So much went on at this year’s SXSW that it’s really hard to pick just one topic/event to mention. From the free food, to the free shows, the constantly crowded streets, to the singing homeless bums - there was always something to be a part of or shake your head in disbelief at. Here’s a very random list that sums up my experiences.

10.  A Bum Playing Drums, Without Drums:

He had two sticks, a change cup, and that’s it. Somehow he thought that banging two sticks together, or on the sidewalk, was drum playing (at least that’s what I heard him tell someone.) Let me just say, his change cup was pretty empty.


9.  Ungdomskulen, WTF?:

Your guess is as good as mine on the pronunciation of this band's name. I don’t really know much about these guys (and I’m not making it a point to find out) except that they’re from Norway. The only reason I’m mentioning them is because they were so outlandish. The one thing that guys with handlebar moustaches, gargantuan beards, and shiny jumpsuits do for me is make me laugh; I can’t possibly take them or their sound seriously. Maybe it’s different overseas..?

8. Attempting To See Obits:

I showed up early at the Radio Room with every intention of seeing Obits. About one hour and three drinks later, the back patio was filled to capacity, leaving me with the tiniest bit of space to view the show. Obits definitely did not disappoint, but it sucked having to watch them ten heads deep in a crowd.

7. Sneaking Into The Fader Fort:

Though many places and day parties suggested you RSVP, they never really checked and it more or less was first come first serve. Not the case with this. You weren’t on the list, you weren’t getting in - that simple. Let’s just say a friend of mine knows a guy, and so I had the ability to meander about the Fort for a few hours. It was totally overrated. The bands I heard were decent, but nothing so memorable that I still remember any of them. Sure, it was kind of cool. There were beds to lay down on, a tree with Skull Candy headphones hanging from it, and even a Levi‘s store. But for all the hype that was built up around it, the place wasn’t incredibly impressive.

6. Being “Cat-Called” In The Middle of A Crowded Street:

Now, I’ve gotten my fair share of cat-calls and I’m fairly used to them by now. But this was something that I think I’ll remember for a long time to come. In the process of making my way from one venue to another, I, like most, had to fight my way through the raging crowds on 6th Street. The way I was darting and weaving through people, it’d be obvious even to the most brain-dead twit that I was in a hurry. But that did not stop one very loud man from coming to a dead halt in front of me to let all of Texas know that I had a, “mighty fiiiiiiiiiiiine ass.” Seriously? No thanks, buddy.


5. Getting VIP For Shiny Toy Guns:

This is one of the times I can truly appreciate my habit of talking too much! Essentially I ended up unknowingly speaking to the “right” people and got myself and another BRM-er into the Shiny Toy Guns VIP section. Not only did we both get to meet the band and chat them up for a bit, we also got to enjoy an hour of open bar and very comfortable cushy seating. Though the second floor of Vice was pretty packed with other VIP’s, it was definitely no comparison to the main level, which was a homogenous sea of faces by the end of the night. I know I may not have the same kind of luck, but I can’t wait for the next time I see Shiny Toy Guns!

4. Free Shit!:

Free stuff was EVERYWHERE. It was amazing! I’ve never been handed so many free cd’s, t-shirts, sunglasses, lanyards, stickers, buttons, and pieces of American Apparel underwear in my life! And let me just say, I’m a sucker for free shit. Additionally, if you knew where to look, there was free food and drink (alcoholic and not) everywhere. As long as you showed up early enough to get it, stuff was yours for the taking. Let me add that although I may not be the biggest fan of American Spirit cigarettes, I’m also not complaining that I walked away with enough free packs to last me for the next 3 months!

3. Bomani Armah & Project Mayhem Doing “Read A Book”:

Recently, everyone at the BRM office has been obsessing over Bomani “D-mite” Armah’s Youtube video for “Read A Book.” Sure, it’s a couple years old, but that doesn’t make it any less funny. In any case,  when we found out that he was playing, it became a must to see him. I myself was completely unfamiliar with any other work by Bomani Armah, but was thoroughly impressed upon hearing him. It wasn’t an entire shock that he was all around amazing, but at the same time I half-expected his other work to be slightly gimmicky. To both my surprise and delight, that was not the case. As the end to his set “Read A Book” was performed. Although at that point I was totally taken by the rest of Bomani and Project Mayhem’s music,  it would be a lie to say anything other than “Read A Book” was the icing on the proverbial cake.

2. Playing Bass For Peelander-Z:

At the BRM magazine release party, held here in NY, Peelander-Z performed a literal show-stopping set. The most memorable moment (for me) was being pulled up onstage to play bass, while the rest of the band had a go at some human bowling. Upon seeing them for a second time at SXSW, I expected nothing less than sheer insanity and was pleased to have gotten just that. What was totally unexpected was being pulled up onstage to play bass again! That’s cool on so many levels, but primarily because I can honestly say I played onstage at SXSW.


1. Discovering He Is Legend:

I’d heard of them but never listened to them prior to SXSW. I went with one of my fellow BRM-ers to see the show and was completely enamored with them and their set. The raw energy and charisma exerted from every member was mesmerizing. There was not a single song that the audience was not singing along to. Let me also mention that it was pretty impressive to initially show up and see a crowd of only about twenty, and leave to see a crowd of easily over a hundred.


-Lilly Ryden