Huw Stephens - 大象传媒 Radio 1
'Keep Austin weird' is the slogan on car stickers, t-shirts and mugs round here. If Austin was any weirder, I don't think it could handle it. At night, when hundreds of bands and rappers and beat makers are playing, the streets are alive with sights of the freakiest nature. Friday was St Patrick's Day, so the seas of green added to the busyness. A man with an alien mask freaked me out twice - he looked so real and so alien-like, just wandering the busy streets. Producer Louise ate tacos this morning next to the Beastie Boys in a Mexican Cafe, and I met electronic genius Daedelus, straight out of LA and a most knowledgeable, lovely man.
"If Austin was any weirder, I don't think it could handle it."
He took us to see Go Go Airheart from San Diego, who played fast and furious rock and roll. On the last track, rappers Subtitle and Thavious Beck joined them, and the results were deadly. So many bands come to play SXSW, each with their own story, plan, records, friends and passion. To see just a snippet of some of them is an honour really.
It was a twenty minute walk off the main bit to go to the F**k by F**k yall gig, which could only be entered by going up a tiny alleyway. Once in, we were treated to one man band violin and tambourine bashing, and met up with the lovely Juanita Family and Friends. I couldn't get to the Gay by Gay Gay gig sadly.
Radio 1's very own Vic Galloway was hosting the Scottish showcase today, where I enjoyed a set by the Hazey Janes playing swoonsome pop songs. And I enjoyed Vic's joke about Texas, which involved the state, and the band. I won't repeat it, that'd be wrong.
When darkness fell (not the name of a hot new band, but it could be), it was time for some electronica. Drop the Lime was phenomenal at the Velvet Spade, with his computer kit and a mic, he tore that patio up. Not literally though. Jason Forrest, who also records under the name Donna Summer when he feels like it, was a lot of fun with his bouncy, rifftastic mash up songs. He was at London label Moshi Moshi's party where the brilliant Tilly and the Wall played an inspired set tonight. Tap dancing, glamorous dresses, exploding songs and all done totally naturally, they were a revelation.
No time to mention a strong set at the Barfly gig by the Heights, a beautiful midday gig by Devendra Banhart's mate Jana Hunter, an otherworldly folktastic Marissa Nadler experience, a heavy Tarantula AD gig or hotly-tipped bearded song blessed Tapes and Tapes.
And tapes (aka cassettes - ask your elderly neighbour), are the future. I was handed three different tapes today on the streets of Austin, a sure sign that in spite of downloads, cds and vinyl - cassettes are where it's at.
