Appreciated, John. We've been crossing paths for years longer then I've known you. Kindred spirits. I worked on the sponsorship program @ sxsw in 2008 & 2009, and interned as early as 2001. Great times over 20 years. Sad to see it and Austin change, but such is how life seems to be going... As I type to you from LA, where I live much of the year nowadays. Hope you & family are well.
I loved the article. I found it interesting that the photo from 2016 showing you with Houndmoiuth among the breakout groups was just a month before Katie did her own breakout. I believe it was the best thing she ever did!
I was there in '97 as the entertainment writer from my college newspaper, after having schmoozed a press wristband ahead of time. Scott Booker, the Lips manager, invited me to their parking lot Experiment, which I took many pictures of from a disposable camera (remember those? Lol). Met Mike Doughty from Soul Coughing there and gushed over his set from the previous night. The legendary Tony Bennet opened the conference with his brother-manager acting as interviewer. The final act of the half-week for me was a scorcher from Alejandro Escovedo at La Zona Roja.
Are you familiar with The Reivers? In a fit of Austin nostalgia, I just reimagined and recorded a version of their 1985 Translate Slowly. The spirit of some places just grabs ahold of your imagination and never lets go. The news about SXSW music really felt like a gut punch.
Recommended: "A Curious Mix of People: The Underground Scene of '90s Austin" by Greg Beets and Richard Whymark. You may already own this oral history, but if you don't, please consider bringing into your reading life. It's a perfect complement to this post and I imagine other people who'll make it to the comment section of this post would love it, too. I worked for a weekly paper (and, eventually, a spinoff of SXSW called the MRMF which Antenna may've played...?) and attended SXSW every year for the bulk of the '90s. A wonderful time to be alive.
I just saw Billy at the Ryman; it was my 25th time seeing him over the last 4 years. Me and my girlfriend have tix to five more shows this year (so far). Thanks for fostering my obsession with your good taste!
The night we signed Billy's contract was at the Ryman, with Billy "headlining" the Bluegrass series in 2019 a couple months after that SXSW show. He wasn't at all ready to headline his own show, but I knew we had something exciting when a bunch of jam fans came and danced in the aisles. "A bunch" meaning a couple dozen, but that sort of thing grows exponentially. Since then, wow. Explosive growth.
After Garcia died, I kinda changed directions in life and focused more on my work life and relationships. That changed after seeing Billy for the first time in 2021. I realized the kid is legit, a true generational talent. In some ways, he scratches the Jerry itch I've had for so long.
I feel that, he’s a generational talent who will build his own tribe over time. He’s building on the Dead culture but the whole thing is very new, even if the musical foundation is a century old.
Those early years of SXSW were magical. I went every year from ‘90 thru the mid 2000’s as programming chairman for City Stages. We booked so many “baby bands” that soon blew up, as well as Austin mainstays, from showcases at SXSW. It was a place to hear so much great music, but also meet & network with artists, booking agents, & other festival promoters.
Appreciated, John. We've been crossing paths for years longer then I've known you. Kindred spirits. I worked on the sponsorship program @ sxsw in 2008 & 2009, and interned as early as 2001. Great times over 20 years. Sad to see it and Austin change, but such is how life seems to be going... As I type to you from LA, where I live much of the year nowadays. Hope you & family are well.
Thanks! Hope the same for you.
I loved the article. I found it interesting that the photo from 2016 showing you with Houndmoiuth among the breakout groups was just a month before Katie did her own breakout. I believe it was the best thing she ever did!
I’ve since realized that one was from 2015.
I was there in '97 as the entertainment writer from my college newspaper, after having schmoozed a press wristband ahead of time. Scott Booker, the Lips manager, invited me to their parking lot Experiment, which I took many pictures of from a disposable camera (remember those? Lol). Met Mike Doughty from Soul Coughing there and gushed over his set from the previous night. The legendary Tony Bennet opened the conference with his brother-manager acting as interviewer. The final act of the half-week for me was a scorcher from Alejandro Escovedo at La Zona Roja.
Scott was my manager at the time, and he sorted me for Zaireeka as well! 97 was a big year.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane. RIP SXSW as we knew it.
Are you familiar with The Reivers? In a fit of Austin nostalgia, I just reimagined and recorded a version of their 1985 Translate Slowly. The spirit of some places just grabs ahold of your imagination and never lets go. The news about SXSW music really felt like a gut punch.
I do know that band! That’s a great album. I was into Zeitgeist as well, the predecessor. Played with them a couple times on tour.
Recommended: "A Curious Mix of People: The Underground Scene of '90s Austin" by Greg Beets and Richard Whymark. You may already own this oral history, but if you don't, please consider bringing into your reading life. It's a perfect complement to this post and I imagine other people who'll make it to the comment section of this post would love it, too. I worked for a weekly paper (and, eventually, a spinoff of SXSW called the MRMF which Antenna may've played...?) and attended SXSW every year for the bulk of the '90s. A wonderful time to be alive.
Very cool, I love a good oral history. Austin in the 90s was interesting for sure.
I just saw Billy at the Ryman; it was my 25th time seeing him over the last 4 years. Me and my girlfriend have tix to five more shows this year (so far). Thanks for fostering my obsession with your good taste!
The night we signed Billy's contract was at the Ryman, with Billy "headlining" the Bluegrass series in 2019 a couple months after that SXSW show. He wasn't at all ready to headline his own show, but I knew we had something exciting when a bunch of jam fans came and danced in the aisles. "A bunch" meaning a couple dozen, but that sort of thing grows exponentially. Since then, wow. Explosive growth.
After Garcia died, I kinda changed directions in life and focused more on my work life and relationships. That changed after seeing Billy for the first time in 2021. I realized the kid is legit, a true generational talent. In some ways, he scratches the Jerry itch I've had for so long.
I feel that, he’s a generational talent who will build his own tribe over time. He’s building on the Dead culture but the whole thing is very new, even if the musical foundation is a century old.
Absolutely! He basically sold out Bridgestone last month, twice. His tribe is definitely growing.
Those early years of SXSW were magical. I went every year from ‘90 thru the mid 2000’s as programming chairman for City Stages. We booked so many “baby bands” that soon blew up, as well as Austin mainstays, from showcases at SXSW. It was a place to hear so much great music, but also meet & network with artists, booking agents, & other festival promoters.