We’re All In This Together

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. 

Shawn and I went to the PASTE Magazine party at Stubbs last night.  Addictive TV was there doing their thing.  They used old Queen, AC/DC and Led Zepplin videos in their set.  Very cool.

Moby DJed a set after them, opting for a tamer visual approach - mostly morphing colors - as his back drop. 

I played a set for The Red Gorilla Festival today at 1pm.  Despite the early set, I think it went well.  Got the folks at the bar clapping and singing.  I feel pretty good about that, since most people are afraid to look like they enjoy anything here at SXSW. 

Tonight we’ve been invited to see a screening of The Concert to End Slavery.  I’m looking forward to it. 

Patrol Mag is doing a feature on SXSW and is going to republish my blogs. Very nice of them.  I’ll keep trying to write something every day for you. 

I am flying under the radar this year, as usual. I’m not worried about it (though having the exposure of an indie darling would be awesome…I’m not gonna lie) because we continue to run into managers, promoters, ex-label people, new media companies and other artists that agree with us - things are changing. It’s time to adapt and forge ahead, or be lost in the past. To quote one of my favorite movies, Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’. You’re damn right.”