The most inspiring Miami band of SXSW 2011 ... Pretty Please!

​Hey, Miami!

Let me report that SoFla was well represented at SXSW 2011 with a large variety of acts playing around Austin: ANR, Dreaming in Stereo, Locos Por Juana, Panic Bomber, and Surfer Blood all played official showcases that made major press.

In fact, Austin360.com picked Dreaming in Stereo's showcases as one of the shows to watch while ANR played a late-night set at the Ghost Room showcasing for BMI execs from all over the country and Surfer Blood drew a huge crowd for its set.
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Wanda Jackson got the crowd twisting and shaking.

​All week, everyone was talking, "Michael Cera's here, Michael Cera's there. Where's Michael Cera?" On the morning of the final day of South by Southwest, we headed to a little Mexican restaurant called Mi Madre's. After ordering breakfast tacos, there he was. Finally, Michael Cera, chatting with a young lady, ordering tacos. First celebrity sighting of the day.

After watching a few bands in the backyard of the house where we were staying, the world beckoned to us with some passes into Rachel Ray's Feedback at Stubbs where the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson performed. Ms. Jackson made our insides bubble with delight. This lady is still rocking at 73. She dated Elvis for Christ's sake!
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Photo by Ian Witlen

The fence comes down and the mace comes out.

​The final hours of South by Southwest ended in, what else, a musically induced riot. Maybe it was the supermoon, or perhaps it was that Death From Above 1979, who hadn't performed in five years, played an unannounced show at Beauty Bar's back patio, making their fans completely insane. I was with the insane people in an alley behind the show where clashes with the police and an encounter with their horses left most of us grimy and some of us covered in pepper spray.

After being "asked to leave" from Mohawk, I wandered to what was rumored to be a secret show with an awesomely named band, Not In The Face. Instead, DFA was performing, who weren't on the list. Even after such a long hiatus, they still have some very devoted fans.
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WhoMadeWho

​When, like at South by Southwest, a billion bands are playing in the same city at the same time, it's hard to decide which ones you want to hear and the endless others you want to miss out on.

As the week winds down, the music continues to blast through East 6th, downtown, and through residential neighborhoods. The thing is, finding quality music takes research and major effort. The alternative: Just drink and have fun. But fuck that, we came to listen to tunes!

And even though Friday involved waiting around for extended periods, drinking free beer early, and spending the rest of the day exhausted, fortune was on our side, and we caught three very noteworthy acts.
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​When you visit a city other than your own, it's always important to explore that place's unique treasures. And one of Austin's gems is Roky Erickson.

He is to Austin what Luther Campbell is to Miami. Or ... He is to Austin music what the beach is to Miami. You get the gist of it. He's amazing!

Formerly of '60s psychedelic band the 13 Floor Elevators, Erickson has long struggled with schizophrenia. And after many years, he made a comeback.

On Thursday, at Threadgill's, Erickson hosted his ninth annual Ice Cream Social during the South By Southwest festivities.
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Photo by Marc Brubaker

Times New Viking

​For those us far away from the indie music pilgrimage in Austin, Texas, known as South By Southwest, there's good news: In addition to members of the Crossfade team being there, our parent company, Village Voice Media, is all over it.

In fact, VVM threw a little shindig last night at the Austin Music Hall (sounds fancy!) along with Frank151. The event featured performances by Wu-Tang Clan, Yelawolf, WIld Flag, Trae the Truth, Times New Viking, and more. Even Erykah Badu made an appearance, which according to our sister paper, Houston Press, was billed as a DJ set, even though she tagged along with the Wu-Tang Clan to perform a few songs.

For more in-depth coverage of the Village Voice Media/Frank151 party, head over to Houston Press.

But before you do that, check out a few more photos from the party after the jump.
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​​Austin continues to be a land of great things, even during the madness of South by Southwest with a bazillion bands blasting their music at the same time.

Austin's so great that the madness isn't even madness. For instance, a massive line of hundreds of people waiting for a wristband from The Fader Fort was handled patiently and calmly by the locals. We're from Miami, so we skipped the line. (Sorry, guys.) Pork buns from East Side Kings, chocolate eclair ice cream, and booze were free downtown upon our arrival from the airport. They were free for those willing to wait, patiently and calmly.

Everyone on bikes, eating organic, working together, listening to music. Austin is awesome.More >>

RZA and the rest of the Clan bringin' the Wu to SXSW.

​Ah, SXSW ... Whether you arrive aboard a busted-ass '96 Ford Aerostar or your very own ultra-speed private Gulfstream business jet, everyone is welcome. Because in the end, we all eat the same breakfast tacos, right?

As anyone who's visited beautiful Austin will tell you, this yearly music, film, and interactive fest is a cross-class communal gathering of music lovers, wholly dedicated to keeping it weird.

And pursuant to that utopian vibe, we here with the Village Voice Media empire have decided to team with our friends at Frank 151 to throw a free party, The Showdown at SXSW 2011, featuring ten universally beloved bands and artists, including living freaking legends Wu-Tang Clan and Erykah Badu.

See the cut for complete details and the full showcase lineup.
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Photo by Bradford Schmidt

Who could forget this amazing angle?

​Among the many bands we are excited to see at SunFest's New Music Night next Wednesday, Crash Kings are near the top -- due largely to our SXSW correspondent's unwavering love for the Los Angeles band. Now, as the images of Texas barbecue and sweat-soaked tapered jeans start to fade, we are jolted back to Austin over at Bone in the Fan. Apparently there's some clavinet to be had. See what we're talking about after the jump.


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Bradford's rainbow wrists

​Last week and this week, we had the pleasure of following the adventures of our very own Meatist, Bradford Schmidt, during his first visit to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. In addition to providing us with coverage, he tweeted and blogged his face off. Get all of our SXSW typings helpfully compiled from the past seven days after the jump.
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