WHEELS & DEALS: SOUTH-BY POOP, PUB PAP, BUZZ BANDS

PRE-SPRING BREAK REPORT 2005: Yes, folks. It’s that time again. And we’re not talking about partying ’til you blow chunks or emptying keggers like your spring break days of yore. The South-by-Southwest Music Conference in good ’ol Austin, Texas will be in full effect next week. It’s the time of the year when music-biz folks will meet and partake in some serious alcohol, digest a side of BBQ cow and get hundreds, if not thousands of doses of unsigned talent. The theme we’re hearing this year seems to be yet another UK invasion (i.e. lots of acts from across the pond will be strutting their stuff for industry folks Stateside). But before we delve into our South-by picks, here’s the latest on what’s buzzin’ on the coasts: Lots of chatter surrounding the Reid Hunter/David Prasse-repped act I Nine. The group was discovered by Atlanta knob-twister Rick Beato. The band’s tracks spurred showcase requests and meetings from a number of labels in NYC. The female-fronted group has serious heat from Columbia, Sire, Island Def Jam and Arista. Stay tuned... Big buzz building on the David Surnow/Chris Fudurich-managed The Outline. Seems like the Fudurich-produced demos are perking a lot of weasel ears. At press-time, numerous West-Coast label reps were on the RSVP list for the band’s Key Club show in LA on Tuesday (3/8)... On the pub-a-dub-dub tip, lots of rumor and speculation going on concerning who will take over Les Bider’s spot at Warner/Chappell. Insiders share that the position will more than likely be given to W/C veteran Rick Shoemaker, but is there a potential dark horse pick?... And check out the pub offers on two new artists with major label debuts about to be released. We hear each act is fielding offers in the mid-to-high six-figure range. Whoa! Is one pubco making aggressive moves and driving the numbers up?… Also on the pub scope, buzz is building on Chrysalis Music Publishing artist Cameron Meshell. You may want to reach out to big bad Kenny Mac and street pimp James Cerreta for upcoming showcase details... BACK TO OUR SOUTH-BY PICKS: WED (3/16): Nizpoli at 8pm at Buffalo Billiards, Army of Me at Nuno’s at 10p.m.. ASCAP showcase featuring University, We Are Scientists, America Is Waiting, the Glitterati, Delegate, Burning Bright and Mute Math (see Buzz/Gigs); Smoosh at Maggie Mae’s 10pm; Upwelling at Nuno’s at 11pm… THUR (3/17): Norwegian band Silver at 11:30pm and The Earlies at 12:15am are the acts to see for the BMI’s See It Hear First (See Buzz/Gigs), Be Your Own Pet at La Zona Rosa at 8pm; Vagenius at Lava Lounge at 10pm; M.I.A. at Elysium at 11pm; People in Planes at the Co-Op Bar at 11pm… FRI (3/18): The Ark at The Drink at 11pm; Biffy Clyro at Exodus at 10pm; MewithoutYou at the Vibe at 10pm; Melee at Redrum at 12am; Brazil at the Chuggin’ Monkey at 1am… SAT (3/19): Sara Bereilles at the Lucky Lounge at 2pm; Everyothers at Buffalo Billiards at 8pm; Deportees at 8pm and Moneybrothers at 9pm at The Drink; The M’s at Velvet Spade at 10pm; Armor For Sleep at Redrum at 11pm; the Blood Arm at the Velvet Spade at 1am… And if you want to see what all the buzz is about on Island Def Jam act The Bravery, check 'em out at Exodus at 1am.. We’ll report more next week… BUZZIN’: Shinerbock, the Salt Lick and Sugar’s Uptown Caberet…still an Austin favorite… Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ/GIGS

Film School
Sunday, March 13, 9 p.m., Spaceland, L.A.

ASCAP SXSW SHOWCASE
Wednesday, March 16, time TBD, Hard Rock Cafe, Austin

BMI SXSW SHOWCASE
Thursday, March 17, time TBD, Maggie Mae's, Austin