KLRU
Why No Latin Bands? Well, Because There Are?
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 28, 2006
Hi,
Although this has nothing directly to do with your publication, I thought this might be an interesting question for your writers to be asking when covering SXSW: No Latin Bands at SXSW? What is that all about, have the organizers of this event forgotten they are in Texas, a state with one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country?
I have been to the last five SXSW festivals, and every year there are anywhere between 15-20 Hispanic acts, usually playing in clubs filled to capacity, with extremely long lines of people (with and without wristbands) hoping to get in.
In a city that has already made many of its minorities feel inadequate, for multiple reasons of which I am sure you are aware, is this truly the message the music community wants to be sending? Is this a cultural breakdown?
I for one am a huge supporter of the music scene, and feel we deserve an explanation from the organizers. Maybe you guys could help us figure it out.
Although this has nothing directly to do with your publication, I thought this might be an interesting question for your writers to be asking when covering SXSW: No Latin Bands at SXSW? What is that all about, have the organizers of this event forgotten they are in Texas, a state with one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country?
I have been to the last five SXSW festivals, and every year there are anywhere between 15-20 Hispanic acts, usually playing in clubs filled to capacity, with extremely long lines of people (with and without wristbands) hoping to get in.
In a city that has already made many of its minorities feel inadequate, for multiple reasons of which I am sure you are aware, is this truly the message the music community wants to be sending? Is this a cultural breakdown?
I for one am a huge supporter of the music scene, and feel we deserve an explanation from the organizers. Maybe you guys could help us figure it out.
Thanks,
Eduardo Garza
Eduardo Garza
[Editor's response: Perhaps if you had spent just a bit more time checking the SXSW schedule. When I asked SXSW about this, the reply was "There are already Latin band showcases booked, and we are working on more. It's taking some extra time this year (we work with several outside consultants when we book Latin acts). There will be a complete night of Latin rock at Opal Devine's on Wednesday, and there is a full night of Latino artists booked on one of the stages at Spiro's on Saturday. We are working hard to book another complete Latin bill at Spiro's. We also have a few other Latin acts scattered throughout the showcase schedule, including Los Abandoned, Caucasians Delenda Est, and Gecko Turner. And there will be more confirmed soon."]
