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Overheard at SXSW 2010
With a good layer of time and distance between me and the last day of SXSW -- four days and 2,000 miles to be exact -- a number of things I experienced at the festival are still running through my head, from Bill Murray sightings (see the video here), to an unexpected cold snap, to thoughts on the passing of Alex Chilton. And I'll never forget some of the things I overheard. As the SXSW complex closes shop and prepares for next year, here's a sampling of the sometimes perplexing, always entertaining snippets of conversations I was priviledged to be privy to in Austin this year.
Imaad Wasif
Eating an apple after his set at the Palm Door: “Speaking of babies, this apple is as big as a baby's head.”
An Austin Local
On a packed bus headed down Congress Street, imparting unsolicited advice to his seatmate: “Watch out for the wicked women of Texas, my friend.”
Victor Vazquez (of Das Racist)
During Keepaway's set at Buffalo Billiards, politely asking a girl sitting at the bar: “Hey, will you buy me a beer or a shot of tequila or something?” (She politely declined.)
An Overworked Cashier
At Farm to Market grocery on S. Congress, sighing to a regular: "It's really good to see a familiar face."
A Slightly Intoxicated Hip-hop Fan
At the Scoot Inn, after I give him my business card: "I'm going to apologize in advance for the e-mail I'll be sending you."
Rafter Roberts (of Rafter)
After a pre-flight stretching session with Bill Murray at the Austin airport, where they were both waiting to board delayed flights: “If we get stuck in Austin tonight, we'll start a band and call it The Bill Murray Leg Stretching Band. I have my gear with me; we can totally tape it in the hotel room.”
A Drive-By Truckers Fan
At Stubb's, during a conversation with someone who was unfamiliar with the band: “The Drive-By Truckers are like an indie Lynyrd Synyrd.”
Member of the Press Who Knew the Late Alex Chilton, of Big Star
At the Convention Center, among other members of the press: “He was an unhappy man. He's in a better place now.”
Lisa Moran (Basia Bulat's Manager)
On Saturday's unexpected cold snap, to Emil Nikolaisen (of Serena Maneesh) at the 4AD Listening Party at Clive Bar: "This is cold, and I'm from Canada and you're from Norway."
A Drunk Guy
Annoying the cold folks at the 4AD Listening Party at Clive Bar: “You're from New York? There's, like, five burbs there.”
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Overhear anything notable during your SXSW visit? Let us know in the comments below!
- Gucci Mane: "Scarface" F. Scarface
- Kanye West: City Planner? Amusment Park Designer?
- Ben Gibbard Disses Yankee Stadium And Fans
- The National: "The Rains of Castamere"
- Bridge From Red Hot Chili Peppers's "Under The Bridge" Finally Pinpointed
- M.I.A. Joins Jay-Z's Roc Nation Management
- Prefix Presents: Lotus Plaza Live At The Knitting Factory In Brooklyn
- Shlohmo: "The Way U Do" (Video)
- DIIV: "How Long Have You Known"
- Does This T.G.I. Friday's Ad Rip Off LCD Soundsystem?
- Beat Connection Details Debut Album, 'The Palace Garden,' Listen To First Single “The Palace Garden, 4am”
- Bruce Springsteen: "Rocky Ground" (Video)
- Lou Reed Gets New Genus Of Velvet Spider Named After Him
Can't figure out whether I resent the Drive-By Truckers comment or agree with it...
On my way back to EWR airport Newark a big Austin airport security guard at the screening table asks me with a southern drawl: "Where you headin?"
"Newark, New Jersey" I respond.
He comes back with:"Now why in God's name would you wanna do that? "
rockographer.com
That's a good one, Rockographer. (And I grew up in New Jersey.) Thanks for contributing!