Music for the Masses
The 22nd South by Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival is now accepting industry registrations and applications for the 2008 Music Festival. All national bands have until Nov. 9 to apply and can do so now online at SXSW.com or through SonicBids.com. SXSW Live 2007, the festival’s first-ever video compilation, captured by Blaze TV in two custom-built chambers inside the Austin Convention Center and spotlighting Rachel Fuller with Pete Townshend, Rickie Lee Jones, and the Polyphonic Spree, among others, hits stores on Tuesday.
SXSW’s New York-based counterpart, the CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival, has announced its initial lineup for Oct. 16-20, which includes a closing set by Spoon at Roseland Ballroom, and is currently accepting nominations for its annual College Radio Awards. KVRX, UT’s nonprofit, student-run station, hosts the Hudsons this week, followed by Til We’re Blue or Destroy on its Sunday night Local Live show. A two-stage benefit hits next Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Mohawk, featuring Lomita, Fancy Feast, Peter & the Wolf, and Yellow Fever, to celebrate the launch of the station’s new website. Sister station KOOP has its own shindig at the Scoot Inn Friday with Horse + Donkey, Peel, and Diagonals.
Random Play
• Virtual Dumpster diving on Craigslist turned up gold this week: “Downtown Austin Property at the Corner of Sixth and Red River,” listed for a cool $4.5 million. According to Emo’s owner Frank Hendrix, Emo’s Lounge, which he purchased with several other investors in March 2006, has been on the market for more than a year. “We put a ridiculous price tag on it,” he says. “I don’t anticipate it selling.” Hendrix has also expressed interest in purchasing Red 7, the up-and-coming hardcore venue.
• Major corporations continue to lobby for support in the indie rock community. Camel presents White Rabbits, Gore Gore Girls, the Clutters, and the Architects for free (for those of smoking age) at Emo’s Saturday, while Taco Bell is offering $500 in fourth meals to 25 groups as part of its second annual Feed the Beat nationwide competition. Bands have until Aug. 30 to submit a song and apply online at www.tacobell.com/feedthebeat.
• Local entertainment website Do512.com showcases the work of 19 local music photographers, including Chronicle contributors Gary Miller, Jay West, Felicia Graham, and Mary Sledd, at Progress Coffee through the end of the month.
This article appears in August 17 • 2007.