Ashley’s SXSW Picks
By Smashley on Mar 15 Filed In Austin, Texas, Celebrities, Events, Live Music, SXSW, arts & crafts Add a Comment
This week, the social frenzy that is SXSW really gains momentum, as the music portion of the fest kicks off on the heels of film and interactive. Don’t get me wrong- it’s been fun up until now, but SX-music takes it to another level. Put on your party pants (skinny jeans if you want to fit in), call in sick (j/k), and get ready for a great week in Austin. Here are some of my picks:
Paste Party in Austin: 508 E 6th (Thurs, Fri)
For the eighth year in a row, Paste will host day parties during SXSW, bringing some of their favorite new artists (and a few veterans) to the stage. They’re showcasing some great bands, some familiar- Eisley, TV Torso, Sarah Jaffe, and Sondre Lerche, as well as some new bands that I’m definitely going to check out: The Kopecky Family Band and David Wax Museum. More info here.
Music By The Slice: Home Slice Pizza (Thurs, Fri, Sat)
Another event I hit up every year is “Music By The Slice” at Home Slice Pizza. I love this venue- not only because it’s my favorite pie in town, but also because it has a beautiful back patio/ beer garden, complete with a great outdoor stage.
One of my favorite SXSW encounters of all time was at Home Slice. I decided to scoot down there for lunch, and as I sat down outside to enjoy my slice and Mexican Coke, noticed that some guys were wheat pasting a mural on the wall across from where I was sitting.
I studied this stuff in art school, so was immediately interested. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the rogue artists were none other than Shepard Fairey and the Obey posse, major forces in visual culture. I’m pretty sure you’ve seen their work. I was psyched to stumble upon the actual people whose blogs and careers I had been following for years. And I got to offer them some Sweet Leaf Tea (Diet Peach was their fave)! Definitely a great SX memory. Maybe a repeat performance this year?
Dickies @ SXSW: Lustre Pearl (Thurs, Fri, Sat)
Lustre Pearl is one of my favorite local haunts, so I was thrilled to see that Fader and Dickies are putting on some great shows there. I’m psyched about The Givers, DeVotchKa, Cold War Kids, and Gayngs, to name a few, and love the idea of sitting outside under the trees, sipping on a (Sweet Leaf Tea) and hearing some great new music from those bands.
There’s certainly no lack of great music this week, just wish I could be in two places at once!
Get out there and have yourself a great time.
And a Sweet Leaf Tea, of course!
