Welcome to South by Southwest 2009

We are excited to announce our unique partnership with the Roskilde Festival and Austin-based Sol Design Lab, in a mutual exchange that will explore both the artistic and practical applications of clean energy. At this year’s Roskilde Festival, (July 2 - 5, 2009) outside Copenhagen, Denmark, the SXSW sponsored SolarPump™ will make its debut. Incorporating cutting-edge solar technology and the adaptive re-use of a classic symbol of American fuel culture, this innovative Solar Charging station will power electric scooters that members of the media can use to travel back and forth from the Media Village (in the center of the festival grounds) to the Press Center about a mile away (where the media can use the facilities to file stories). The SolarPump™ will also serve as a practical and eye-catching tool to educate festival-goers about the possibilities of Solar Power, from both a technological and a creative point of view.

Designed by Austin-based Sol Design Lab, the SolarPump™ project is part art, part education and part practicality. It was created in February 2009, when Beth Ferguson, (a MFA candidate at the University of Texas at Austin), debuted it as her graduate project, with the intention of helping people re-imagine the future of transportation by showing solar powered mobility in action. Using the reclaimed body of a 1950’s gas station pump retrofitted with solar panels, she installed an innovative system to harness solar energy to charge electric scooters, laptops, cell phones, cameras, etc. (any item that uses a standard electric plug). In consultation with SXSW staff, Ferguson redesigned and modified the Pump to be truly portable, temporary and suitable for outdoor events. The Pump was fabricated and assembled by Ferguson’s Sol Design Lab in consultation with Austin Energy, Lighthouse Solar and with assistance from the University of Texas Department of Art. The batteries and electric scooters are being supplied locally in Denmark, and Roskilde is providing space and other support for the assembly on-site.

SXSW would like to thank the following for their support: Austin Energy, Department of Art & Art History at the University of Texas at Austin, Lighthouse Solar and Maverick Solar.

From left to right - Designer Beth Ferguson and Lula Marcondes, of Sol Design Lab, and Rick Mansfield from the University of Texas at Austin Art Department surround the SolarPump™ produced for the 2009 Roskilde Festival.

The 2009 SXSW Music Keynote speech from Quincy Jones contained many unforgettable moments. Among them was a series of stories about his work and friendship with Michael Jackson. After meeting on the set of "The Wiz," Jackson convinced Jones to produce his next record, and went against label advice to pursue this collaboration. What ensued was history, and 'Q' shares his unique perspective on the blockbuster of 'Thriller' and the breaking of racial barriers at MTV. As we remember Michael Jackson's music and note his deep and wide cultural impact, we thank Quincy Jones for sharing his remarkable life stories at SXSW '09.

check out the SXSW Youtube channel for more videos...

"Vizrappers are throwing beam on the walls of the 'hood." Amoeba Man, the Mexican Lightning Crew, Sal the Shooter, and Big Ed are all down at Veli's, a funky little graphics bar underneath the freeway in West Oakland. Vizrappers and other real-time visual artists have come to make magic on the big screen with a beam of light. Some chase fame, some chase fortune, and some just want the sweet thrill of slinging pixels for a live audience. Welcome to the world of performing graphics as vividly portrayed in Lakin's novel, Live Graphics Nightly.

Fred Lakin, The Performing Graphics Company

Check out the podcast here »

We know the SXSW community abounds with intelligence, enthusiasm and creativity, and is brimming with new ideas on the future of music, film and new media, so listen up! If you have a brainstorm for a great panel (or a great solo presentation) at the event next spring, then we want to hear from you soon! Don't delay, as the deadline for submitting proposals to the 2010 Panelpicker interface is Friday, July 10.

Keep in mind that as a new initiative for 2010, the Panelpicker interface will now be used to help slot programming for SXSW Music and SXSW Film (in addition to SXSW Interactive).

Wondering how to increase your odds of getting picked? Here's a tip - at present, we have received a lot more programming ideas for the geek portion of the event than SXSW Music or Film, so don't be shy about submitting ideas for those events as well (as there is less competition for slots).

So get going, and be sure to read the FAQ for extra tips and guidelines before you submit!

A recurring theme with the folks at Kanine Records is that they love life and have a fierce passion for vinyl. And of course, they love dogs, too. The coolest thing about their website (apart from the bands, the tour schedule, the videos) is that they feature adoptable pets from all over the country. We love record labels with a heart! Kanine brought us two bands to SXSW 2009 - Chairlift and Holy Hail, and have a killer roster of bands who are touring all over this summer. Kay Quartarino, General Manager, kindly told us about the label and some of the things they have coming up.

So what is Kanine Records all about?
A collection of music nerds that love collecting records (vinyl), going to shows, having beers, hanging with friends and dogs, and enjoying life. We started Kanine because we love records, saw a ton of rad bands playing right in our own neighborhood, and wanted to show everyone what great talent was playing right in their own backyard.

How was your experience at SXSW 2009?
As usual we saw a ton of great new bands, hung out with a ton of friends, drank a ton of free beers, ate some great Mexican food, and walked around till our feet were too sore to stand up anymore.

Who are some Kanine artists you're excited about this year?
We are super excited about some of our new and upcoming releases from:
Blind Man's Colour, The Depreciation Guild, Drink Up Buttercup, Holiday For Strings, Princeton, ZAZA

What artists are playing on your iPod the most these days?
I've been listening to new records lately from:
Blind Man's Colour, The Depreciation Guild, Princeton, Zaza, Drink Up Buttercup, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Dinowalrus, The Drums, Dum Dum Girls, The Mayfair Set, City Center, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Wavves, Dinosaur Jr., Gang Gang Dance, Kasabian, Bat For Lashes, Saint Vincent, Passion Pit, Chairlift, The Vaselines, The Television Personalities, Camera Obscura, Jarvis Cocker, Ariel Pink, Fly Girlz, Talk Normal, Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Horrors, Surf City, Micachu, Metric, Woods, These Are Powers, Suckers, Mi Ami, Morrissey, Mirror Mirror, Franz Ferdinand, Bachelorette, Matt and Kim, Hatcham Social, Nite Jewel, Glass Candy, School of Seven Bells, Crystal Stilts, Ladyhawke, Knight School, and many more.

If we were to visit you in Brooklyn for one day only, what do you think we should definitely see and do?

7:00am walking the dogs, 9:00am skating under the BQE, 1:00pm checking out new vinyl releases at Academy Records, 6:00pm eating and drinking at Mugs, 8:00pm skating around the neighborhood, 10:00pm seeing a show at Bruar Falls, 1:00am having a beer at Daddy's.

For more information, check out Kanine Records online www.kaninerecords.com.

Now I confess I didn't know much about these gentlemen from Georgia, but your friend and mine Ms. Jenni Sperandeo tweets about them all the damn time. Now I have been schooled and am a new fond fan of the recent (recent meaning last night) winners of Flagpole's Best Rock Band Award. I mentioned to JS that lead singer Hardy Morris looks like the dude you hook up with one night in high school who breaks your heart the next day, but she assures me that he is a very nice, non-hipster type.

Part of what I love about SXSW is discovering all the excellent breakout bands, err, months after the fact... and then kicking myself for missing them. Happens every year. Happening today. Luckily they're coming to the 'ville (that's Louisville) soon so maybe I can catch them in July. Then they're off on tour with The Meat Puppets so you can go see them, too!

Thanks for joining us on this fine Friday. You can catch more hawtsome vids at our bitchin' YouTube channel.

Back to Wimbledon... quite sad with no Rafa, lp

We've all been watching the situation in Iran over the past few weeks. Yesterday we received the following email from Iranian metal band TarantisT, who played a showcase at SXSW 2009.

From: "TarantisT [NEWS]"
Date: June 24, 2009 2:48:50 PM CDT
To: tarantists@tarantists.com
Subject: Need Help

Iran's government has beaten one of our band members badly in Iran so he can't walk, also they threw tear gas into the basement where the guys were practicing. Everybody now is in danger [like all the people in the country].

We need to save them as soon as possible, So we are asking for help to be able to afford their costs and bring them here as soon as possible.

People can help by buying our songs/album on iTunes [our songs as compensation for your favours while you may not like them] or donate us on our Paypal account. Would you please spread this word to the world and to the people or organizations that may help?

Meanwhile other Iranian bands are in touch with us and they say that they are hiding all the time since Government is arresting dissidents and musicians. We want to help the other bands, too. But we need help, can't do anything alone.

We really would be thankful.

Your Iranian brothers,
TarantisT

Paypal donation:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6294435

iTunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=289351689&s=143441

--
TarantisT
www.TarantisTs.com
www.myspace.com/TarantisTs
Contact us: tarantists@tarantists.com

Category: Classic - While the SXSW Interactive Web Awards focus on the best new internet destinations, this category is devoted to sites that launched before January 1, 2008. Winner: Flickr

From it's humble beginnings at SXSW about seven years ago, as a game that never quite took off, Flickr has since evolved into a highly successful photo sharing website. SXSW's Kelly Willis talks with Kellan Elliott-McCrea about this year's Web Awards winner in the Classic category and some new aspects that promise to keep this popular destination fresh and innovative.

You can catch this and other highlights from SXSW 2009 at the SXSW YouTube Channel.

Be sure to check out all the finalists for the 12th Annual SXSW Web Awards Presented by Adobe. And don't forget, if you think you might have an award-worthy site, the submission process for the 2010 Web Awards opens on August 3rd, 2009.

Once again, I have scoured the internet to bring you new albums from SXSW 2009 Artists.

Dinosaur Jr's Farm came out this week, which is fantastic. Below you'll find a video of the guys performing "Freak Scene" which is one of my favorite Dinosaur Jr. songs. Consider at gift from me to you.

Caitlin Crosby - Flawz
Dallas Austin Experiement - 8dazeaweakend
Dead Prez - Pulse of the People
Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day
Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
Foreign Born - Person to Person
Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another
NeverShoutNever! - The Summer EP
The Phenomenal Handclap Band - The Phenomenal Handclap Band
The Woggles - Tempo Tantrum
Tom Brosseau - Posthumous Success
White Denim - Fits

There are more performances, panels and film trailers and music videos on SXSW's YouTube Channel.

Today's featured Indie Label, Fearless Records, is having a busy summer. Several new album releases are coming your way and there are Fearless artists touring all over the country (and a few on the Vans Warped Tour including A Skylit Drive). Todd McCarty, Label Manager, was happy to talk to us about what the label is all about and where us Texans could get BBQ we might actually approve of in their hometown.

So what is Fearless Records all about?

Located in Huntington Beach and in business since 1994, we have some young bands on the rise and have been home to well known acts like Plain White T's, Sugarcult, and At The Drive-in. Some of the more recent bands include Mayday Parade, Alesana, and The Maine.

How was your experience at SXSW 2009?

Sometimes we forget that this industry is supposed to be fun, and that’s what is so good about SXSW. Aside from the four day bender, we actually got a lot of work done this year. We had five acts playing across nine showcases and we got all the right people to come check out the performances.

Who are some Fearless artists you're excited about this year?

Aside from The Maine really taking off this year, I’m really excited about the new acts that we’ve signed lately. Sparks The Rescue are a brand new act but they just wrapped up a massive tour with The All American Rejects in Europe. A Skylit Drive who had a great debut on the Billboard in June, and Breathe Carolina who made a ground breaking debut album which will be out in late August.

What artists are playing on your iPod the most these days?

Blessthefall, Eye Alaska, Lets Get It, The Word Alive, The Beatles “Love” soundtrack, Iglu & Hartly

If we were to visit you in Huntington Beach, Cali, where should we go to eat, drink, see a show?

For lunch go to Beachwood BBQ – 131 Main St. Seal Beach, CA. This place puts their own spin on BBQ that any Texan would approve of, plus they have 22 micro-brews on tap. A lunchtime beer on Wednesdays always helps cope with those Soundscan reports. For Dinner (a bit pricey but worth it) go to Captain Jack’s 16812 PCH Huntington Beach, CA. This place has the best Alaskan snow crab in SoCal, great seafood, and wine selection. I hear that Madonna approves of this place, if that helps you decide?

For more information and to see what Fearless artists are coming to your city and when, visit www.fearlessrecords.com