AFS Cinema
Questions About SXSW
RECEIVED Thu., Nov. 5, 2009
Dear Editor,
I just called my son, Aric Garcia, drummer for local Austin band the Wonderland Avenue, to remind him, like I do every year, to submit his band for the upcoming South by Southwest 2010 before the deadline. He said they have submitted the band the past two years, paid the fee, and were turned down. I'm sure there are hundreds of bands in the same boat. My problem is that there is a fee charged to these bands. What is the fee for, paperwork? Administration fees? Most are volunteers. Why not charge a fee if they do make the "cut," then I can see you are using the fee to include the band in all the marketing. Mainly, what are the qualifications you look for in a band? I'm sure you have heard this before: Why not put more local Austin bands in a main showcase to open up for a big-name band? Well, whatever your answer, if I could fit the large mainly college-age fans of the Wonderland Avenue in our small East Austin home, I'd hold a "side show" during the SXSW week and invite them all to the gig … free, no charge, no fees! No wonder so many locals refuse to purchase badges or wristbands, at least that's the comment I've heard! Here's my shout-out to the band: Keep on f...... rocking. I know my hard-earned money was well worth it since my drummer started at age 5!
I just called my son, Aric Garcia, drummer for local Austin band the Wonderland Avenue, to remind him, like I do every year, to submit his band for the upcoming South by Southwest 2010 before the deadline. He said they have submitted the band the past two years, paid the fee, and were turned down. I'm sure there are hundreds of bands in the same boat. My problem is that there is a fee charged to these bands. What is the fee for, paperwork? Administration fees? Most are volunteers. Why not charge a fee if they do make the "cut," then I can see you are using the fee to include the band in all the marketing. Mainly, what are the qualifications you look for in a band? I'm sure you have heard this before: Why not put more local Austin bands in a main showcase to open up for a big-name band? Well, whatever your answer, if I could fit the large mainly college-age fans of the Wonderland Avenue in our small East Austin home, I'd hold a "side show" during the SXSW week and invite them all to the gig … free, no charge, no fees! No wonder so many locals refuse to purchase badges or wristbands, at least that's the comment I've heard! Here's my shout-out to the band: Keep on f...... rocking. I know my hard-earned money was well worth it since my drummer started at age 5!
Marie & Fish (Steve) Fischer
[Louis Black responds: Putting on my SXSW cap here: There is significant processing involved with each submission, and they are all listened to at least twice, which involves costs. Most music festivals that take submissions, as with most film festivals, charge an entry fee.]