Scene and Heard

As an entertainment writer there are only a handful of things that make me happy: live music, tmz and celebrity blogger, Perez Hilton.

The Monitor…meet the Queen of all Media…
Day 3 of SXSW started in the wee hours of the night. Saturday night had a hefty roster of live shows including Ice Cube, The Secret Handshake and The Virgins but MY goal was to crash a certain “private, invite-only” event hosted by the most infamous blogger in cyber space, Perez Hilton. His “One Night in Austin,” according to the  Washington Post was one of the most coveted parties of SXSW and I was determined to be a part of it.
Problem is…as of 1:30 a.m., The Monitor wasn’t on the list.
After a quick discussion at the Library (over a Jaeger Bomb) my crew and I decided we’d go check things out at the Palm Door-just a stones throw away from the madness on 6th Street.
The excitement continued well into the night as far as all the other showcases happening downtown.
We arrived at the Perez party at The Palm Door only to be greeted by a table full of VIP lists and a small army of gatekeepers.
I mosied on over to a section of the parking lot where a big screen teased passerbys of the action inside.
Unbenounced to me… while I’m casting sad eyes to the partygoers inside…my best-friend/photographer Lydia DLG asks, “What are the chances of us getting in?”
About 10 seconds later, we found ourselves inside one of the most happenin’ parties of the week!
No badge, no bracelet, no guest list…just a tiny stroke of luck on our side.
Beneath the neon pink glow of lights and pulsating beats (thanks to DJ Larry Tree on the one’s and two’s) we found ourselves inundated with “industry insiders, artists and typical hangers on” the Washington Post stated.
The spirits flowed like the Rio Grande and a touch of euphoria filled my soul.
Here we were…ready to party like rockstars with one of the most notorious online personalities in the entertainment industry of my generation.
Bodies packed in tightly at the former metal bar (formerly known as Redrum) and there were moments I felt for the herd of party goers stuck at the velvet rope.
The complimentary rum helped me cope.
As stage hands hustled back and forth between sets folks tightened in the main room for the next act.
And then there he was; right before my very eyes.
Perez Hilton.
“Give it up for N.E.R….D!!!”
What the???
Suddenly, the band took the stage shortly followed by the men of the hour, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley.
My knees started a little dance of their own.
After an unforgettable set which included the favorites, “Lapdance,” and “Rockstar” it was difficult to contain the frenzy.
(Not to mention the acts we missed: Katy Perry, Eric Hutchinson and Robyn).
Beads of sweat poured down my face as the night progressed. Pharrell said, “jump”. I said “how high?”
The night now turned into the wee hours of the morning and the rest of my crew was quite posssibly ready to call it a night. Walking out, my best friend and I caught a glimpse of Hilton standing by the far window. This was my cue to get his attention.
I leaped a few inches off the ground, I waved my arms around like a mad woman and I even tried to get his attention by calling his name.
All bearing was lost.
This was Perez Hilton, my hero…this could be my only chance.
The blonde blogger finally acknowledged our efforts and said, “Come on in!!!” Tell them to let everybody in!!!”
He spoke to us!!! (high five)
Again, no badges, no RSVP…we somehow bypassed the check in and ran up the stairs like the crazed fans we are.
Front row Joe.
Suddenly, to my surprise, Cisco Adler (the Malibu-born frontman for WhiteStarr and former Mischa Barton boy toy) leaped on stage flanked by his newest side project, Shwayze.
Perez was off to my right…enjoying the same music…our heads bobbing as if in syncapated beats.
Shwayze gave a short, but unforgettable set (after being forced off due to time constraints) and these guys are definitely something to look out for this year.
Between Perez, Pharrell, Cisco and a brief appearance by 2/3 of Hanson…this party turned into the ultimate culmination of my very first SXSW experience.
Not bad for a first timer.

A quiet Sunday with Josh…
A little birdy told me to be at The Domain, (Austin’s version of Roberston Boulevard) at 5 p.m. for a nice surprise.
Singer/songwriter Josh Kelley (Grey’s Anatomy Katherine Heigl’s new hubby) was set to perform at a private in-store at Cole Haan, co-sponsored by Men’s Vogue.
Count me in.
Complimentary champagne and wine, hors d’oeuvres filled the room along with about a hundred “VIP” guests. (Also spotted in the crowd, Austin DJ Kurupt).
Oh, and my crew.
Up and coming rockers Meridianwest out of Austin warmed up their homecrowd with a quick unplugged set. (Think mid-tempo grooves laced with melodic bluesy rock).
Following their set, it was the moment everyone was waiting for. (Of course in additon to the fact that alot of us were hoping to see “Izzie” emerge from the back room).
No such luck. On with the show…
Wearing a peach colored button up, stone-washed jeans and some rockin’ cowboy boots Kelley took the stage armed with an acoustic guitar and his unexpected sense of humor.
On top of his melodic basement voice and heart-wrenching songs, Kelley cracked jokes, channeled his inner Michael McDonald and gave the full-to-capacity crowd a dose of amazing music.
We pictured what life must be like in the Kelley/Heigl household. Romantic, hilarious and certainly down to earth.
His set included some real tearjerkers (and by tearjerkers I mean a few of us were bawling by the fourth song) off of all four of his albums.
We heard, “Amazing,” “Only You,” “Almost Honest” and my personal favorite, “Two Cups of Coffee.”
If only he could go on forever.
Kelley was nice enough to pose for pictures with fans and chat it up several locals.
I won’t hold it against him for calling me, “shorty.”

Good night and good bye…(for now)
This week would not have been possible without the help of some amazing people. First to my editors at The Monitor for allowing me to spread my wings and soak up this SXSW adventure; my dear friend Lydia De La Garza for her work behind the camera; and David Perez II at Cole Haan for Sunday’s event.
To all my other Austinites (you know who you are)…SXSW 2008 was one for the books!

 See ya next year!!!

What a great Friday!!!
Not only was I surrounded by my best friends and family but a few several thousand other music fans.

(I’m NOT going to sulk about not getting into the Vampire Weekend show at Antone’s OR the fact that the Black Keys rocked it out at a day party at La Zona Rosa…I heard it was a pain the tail to get in anyway. From what I hear alot of the audience at VW were industry folk. Eek. Maybe it’s better I catch them on a regular tour, in the comfort of REAL fans and not wagon jumping brass. I need a sedative). 
My SXSW fun started at Trudy’s Mexican Restaurant where Ice Cube had dined the night before. I was trailing a legend!
With our bellies full we headed downtown for Day 2 of my SXSW excursion.
No set plan really, except to fiind a good day party (preferably with free booze) and excellent live music.
We wandered into Spiro’s where Hot Topic and Rock Band were hosting a pretty poppin’ day party. It was nice to take a break from the 100 degree heat!!!
As far as live music goes, it was deja vu from Thursday at the Relapse Showcase. Except this one was gratis!
Geez.
The next stop was Habana on Calle 6, a trendy Cuban/Mexican cafe and patio restaurant. A good crowd packed in beneath the tent where Grupo Fantasma, Allison, the Aggrolites and Monte Negro treated fans to some spicy, Latin-infused reggae rock!
Did I mention the open bar!?!?
The Aggrolites were electric. Pretty groovin’ with a rockabilly-esque style that really got the crowd goin-everyone forgot about the heat.
Once the open bar expired it was time to move the party patrol down the street once more. We ended up at the Library to regroup and managed to pick up some pretty neat swag courtesy of the Jaeger girls.
Oh look, there’s Joey Duenas, former frontman for Unloco at the bar. A brief chat later I found out the Harlingen native is involved in a new project, A New Revolution. They’re supposed to hit the road with OTEP and plan to release their debut album on April 15.
But onto more pressing issues…
Like getting to the Tone Deaf showcase at the Blind Pig. (I’m sensing a heavy metal bias here, so I promise Saturday will be more diverse). [crosses fingers]
On this bill we were stoked to check out Scale the Summit (Prosthetic) and Weed Eater.
The Scale the Summit boys (and by boys I mean I hope their parents know they’re playing rock band tonight) were a treat. Instrumetal, if you will.
Weed Eater was just plain brutal. Charging riffs and growling vocals took souls captive downfront. As the night progressed, madness ensued.
The Blind Pig never saw it coming. Maybe the Paramore show at La Zona Rosa was a little too G-rated for me…but gosh I really love them too.
These are the decisions we have to make kids.

Saturday night fever…
I’m currently missing a couple of day parties: The Secret Handshake, Ivoryline, etc…etc…
But I’m also RSVPing for the afterhours show later tonight.
Maybe I can still get in to Perez Hilton’s One Night in Austin show at the Palm Door.
Let the stalkarazzing begin.

Ice Cube is also performing tonight.
Today was is a good day. Yay-yayee!

Check back for more SXSW updates.

The suds haven’t quite settled yet, my ears are angry at me and my feet are currently staging a revolt.
But it’s all worth it.
My first day at South by South West Music Festival gave me a round house kick to the kisser…and it’s only just begun.

After a slow start, Thursday, and my 2 ½ hour flight delay at Harlingen airport (thank you Southwest Airlines) I thought, “that’s it, I’m going to miss it all.”
Gulp.
I decided to make good use of my time and saddle up at the airport bar. I knew I had a long day/night ahead of me and I needed to be properly hydrated to battle the masses.

The eagle has landed…
My first order of business was to crash the Metal BBQ downtown…but by the time I flew in the metal mayhem was over and done with as was the Motorhead show earlier in the afternoon.
Rats!
I got over the heartbreak once I arrived downtown and witnessed a sea of sticky, scruffy and tattooed brethren roaming the streets.
Music spilled out of every crevasse…every nook and cranny oozed musical independence. You could feel the ambition. You could see it in their eyes. They are the musicians who want your attention. Whether it was passing out demo’s, holding up signs or staging impromptu jam sessions…this was their (and mine) rock ‘n roll Disneyland.

In the presence of greatness…
As intimidating it is to be at such a world-renknown festival, trying to jot down notes and soak in all of your surroundings to accurately report the goings on…it’s also exciting to rub elbows with hundreds of music journalists who were once like me.
The Los Angeles Times, Kerrang, Filter, MTV…they’ve made their presence known and it’s an honor to be under the same Austin sky as some of these guys and gals.
There’s Matt Pinfield, whom I consider the czar of music journalism. He’s the rock 411. He’s one of the reasons why I got into this type of writing.
I wave. He nods his head. (His latest gig on DirecTV takes him to the epicenter of the festival with live coverage and interviews…but they gotta can that British blondie, Lauren Laverne).
Cisco Adler (Whitestarr) was just in the interview tent.

South by SouthSweat…
My mission for Thursday was to check out the annual Relapse Records showcase at the Emo’s Annex on Red River.
This showcase, the label’s 10th consecutive at SXSW, welcomed High on Fire, Genghis Tron, Coliseum, Vverevvolf Grehv and Municipal Waste.
First lesson learned: don’t leave a showcase if you don’t want to wait an hour to get back in (damn you badge holders)!!!
Electro-death outfit, Genghis Tron blew me away. As I watched from outside (cause we’re STILL in line) I soaked in each drop of metal.
Thank goodness for open-air shows.
I’m quite angry at Relapse, but the line shortens and moves faster…whew.
We’re in…and just in time for Municipal Waste.
I grabbed a Miller High Life (because it was way cheaper) and squeezed my way towards the front half of the tent.
Right out the gate this crossover thrash act out of Richmond, VA zapped the crowd of screaming metalheads back in time. When thrash ruled the world.
Now this isn’t your daddy’s thrash. It’s a breath of fresh air, er, debauchery, beer and flying bodies.
It was like Suicidal Tendencies on crank.
I don’t know if it was the beer-bonging wizard or the guy crowd surfing inside a trash can that won me over.
No one was safe from the ‘Beer Pressure’!!!
After that set I don’t know if I could physically continue. But I had to…High on Fire was about to kick my rear end.
With a nine-string custom guitar, frontman Matt Pike fingerpicked his way into the fan’s hearts.
They opened the show with, “Waste of Demons,” double bass in full force followed by a wall of sound that I really didn’t expect. It’s a three-piece for goodness sakes.
Fierce.
In addition to SXSW the California metallers will embark on Gigantour 2008 featuring Megadeth, In Flames, Children of Bodom and Job for a Cowboy.

But tonight, was for us…and was one helluva show.

Goodnight kids…
After (literally) bumping into the guys of Augustana on our way to the car…I knew this was going to be one of the best weekends in a long time.

Catch more updates and video throughout the weekend right here at Scene and Heard.
Check out Day 1 of SXSW…

Cheers!