Paul Tao
03/20/06, 09:37 AM
Day 1: here (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=121847). Day 2: here (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=122136). Day 3: here (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=122334).
Holy crap. Is it really over? This update is coming later than it should, because my friends and I decided to begin our drive back to LA as soon as festivities were done on Saturday night (designated drivers, of course). It's been a long time since I've been so happy to be back in LA, to be honest. As much fun as I've had the past few days, I'm glad to be back in the world of crazy drivers who speed everywhere, sports cars and shallow Hollywood elitism.
Saturday did end with sort of a bang though. I went to a Stuff Magazine party during the day (there's nothing like an open bar at two in the afternoon), watching Voxtrot (http://www.myspace.com/voxtrot), whose indie/pop/rock sound was surprisingly better than the first time I had seen them on Wednesday night. I still wasn't terribly impressed, but at least they went up a notch in my book. Saddle Creek's Two Gallants (http://www.myspace.com/twogallants) went on a bit later, and considering that I had been a fan of their alt-country-esque album for a while now, it was a thoroughly enjoyable show. Think of a softer Kings of Leon, I suppose, which might make sense considering they're on Conor's label. A few hours after the Stuff party, Pink Mountaintops (http://www.myspace.com/pinkmountaintops) rocked Emo's Annex with their psychedelic folk-rock sound. Not as psychedelic as Dungen, who I believe I also described as “psychedelic folk” before, but still some crazy, upbeat kind of music. Buzz band I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness (http://www.myspace.com/chosendarkness) went on afterwards. I was fairly unimpressed with the repetitive take on goth-rock; if this band was supposed to be the next big thing, they had a long way to go with refining their sound and making it more unique.
The highlight of the night definitely came with the Vice late night party, however. Held in a random warehouse far away from downtown Austin (I'm not sure I can say where it's held, it's l337), the party featured performances by The Stills (http://www.myspace.com/thestills), Wolfmother (http://www.myspace.com/wolfmother) and, more importantly, ZZ Top. Slightly more important may have been the free Sparks and PBR, but whatever (if you like Sparks, you should really try the new Sparks Plus. Just a tip). Hundreds of SXSW elites (and me, somehow), alcohol, kickass bands and a warehouse decorated to look like a carnival combined to equal an interesting night.
The twenty hour drive that I just got home from, however, was not kickass. That sort of sucked, I'll be honest, which is why this update is shorter and blunter than the rest. SXSW, I love you, and I'll probably be back next year, but I am so glad to be back home.
Holy crap. Is it really over? This update is coming later than it should, because my friends and I decided to begin our drive back to LA as soon as festivities were done on Saturday night (designated drivers, of course). It's been a long time since I've been so happy to be back in LA, to be honest. As much fun as I've had the past few days, I'm glad to be back in the world of crazy drivers who speed everywhere, sports cars and shallow Hollywood elitism.
Saturday did end with sort of a bang though. I went to a Stuff Magazine party during the day (there's nothing like an open bar at two in the afternoon), watching Voxtrot (http://www.myspace.com/voxtrot), whose indie/pop/rock sound was surprisingly better than the first time I had seen them on Wednesday night. I still wasn't terribly impressed, but at least they went up a notch in my book. Saddle Creek's Two Gallants (http://www.myspace.com/twogallants) went on a bit later, and considering that I had been a fan of their alt-country-esque album for a while now, it was a thoroughly enjoyable show. Think of a softer Kings of Leon, I suppose, which might make sense considering they're on Conor's label. A few hours after the Stuff party, Pink Mountaintops (http://www.myspace.com/pinkmountaintops) rocked Emo's Annex with their psychedelic folk-rock sound. Not as psychedelic as Dungen, who I believe I also described as “psychedelic folk” before, but still some crazy, upbeat kind of music. Buzz band I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness (http://www.myspace.com/chosendarkness) went on afterwards. I was fairly unimpressed with the repetitive take on goth-rock; if this band was supposed to be the next big thing, they had a long way to go with refining their sound and making it more unique.
The highlight of the night definitely came with the Vice late night party, however. Held in a random warehouse far away from downtown Austin (I'm not sure I can say where it's held, it's l337), the party featured performances by The Stills (http://www.myspace.com/thestills), Wolfmother (http://www.myspace.com/wolfmother) and, more importantly, ZZ Top. Slightly more important may have been the free Sparks and PBR, but whatever (if you like Sparks, you should really try the new Sparks Plus. Just a tip). Hundreds of SXSW elites (and me, somehow), alcohol, kickass bands and a warehouse decorated to look like a carnival combined to equal an interesting night.
The twenty hour drive that I just got home from, however, was not kickass. That sort of sucked, I'll be honest, which is why this update is shorter and blunter than the rest. SXSW, I love you, and I'll probably be back next year, but I am so glad to be back home.