I'm not sure whether its the official motto of Austin, Texas, but there are t-shirts for sale everywhere reading "Keep Austin Weird." If South by Southwest is any example, they have nothing to worry about.
My feet have been aching, so I didn't do much traveling today. I began by having the best tasting barbecue I've ever had the pleasure to eat. Iron Works BBQ is located in a former iron works building right next door to the Austin Convention Center. If you're ever in Austin, and are not a vegetarian, eat here. I mean it. If you don't, I may have to slap you. If you are a vegetarian, well, I pity your loss.
Next, I went to Stubb's, which had hosted Metallica the night before. There I saw Parachute, a decent rock band from Charlottesville, Virginia. I guess they're best known for a song of theirs that is used in a Nivea commercial. I shot a bit of video, but haven't converted it yet for the web. I'll probably post it after I get home to Chicago.
It was already late in the day. I started walking towards West 6th Street, where there's music away from the mayhem of East 6th Street. I sat for about an hour outside a Starbucks, sipping some raw caffeine and utilizing the wifi, before I ended up at Opal Divine's Freehouse.
I saw three groups there, all from distant lands. First was Café Funquê, from Brazil. The lead singer was clad in a skeleton costume, her face painted white. Very tight band, a mix of rock, funk and bossa nova. Again, I have some video, but that will have to wait until my return.
But fear not: For the next two groups, I've got the clips processed and ready to go.
The Pepper Pots are not, as the name suggested to me, a bunch of Monty Python freaks. They are a troupe of three female singers, backed by a rocking band, who are trying to bring the dance music of the 1960s back to life. And they succeed! The group is from Catalonia, Spain, and its their first U.S. appearance. Here's their tribute to the Supremes.
Lastly, something that seems like the product of a somewhat questionable imagination. Vowing to change the world through the power of bikinis, Futomomo Satisfaction from Japan centers on three trombone players in bikinis. The keyboardist wears a bikini. The bassist? You guessed it, bikini. And smacking of inequality, the male guitarist and drummer do not appear in Speedos, they remain attired in more normal gear. Futomomo is Japanese for thighs.
Lest you think I'm imagining all that, here's the proof.
Futomomo Satisfaction from David Fell on Vimeo.
This posting is going up late due to the crappy internet service here at the Embassy Suites Downtown Austin. Aside from that, its a nice hotel.
As for day 10, there's not much to tell. I had some delicious barbecue at Artz Rib House, watched the bats fly out from underneath the Congress Street Bridge, and headed back to 6th street for some more music. It was a dead zone compared with the rest of the week. Streets weren't blocked. There were no crowds. And not too much music. I heard a Canadian singer named Krista Muir. She was entertaining, but there was only a sparse group of listeners. Both before and after her, there was a DJ. That holds no interest for me, so I head back to the hotel. Before I get picked up for my flight Monday, I plan one more barbecue excursion: Green Mesquite, which is just a block or two from the hotel, and was recommended by a cab driver.
So that's it! South by Southwest 2009 is history. I hope you've enjoyed sharing some sights with me.
-edited 4/6/09 to add Pepper Pots video
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