AWLReady

Is it the Bay Area’s Time?

Lately there’s been buzz and controversy about the “New Bay” and their movement but maybe there is some truth to these guys’ message. Maybe the time is now for a New Bay. No disrespect to the veterans but like any other profession the music industry is constantly transforming. Out with the old and in with the new.

Kreayshawn, a Bay Area femme-cee transformed her local buzz into a major deal with Columbia Records. Now the Oakland native is label mates with greats such as Beyonce and Wyclef Jean as well as upcoming tween star Willow Smith.

Other Bay Area artists such as Keyshia Cole, Bobby Brackins and The Pack have also enjoyed national spotlight. So, is it the Bay Area’s time? Can local artists escape the Hyphy Movement (no disrespect) and show that there’s more to the region than meets the eye or is thizz it?

How Could You Not Love This Guy?

FINALLY someone using their “starpower” positively! Bradie James’ Foundation 56 is a charitable organization that provides health screenings; namely Mammograms for women that do not have access (for whatever reasons) to those services. James’ mother inspired the creation of Foundation 56. She lost the battle to breast cancer in 2001. Last year alone the organization screened 4600 women for the cancer. Some 20 of those women were diagnosed with the disease.

How to Survive SXSW

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1. Get a Bike

Don’t even bother to try to drive anywhere in Austin during SXSW. The influx of out-of-towners who either drove here from Houston/Dallas or flew in from LA/NYC/overseas and rented cars will make you want to gouge your eyeballs out once you’ve been sitting in traffic on I-35 for an hour.

It’ll take you three times as long to get downtown as it usually does and you’ll then need to factor in about an hour to look for parking. You’ll end up parking about as far away as your hotel/house so just don’t do it. If you live reasonably close to downtown (West Campus, East Side, Travis Heights) you could walk.

Depending on where you live it wouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes but this probably isn’t a trek you want to attempt at night after a day of drinking and free shows (trust me, I tried during FunFunFun Fest and broke down just north of MLK on Red River). There’s always the bus, but you’ll still have to deal with traffic (so much of it!) and weird creeps who will try to lick your hand (this actually happened to me when I was 18 and on the #1 headed down South Congress, I think that’s how I got mono).

2. Drink Lots of Water

I know this makes me sound like your mom but I guarantee you that if you do not constantly force yourself to drink water you will either A. end up with a urinary tract infection by the end of SXSW or B. you will pass out in the middle of a show. Some places will allow you to bring in your nalgem, those that don’t ought to provide either free bottled water or have a water cooler somewhere.

If you are biking, having water on you is a MUST - 73 degrees doesn’t feel too hot, but if all you’ve consumed all day is some trailer tacos from east 5th and about 8 free PBRs you are going to feel like shit. Just drink some goddamned water already, I shouldn’t have to justify this one.

My friend Priya adds “Lots of daily juice, and knowing when to say no. Oh and a spare liver, if you can manage it.” Unless you have a sweet hook up in the Black Market, I think the 2nd liver is a no-go, but I am totally in support of plenty of Daily Juice. In addition to tons of water, do your body a favor a pump it full of vitamins, fruits and nutrients at Austin’s best juice bar. I recommend the Depth Charge, but watch out, it may induce barfing if you’re hung over.

3. Wear layers

At some point last year Austin decided to fuck with everyone and on the second Saturday of SXSW the temperature dropped to a soul-crushing 30-something degrees. The rest of the time it hovered pleasantly in the 60s and 70s. For the past month here in Austin, the weather has oscillated between bone-chilling snow days and pool-side tanning days so there’s really no way to gauge what it’ll be like come SXSW so I recommend full prepared-ness! Go ahead and bring shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip flops (not recommended for cyclists), bathing suits, spring dresses, skirts and sunglasses. Also be sure to bring: thermal underwear, furry hats, snow boots (mukluks not permitted), turtlenecks and overcoats.

Side note: Girls, this is not NYFW, DO NOT WEAR HEELS. Our sidewalks suck and our bars have dirt for flooring. Your nice shoes will get destroyed. Additionally, being on your feet for 10 hours a day in heels will make you cry.

Now the goal is to wear as much of these items as possible in consecutive layers of warmth so that you can strip as the day goes on, it gets warmer, you get sweatier, etc. Austin is one of those charming cities were the temperature has a 30 degree range over the course of one day, so you may start the morning wearing a huge coat because it’s 40 degrees and end the afternoon in shorts and a t-shirt because it’s suddenly 76 degrees. Charming!

4. Speak the Lingo

Austinites don’t call it “South by Southwest.” It takes too long to say and it’s hard to get that ‘w’ sound out with a mouth full of taco. We call it “south by.” Some people get clever and start calling it “puke by puke west” or “drunk by drunk west” or some variation of that theme inspired by the numerous unofficial parties that lure you in with promises of free PBR, Tito’s vodka, bbq and the like.. which brings me to my next point:

5. Don’t Buy a Wristband

Wristbands, badges, etc are for douchebags and volunteers. The only exception to this rule is if you want to see films because there are few free screenings and they are never of anything good - it’s always film students whose shorts about self-indulgent hipsters falling in love and trading records somehow didn’t get into the festival.

If you are mainly interested in live musical performances, there is absolutely no need to buy a wristband. Everyone from Rachel Ray to Perez Hilton to Filter Magazine throws free day parties and any band or musician you would want to see will most likely play at list one free show. The bonus to free shows is that everyone you’ve ever met/hooked up with/dated/lived with/worked with/barfed on will be there (this may also be a downside).

Also, most free shows offer drinks and noms GRATIS, but they typically run out quickly because everyone in Austin is drunk so get there early so you can snag a free PBR! God forbid you have to pay $2 for a beer!

6. “Don’t Party SO Hard on Opening Night”

This one comes courtesy of my friend Chris Clark and is probably the #1 thing to remember all SXSW. You have 9 days (Fri-Sun) of parties, shows, movies, panels, drunkenness, debauchery, and tomfoolery - don’t blow your load on Night #1! Trust me, you’ll need that energy by the time the 2nd weekend rolls around.

7. Know Your Blogs & Parties

RSVPs open up weeks (sometimes months) in advance. It’s important to get on 800 lists because when the first 799 parties are full/busted by cops/out of booze/out of food/out of blow, you always have a back up. Not sure where to find out about parties? I recommend Ultra8201, Republic of Austin, Austin Showlist, SXSW Free Noms, and Do512.

Don’t get too bogged down by the thousands of parties, it’s impossible to attend them all and trying to do so will only leave you stressed out and anxious. Pick 2 or 3 each day - maybe the ones with your favorite bands, the ones your friends are going to, or the ones with the best chance of scoring some sweetass drinks - and do those!

Of course, the best way to survive is to just not go, but for Austinites it’s sort of not an option since it invades every corner of the city,  which is why this year I’ll be attending for the FIFTH TIME. Just saying that makes me want to go take a nap.

Good luck everyone! And if you see me passed out in the corner of the Shangri-La patio with some Iggi’s Mac N Cheese on my shirt and some beer spilled on my jeans, don’t take a photo and post it on the internet, OK?!

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