SXSW 2012 Detailed Outline Day 3

Day Three
Friday, March 16, 2012

-Pete and Lisa took us sightseeing around Austin

My Review and Comments:
Austin is the closest I’ve ever been to heaven!

They don’t call it Hilltop country for nothing!  There were hills everywhere.  There was green everywhere….green treetops and green grass.  It was breathtakingly beautiful.  No words can describe Austin’s beautiful landscape.

I asked Pete and Lisa if they knew of a place where I could pick a Bluebonnet.  Lisa said that picking a Bluebonnet flower was illegal.  I was like oh…okay never mind, I didn’t know that.  Then she said she was joking and we eventually pulled over on the side of the road and I picked two Bluebonnet flowers and two Indian Blanket flowers.

I still don’t really know if picking a Bluebonnet flower is illegal, but I have two of them and if any Texas officials read this and want to confiscate my flowers, I’ll surrender them.

-Pete and Lisa dropped us off at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Austin

-Walk from Radisson to get food

-I ate a breakfast wrap at nearby food stand

My Review and Comments: 
Delicious Food.  I had scrambled eggs with bacon in a wrap pocket thing, accompanied by Texas salsa.  Delicious!

-Peddy Cab to South Congress Street

My Review and Comments:

Taking a peddy cab to South Congress Street was interesting to say the least.  It was a long ride or pedal, but our peddy cab driver was very nice about it. 

A coconut water brand sponsored our peddy cab driver’s peddy cab and he offered us bottles of mango flavored coconut water.

We actually had to get off of the peddy cab once because the driver went down a sidewalk that was between some buildings and some vehicles and the peddy cab couldn’t get through the tight space.  So, Mary and I had I to exit the peddy cab and the driver had to pull the peddy cab back about 20 feet before he could put the peddy cab back on the road.  (Good Times)

-Hotel San Jose
-Saw:  Dry The River 

Dry The River

My Review and Comments: 

Dry The River was a very mellow and cool band from London.  I really liked them.

At the end of the concert the frontman ran off stage and went backstage, while the rest of the band ended playing the set.  It was a very awkward moment and the crowd didn’t know how to respond. 

I thought it was very rock n’ roll and that probably the frontman was about ready to get sick.  Probably one or two, too many alcoholic beverages.  Poor fella.

-Entered into the Lonestar Music Showcase and checked out some stands and some cool vintage t-shirts

-St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

My Review and Comments:

Mary and I had the pleasure of meeting this really nice lady who worked at the store.  She told me she was a volunteer there.  This intrigued me, so this is what I found out about the store…

St. Vincent de Paul Stores of Austin are owned and operated by the Ladies of Charity of Austin, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Diocesan Council of Austin.  Together, these organizations offer basic needs assistance to those in the community.  The store provides goods and services, along with funding for other outreach programs sponsored by these two groups.

Pretty cool program…ehhh?!

-Hung out pool side at Hotel San Jose

 -Attempted to go to the showcase Fancy as F**k to see the Spooky Qs at Burnadette’s
 

My Review and Comments:
Long story.  Damn the taxi system in Austin.

-Ate Stubb’s BBQ

My Review and Comments:

Eating at the famous Stubb’s BBQ….amazing.

Wonderful food and service.

I got pulled pork BBQ, fried okra, a side of hand-cut French fries and a piece of Texas white bread.

Best BBQ and best side items I’ve ever had.

As soon as we ordered we got our food.  Just like that.  We ordered and then BAM…food.  No kidding.  The man who brought us our food apologized for the wait.  I looked at Mary and thought this is what we ordered, but...we just ordered.

Our waitress came by and asked how our food was and we said great and we also commented about how fast we got our food.  Our waitress explained that the BBQ is prepared hours before so all they have to do is plop it on the plate.  (How cool is that!)

I also got a famous Stubb’s BBQ t-shirt. (classy)

-Mohawk Patio
-Saw:  Codes / Felix Cartal / AraabMUZIK / Madeon / Zeds Dead / Skrillex vs 12^th Planet

Part of the general admission line to get in to Mohawk Patio

Codes
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

AraabMUZIK
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

Madeon
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

Zeds Dead
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

Skrillex
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

My Review and Comments:

Mary and I got into this show super quick, because we got priority access due to our wristband/press passes.  There was a line for general admission that was about a block or so long.  Most of the general admission line consisted of younger kids.  The bouncer told Mary and I that there had been people standing there since 9 a.m., just to see Skrillex, who was the main performer of the concert.  And Skrillex wasn’t set to perform until 11 p.m.

The music played at this showcase was dubstep/electronic music.  I know that Skrillex is kind of a big deal in that genre and that he recently won a Grammy, but I still don’t get that kind of music. 

I mean the music was great if you where in a club, but not for a concert.  All it is, is one or two dudes hitting buttons and switches.  

I completely respect what Skrillex and the other artists like him do, but that music just isn’t for me.  It’s computer generated, electronic music that is pretty much…at least to me I considered it as glorified DJing. 

-IFC Crossroads House at Vice

-Saw:  Citizen Cope

Citizen Cope
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

-Easy Tiger Patio

-Saw:  Girl In A Coma

Girl In A Coma
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

Girl In A Coma
(Photo Taken By:  Mary Allen)

 My Review and Comments:

A totally kick-ass three piece girl band from Austin, Texas.  They are hard-core, in your face, hold nothing back and tell you like it is girls.  I love them.  Amazing sound, amazing vocals and amazing live performers.  Gotta love Girl In A Coma.  If you haven’t seen them live, I suggest that you do.