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SXSW Recap of day 3 & 4: Rock all day and night!

Posted at 4:32 PM on March 23, 2009 by Melanie Walker

For those of you who followed my Twitter posts, you'll notice that's exactly what I did on day 3 and 4 in Austin, TX at the SXSW Music Conference. I rocked out all day and night Friday and Saturday and now I'm paying for it with a terrible head cold and sore throat. I had a massive amount of sleep of about 6 hours on Friday night and didn't let my head really hit the pillow till my plane back to Minny on Sunday around 10am. But it was worth it! It's always worth it!

Yet, it is weird to be back in the "real world" with "real people" and rain falling here in St. Paul as opposed to the sun shining in Austin. I always come back from SXSW with a new sense of invigoration and inspiration! I think it's partly the timing of the festival. It's tailing the last rungs of those long winter months that we experience in the twin cities. So, a good few days of heat and sunshine are always incredibly refreshing for this jellyfish skinned girl! But, it's really an inspiring because of all the wonderful people and music I get to meet and experience.

Everyone at SXSW is there for one common reason, they love music. It helps remind me of why I got into this mess of an industry in the first place. I genuinely and passionately, love music! I meet all kinds of people in Austin during the conference, managers, artists, musicians, writers, djs, and even folks sticking around from the interactive or film portions of the conference. I'll be honest, it's very reaffirming being in the thick of the industry at SXSW. Even though this conference has turned into a huge marketing opportunity for anyone who's game, there are still a number of us attending for its original intentions. To discover new music and exchange new ideas!

But enough of my sappy reminiscing. Onto, what I did my last two days in Austin! On my last two days I caught some of my favorite new artists on the scene. Most notably being Gentlemen Reg, Dirty Projectors, Ra Ra Riot and my favorites of the conference (who were the only band I allowed my self to see twice simply because I was so excited about them), Wild Beasts!

I admit I wasn't sure what to make Wild Beasts at first. It's unlike anything else you'll hear on the radio today. Incredibly raw and true, their performances are so vulnerable it may make you feel a bit uncomfortable at first. Wild Beasts aren't concerned with anything but being honest about who they are goofy, playful, emotional, melancholic pop music that strains to be something unique and authentic. Its intelligent music that is as accessible as it is odd. I now love it and can only hope you will give Wild Beasts a fair listen or two before making any judgments. I'm crossing my toes they can make it to the twin cities soon so you can experience them live as well. Stellar musicians all the way round! Their music is art in the truest sense...and the main reason that's truly remarkable is because all four of the band members are only in their early twenties. Incredibly refreshing, they are old souls walking blindly in a modern world. My only selfish wish is that they had played one of my favorite tracks, His Grinning Skull.. It's a strong second runner to their biggest single thus far Devil's Crayon.

For some show by show breakdowns you can check out my tweeting on The Current live Twitter feed. So, here's what I was able to see my last two days in Austin.

Friday
Gentlemen Reg
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
We Have Band
Ed Harcourt
Otis Gibbs
Frank Turner
Mumford & Sons
The Soft Pack
Radio 4
The Hold Steady
Lady Sovereign
Peelander-Z
Crystal Stilts

Saturday
Chairlift
Chief
Wild Beasts
Melissa Auf Der Maur
Laura Marling
Dirty Projectors
The Duke Spirit
Silversun Pickups
Ra Ra Riot

The fortunate and unfortunate part of SXSW is there is too much music for one person to see at any given time. Thankfully some of these artists will be visiting the twin cities soon. But, who do I wish I had the time to see at SXSW? Take a look below at everything worth checking out that I simply did not have the time for but are definitely worth checking out online...

Iran
Titus Andronicus
Cage The Elephant
HEALTH
Late Of The Pier
Asobi Seksu
Japanther
Fol Chen
Esser
The Pink Spiders
Girls
Ume
Wavves
Little Boots
Janelle Monae
The Temper Trap
Ida Maria
Champagne Champagne
Ladyhawke
Department Of Eagles
M Ward
Post War Years

Who had I wished could've attended and played SXSW this year? Loads of bands, but most notably....

Junior Boys
Bat For Lashes
Royksopp
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Neko Case

All five of these albums are turning out to be some of year's favorites already. You'll defiantly hear them on The Current! I know a few of these artists will be in town soon! I'll be out to those shows and highly recommend them to you as well.

This is your Music Director, Melanie Walker, thanking you for taking the time to read my ramblings and wishing you and yours many lovely musical experiences soon...

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