SXSW 2019, Day 4 w Little Dickman Records at Hard Luck Lounge

Yawn Mower at Rock or Die VI

Rock or Die VI

Thursday was the big day for the Rock or Die VI showcase that Little Dickman Records had graciously invited me to co-present. We booked the bands during the day: Stuyedeyed, Gustaf, Grim Streaker, Yawn Mower, Dentist, Looms, Well Wisher, Sharkmuffin, and Old Lady. The venue, Hard Luck Lounge, capped off the evening with a showcase featuring Volk, Mayeux & Broussard, and Madisons.

Chris Dickman

Chris Dickman, Rosi, and I got to the venue early to set up. A little late in the game, we realized that, given the facts that all the bands were from out of town and most of them would be running between venues for shows throughout the day, we would be short on equipment at certain points during the show. Chris and I made a run to acquire a drum kit; and, while we were out, we got a text telling us that the bass head had given up the ghost. We pulled back into Hard Luck just as second band, Stuyedeyed, were starting their set. Thanks to Rock N Roll Rentals of Austin for saving the day.

Stuyedeyed

What we didn't count on, though, was the fact that we wouldn't have any guitar amps for Grim Streaker. They drew on their well of DIY spirit and used the three bass amps (including the one Chris and I grabbed and the miraculously resurrected house bass head) we had on hand to play an extra heavy sounding set. Everything worked out. They were great. It was a beautiful day, and we cruised along for the rest of the afternoon.

Grim Streaker

Yawn Mower

Dentist

Rosi had some big video ambitions, using two cameras and some external sound devices to capture a couple of songs from each band. I think it worked out pretty well considering that she was a little short-handed, and I'm excited to share the results here when they're ready.

Looms

As for the rest of the bands, everyone really turned in great sets. As the day wore on, the crowd got a little bigger. There was one woman in the audience who excitedly asked me the name of each band as they played. "This is Sharkmuffin." "Well Wisher." "Old Lady."

Sharkmuffin

Well Wisher

Old Lady

Once the sun went down and video was no longer an option, Rosi and I made the call to break for dinner after about 8 hours of music. I drove her back to her Airbnb after dinner and made it back to Hard Luck in time for the end of Madisons' set. They had the crowd going until after 11pm. Chris and I broke down the drums; loaded out; and absolutely crashed back at the hotel.

After most of a week of running around, it was a great day to tune out some of the coporate noise and relax in the sunshine with friends and family from New Jersey and Brooklyn. I look forward to Little Dickman's showcases every year for that reason. The shows they put on always come from the heart, and I'm happy they allowed me to be a part of this one.

I'll probably cram my final two days in Austin into one post after I get home.

SXSW, Day 6: Dozen Street with Little Dickman Records

A New Saturday Tradition

I just wanted to do a quick recap of my last full day in Austin before getting back to regularly scheduled programming here. I still have a few SXSW-related things to post in the coming days -- pictures, another interview -- but this will be my final recap before turning focus to this weekend's shows.

After spending Friday night with Mastodon, Beach Slang, and others, a nice day hanging with friends sounded fantastic. Chris and Amy Dickman are my partners in crime on lots of things back here at home. They spent their first two days in Austin driving me all around; and, on Saturday, they'd assembled a loaded bill of bands at Austin's Dozen Street. All of that, plus free pancakes had me showing up just as the doors for Rock Or Die IV opened.

Ex-Girlfriends, Pink Mexico, Dead Coast, Fruit & Flowers, The Off White, The Nude Party, The Blind FRIGGING Shake, Sharkmuffin, Thelma & The Sleaze.

Lots of friends.

Chris Dickman and Sean Jones of The Off White

Lots of bands I'd pay to see anywhere.

Pink Mexico

(creamy) Tomato soup bloody marys. (Uh, no thanks.)

Margaritas.

Lone Star.

Heather Cousins of Ex-Girlfriends rolling on the floor or climbing up on amps.

Ex-Girlfriends

Tarra Thiessen of Sharkmuffin and Caroline Yoder of Fruit & Flowers hanging from the rafters.

Fruit & Flowers

Sharkmuffin

Natalie Kirch of Sharkmuffin and Amy Dickman dancing with a dog.

Natalie, Amy, and friend

A DANCING DOG!

Amy Dickman smiling from ear to ear while The Blind Shake were playing.

The Blind Shake

Po' boys from the New Orleans-style restuarant next door.

Chris Dickman taking videos of everything.

The woman absolutely losing her shit to Thelma & The Sleaze.

Thelma & The Sleaze

No Fake Rockers.

It was a great, great day and something I hope can become a Saturday tradition for me as long as I keep making it down to South By Southwest. As funny as it may sound, maybe the best part of the whole trip was getting to hang with friends from back home in such a charged environment.

When it was all done, I headed back to my room, packed, tried to get ahead of some of what was waiting for me back home, and turned in early. I missed Saturday night; but, physically, it couldn't have happened.

You can see lots of the bands that played Rock Or Die back here in our area. Sharkmuffin and Ex-Girlfriends play this Sunday, March 26th, at The Saint with Kino Kimino, Lunch Ladies, and EVL MOMMZ. On March 30th, Fruit & Flowers play Langosta Lounge with tour mates Big Bliss and Joe P of Deal Casino. I can't promise that there will be any dancing dogs at either of those shows, but you can dance like crazy.