And So The End Has Come...

Okay, so it's almost 4am and I am tired...like walking dead tired. Seriously. I can barely type coherent sentences.

Today was the last day of our frivolity and we did it up right. And by right I mean we saw a grand total of eleven bands and Margaret Cho tonight and consumed gallons of alcohol. In fact, I'm still buzzed. Thank goodness we waited to until the last day to over indulge.

P.S.: it was f*cking COLD!! Yesterday it was 75 and sunny...today 45 and winds the velocity to rip your flesh from your bones. Okay, not that bad, but bloody miserably cold. Another good reason for us to imbibe aplenty, you know, for medicinal purposes.

So, here's the long and short of our final day in lovely Austin:

My friend Cindy graciously picked us up from the hotel and drove us north to a burger/beer joint (Dungo's) to hear her music friends and neighbors perform. They are a great bunch of people.

Headed to Rachel Ray's shindig at Stubb's BarBQ. Heard Jakob Dylan (yeah. I've been spelling his name incorrectly. Mea Culpa), She and Him and some wretched rap crap band. Commenced consuming Bloody Marys.

Headed across town to the Belmont to catch the band my fantasy husband produces, The Spring Standards (excellent!)... commenced consuming vodka tonics en masse whilst awaiting said band.

Stumbled into a cab to shoot cross town to scarf a ginormous slice of pizza before Matt Pond PA and Margaret Cho. Chug more vodka.

Flag a cabbie to go back across town to Antone's for the big Alex Chilton tribute at 12:30am. Jim pussied out on us so now it is our duty as friends to make his life hell and mock him mercilessly for bailing on us.

Cindy drove us to an all-night diner for some primo Texas breakfast grub before heading for the hotel.

Band recap for the night:

Brent Adair
Flat Stanley
She and Him
Jakob Dylan
some hideous Sgt. Pepper jacket wearing rap band
Karnivool (a really cool Aussie band)
The Spring Standards
Matt Pond PA
Dwight Twilley
The Postelles
Alex Chilton tribute with Jon Auer, John Doe, Mike Mills, Susan Cowsill, Evan Dando, Sondre Lerche and the WatsonTwins

I have lots of photos and videos to post some time next week, but now I gotta get my ass upstairs, torture Jim and hit the hay. 8am ain't too far away.

It has been a tremendous experience here at SXSW. I can't thank Cindy enough for her hospitality and guidance. Wilma, Betty and Barney made it through unscathed and no one yakked up a lung. Bonus.

Back to the Burgh and realty tomorrow. Austin, you have been awesome.

Aye Carumba! It's Only Friday?!?
or giving up and letting go, in a good way

Okay, so I think we're finally getting the hang of this beast of a festival known as SXSW. Today was the first time we all felt as though we were really rolling with it, not getting uptight about sticking with a plan and basically just letting things happen.

We started off walking to Red River Street to catch a Scottish band "We Were Promised Jetpacks" at the Mohawk. It was a gorgeous day! All sunshine and puffy clouds. We got to sit on the upper deck...in a chair, I might add...and listen to the boys with the charming accent rock out.

That done, we mosied down to nosh and see where the winds blew us. Here's a brief list of what we encountered:

I am loving East 6th Street! Let me just throw that out there. L-O-V-E it! There are so many great characters and goof balls. And literally one out of every five people wondering the streets is a musician. You can identify them by their skinny black jeans, equally black dyed hair and tattoos-- not to mention the fact they're rolling their amps and lugging their guitars from one bar to the next. I don't know why, but the site of the lads and lasses transporting their gear in the street among the masses makes me smile. But I digress and I'm slightly incoherent so forgive me...

Fun on 6th Street began with with crowd of tattooed drummer and flailing dancing boys who set up shop in the intersection and encouraged the most adorable three year old boy to join in the fun. It was delightful. Truly was my favorite part of the day. I have video of this that I'll post when I get home.

Got a cosmic head squeeze by a couple of crazy Incan zipper-faced people (photo will follow)

Accosted Banana Man while he was pimping for his band. He showed us his tip... Of the banana suit! Jeez. Get your heads out of the gutter!

Drank free hootch and listened to Luke Ducet thanks to the kind people of Canada. Mary Ann kinda defaced their flag a little, but, you know, they're so nice they forgave us AND gave us more free drinks.

Headed to the Convention Center to hear Jacob Dylan and Neko Case whilst sipping more cocktails, lounging on the most comfy bean bag this side of the universe. The recharge was greatly appreciated.

Took the long way across the river to catch Cheap Trick sing that classic "I Want You To Want Me" and a kicking version of "In The Streets" for Alex Chilton.

How's this for weird coincidence... as we were walking near the river, a couple was walking toward us. No one else on the street, but the five of us. Turns out it was Michele and Jon Auer. She's a Twitter friend and he's in the band The Posies and Big Star. I knew they were coming to SX, but never EVER expected to run into them on some random street. Life is interesting sometimes.

We kinda rolled with things the rest of the evening and found ourselves at the Austin Music Hall getting hijacked by "the funky soul phenomenon" named Sharon Jones. We had every intention of sneaking out after a couple songs to catch RaRaRiot, but HOLY CRAP!! She is amazing! I've heard her songs on the radio before, but no one belts out a song with the power of a locomotive or works that fringe like her. This midnight show was her third gig today and she never stopped. Wow! Thanks to Mary Ann for pushing us to see her.

So, to recap:

Had a great time letting go a little and allowing the current to take us wherever. Drank early and often. Heard great music from We Were Promised Jetpacks, Luke Ducet, Jacob Dylan & Neko Case, Rogue Wave, Cheap Trick, Freedy Johnston, Smoky Robinson and Sharon Jones and the DAP Kings.

It was another rich, full, happy day.

It's very late and this got very wordy. Tomorrow is another early start packed with who knows what. Off to bed for some well earned shut-eye. G'night... I'm so tired you'll have to think of your own witty ending.

Wait. It's Only Day Two?!?
or how much activity can you cram in one day anyway?

Okay, so today was day two of the great Flintstone Texan escapade. There's so much going on here that it feels more like we've been here at least four days already. It has been a blast. Exhausting, but a blast.

Lots of bands today, but first a few more observations from yesterday which I forgot in my sleep-deprived state.

We got lots of swag when we picked up our badges. I mean a TON, which also means we had to lug a TON of free crap around with us for most of the day until we thinned the swag heard by chucking the mags, tags and advert rags. But I'm keeping the condoms for grins. Oh yes I am.

I made the mistake of asking who Roky Erickson was which opened the door for some middle-aged peculiar cat to go on forever about his psychedelic roots and musical history and blahblahblahblahblahblah and omg shut up shut up shut the hell up before I shove this stir stick in my ear!!!!

But he meant well.

Remember the kids from the group Fanfarlo? Well one of them was totally sporting a stick-on porno stache, another was channeling Ted Kazinski only with a pink hoodie and junior the multi-instrument virtuoso was like..13 years old. That said, they were quite the highlight of the evening.

Young people smoke...a LOT. Seriously. A L-O-T.

Now for today's observations and happenings:

Paunchy middle-aged guys should not wear the double pony tail... neither should younger men. It just looks gay, Dude. Even if you are in a band.

It's rather frightening to stand behind tipsy, atonal, erratically dancing white guys while wearing open-toed sandals. Just saying.

An old teetering, drunk guy in plaid shorts chomping on a cigar leaves himself open for ridicule.

Watching Stone Temple Pilots + the sweet scent of ganga = 1993.

Tiny women really can pedal over 500 pounds worth of adults across town in one of those bicycle rickshaws.

Country Joe MacDonald mopily singing about freaking Florence Nightengale will send me running from a room.

It gets flipping chilly at night in Austin in March.

The recap:

Started the day off with oh-so-tasty crepes at a french place. Discovered a new band "The Daylight" at an outdoor party while basking in the warm sun. Saw Frightened Rabbits again (I'm seriously in love with this band). Caught Sondre Lerche perform. Made it in for Nicole Atkins and John Hiatt. Experienced the sheer power of STP. Walked in for Centromatic...walked out three songs later. You already know about Country Joe.

There were several bands we missed like Camper Van Bethoven, Ray Davies, Evan Dando, Lou Barlow... but you know, sometimes you have to make that musical Sophie's Choice. Plus I can't hog all the choices.

All in all a good day. Now I must return to my room so I can continue my torid affair with the hotel bed and its 400 count sheets. Adios.

(p.s.: sorry if there are missing words or misspellings. I'm not proofreading because I'm honestly too tired to care.)

In Which Wilma Flintstone Reflects On SXSW Day One

Okay, so me, Betty and Barney made it to Austin safely. It's been a rich, full day. It's late... very late, but I wanted to share some observations of our first experience at the Mother of all music fests.

1. lots of hipster doofuses with crazy short-brimmed straw-ish hats, bushy side burns and Elvis Costello eyewear.

2. tons of musicians in their "uniform" of tight, skinny leg black jeans, black leather jackets, black hair, black shoes...

3. generally loads of folks with ample tatoos, pink or green hair, piercings and odd, colorful outfits

4. everyone of these sorts have been very nice.

5. music playing literally EVERYWHERE!

6. drinking commenced early...continued late

7. kick-ass Mexican fare with my bud, Cindy.

8. Musical acts were outstanding! Okay Okkervil River performing with Roky Errickson--not so much, but unbelievable performances by Frightened Rabbit (I'm totally in love with these guys now!), Raul Malo kicking some amazing Tex-Mex mariachi beats and newcomers Fanfarlo laying the crowd out with their arsenal of instruments: guitar, bass, keyboards, mandolin, trumpet, violin and a freaking clarinet!?!

9. One word AWESOME and exhausting. Okay that's two words, so sue me I'm tired.

We had two more shows lined up, but we've been up for almost 24 hours and our dogs are barking. The spirit is willing...the flesh meh. At least we survived day one.

So adios muchachas. Tomorrow is another day to drink in more music and merry mayhem.

Yabba Dabba.. Doh!

or Wilma, Barney and Betty head for SXSW

Okay, so tomorrow me and my two buds, Howard and Mary Ann leave for the musical spectacle that is SXSW. (Geo, being of sound mind opted out of this particular jaunt.) I am equally excited and overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed because seriously I feel like I have been cramming for a final exam to a class I have never attended. There are a gajillion bands playing...and that's just on the "official" showcase listing. There are another thousand or so on the "unofficial" showcase list.

Yowza!!

I have officially slaughtered a small dell of trees in preparation of the four-day extravaganza. Paperless society, my ass!! Friends and other various SX veterans keep telling me to plan, but expect to just go with it once we get there.

Fair enough.

I suspect the consumption of free liquor and food will help stem my tendency to freak. Hell, it's just music, right? Something we don't like we can just move along to the next venue. The good thing is my pals are pretty laid back, and we'll be assisted at least part of the time by my friend and Austinite, Cindy.

Fortunately, the sun is expected to shine all week, heating up Austin to the mid 70s. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... That alone along with the Bar-B-Que will be worth it.

If I can find a computer and am coherent at the end of the evenings, I'll try to post updates of our Flinstone adventures outside of Bedrock. But then again, the less coherent I am the better my writing might be. We shall see.

Now if I can just figure out what shoes to wear and how much to pack and, oh yeah I need these papers, and what about snacks, and....

Pray for us.

In Which Sometime Ones Musical Dreams Come True

Okay, so I am one lucky SOB.

Seriously.

First of all, I'm married to the greatest man on earth. He continues to go above and beyond. Case in point, last Friday we drove five hours across the chubby Commonwealth of PA to Philly in order to attend a concert featuring the two musical loves of my LIFE... Francis Dunnery AND Rhett Miller!!!!

I repeat:

Francis Dunnery AND Rhett Miller... together... on the same stage... in the same evening!?!

The whole event came about to celebrate the 20th anniversary of WXPN's morning DJ, Michaela Majoun. Turns out these two gents are her favorites as well. Marvelous taste Ms. Majoun has.

Yoda! What did I tell you about messing with my keyboard?

That's Michaela on the left. I LOVE her for putting this together. She got more than one big ole bear hug of thanks from me that evening. I'm happy to say I refrained from planting a big, sloppy, wet kiss on her. Now THAT would have been awkward...even if we were drunk. ;-)

Anywho, we met up with Kate (she's the woman right above me), Francis' house concert booker along with some other house concert hosts. Tony, our favorite merch guy was there, too. Erica and Francis brought their German guests (who hosted Francis), Rolf and Anka and their two adorable children, Julie and Lily. It was like old home week.

Geo and Rolf

Rolf's daughter Julie, looking adorable in Geo's hat

That's the cool thing about Francis. Once you have him to your home, you're part of his clan and are invited to visit him any time. We really like these people very much. They are so warm, affectionate and inclusive. They feel like family, without all the crappy expectations.

So back to the show.

Francis was up first. He played a short set which included his popular "Too Much Saturn" and this cover of Peter Gabriel's "Solisbury Hill".

He's such an amazing, effortless guitarist.

However, he's so used to the intimate house setting, I think the chattiness of the crowd threw him a bit. They were really loud. I find that so rude, and not just because they're talking over my buddy. As we like to say here in Pittsburgh, it's just ignorant. Geo's favorite line is "don't you just hate it when the band you've paid money to see is so loud you have to scream over them to talk to your friends?" Ha Ha! He kills me.

Then it was Rhett's turn.

In his usual fashion, he plowed through roughly 15 songs with his usual high energy, working up a complete, full-on sweat by the third song. The crowd had gathered around the front of the stage (including me, natch), but still there was chatter. I don't know. I don't get it. I seriously do not get it.

Another Girlfriend

Singular Girl

He ended his set with "Time Bomb" (his signature closer), jumped off stage and headed for the back when a radio-type asked him for an encore. So he finished his evening uncharacteristically with the rocking "Our Love", incorporating Michaela's name into the lyrics.

Then Kate let us tag along backstage where we were greeted with a big bear hug and kiss (for me, not Geo...although maybe he got one too) from Francis.

Y'all know how much I love hugs, right? Well, I do. LOVE em. Can't get enough of them from people I dig.

Rolf and his family were there, Kate, Erica, us...all yakking about this and that together. I looked to the other side of the room, and there was my little Rhett... all by himself putting his guitar away with no one talking to him. Unable to bear anyone being left out, I took one for the team and went to say hi.

I know, right? It's a dirty job, but someone had to do it.

But honestly, I felt bad. Everyone else was there for Francis. Turns out Geo and I were the only two of his fans in the room. We had a lovely conversation about recording, the beauty of bonus tracks, the Olympics, how my beloved Pens beat his Stars... I was surprised he brought that up. I had sent him a picture of the final score to jag him. In any case, he was as sweet as sweet could be, especially to agree to this..

So, my two dream men of rock finally met and performed together. They seemed to really hit it off, too. We must be living right this year. Either that or perhaps I have a fatal tum-ah which will cut my life short and God's doing me one last solid for the road. In any case, as the cheezeburger cat says "I can diez happy?"

Yeah. It was a good night. It was a very good night indeed.

Friday Photo #37

Oh yeah, like you're surprised. Two of my current favorite things together on the screen...Curling and a person named after a male body part. You just knew I'd have to share it.

My inner 12 year old boy is chuckling.

(Note: I was rummaging through my old posts and realized I never posted this gem from the Olympics. Good Lord! How could I have missed this? It still made me chuckle, so here it is.)