While attempting to avoid getting any writing done today, I discovered that there are 125 one-star reviews of “Trout Mask Replica” on Amazon. (And then I read them.)
“12:45 A.M.: My Twitter feed right now consists entirely of dispatches from otherwise sensible friends who have come all the way to Austin to attend heavily hyped “secret gigs” by aging A-listers who are shamelessly utilizing SXSW as their own personal bottle of Grecian Formula. Look—I love Prince. I like Justin Timberlake. I tolerate Billy Corgan. But at this moment, in this place, these people are parasites and I refuse to enable them. They are draining audience members and media attention away from thousands of artists here who desperately need both. I find many aspects of SXSW absurd, but I want it to thrive, and the ever-increasing presence of established superstars is a serious threat to its biodiversity. End of sermon.” —
— The legendary @Discographies vents as part of said person’s SXSW coverage. (via nedraggett)
Some sets @discographies also attended: (tried to see but missed set time for) Kendrick Lamar, Nick Cave, a Warner Bros. showcase, a Paul Oakenfold d.j. set.
(via jessicasuarez)
Jessica,
I never said: “don’t go to showcases by artists who record for major labels.” I merely stated—rather clearly, I thought—that the accelerating trend of superstars using SXSW as a promo tool takes audiences and potential media exposure away from the non-superstars that the festival was designed to showcase in the first place.
Since you, an MTV employee, appear to believe that my having attended a Paul Oakenfold DJ set, a Warner showcase and a Nick Cave Q&A has compromised my ability to speak on these issues, perhaps some context is in order. Here is a list of every act I saw at SXSW from Tuesday afternoon through Saturday evening:
There might be half a dozen artists on that list who are signed to major labels in 2013.
I saw nine performances on Saturday night. If I had attended the Justin Timberlake gig, I would have seen…Justin Timberlake. That’s a serious opportunity cost. Which is kind of my point.
(via jessicasuarez)
“12:45 A.M.: My Twitter feed right now consists entirely of dispatches from otherwise sensible friends who have come all the way to Austin to attend heavily hyped “secret gigs” by aging A-listers who are shamelessly utilizing SXSW as their own personal bottle of Grecian Formula. Look—I love Prince. I like Justin Timberlake. I tolerate Billy Corgan. But at this moment, in this place, these people are parasites and I refuse to enable them. They are draining audience members and media attention away from thousands of artists here who desperately need both. I find many aspects of SXSW absurd, but I want it to thrive, and the ever-increasing presence of established superstars is a serious threat to its biodiversity. End of sermon.” — The legendary @Discographies vents as part of said person’s SXSW coverage. (via nedraggett)
So I went to SXSW…
…and I wrote this diary:
Yes, I’m going back to SXSW.
“Why are we letting geek-defined Darwinism (and the destructive hypercapitalism that comes with it) take over every goddamn aspect of culture?” — @maura, of course.
Excerpt from work in progress.
Excerpt from work in progress.
Excerpt from work in progress.