i am home...
i'm happy to be back. i was only gone for 9 days, but it feels twice that. there's nothing quite like being on tour- it's both very freeing and ultimately repetitive, but i love the feeling of anonymity in different cities, the wandering and exploring before it's time to sound check. then it's usually dinner time... then we play our hearts out. afterwards, we talk to people we'll never see again, or realize what a small world this is as people introduce themselves as a friend of a friend of a friend.
the shows went well. my favorite one was starr hill with rainier maria. what a great live band.. and it's inspiring to see one that has been together for almost ten years, going strong and doing it
with palpable intensity and joy. and pela was awesome as well. i don't think i've ever met a nicer rock band.
this was my second sxsw so i knew what to expect, but it was still overwhelming. it's hard to let yourself relax and take it all in because there's SO much going on and there's the constant nagging feeling that you're missing out on the best show ever.... philip, dennis, and i did manage to get into the secret flaming lips show for a few songs.. other highlights were great north, jose gonzales, lisa germano, mates of state, nada surf, death vessel, and matthew sweet & susannah hoffs who have a new 60's covers album coming out soon. i can tell you that susannah somehow looks even hotter than she did in the 80's. oh my.
our own main showcase had just the right mix of intensity and uncertainty that i like... the sound was a bit murky and distant on-stage, but i think we did well, despite it. even though sxsw is immensely crazy and chaotic, it's still grounding once you realize that everyone is there for a simple love of music. it doesn't matter if you're neil young, or belle and sebastian or a band from Kansas that only a handful of people have ever heard of-- no matter what level you're at it's an honor to
be able to play songs for people. it's a pretty basic thing.
ate some amazing food in austin at a place called Habana. had a truly beautiful tamale with one of the freshest and most intense corn tastes i've ever experienced... i started the dinner with a havanatini, comprised of both silver and gold rum, a fresh mango puree that was shaken over ice and served straight up in a martini glass... perfect. and ironworks barbeque is famous for good reason. separate winterpills food blog coming soon, perhaps.
on our last night, we went to a party hosted by Sauza Tequila so the margaritas were free and flowing on a high-rise rooftop in downtown Austin. Gang of Four played, but by that point our feet were in such pain from all the standing and walking that we left a bit early... Elijah Wood was there. he's tiny and cute and seems to be a true music fan.
jose and philip and still driving back from TX, like the real road dogs that they are.
i miss them... more soon.
love.
~flora
the shows went well. my favorite one was starr hill with rainier maria. what a great live band.. and it's inspiring to see one that has been together for almost ten years, going strong and doing it
with palpable intensity and joy. and pela was awesome as well. i don't think i've ever met a nicer rock band.
this was my second sxsw so i knew what to expect, but it was still overwhelming. it's hard to let yourself relax and take it all in because there's SO much going on and there's the constant nagging feeling that you're missing out on the best show ever.... philip, dennis, and i did manage to get into the secret flaming lips show for a few songs.. other highlights were great north, jose gonzales, lisa germano, mates of state, nada surf, death vessel, and matthew sweet & susannah hoffs who have a new 60's covers album coming out soon. i can tell you that susannah somehow looks even hotter than she did in the 80's. oh my.
our own main showcase had just the right mix of intensity and uncertainty that i like... the sound was a bit murky and distant on-stage, but i think we did well, despite it. even though sxsw is immensely crazy and chaotic, it's still grounding once you realize that everyone is there for a simple love of music. it doesn't matter if you're neil young, or belle and sebastian or a band from Kansas that only a handful of people have ever heard of-- no matter what level you're at it's an honor to
be able to play songs for people. it's a pretty basic thing.
ate some amazing food in austin at a place called Habana. had a truly beautiful tamale with one of the freshest and most intense corn tastes i've ever experienced... i started the dinner with a havanatini, comprised of both silver and gold rum, a fresh mango puree that was shaken over ice and served straight up in a martini glass... perfect. and ironworks barbeque is famous for good reason. separate winterpills food blog coming soon, perhaps.
on our last night, we went to a party hosted by Sauza Tequila so the margaritas were free and flowing on a high-rise rooftop in downtown Austin. Gang of Four played, but by that point our feet were in such pain from all the standing and walking that we left a bit early... Elijah Wood was there. he's tiny and cute and seems to be a true music fan.
jose and philip and still driving back from TX, like the real road dogs that they are.
i miss them... more soon.
love.
~flora
posted by flora at 9:17 AM
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