GW Hatchet Blogs - blogs.gwhatchet.com

Among the hordes of hipsters, bands, and industry elites, there were quite a few spectacles. Favorites:

3) It’s-your-birthday-chick: Some girl dressed as a slutty Catholic schoolgirl chased me, asking over and over and over, “Is it your birthday? Is it your birthday?” I told her “No,” but wished her luck. Finally she left, but not before saying “You should have said yes!” Obviously, I’m glad I didn’t… she had two huge guys with her anyway.

2) Musical (wheel)Chairs: A Hoveround that made music as it drove past… like a one-man-band on wheels. Cooler than a band playing on top of a van (also present). Less cool than a motorized vehicle powered by music (a not-yet-but-should-be-invented alternative energy source).

1) Real, live leprechauns: It wasn’t even St. Patrick’s Day yet, but two little people decked in green strutted down 6th Street. Though probably a (exploitive) marketing gimmick, I’d like to think SXSW was the pot of gold.

Surprisingly, it’s not that bad. Even with highs of 84, the low humidity lets the thousands of hipsters here continue to wear tight jeans and leather jackets. In other words, we’ve seen remarkable few cut-off jorts. That said, I’m heading in town now, hopefully catching a photography show before I start the night. Autumne de Wilde is showcasing unreleased photographs of Elliott Smith. Exciting!

After the comedy tent, we headed over to see Be Your Own Pet. They kicked off in a rampage. Singer Jemina Pearl, dressed in war paint, shook all over the stage, bumping into her bandmates. They played so loud and hard in the first two songs–only seven or so minutes into it–they blew their mics. After twenty minutes, the power was fixed, and unfazed, the band came back on stage in a rampage. It’s something of a battered point, by now, to speak of their age, but really, it’s still stands out as their most refreshing point. Their still kids, and that’s the greatest part of their shows. They’re incredibly energetic and fun, and seeing them live, well it’s like adventurous. (Click ‘more’ for more music and video after the jump!)

Brendan and I took a break from all the music (it’s amazing how too much fun can feel like work) to catch a comedy show at Esther’s Follies. We went for Human Giant, and knowing it would be absolutely packed, got there about an hour early… which wasn’t quite early enough. Though we did (thank god) get seats, we found our view of the stage totally blocked by a stack of speakers. Nonetheless, it was great. Among the comics we saw were: Bryan Gutmann, Morgan Murphy, Jeremy Neal, and Eugene Mirman (of Flight-of-the-Conchords-cameo-fame).

Gary Gulman, a Last Comic Standing finalist, gave some of the best jokes of the night, mostly based on completely absurd rants on the secret lives of fruit.

Human Giant (Aziz Ansari and Rob Huebel) ran through two hysterical skits. Video to follow.

I caught Islands in an open courtyard for some sweet, quirky pop goodness. They ended their set with a brilliant cover of Sinead O’Connor, making me wonder, could they be any more endearing?

Afterwards, I went down to the Austin Music Hall to catch Yo La Tengo. I got there just in time to hear the last half-hour set from The Whigs, who were INCREDIBLE. I had never heard them before, but after a couple songs their insane energy got the better of me, and suddenly I’m a convert. (Click ‘more’ for more video after the jump)

Check out our interview the Jukebox kids, live from the D.C. showcase at the Cream Vintage store in Austin, TX. Also at the showcase: Georgie James, Le Loup, These United States, Pash, Middle Distance Runner, Exit Clov, Carol Bui, Samantha Murphy.

Click To Play

Watch our exclusive video and interview clip with the Raleigh, NC folk-trio Bowerbirds – Live from SXSW

After arriving downtown and picking up our press materials, we were pretty hungry so we decided to get some good Texas BBQ at the world famous Stubbs, where REM was set to play later in the evening.

Since SXSW attracts a lot of international acts, we went to go see a band called Slaraffenland from Copenhagen, Denmark. With matching t-shirts, looping guitars, a trombone, clarinet, and melodica, this band was quite interesting, to say the least.

Next, we caught the end of Peter and the Wolf’s set inside the Central Presbyterian Church, in the heart of downtown Austin. They were opening up for the Raleigh, NC folk-trio Bowerbirds (video to come shortly!)

Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of these and other bands as we work our way through more of SXSW 2008

Join Brendan Polmer and Ben Doak as we write, photograph, video and heavily drink their way through South by Southwest 2008 in Austin, TX.

Every year thousands of musicians and music lovers descend upon Austin to set the roots for the music scene. Everything from rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic, bluegrass and everything in between is represented at this festival.

Rather than going the hotel route for our accommodations this year, we decided to hit up Craig and his List here in Austin for a house rental. We were pleasantly surprised at what we found– a large two-story bungalow in the back with a full house in the front, where an Australian rock band (Skybombers from Melbourne) are staying. Stories will surely follow…so keep an eye out.

-Brendan & Ben

What better way to establish drool-worthy street cred than to, um, design a “Made in the Dark” tee-shirt for British electropop hunks Hot Chip?

Honestly. I see few other ways.

Hot Chip is set to hit 9:30 Club April 11, in support of their most recent release “Made in the Dark,” and yea, tickets are already sold out.

But, dearest most creative GW kid, considering you enter and win their “Hot Chip Loves Threadless” competition, I’m sure they’d make an exception. And, you know, by extension probably invite you to a simply bitchin’ after party at which you, their irreplaceable tee-shirt designer, would partake in intelligent conversation and drink champagne while being massaged and fed grapes by hordes of British electropop groupie ladies. Yup. Hordes of them.