SXSW – Day Three
I really doesn’t seem like it’s there’s SO much going on during SXSW, but you know that there is. You know that even know you can’t be there, there are like 300 bands playing within the next 30 minutes or more, probably just around the block from you.
Man, I love this city. You know I moved here because of my first trip to SXSW in 2002. Another LONG story. I’ll tell it to you all one night when you’re ancy and can’t sleep.
So, Friday started out by making a couple of phone calls.
1. Hello? Rock and Roll Rentals?? Yeah..that PA we rented on Tuesday to return today?? We would like to keep it one more night. How much you say? $10?? WOW! You guys rock! Thanks!
2. Hello?? Party Barn?? Yeah, those kegs I bought from you?? That check you’re holding as a deposit? Can you wait before you cash that and let me keep at least this full keg one more week?? That would be great. Thanks!!
Fo- Shizzle – Both these businesses ROCK! I highly suggest you visit them for your 1. Sound and 2. Party needs. They won’t steer you wrong!
After the calls were made, Roberto the faithful, dropped me off at the Convention Center again just in time for the alt.country Demo Listening Panel.Of course, they didn’t pick mine…this panel annoyed me a bit. For one, there was one guy on the panel who talked WAY too much about OTHER stuff that wasn’t related to demos at all. (by demo I mean AUDIO RECORDING – they were there to listen, not comment on the art) For another, the damn thing says ALT.COUNTRY and people were getting demos listened to that weren’t even close. A little disappointing. But I did make a great friend out of the deal and I hope to see him again soon.
Then it was off to the next panel and one that turned out to be one of the coolest of the few I got to attend, “Artists And Their Influences.” This panel was made up of some seriously talented folks and I was very humbled in their presence. HELLLLLOOO?? Don Was?? Just look at this guy’s discography.
I kept up with my “sit in the front” philosophy. I wanted everyone and their brother to remember my name at SXSW, but getting them to do that AND my face would be nice too. Then, hopefully, when they get back and start listening to CDs, mine is on their list of stuff to look into more. But, because of that, I was also the one making eye contact with some very cool peeps. Jessi Colter kept giving me the eye. I know, I know…that sounds weird, but it’s true! Afterward she even mentioned in our conversation that she noticed me in the front and she asked me who I worked for. I said I was Nakia, a musician, and she was genuinely interested in talking to me after that. Said she knew someone else with my name who was Navajo Indian. I was really impressed with her kindness. I asked Don about the new Paula Cole record and he said he was really happy with the progress and that it was great working with her. I thanked Glenn Tillbrook for a lifetime of great music and I introduced myself to Patterson Hood of the Drive By Truckers. He was really influenced by music you wouldn’t figure. Interesting stuff. Like Jessi Colter listing “Faded” by Ben Harper as an influence. WOW! Anyway, that was a great one.
Right before I went into that one I saw a guy pitching a CD to my former big boss at Aware, Gregg Latterman. I wanted to tell Gregg – “Dude! Get this CD! I heard it in the last demo session and everyone was going nuts over it!” But I was so pissed at the guy for bringing it to that session that I didn’t. (It was soul and that was the alt.country one.)
After this, it was time to hit the trade show floor for some samples, CDs, brouchures and some schmoozin’. It was there I bumped into some of the folks I met when I first came down to Austin in March of 2002 (remember the long story mentioned above??) who happened to be throwing a party that I was really wanting to get an invite to…and guess what…I did!! I also picked up a great book/directory thing for Hollywood/Music connection stuff. Using it in hopes of getting my song, Weather Man put in the movie with Nick Cage of the same name.
Then, it was time to get picked up by my ride for the afternoon, my trusty buddy John Medina, from San Antonio. We met playing at Casbeers down there for Texas Songwriters Night and he was coming up to play the KiaChia SXSW Showcase NORTH at Graffiti’s that we had on Friday. He brought his Sister up and his buddy too. We headed north from downtown to my place to pick up the monitors and then over to Marney’s where I picked up Josh’s truck AGAIN (man, you saved my ass Josh! Thanks!) and then headed up to Graffiti’s to meet the gang and get set up.
At Graffiti’s we had a great night of music lined up. Here’s how it broke down:
John Medina
Jevette
Nakia
Honeywagon
David Newbould Band
I set up both nights during SXSW so that Beans and I played in the middle, in hopes that we would catch the best crowds. I think it worked. This night especially! Here’s the setlist:
Move On -> ez
The Kind That Stays
My Yearly Passage
Christened Heart (Daniel) (now available for download at nakia.net! hint!)
Nuthin’ But
L.U.C.Y.
The footage was great! (Thanks Jenny) Especially the part where I look like I am wearing a sombreo. I wasn’t!
The gang at Graffiti’s (Joe, Debby…everyone) was SUPER cool! They really showed us how much they cared and the bands were all WAY cool too. Thanks a ton, everyone.
OK. Sleepy time!
~Kia
NAKIA.NET
