Read more about why Amanda wants a divorce here.

Day 2 of SXSW began with me speaking at the music blogger panel. Here’s a photo of me and Amanda Palmer’s legs:

It was a real honor to be on the panel, and I enjoyed hearing my fellow bloggers (Justin of Aquarium Drunkard, Bill from Brooklyn Vegan/Sound Bites, Janet from Out the Other, Glenn from Coolfer), talk about what we do, impacts on the local scene, etc. While the title was “Bloggers Are Now in Charge,” the description of the panel actually applied more to what we discussed: “Amid the rubble of the music industry, a new breed of music enthusiasts has established instantaneous and direct links to like-minded fans. What exactly is their impact on the scene?”

After the panel, I met up with Alina Simone and her high school bud Amanda Palmer for lunch at Iron Cactus. Tacos were goooood. I didn’t spend any time really seeing music in the afternoon, just hung out with friends and caught up. After coming to SXSW for a few years, I realized some of my favorite times of the festival are unrelated to actually seeing bands.

I was walking to see Cursive with Taylor when someone invited us into a hair salon to drink free margaritas and hear music. I’ve never seen a musician perform while I sat in a chair that is normally reserved for people getting their hair cut, but there’s a first time for everything. Only at SXSW! The musician I saw was Madelyn Cascio, and it was a nice relaxing way to start the day. I took a video you can see here.

My evening schedule got f’d up in the beginning. I went to Aces Lounge to see Rosie and the Goldbug and Vivian Girls, but after waiting around forever I found out that the entire schedule was pushed back an hour. OOOOOOF. I went next door to catch the last song of Peggy Sue, who were good and I’d like to catch a full set at some point.

I walked upstairs to the Parish upstairs to catch Anya Marina cover T.I. and then it was off to the live.create lounge to catch Alina Simone’s set. Her new stuff sounded amazing and I can’t wait to hear her next full length. Also added to the amazement: they piped in chocolate scent into the venue. I felt like I was at Hershey Park.

Onward to the Central Presbyterian Church for Amanda Palmer! After missing her the day before and meeting her for lunch, I was really excited to finally see her live. And she didn’t disappoint. Because it’s a church, she was able to perform her first song a capella and she quickly had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Margaret Cho joined her for a funny duet, and she also played the song she penned with Neil Gaiman called “I Google You.”

At this point of the night I realized that I had unintentially only seen female musicians. I ended the evening with Elvis Perkins in Dearland again, and was cut short when I got a text message that donewaiting.com went down. Had to head home early to fix the website, and prepare for today.

NOTES
- Agit Reader SXSW coverage here
- I’ve been taking photos for my sponsor, Energizer’s Energi to Go. You can see all of them here.

I’ve been wanting to see Amanda Palmer for awhile. While I’m just a casual fan of The Dresden Dolls, the solo work she did with her debut album Who Killed Amanda Palmer? continues to be a recent favorite, revealing layers and layers of complex emotions, ideas, and energy. At this point I only know of three performances she’d doing at SXSW (find them here, but she’s also speaking on a SXSW panel titled Do a 360 Deal WIth Yourself (sounds naughty)..

I also wouldn’t be surprised if she announced a few last minute sets at random places on her active Twitter account.

MP3: Leeds United by Amanda Palmer

I saw Alina Simone at SXSW last year and loved her set. I loved it so much that I’m releasing a seven inch with her and The Black Swans in a few months on our small record label, Sunken Treasure Records. If that’s not an endorsement to see her ONE SXSW APPEARANCE Thursday night, I don’t know what it. Click here for show details. ALSO: Read about the Alina Simone/Amanda Palmer connection here.

Here’s an MP3 from her excellent Yanka Dyagilev covers album:

MP3: From Great Knowledge by Alina Smone

The Rural Alberta Advantage was recommended to me by my bro Taylor. They remind me of a lot of my favorite Merge Records bands combined into one. A little Essex Green, a little Neutral Milk Hotel, I’m really looking forward to seeing them live.

MP3: Don’t Haunt This Place by The Rural Alberta Advantage
MP3: Frank, AB by The Rural Alberta Advantage

Free, no RSVP @ Red Eyed Fly

WEDS MAR 18   
12:40-01:00    The Upside Down
01:20-02:00    Whispertown2000
01:50-02:20    Youngmond Grand
02:20-03:00    Evangelicals
02:50-03:20    Amanda Palmer
03:20-04:00    The Drones
03:50-04:20    Dawes
04:20-05:00    Megafaun
04:50-05:20    Tallest Man on Earth
05:20-06:00    Von Bondies
   

THURS MAR 19   
12:30-01:30    All Star Austin Super Bloody Mary Jam hosted by Jack G from Tenlons Fort
01:20-02:00    J Tillman
01:50-02:20    Imaad Wasif
02:20-03:00    Afternoons
02:50-03:20    Adam Freeland
03:20-04:00    Alberta Cross
03:50-04:20    Rumspringa
04:20-05:00    Viva Voce
04:50-05:20    Loch Lomond
05:20-06:00    Port O’brien
   
FRI MAR 20   
12:40-01:00    Matt Ellis
01:20-02:00    Spindrift
01:50-02:20    Pity Party
02:20-03:00    Great Northern
02:50-03:20    MAdM
03:20-04:00    Horse Feathers
03:50-04:20    Henry Clay People
04:20-05:00    Phosphorescent
04:50-05:20    Restaurant
05:20-06:00    White Denim

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