Best 25 albums of 2010 - Ain't No Kayne on this list

This was a ridiculously great year for good and new music and I finding it increasingly difficult to agree with other top album lists from Pitchfork, Amazon, and Rolling Stone & all that other bullshit lists that include Mr. West.  There is so much overload of criticism from bloggers, Facebook "likes", and Twitter suggestions this year I found myself shaking my head at the top picks for music. The only top album lists I was please with came from Waterloo Records, the continuous collective list of new albums from Indie Cafe, and the good bloggers & folks from Stark Online.

That all being said I have decided I am going to make my own list, not rank them in order, and highlight a few albums I thought you should know my opinion on their latest album (if it matters).

Here we go!

Best 25 Albums of 2010

• Neil Young - Le Noise
• Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
• The National - High Violet 
• Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love  
• It has been about a decade since Belle & Sebastian has released a new album and Write About Love was a surprise for me when it released in October 2010.  I am a fan of this album because it is reminiscent, to me, of Simon & Garfunkel's arrangements in their 70's pop music & melodies. Belle & Sebastian are not trying to come out with a "new & improved" sound rather B&S make it a point to create these intricate melodies that are classic of the rest of their catalouge. This is a modern rock album that is pretty and potentially an album that every song could be "radio friendly".
• Tame Impala - Innerspeaker
• Warpaint - The Fool
• Arcade Fire - The Suburbs 
• Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
• The Black Keys - Brothers
• Sun City Girls - Funeral Mariachi
• It really comes down to this for SCG's - you either like them or you don't. The group of guys (no, they're not girls) have released about 50 LPs and Funeral Mariachi is the farewell album of the band due to a death of their drummer, Charles Gocher, in 2007. The first time I heard an album by SCG was in my uncle's car while riding to Hondo, Texas to attend a family reunion. The album was Dante's Disneyland Inferno (reissue 2006). If you get a chance to listen to it you should - that shit is intense, wild, and can be best described as a 'cluster-fuck'. I loved it. Funeral Mariachi is the best album of experimental folk and psychedelic rock I have heard in awhile that seems to have a more friendly listen for anyone who may be hearing the band for the first time. This is a band who I am sure influenced Animal Collective & possibly did the same drugs as Ween. This album is free-form, psychedelic folk, surf-rock, that can really fuck with your mind if you let it. I recommend you let it. Let it. Trust me - it feels good.
• The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
• Crocodiles - Sleep Forever 
• Joanna Newsom - Have on Me
• Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
• IRM is Beck's creation, composition, songwriting, & production. You can hear it on every single track on Charlotte Gainsbourg's latest. Her last album 5:55 was respectfully easy listening but this album is her best vocally. This album is played non-stop whenever I ride my bike around town. Give it a listen - she is after all French hero/actor/director/poet/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg's daughter. Also, did you see Charlotte's latest film? It was nothing I expected it to be and that should be read as a good thing.
• MGMT - Congratuations
• Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart
• Broken Bells - Broken Bells
• Spoon - Transference
• Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
• Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
• Sleigh Bells - Treats
• Mixing metal with pop is what I like a lot. I saw Sleigh Bells during SXSW this year and I was blown away as I watched their live set. Fuckenamazingman!
• Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
• Holy shit! I was just introduced to this album by a friend, Brendan. As soon as I heard the whole album I had to get it myself. I blare the shit out of this album in my car and whenever I approach a cop at a light or stop sign I feel like I am doing something bad so I turn it down. This is the stuff you wanna hear to pump you up before getting into a fight. (at least that's how it makes me feel)
• Magnetic Fields - Realism
• Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
• Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock

Let's see what happens in 2011.  I'm pretty stoked about hearing new shit from My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, Battles, Explosions in the Sky, Fleet Foxes, M83, and Mogwai.

No ACL this year for me

I know.....I don't even want to talk about it, but ultimately I am looking forward to not having to deal w/the bike traffic during Austin City Limits Music Festival weekend or even having to figure out how to sneak in food to the festival so that way I don't end up spending over $100 trying to feed myself lunch & dinner for 3-days at the Fest.

Besides all that I have a great friend getting married on Sunday, Oct 10th, 2010 (10/10/10).  I wouldn't miss her wedding for the world so I decided to just skip it altogether and save myself ticket money, food money, and merch money as well.

I am however, seriously thinking about going to this: Ditch The Fest - local music festival in ATX. It takes place the weekend of ACL and what's best about this is that it's far away from Zilker Park!! woohoo! PLUS - it's free. You can't go wrong with this one.
Check out the full line up -

Be sure to RSVP - here.

 The event also has Tangled Shark Productions, Transmission Entertainment, and Lucy the Poodle booking that guarantees and hand picks the bands playing at Ditch the Fest on 4 rotating stages, a moon walk, vegetarian/vegan vendors, and even refreshments are promised! All of this happening at Cheer Up Charlies off of 6th street.

Public Service Annoucement : Superlitebike, Sour Bridges & Harmony Gritz to play this weekend

"And really knowing is half the batte!"...it really is folks!
Take a look:


And really if you were anything like me I am going to make sure to wear bright clothing as I bike downtown to check out what this Public Service Announcement is all about from 3 local bands this weekend. 

 I was invited over to Jackson's house sometime on a cold winter night to check out all of the three bands listed on the set flyer above. I was a little hesitant only because 1) i didn't know the guy, 2) i forgot to get singles ($1) so i could tip their friend who was pumping some free beer - who I ended up playing Caps the night after with (and getting slaughtered by him) and 3) i don't usually crash other people's parties but i heard really good things about Sour Bridges so I thought I'd suck it up.

I had never seen Sour Bridges before (members from both Superlitebike and Fatback Circus) and like any local music I made sure to listen closely.  Sour Bridges caught me by surprise. Don't judge them by their Myspace page - I mean really? Who uses Myspace these days anymore? (I am currently awaiting their friend confirmation via Facebook.)  You should see them play 1 night this weekend at The Scoot Inn AND guess what? They play with Superlitebike so you're kinda getting a twofer here....if ya know what I'm sayin'.

Last time I saw Superlitebike was their LP release, "Away We Go" at The Parish. I always love to see this band because of the raw energy and experiential sound they push out when they play live. Their album is very good respectfully but it's something about their live show that will not let you stand still even if you ain't drinking for the night and you're trying to play it cool (but really you're drunk and crunk).I had a great time and that Parish and show and it was awesome to watch all of their video flyers like this:

or this:
This weekend the boys (half of who make up Sour Bridges and some even dip into a little bit of Harmony Gritz) have 2 shows. Friday, July 16th Ruta Maya will host a night of good local music for 4 bands that has Superlitebike after La Guerilla (a fantastic latin-experimental band you should see!). Show begins at 8pm and goes til 2am. Cover is a cheap $5.

Superlitebike can also be seen at The Scoot Inn w/Sour Bridges the next night - Saturday, July 17th.

Harmony Gritz - the band is not like this other Harmony Gritz. I wish they had more style like that Harmony. I don't even know who that lady is...!
These boys are damn good and when I say 'damn good' I mean 'gotdamn good'. Members of Harmony Gritz consist of Fatback Circus, Sour Bridges, and Superlitebike. These here boys will be playing some really good bluegrass type of folk at Spiderhouse this weekend for the 1st Annual Bluegrass, Cuntry, Gypsy, & Gospel Jamboree. This event begins Friday, July 17th at 8pm and runs until Sunday, July 19th until 10:30pm. Tickets are available at Spiderhouse. Prices are Friday=$5, Saturday=$10, Sunday=$10 OR the deal maker here is for $15 you can go to see all bands from Friday - Sunday night. Music ends at 10:30pm all nights due to noise ordinance.
You can see bands like Clem & Clyde's Whiskey Business, Frank Smith, the Marmalakes, and more. (I will be here for sure.) More to come on this festival....

Be sure to make it out this weekend. There is a lot of great music to hear, see, and support.

And another PSA from David Lynch this time :)

Austin elementary kids singing/playing The Beatles

It was a typical Wednesday for me with these exceptions - I was listening to a Twin Sisters EP and Dylan's Blonde on Blonde over and over again.

Diana said she was going to go to Freddie's Place during lunch to see the student she tutored/mentored throughout this school year. She said they were going to be singing Beatles songs as a performance and asked if I wanted to go.

First I said no and then gave it more thought and realized I could definitely dig students singing the Yellow Submarine and Oh La Dee.

Here is proof  we went (look for us around the :15 second mark).

The kids were so precious to watch and it was such a nice day outside. It was also a relief to know that elementary music class includes one of the best bands in Becker Elementary's curriculum - The Beatles. :)

This is another reason why I love Austin and ALL of the kinds of live music/shows available to see.

Pachanga Latino Festival - another festival I won tickets too.

Twitter - i love utilizing you day, checking up on you in the morning/lunch/and all those unexpected i-feel-like it times, updating you with what I am doing, and allowing you to win me free tickets/contests and a keeping me updated on free cool shit around Austin. You truly are fun and I want to keep this kind of relationship going, please. I think I like you so much I might find other ways to have you (i.e. app on my phone, feed to this blog, etc, etc.)

i won tickets to Pachanga Latino Festival thanks to twitter and the austin statesman.

When I had the chance (and when I wasn't too distracted & mesmerized by the artists and their set) I took some pictures. Most of the time I was dancing so I could care less about my camera.


Girl in a Coma (San Antonio, Tx): 
Alright - I am a huge Girl in a Coma fan and have been seeing these gals...well...shit...since I remember seeing these girls play their first time at Cavalcade at Jefferson HS. I think I was there to see my sister perform (i had graduated a year after) and of course a Cavalcade wouldn't be complete with at least 3 or 4 bands that deprived of our friends/peers/students who went there. I even ran into an old high school friend at Pachanga Fest.

They played a very sultry stylistic cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" then later in their set included a Girl in a Coma version of "Come On, Let's Go" by Ritchie Valens and fast tempo cover of Selena's "Si Una Vez" (btw which i was singing my heart out on). AND they did "Walkin After Midnight" by Patsy Cline (which ended up as my favorite cover they played). They have a new EP out which are all cover songs including those 4 stated above. After contemplating why they would make an EP with just covers I read about it: Adventures in Coverland.

I also found this:

David Garza (Austin,Tx)
I saw David Garza about 5 yrs ago at the Continental Club during a happy hour on a Wednesday night. I had a date that we were to meet at Gueros and decided to calm my nerves across the street in a place I knew was comfortable enough for me and had live music. (I'm not a fan of Gueros - location is great but prices are laughable). I immediately drew to him because of his acoustic latin fused with classical guitar style and his poetry. He has a beat poet and a very bold and political lyricism in his music whether acoustic or electric. There were about 40 people at the Continental that day. He was amazing then and even now after seeing him open up (acoustic set) for Girl in a Coma he keeps rocking it like he did that happy hour I first saw him at.

I have a friend that waits on him (as in a waiter) at The Blue Star Cafeteria during the week. When he told me this I remember him pronouncing his name "Day-vid Garza" and when I corrected him and said "?.....oh you mean, DaVEEED Garza?", he turned beet red. I felt a little embarrassed I corrected him.

And he had a black eye too. Reason is unknown at this time.

It was pretty awesome to see David with a full band and his energy was addictive. he had me dancing and singing at this song. 

Bombasta (San Antonio, Tx)  

This band first caught my eye first as I read the small description of Bombasta from the Pachanga Fest map and schedule: "...the sound of a generation who grew up on both hip hop and cumbias, Rocksteady and rancheras, soul and salsa." And from San Antonio, eh? 

Yes. There was a trumpet player that brought the mariachi flare & sustained high notes, a trombone player, 2 guitars, a bass, a dj mixing table, keys, and drums. These guys were awesome! I think there might have been a saxophone too. I hope to catch more of these guys in the future. I caught the tail end of their set and was definitely proud there was another sound deriving out of San Antonio that isn't horrible cheap metal.

Grupo Fantasma (Austin, Tx)

These guys sell out every time they have a gig at Antone's & every time they play at Waterloo Records for an in-store performance it is packed to the back of the DVD section. 

Grupo Fantasma played to a overcrowded patio at Pachanga and had everyone, I mean, everyone dancing their day away. There was not one person NOT moving their head, shaking their hips, or swaying side to side. Every time I go to a show of theirs I cannot explain to you what comes over me - I just gotta move and shake it as hard as I can. They are leaving Texas to tour their new album "El Existential".

Hacienda (San Antonio, Tx)

These guys are another proud moment I had while at Pachanga. First off these guys opened up for Dr. Dog and The Black Keys. They were discovered by Dan Auerbach when their 6-song demo landed in his hands. Their cover of "She's Got a Hold on Me" was definitely a highlight for me since for awhile this was the only song I had of Hacienda. Read more about their starting points here. 

Think The Beach Boys meets The Black Keys and a little bit of Jimi Hendrix. :)

Bomba Estereo (Columbia)
This band caught me by surprise. I read a really good interview of Bomba Estereo about 3 wks ago and head one song by then at that point - Fuego. When I saw they were headlining at Pachanga I started flooding myself with all of their songs and youtube videos. I couldn't wait to see them. They put on one of the best live shows I have seen in awhile. Li Seumet, vocalist, reminds me of a Colombian Salt-n-Peppa mixed in 90's female rap essence along with a bass drowning psychedelic funk.
They have a cumbia feel that just feels natural and smooth with all of the different guitar harmonies. The drummer was too good!! With the fast tempos, slows & stops the drummer was changing styles, sticks, and sequences so often i thought that surely not every single drum beat was being composed by him. It was such a diverse Colombian sound. Seeing this band live blew my mind. I kept dancing until my hips were sore and although we all wanted another song and shouted "Orta, orta" (even after they played their whole album) we didn't get one because of the Travis Co noise ordinance.  

They play one last time before heading back to Colombia at end of an ear today at 5pm! You better go. You won't know what you're missing.

the music that makes me say "holy shit, this is good!" as i drive the music i find - part I

I had to load up the MP3 player and anytime riding or driving I am listening to new stuff all of the time. I have a few to share with you. Listen and enjoy because if you haven't heard of this stuff yet then you need to.

Little Fish - I read about this band here Stark Online. I was impressed of the sound & the voice of the singer, JuJu (Julia Sophie) - she reminds me a little of Juilette Lewis mixed with the lyrical attitude of Courtney Love with that Patti Smith poetic flare. It's great stuff.  An album, Baffled and Beat, is due out sometime in May. I recommend hearing "Darling Dear" a few times and tell me what you think. You can get the link from here. Sounds a little like the White Stripes, a bit of of Dead Weather, and Patti Smith most definitely.

Megafaun - I started off searching for Megafauna and ended up finding out about Megafaun in as pure accident. Megafauna is a local Austin female led group that sounds similar to Joanna Newsom with some hardcore Black Sabbath and Metallica local flare. I dig their sound and have enjoyed 2 of their local shows. Megafaun is a different band...made of mostly men and 1 female trumpeter (along with other odd instruments at times too) that have more of a folksy North Carolina guitar feel good band. Check out a couple of live tunes here. My favorite video is Volunteers.

Sleighbells - I discovered this band on Record Store Day  via a Coachella sampler CD that Waterloo Records had in their free section. "Crown on the Ground" got me through my Wednesday this past week. I heard it at least a dozen times while running. It kept me going with the bass and it was just an addicting song to listen to as you are trying your best to hit 3 miles after a long dreadful day from work. It doesn't look like they will be coming through Austin anytime soon but they are on tour with Yeasayer and just that fact alone should make you want to check out this band. They've been playing in my stereo non-stop for weeks.

Other tunes that keep playing on and on: Tallest Man on Earth, electrelane, Harlem (new Hippies album) and Local Natives which are coming to Waterloo Records for an in-store show (free) on Friday, April 23rd at 4pm. Get there early if you plan on going.  

Citizen Cope - tonight - SOLD OUT SHOW @ Stubb's

....my (paid) Spring Break begins today after 3pm and I am pretty stoked!


I am starting it off with Citizen Cope tonight at Stubb's. I am amazed that this show is sold out tonight. I have yet to pick up his latest album, Rainwater LP, but according to our receptionist at work, Melissa D, she says it's "great!". I am going to take her word for it. She snagged tickets for the show too.

(Pic by Manuel Nauta  - the great IT guy where I work) 

Besides having a girls weekend with my best friend, here are the other places I plan to be at (a few pre-SXSW stuff).

Friday March 12th: 

Where: Moonshine Patio & Grill - Nokia SXSW Party
Why?  "Free beer and snacks" claims Do512.com

Where: SXSW New Media Boutique Crawl in the 2nd St District
Why?  Great discounts, champagne, goodies, chocolate covered strawberries, some pre-lunch, y mas!

Where: Girls in Tech at Fogo de Chao
Why?  Chat it up with like-minded woman while sharing appetizers and drinks. I am in!

Where: @ Red7 - Hive Awards - RSVP required
Why?  Awarding those unsung internet heroes. This might be interesting and it is right by Stubb's!

Where: @Malverde - "Computer Luv" SXSW Interactive Party
Why?  I love computers and this place is swanky! Its free too, no RSVP required.

There are a few options lined up for us.

Check back tomorrow for tomorrow's schedule!

SXSW Round 4: RSVP for free parties - there are a ton! Dr. Dog, Minus the Bear - all free to go to!

Okay, I am fallen behind in providing you the RSVps that I have been signing up for. So catch up and RSVP to these now!

here is a great website by Austin360 with a breakdown of what day parties are/where, and even links to RSVps. Check it out.

When: Thurs. March 18th 
What: Billions & Ticketfly Presents Fat Crooked Unwound
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Where: The Mohawk
$?: None
What's Promised: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings! + many more!

When: Wed. March 17th & Fri March 19th
What: BD Rileys Music From Ireland
Time: 8pm-1pm on March 17th & 11am-5pm on March 19th
Where: BD Rileys
$?: None
What's Promised: great Ireland bands & probably free beer too. Just show up.

When: Wed. March 17th
What: Terror Bird Media & Force Field 3rd Annual SXSW Day Party
Time: 12pm-6pm
Where: Red 7
$?: None  but show up early - this show will reach capacity fast!
What's Promised: Neon Indian, Real Estate, Oh No Ono, etc

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Full Metal Tx 2010
Time: 12pm-6pm
Where: Emos Main & Emos Jr (right across from Emos on Red River)
$?: RSVP here  but show up early - this show will reach capacity fast!
What's Promised: preview of Black Sabbath & Rush's new DVD, Iron Age, etc & special guests that they won't release til the week of.

When: Sat. March 20th
What: ALTPRESS SXSW Day Party
Time: 12pm-6pm
Where: Emos Main & Emos Jr (right across from Emos on Red River)

$?:  this show will reach capacity fast! Look at the lineup!
What's Promised: Circa Survive, Sum 41, The Rocket Summer... find more here


When: Thurs. March 18th & Fri. March 19th
What: Other Music SXSW Lawn Party
Time: 1pm-7pm
Where: French Legation Museum (802 San Marcos St)

$?:  free and there might be free Magic Hat beer since they are listed as the sponsor
What's Promised: Thurston Moore, The Antlers, etc.

When: Tues. March 16th
What: The Mind of Adi & Couch Professor Ent - Day Party
Time: 8pm-?
Where: Chupacabra

$?: $3 entry w/RSVP at DO 512 website / Free Lonestar
What's Promised: Peter & The Wolf, Car Stereo Wars, The Frontier Brothers, etc. Read flyer

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Consequence of Sound Indie Party
Time: 12pm-7pm
Where: The Compound - East Austin

$?: Free admission & no RSVP required
What's Promised: Surfer Blood, and more - read flyer

When: Wed. March 17th
What: Paste Magazine - Day Party 1

Time: 11:30a-5:30pm
Where: The Galaxy Room - 507 E. 6th (I think its the old Bourbon Rocks place)
$?: Free admission & RSVP required- SHOW UP EARLY - this will be a packed show
What's Promised: Fightened Rabbit, Roxy Erikson & Okkervil River, Roman Candle, Giver, etc

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Paste Magazine - Day Party 2

Time: 11:30a-5:30pm
Where: The Galaxy Room - 507 E. 6th (I think its the old Bourbon Rocks place)
$?: Free admission & RSVP required- SHOW UP EARLY - this will be a packed show

What's Promised: Shearwater, Fanfarlo, The Middle East, etc

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: All Your Friends Are Here - Supply Demand Music Presents - Day Show

Time: 1pm-6pm
Where: Dominican Joes - S. Congress
$?: Free admission & RSVP here- I am excited about this show!

What's Promised: Dosh, Paleo, and more

When: Fri. March 19th
What: Hexadecagon Show w/Octopus Project

Time: Shows at 7:30pm & 9pm
Where: Rooftop at Whole Foods Market - S. Lamar location
$?: Free admission- this show looks awesome!
What's Promised: Octopus Project surrounding an audience of 600 people (that's the max on the rooftop) with 8 speakers & visual performances. I am down! read more about it here

When: Sun. March 14th
What: Buffalo Exchange SXSW Day Party

Time: 12noon - ?

Where: Buffalo Exchange - 2904 Guadalupe St

$?: Free! 
What's Promised: No bands listed at this time but they always have free beer & great local bands.

When: Wed. March 17th & Thurs. March 18th
What: Gigacrate SXSW 2010

Time: 9pm-2am

Where: Beso Cantina -307B W 5th St
$?: Free! RSVP here now!
What's Promised: Bands, bands, and more good bands!

When: Thurs. March 18th
What:Banyan Branch - SXSW Day Party
Time: 3pm-6pm

Where: Max's Wine Dive
$?: Free! RSVP here

What's Promised: Some good bands & probably good drinks!

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Muzzle of Beers - SXSW X MOB Day Party
Time: 11am-5pm

Where: Habana Calle

$?: Free! You gotta email Muzzle of Bees for entry.
What's Promised: Milwaukee's finest indie music! :)

When: Fri. March 19th
What: Gorilla V Bear - SXSW 2010 Mexican Summer

Time: 12pm-7pm

Where: Emos

$?: Free! Show up early, you gotta .
What's Promised: awesome bands - see flyer

When: Thurs. March 18th, Fri. March 19th, and Sat. March 20th
What: Filter Magazine SXSW Day Parties - Showdown at Cedar Street

Time: 1pm-6pm

Where: Cedar Street Courtyard

$?: Free! Show up early, you gotta .Look at the lineup! RSVP
What's Promised: Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Minus the Bear, Mike Snow, and more

SXSW RSVP Round 3 - A few More for Ya to go to

They keep coming and coming

When: Wed. March 17th 
What: IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Where: Emos Annex
$?: None RSVP here now!
What's Promised: Great band lineup & no need for wristbands or badges. You get in free, yo!

When: Tues March 16th
What: From the Mind of Adi and Couch Professor Ent
Time: 8pm - 2am
Where: Chupacabra Cantina
$?: None - you gotta sign up at Do512 as a member before you can RSVP. Its totally worth it because there is a special SXSW edition on events and parties.
What's Promised: An amazing lineup of local and national acts. This will be killer.

When: March 20th 
What: Mr. T & Mrs. T and Rachael Ray's Feedback
Time: 11am - 4pm
Where: Stubb's BBQ
$?: None - you gotta get there early (see flyer)
What's Promised: Last yr I went to the RR party and there were free drinks GALORE & amazing food & pots/pans they were giving away. The line to get in was riduclously long so you will have to get there early, folks! The flyer says "Hot band, hot food, &cold drinks!"

stay tuned...

SXSW RSVP Round 2 - You best be RSVPing if you plan on drinking (free)

 I got more for ya and these invites and RSVPs aren't stopping folks.

Be sure to act fast on these RSVP's or else you won't be getting in and meeting me at these cool parties.
(All are free!)

When: Sat. March 21st
What: Lawyers 4 Musicians party (see flyer above)
Time: 1pm-6pm
Where: Momo's off W 6th Street
$? None - get there early/no wristband needed or badge
Even lawyers can hang out and party hard.

When: Sat March 13th
What: Mellow Johnny's BBQ & party (Lance Armstrong's bike shop)
Time: 2pm - 11pm
Where: Mellow Johnny's 4000 Nueces St
$?: None - bring your bike though! There is an Urban Ride planned! RSVP Mellow Johnnys
Whats promised: BBQ, free bee, and a nice bike ride.

When: Tues. March 16th
What: RxSW Self Medicated Film Expo
Time: Noon to 2am (see flyer below)
Where: The Belmont
$?: None - RSVP to count yourself in
What's promised: 13 hrs of short films from all over the world; No Cover, Cheap drinks

 

When: Thurs March 18th

What: Do It To It 3

Time: 8pm - 2am

Where: Silhouette (718 So Congress)

$?: None - Must RSVP to this email

What's Promised: See flyer & lineup at this link

When: Fri. March 19th

What: Village Voice SXSW Party

Time: 12Noon - 5pm

Where: La Zona Rosa

$?: None - you have to get to this party early for entry! No RSVP link or email

What's promised: Superchunk, the xx, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Surfer Blood

When: Thurs. March 18

What: The Bay Area Takeover 2010

Time: 11:30a - 6pm

Where: Beauty Bar

$?: None - RSVP here now! 

What's Promised: Great bands read line up here

SXSW RSVP Round 1 - 5 parties to RSVP to

So SouthXSouthwest is around the corner and approaching fast. I cannot believe we already made it through 2 days of February!

I have been receiving emails, tweets, texts, and verbal invitations to parties, shows, and free events all over Austin. I wanted to be able to give you a heads up on some of the stuff I have received and make sure you get yourself informed and signed up for these parties.
Now most parties are RSVP only, some aren't, some require you to just show up day/night of, and others have you pick up fancy passes to attend. Either way, click the link, email and/or follow the instructions I give you to get yourself at some of the best and coolest SXSW parties now.  (warning: if you wait til the last minute or week of SXSW these parties will hit capacity and will not allow you entry if you are not on the list).

March 13th 6pm-8pm
Who: Mozilla has a party?! Yes indeed - RSVP here.
Where: @The Cedar Door - 201 Brazos St
$: None - RSVP
What's promised:  Drinks, mingling, and find out what's new for Mozilla this yr. (First 250 guests only allowd entry).
Should I get there early: Yup

March 14th 10pm - 1am
Who: Mashable MashBash SXSWi
Where: @Buffalo Billiards
$: None - You must RSVP to this one. Also, be sure you know who you are taking. They ask for names, Twitter handle, and emails of those attending.
What's promised: This is sponsored by Sony & Cliqset. 3 hour open bar, lost of networking, and even Wi's set up. Lots of prizes too.

March 15th 9pm - 2am
Who: SXSW10 Geeky Beach Party
Where: @Aces Lounge
$: None - RSVP here. As of this post it says Early Bird passes are sold out (which were free) but I will update you on when they release more tickets. They will release more spots too. Aces is huge!
What's promised: Free drinks, swag, and networking with other geeks


March 16th 8pm - 2am
Who: Art Disaster No. 10
Where: @Beauty Bar
$: None but you gotta RSVP and get your name on the list. This show will reach capacity so show up early!
What's promised: Lots of good bands like Sunset, Bright Light Social Hour, and Lachi (and more bands). No word of free drinks.
Here's a flyer for this show:

March 18th 12pm - 7pm Day Show!
Who: Consequence of Sound & Sled Island's SXSW Day Party
Where: @The Compound
$: Just RSVP
What's promised: A nice lineup that is not announced yet.

RSVP if you wanna come hang out at all the cool free parties!