AUSTIN, TX (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — While everyone is talking about the economy and speculating on how it will effect business, the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival will suspend the rules for one long weekend where nothing will mute the music. The ability to build a career with a little help from friends, acquaintances, and business associates that can be met at SXSW makes attending the event an essential part of the music industry calendar. Meeting the people now that can help in the future is an integral part of making the trip to Austin, Texas, Wednesday, March 18 through Sunday, March 22, 2009. The panels, mentor sessions, crash courses, exposure at gigs and social networking through my.sxsw.com will help with building a career, a following or whatever is needed to further your goals.
The 2009 SXSW Music Conference held at the Austin Convention Center will feature over 70 panel discussions, interviews, demo listening sessions and the SXSW mentor program and quickies sessions. The daytime program of educational, informative and entertaining presentations is a core component of the event which covers business and creative issues in music. Highlights will include: Quincy Jones' Keynote Address on Thursday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.; SXSW Interviews on Thursday, March 19 featuring the Oak Ridge Boys at 3:30 p.m., and Devo at 5:00 p.m.; on Friday, March 20 with Little Steven at 11:00 a.m. and Carlene Carter at 2:00 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 21 with The Hold Steady at noon. Panels will include: 'BBQ The Texas Way;' 'Inside Michael Ochs Archives;' 'Woodstock: Untold Stories;' 'History of British Indies;' and a sneak peek at 'Neil Young Archives.' Wednesday, March 18 is a jam packed day with the "Green Track" designed to give an overview of how to be musically green by discussing 'Sustainability and Greening,' 'Making a Green Album,' and 'British Innovations.' In addition, five hour-long 'Crash Courses' will be offered on the following topics 'Recording,' 'Management,' 'Getting Gigs,' 'Online Resources' and 'Merchandising.' Rounding out the conference are Demo Listening sessions that offer registrants a chance to see how music is reviewed and reacted to by representatives from labels, venues, radio and the press, the Mentor Program that offers registrants ten minute meetings with panelists and industry pros and the Quickies which are small group meetings with advance online signup.
The SXSW Trade Show Exhibition, also in the convention center, will host an array of events and exhibitors. The three day music trade show which will be held this year from Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 20 offers a unique opportunity for the performing bands and thousands of other industry professionals to meet in one-on-one scenarios and exchange information. Participating organizations from around the world including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, UK – England, UK – Scotland, Spain, and from every corner of the United States will be on hand to aid in broadening careers for both American and international bands and companies. The Indie Village makes it possible for you to network, meet with and learn about over 50 of the nation's finest Indie Labels. StudioSX, presented by Blue Microphones, is where high profile music industry professionals will be interviewed in front of an audience on the trade show floor. The South by Bookstore sponsored by Barnes & Noble Booksellers will feature notable SXSW registrants selling and signing books. The SESAC Day Stage Cafe runs Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and features acoustic sets from bands that will be playing at the nighttime music festival from Noon to 6:00 p.m. each day.
Two attractions for all performing bands are the Showcasing Artist Lounge and the Artist Village. The Showcasing Artist Lounge, sponsored by LP33.tv and Whisky a Go Go Records is a great place in the convention center for conversation, a beverage or snack, massages, access to computers, and an outdoor patio. The other perk for showcasing artists is The Artist Village presented by The Recording Academy and Affliction Clothing and the Grammy Garage.
SXSW Music 2009 major sponsors provide critical support for the event and include Miller Lite, Fuze Beverage, Sonicbids, ZonePerfect, Independent Film Channel, MLB Authentic Collection, Pepsi and founding sponsor the Austin Chronicle. Local electronic media sponsors include KLBJ-FM, KGSR, 101X and Hot 93.3.
The top attraction, though, is the music. The SXSW Music Festival, which spans five nights, will present 1900 musical acts on 88 stages in venues ranging from the most intimate clubs to the outdoor stage located at Auditorium Shores. The music starts on Wednesday, March 18 and runs through Sunday, March 22. A very small sampling of bands includes Bedouin Soundclash, New York Dolls, The So So Glos, Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, Invincible, Yarah Bravo, Complete, Choc Quib Town, Ximena Sarinana, The Sonics, Yelle, Amazing Baby, Bun B, Rick Ross, Dead Prez, Easy Star All-Stars, and Kingman and Jonah. The outdoor shows, at the Auditorium Shores Stage on Lady Bird Lake, are free to the public and take place for three days, Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21. Thursday's show starts at 6:00 p.m. and includes Cold War Kids and M Ward; Friday's line-up also starting at 6:00 p.m. will be Bob Schneider, Raul Malo and The Arc Angels; Saturday's show will feature a full day with Jambo, Biscuit Brothers, Joe McDermott, Daddy a Go-Go, Beach House and Explosions in the Sky.
Helping to kick off the SXSW Music Festival is the Twenty-seventh Annual Austin Music Awards at the Austin Music Hall on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:55 p.m. sharp. This year's show features Suzanna Choffel, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, Bob Schneider and Lonelyland with The Fireants, The Dicks with David Yow, Roky Erickson with the Black Angels and SDQ2: A Tribute to Doug Sahm with Shawn Sahm, Augie Meyers and Alejandro Escovedo.
New this year, the YouTube SXSW Channel featuring film trailers and music videos from this year's participating filmmakers and performers, and interviews with heavyweights in the music, film and technology industries. SXSW will be constantly updating the channel during the event with new content, including band showcases, StudioSX interviews, panels and more. Check out the great videos that can't be found anywhere else at http://www.youtube.com/sxsw
–by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers While
