SXSW 2008 Recap: American Rag / Filter Day Party @ Cedar Street Courtyard

Day 2 (Thursday) I went to the American Rag/Filter day party. Though I was interested in some of the other bands as well, I mainly wanted to see The Duke Spirit's full set. I wasn't familiar with the first few bands, so I just sat down with my whiskey ginger (about 1.5 sets before The Duke Spirit were about to go on) ready to plan my showcase strategy for that night. But when Low vs Diamond came on playing their music with so much conviction, I couldn't help but be drawn to the front of the stage. They were definitely my most pleasant SXSW surprise. The Duke Spirit set afterwards was incredibly soulful and dynamic as always; they had me shaking what my momma gave me inbetween shots as if I were Liela's tamborine. They most definitely beat out The Kills for The Most Sexy and Photogenic Band of SXSW. Nashville's Be Your Own Pet followed up with their wide-eyed, dizzying, breath-of-fresh-punk energy. Robyn, who I didn't recognize at ALL until she busted out with my old favorite "Show Me Love", continued the leading blonde theme and softened things up a bit, ending the party on a pop note.

Low vs Diamond

The Duke Spirit

Be Your Own Pet

Robyn See more pictures here!

SXSW Countdown: 1 Week Till Texas!

It's the final countdown! And the invites for most of my favorite parties are out: American Rag/Filter, Levi's/Fader, and IHEARTCOMIX (is Vice not saving Texas this year??). I RSVP'd for the IHEARTCOMIX party last year, but it got bust-ed before the official showcases had even ended. Here's hoping this year's different. At least this year it's downtown (aka easily accessible). And check this out:

DIPLO - MATT & KIM - SWITCH - DROP THE LIME - SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO (DJ SET) - CUT COPY - THE TOXIC AVENGER -

A-aaaaaaaannd...

COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGES - 2 POOLS - 4 STAGES - HEARTSCHALLENGER ICE CREAM TRUCK - FIREPIT - VIDEO GAMES - SHUFFLE BOARD - LIVE VIDEO ART BY DEMONBABIES - EVERYONEISFAMOUS.COM - PHOTOBOOTH - LOUNGE - LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN - BBQ - MORE!

No wonder I've had Deichkind's "Remmidemmi" stuck in my head the past week and a half. ESP.



For those of you who don't know German, here's a loose translation...

Your parents are away at a tennis tournament?
You're throwing a party? How nice of you.
Impulsive people know no bounds.
Throw the furniture out the window,
We need some dance space.

Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus

A little gold and silver,
a little bling bling.
Don't you have anything to eat here?
I want pizza.
Your mother said "Don't track so much dirt into the house".
In the picture in the kitchen she looks like Katja Ebstein.

Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus

We're dancing on the tables.
The vibe is shitty.
I wanna be naked.
You can refresh yourself in the pool.
Gonna to take your Dad's speakers into the sauna with me.
Gonna the pour water on the stones with the maid.
And then I'm gonna turn it up.

Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus
Yippie yipiie yeah, yipiie yeah, riot and ruckus

Hey, don't be such a yuppie, man.
We just wanna experience something.
In the private home of rich parents, what could be better?

sxsw countdown: 3 weeks till texas!

Less than three weeks to go! And yesterday the drawing started for the 4,000 wristbands available for Austin residents. Luckily, I still have a debit card with an Austin address. Cause after they're divvied up, there'll only be a handful up for grabs the week of. I swear, it gets more and more annoying each year to get a wristband! And if I don't get one, I'm sure there'll be plenty of fun unofficial day and night parties. In fact, Liz has already given me two funtastic party tips:

GORILLA VS. BOOZE II feat. the Cool Kids, Holy Fuck, Bodies of Water, White Denim, Ghosthustler, White Williams, DJ Sets by The Party, + FREE BEER

HOT FREAKS! feat. Jens Lekman, British Sea Power, Crystal Castles, Cadence Weapon, Islands, Peter Moren (from Peter Bjorn & John), Lykke Li, Keving Barnes (from Of Montreal) and many more

Last year I first heard and saw Ra Ra Riot at the American Rag/Filter Magazine Party at Cedar Street. I had missed their official showcase the night before, and they turned out to be my favorite band of the festival (hands down!). In fact, I went up to the front of the stage only a few verses into their first song (their energy and on-stage chemistry was THAT magnetic). They seriously gave me goosebumps all over (especially with their Kate Bush "Hounds of Love" cover--I think even The Futureheads would tip their hats)! AND I even ended up "south-by-stalking" them to their next unofficial gig at Emo's Annex because I just couldn't get enough. Even after the death of their drummer John Pike (RIP), they've kept on making music and will be back at SXSW this year. Since they haven't made it all the way to Germany yet, I'm very much looking forward to seeing them again in Austin.