Southern Comfort

Ok. It's time for a couple of disclaimers. Number one, I am no photographer. I used to say I am just not one of those camera carrying girls until I took my brothers camera on a trip and took quality pictures. I was addicted! I return and opt for a camera--and now, what? All of a sudden I take terrible pictures?! So disclaimer no. two is--assuming said sprawling industry has influenced 'good' photography, no. 2 is the actual camera makes all the difference.

Back to business, I was so stoked to recently ride it out southbound to the great capital city Austin for the annual festivus SXSW. This was my first go, so I had minimal clue as what to expect. (If you are like me and wiki everything, it's worth the look up on stats.)
It's also worth the trip (every sense of the word), the cost--which, if you know where you are going, many times is free, and very worth the time it takes to get together a great look as everyone is a rock star, which means everyone is pretty hot, and everyone wants to be your boyfriend. This is just my experience.
The Fader Fort was where it was at. Aside from the complimentary tasty bevs, it truly was eye candy galore. Disclaimer no. 3 would be, I'm not supposed to be the one taking pictures as, not only am I clearly terrible at it, but it totally jacks with the steeze.
So that picture way up there is of my favourite discovery in Austin, one half of Andrew Andrew,
an "interdisciplinary creative team," the wildly entertaining MC's for the event. I stopped Andrew as he was passing through (doesn't matter which one), to say how much I appreciated the intermission. He said 'thank you', reaching into his pocket to present--and I mean present, his card which simply read "ANDREW ANDREW" cradled in both hands as if offering a cool drink on a hot summer day. I went to recover the card--I felt like I was discovering gold, when he flipped it to the back to read "DOT COM".
Check them out on East Village Radio, a free online LIVE Stream that features the best of music, art, and culture from said locale.

I also discovered how delish "SoCo and Diet whatever" is. Yum-O Rachel Ray! I'm telling you... Come to think of it, maybe it was the SoCo that tricked my eye into loving the prairie girl boots everyone was rocking. I'm guessing these were the Comfort shoe of the festival because I don't know when else they would be appropriate. Ok, scratch that: disclaimer no. 4 would be I am totally rocking the boots because I now remember they were my absolute favourite shoe as a kid. I also know I will be the only one doing So in my Social cirque Soo...I am drafting a post as we speak of new impending styles I'm calling first. OH! Which leads me to say, see below: That's a fanny pack ladies and gentleman (Blaine). It was not originally a fanny pack as it was a long shoulder bag, but that's how re-invention works. Next post. It's coming, it's coming.

As for the musical entertainment which brought us all together, my discoveries were many. Dark Dark Dark was a lovely four piece compilation I would compare to Devotchka.
Dark x 3 has one up given the statuesque voice and beauty of their leading lady who also plays the accordion. It was this show I met Ashley--actually, I met Ashley through Lupe, a real life therapy dog folks, that--nevermind anything going on outside his arm span, this dog was the show. Ashley introduced me to The Elements, a southern rock group out of Oklahoma. She was pretty adamant about making this show and later revealed exactly why. Well, you can see for yourself: the lead singer looks just like Emile Hirsch. Helloooo! Oh, and they were good too.

Francis and the Lights were very entertaining. Mesmerizing actually. I would recommend Francis for good tunes and sweet dance moves.


I randomly took a picture of the band on stage at Fader to send to my friend: "This is The Hot Dogs" I messaged, not entirely sure their name, yet knowing it would go over her head as well.
After a hard days flirt, some guy trailing behind ran into the garbage can and howled holding his head from the 'accident'. I turned around to nurse the schmuck, when I realized "Hey! We saw you!! Where did we see you?!!?!" Ah, The Hot Melts informed me of who and where we had seen them. Really nice, fun guys--I would say Blink 182 meets The Beach Boys from the UK. Speaking of head rush, Lissy Trullie is truly a sight to behold. I was instantly enamoured with her style: cool (temperature and otherwise) in a cropped leather jacket, black stockings and mini-skirt--check her out in this mic clutch shot.

I know what I'm talkin': Oscar de la Renta Jr.'s muse..? Yes!

We saw a handful of other excellent acts: Tricky "The Father of trip-hop" and my fav, Passion Pit. I fell in love with White Lies a la a cd mix Julie made me but just learned Absolutely Rachel hearted them first (natch). Ten out of Tenn, Black Cherry, Michna which gets Andrew Andrews' vote to ski to. I met a couple fellas from Dephonic, a jazz infused beat band out of Philadelphia. Seeing as how The Roots are on lock down with insert-favourite-foul-word-Jimmy Fallon, my next big bet is on Dephonic.

I suppose disclaimer no. 5 would be first, I had an elusive ghost, and now spotty i-net as it has been nearly non-existent the past couple weeks. As for the next few days, my only excuse is: research baby, as you can find me furthermore south in sunny 70's on that little isle of ours we call Isabel. Take that East Village Radio! I'll be sure to send you tunes to surf to.