So does anyone know if they made it in yet?

The Foxx just got put on standby so I guess there's a slight chance we might get in. Figures it's the one year where I wasn't even planning on going to SXSW. Of course once you stop trying things start happening, right?

Well after like 5 or 6 years of applying and getting rejected it's nice to at least get a "maybe" for once.

Or did they send out maybes to everyone?

We're on standby too! It says there's still not a great chance of organizers being able to find a showcase for us, but that we're on a very short list.
Hot damn!

Congrats, Zac.

In a discussion with a friend back in Oakland, we came to the agreement that unless you're signed to a fairly decent sized label, SXSW, CMJ, and other such festivals are a pipe dream. We have reached a time in the history of the music industry where "festivals" - I'd call them "industry promo events" - virtually never feature unsigned artists. Maybe if the unsigned artist has management that is very well connected and has no doubts that it will secure a deal, then you might pull it off, but these things are no longer geared towards unsigned bands.

That said, bands at our size and level should try to get involved with some of the unofficial showcases and parties. That is where my bands had luck (and lots of fun) in the past.

We are no longer wasting our time with SXSW. I have met countless industry reps and famous people and it has never gotten us anywhere. Fans on the other hand do.

well said skreech!!!

keep on keepin on...

Agreed. It's still nice to get put on the "maybe" list though. And the private parties are definitely the way to go. Although I hear they're cracking down on alot of that this year since that side of SXSW has basically gotten bigger than the actual festival itself.

I think SXSW has its place, but it's obviously not for unsigned bands with no support.
If you have worked hard to generate interest with multiple labels and booking agents you're more likely to find them all in one place for that one week. I think that's the main purpose of SXSW. It's a way to climb the ladder once you've reached the first or second rung.

We were going to go down and play at a non-SXSW affiliated club until we got the call from them that they were approached by a label who offered them $500-an-hour to have the club host their label... an offer that was too good for them to pass on even though they have always been anti-SXSW.

We've had limited success with any type of festival. More and more it seems like most of these so called "music festivals" have become about promoting shit other than music. And even those that do emphasize music seem to have a sort of myopic way of choosing bands in the first place.

I say if you're gonna spend time and effort on a band, you're better off looking for more innovative ways to spread your message than applying for countless festivals. Fuggetaboutit.

We've never applied to any festival before. I threw our hat in the ring in the same way one shouts in the wind.
I was really surprised to get the short-list message. You are all probably right, but my stoke lives!

Marissa I hope you guys get in. I think you'll have a great time and your type of music will be really appreciated at southby. You guys will do great.

Aw. Thanks Skreech.

there's gonna be some good bands coming thru abq that week on the way to SXSW! ... soon TBA

quote:

Originally posted by WebMonkey:
there's gonna be some good bands coming thru abq that week on the way to SXSW! ... soon TBA

Spindrift will be one of those bands. What else have you heard?

quote:

Spindrift will be one of those bands. What else have you heard?

iota, sasquatch, black lamb

Total L.A. swarm all on Wed March 12.

Friends Forever/Foot Village - Stove

HEALTH - Launchpad

Anavan/Totally Radd!! - High Mayhem (SF)