Houston in Austin: Hometown Folks Playing SXSW 2011

Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m watching the SXSW coverage ramping up and feeling somewhat bummed that I’m not there to witness it. sigh.

This may sound a little crazy, but I’ve only ever been to SXSW one damn time, waaaaay back in college — a gang of us drove up in friend Marc‘s beaten-down old Volvo(?) station wagon to see awesome power-pop guys Too Much Joy (who were indeed awesome) play. It was a pretty epic trip: the car broke down on the outskirts of Austin; we miraculously found one lone mechanic still open (and then one of us nearly pissed him off by stupidly making an Aggie joke); with the car out of commission, we had to hike to a nearby hotel (where Ziggy Marley & his entourage were staying, it turned out) & then share cabs into downtown with a bunch of A&R guys; we saw the band play, our jaws dropped when they did a great cover of Billy Bragg’s “A New England”; and then all but Marc (who had to pick up the car in the AM) got on the Greyhound back home with a bunch of seeming schizophrenics all muttering to themselves & wearing soiled trenchcoats, arriving back in Houston around 2AM.

And sadly, that’s been it. One trip northwest for one band’s show (being perpetually-broke college students, we couldn’t afford to see more), in the 20-something years I’ve lived in Texas — sad, sad, sad. Every year I find myself thinking, “maybe next year I can make it work…,” but then the reality of budget, day-job, and family intrudes and smacks me back down (not to mention the fact that these days I do a Murtaugh every time I go see a show longer than about three hours, even down here close to home; I’m feeling like an old man, these days). One of these damn years…

But hey, I’m happy as hell to see that a lot of folks aren’t following my example, especially those in bands — I dunno how it stacks up to years past, but from what I’ve seen so far, there’re quite a few H-town bands and musicians who are heading up to Austin this week. Very, very cool; the more exposure they can get, the better.

I’ve gotten quite a few emails from various folks about where/when they’re playing (and have stumbled across info on others), so I figured it’d be worthwhile to plunk the list up here for those readers out there who’re SXSW-bound, as well. This is by no means comprehensive, mind you — for a fuller list check out Marc Brubaker‘s handy list over at the {Rocks Off} blog (which you can also check for a crap-ton of on-the-ground SXSW coverage, to boot), and David Cobb over at {Houston Calling} has been doing some great SXSW previews for what feels like a couple of weeks now, including H-town folks. There’s also been some cool coverage of the film/interactive stuff at the {Free Press Houston} site, and Adam Newton at {Dryvetyme Onlyne} is reportedly heading that way, as well.

Anyway, here’s what I’ve heard about, by day — sorry, I know I missed some early shows by dragging my feet ’til now (oh, and if anybody wants to be added to this list, just let me know, eh? I’ll add folks as I get a chance):

WED., MARCH 16TH:

• {Art Institute} @ Hyde Park Bar & Grill (5:45PM)
• {Grandfather Child} — Past/Futures / Monster Nature Showcase @ Liberty Tavern (8:30PM)
• {Grandfather Child} @ House of Guys (1AM)
• {Chase Hamblin} @ Jo’s Coffee (1-6PM)
• {Indian Jewelry} @ SxSW Soho Lounge (1AM)
• Miss Leslie @ Giddy Ups (7PM)

THURS., MARCH 17TH:

• {Art Institute} @ The Monstrosity (12:45PM)
• {Black Congress} — AmRep New Blood Showcase @ Obsolete Industries
• {Twisted Wires} — Pendu/Switched On SXSW Party @ Victory Grill

FRI., MARCH 18TH:

• {Art Institute} @ Zen Sushi (4PM)
• {B L A C K I E} — Pop Montreal/Blue Skies Turn Black Day Party @ Club DeVille (4:40PM)
• {Finnegan} — unSXSW Pop Fest III @ Carousel Lounge
• {The Fox Derby} — unSXSW Pop Fest III @ Carousel Lounge
• Hiss & Hum (mem. of Spain Colored Orange) — unSXSW Pop Fest III @ Carousel Lounge
• {Indian Jewelry} — Ballistic Missile Party @ Iron Bear (11PM)
• {Orange Is In} — Live Music Records Showcase @ Guero’s
• {Spain Colored Orange} — unSXSW Pop Fest III @ Carousel Lounge

SAT., MARCH 19TH:

• {American Fangs} — De Goot Entertainment Official Showcase @ Emo’s
• {Art Institute} @ The Local Pub (6PM)
• {Caddywhompus} @ Cherrywood
• {Robert Ellis} — What By What-Ever 2011 @ Domy Books (12:30PM)
• {Fat Tony} @ Karma Lounge
• {Grandfather Child} @ Cherrywood (2:30PM)
• {Chase Hamblin} — SteadyBoy Records Showcase @ Antone’s Records (2PM)
• {Indian Jewelry} @ Brave New Books (4PM)
• {Indian Jewelry} — Transgressive/Sexbeat Party @ 21st Street Coop (11PM)
• {The Literary Greats} — Red Gorilla Festival @ Darwin’s Pub
• Miss Leslie — 3rd Coast Music Non-SXSW Showcase @ G&S Lounge (7:30PM)
• {Something Fierce} — Dirtnap Records Showcase @ Habana Calle

SUN, MARCH 20TH:

• {Chase Hamblin} @ G&S Lounge (3PM)

That’s all I’ve got for now; have fun out there…