SXSW was a blast again this year!
It was like I died & went to Heaven. There were countless parties, bands, drinks, amazing food, friends, nice weather,
plus everything was relatively inexpensive, and the locals were very friendly and hospitable. You put that all together &
you have yourself a damn good time. Highlights included: Queens of the Stone Age (who
played in an airport hanger at an after hours party), the Coachwhips, Ben Lee, The
Panda Band, American Minor, Rock n Roll Soldiers, Lou Barlow, Something for Rockets, Billy Idol, Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party,
Ash, the Crimea, Vic Chestnutt, Dr Dog, the Duke Spirit, Feist, the Mean Reds, the Like, Nine Black Alps, the 400 Blows,
and of course, as always, the Vice party (which featured my favorite NYC energy
drink Sparks). It was great seeing all of you, even if it was just a quick “hi”
for a few seconds on 6th
Street. Geordie Gillespie gave me a copy of the
new DJ Z-Trip album and I must have listened to it a few hundred times in the
car! I also got a copy of the new Langhorne Slim and was blown away. Topping off
the fun was a bunch of great swag (like a Zippo lighter, yeah!), a few late-night
parties, and some great chance meetings (like how Charlotte Hatherley the
beautiful guitarist from the British band Ash, is friends with my old dear
friend from New York, Erika Tooker…who knew?). Good friends, good music, good
food….I can’t wait til next year!