Tuesday
I played a candlelit backyard show with Ben Kweller and then bounced to Martie Maguire’s (from the Court Yard Hounds) crib to work on some songs we’re writing. I made it back Downtown just in time for the Dawes/Charlie Sexton carnival that was going on. After that, I cracked my phone and let Adam Duritz talk me into getting an iPhone. I had too many energy drinks, and when I got home I couldn’t sleep, so I listened to music and watched the sun come up.
Wednesday
Me and my new phone met up with my pal Bruce from L.A., and we had coffee and breakfast tacos at Jo’s. Holy hell, those potato tacos from Tacodeli are the bomb! I was beat from the night before, and I tried to take a nap but couldn’t, so I went to the Billy Reid party and watched Delta Spirit play a killer set.
Afterward, I walked up and down Sixth Street and saw a small man on a really large bicycle and girls in bikini tops with Hula-Hoops. I tried to get into the Fiona Apple show by telling the door guy I was with Charlie Sexton. He wasn’t buying it. I went to the Driskill and had a drink and watched some more people. I felt like I was on a cruise ship.
I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and went to bed.
Thursday
I never know when the good parties are, and even though South by Southwest does a great job of printing up a schedule, I always lose mine. It’s OK by me. I really like throwing myself into the cultural tornado that sweeps through Austin this time of year and just seeing where I fall.
Usually, I fall to the curb with a popsicle and just watch the parade unfold until it’s time for me to play somewhere. See ya on the street.
Charlie Mars’ Friday Showcase: Central Presbyterian Church, 9:30pm
This article appears in March 16 • 2012.