We’re All In This Together

Late night last night.  I got some sleep though, thanks to some pfriends in Austin - who I met in AL and CA - they moved here recently.  They’ve got kids and both play guitar, so I played for them this “morning”.  I took over their bunk beds for the night.  Bunk beds rule. 

I play my last show today at The Hideout Theater - 4pm.  Its set apart from the madness of 6th St, so I think it will be cool.  It was the first place I came to back in 05 to hang out and check email, so its kind of come full circle.

Everybody’s still freaking out about Vampire Weekend.  I asked a friend who used to be A&R at a major record label what he thought of them: “Over rated.  I don’t get it.”  I don’t know about you, but I kind of agree about the over rated part. I get it, though.  I see the appeal…but I’m not going to buy the record. 

I’ve been invited to a couple shows by some bands I’ve met on tour, so I’ll give you the full report later on.

Just saw Liam Finn, son of Neil Finn, at the PASTE/Stereogum/Dell party.

Un…..be…..liev….able. 

My jaw was on the floor.

Liam played guitar, bass(bass pedal), drums and sang.  He had a girl singing bgvs and some percussion too.  Two people. Better than most bands here. He looped his way through a gymnastic, psychedelic set.  Amazing.

I went to The Hotel Cafe Tour show last night.  A friend of mine introduced me to Cary Brothers and he told the guy at the door to let Shawn and I in.  Jessie Baylin, Pricilla Ahn, Ingrid Michaelson, Brett Dennen, Meiko, Kevin Devine, Jim Bianco, Rocco DeLuca, Sara Bareilles and Cary Brothers all played sets, or at least one song. It was a great bill.  I like what they’re all doing, and I hope to reconnect with some of them in the future.

I’m headed to the PASTE/Stereogum party in a minute.  Then, there’s party some friends from Nashville are putting on.  Later on tonight I’ll probably go the bluhammock showcase.  I have a plan, but I don’t have a plan.  We like to call it calculated randomness. 

All this walking has been no good for my flat feet.  I need new insoles for my shoes.  The ones I got at Giant suck.

I saw a bit of The Lemonheads set last night, listened to REM outside of Stubbs and met some interesting new pfriends, but the highlight of my day - and what will probably be the highlight of the week - was this movie. 

PASTE Magazine hosted the screening of Call and Response: Concert to End Slavery at The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema last night at 7:30.  It is heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring at the same time. 

Go watch the trailer NOW.

There are peformances and interviews with Imogen Heap, Cold War Kids, Cornell West, Ashley Judd, Madeline Albright and more. 

After Shawn and I left the theater and went back downtown, we walked around in a daze, looking at all the buzzery and indie rock politics taking place.  It seemed even more ridiculous than before. 

When this movie comes to your city, or even a couple hours near you, you have to see it. 

That’s what everybody calls it down here…

I personally don’t like to abbreviate things that are already abbreviated.  I guess I am old fashioned like that.

I got in to Austin last night at 10:25 pm.  Shawn picked me up from the airport (he drove from MO - he gets the spirit award) and we immediately headed downtown for the shenanigans.  It was a little light, but things are picking up today. The event I spoke and played at today went well.  I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation with the people I met there over dinner tonight.  We’re also attending a PASTE Magazine event later this evening. 

Just from the meetings we’ve had today, it is very clear that people are acknowledging the paradigm shift in the industry.  I found these quotes in the SXSWorld Magazine:

“The music industry will be fine…but the record industry - the ones that sell plastic discs - they are in a lot of trouble. The companies damming up the works by clinging to outdated business models will either collapse, or be forced to change.” - Jason Schwartz (Robber Baron Music)

“We need a system that compensates musicians and gives them a voice in how their art is created, licensed and distributed.” - Ann Chaitovitz (Future of Music Coalition)

Amen. And how.

More tomorrow…I’m off to hussle and learn.

I’ve been doing some recording in my apartment lately.  I have an Mbox and a couple of mics.  Nothing fancy, but it does the trick.  Due to the fact that I am predominately a guitar player, there is a lack of percussion instruments laying around…unless you count bottles of pills and tupperware containers. (Boxes of Quaker Oats also make for great shakers. Who knew?)  It’s been fun.  Some of these songs have been written recently and some I have been kicking around for a couple of years.  Some have words and some don’t.  I am not really worried about what they turn out to be.  I am just making music, and I love that once I am done with a mix I can upload the kitchen-ette orchestra for all of those interested in partaking via your laptops.  Pfriends on Pfilm has not only triggered ideas for a more interactive live performance…it has made me rethink the way I record in the “studio”.  I am looking forward to trying new things sonically. 

I have been getting ready for SXSW this past few weeks.  Some very gracious people are taking care of my flight, so I don’t have to drive this year.  I fly in on the night of March 10 and I will be there until March 16.  I’ve got shows on March 11, 13 and 15 and I have RSVP-ed to every showcase I’ve been invited to.  There’s no chance I’ll get to attend all of them, but its always good to cover your bases.  Some of the parties have free food and drinks.  I’ll probably make those a priority.  I’m looking forward to the festival this year, because I think Shawn and I finally started to get the hang of things last year.  I’ll write about my adventures on here each day.

In the mean time, I’m looking for a place to stay while I’m in Austin.  If you know somebody, please get in touch.  Thanks.