and producer super nice they also knew how to put on a good spread of guacamole, burgers and beer. They have also just picked up the rights to the Daniel Johnston story and if it’s half as cool as what they have done with My Suicide it should be fricken awesome.

Aside from that, there’s been no shortage of Superbad rip off movies premiering regurgitating the same formula that seemed original in 2007.

Today I went and saw Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Fast Food Nation, Waking Life) have a conversation with Todd Haynes (I’m Not There, Poison, Velvet Goldmine) and M. Ward speak about his resistance to the digitisation of music which is pretty phenomenal set of things to do before 2pm.

The nights have been spent going to parties where the New Zealand novelty seems to never wear off and I continue my experimentation with American Beer. Apparently Budweiser is not cool to drink -- ever. At this one party they were prescribing free packets of cigarettes to the partygoers – freaked me out so much I couldn’t smoke them, It’s no fun when people are encouraging you to do it.

All the musos are registering today for the madness that begins tomorrow and there’s no shortage of hipsters wearing there glasses inside and tight panted rock star attire. I’ve got Champagne Champagne, Peter, Bjorn and John, M. Ward and Blind Pilot shows tomorrow and an interview with Awkward I so I’ll let you know hot it goes y’all.