WHEELS & DEALS: DECONSTRUCTING AUSTIN

Schmoozing and networking seem to be the big themes this year. Word on the street is that this SXSW is going to be a big one for reaching out and strengthening relationships for industry folks. With all the volatility going on in the biz, many employed and unemployed industry types shared with us that they’ll be utilizing the confab to meet with other execs/companies who may be future employers. Rightfully so, we may be down to three music groups by the end of the year. However, expect to still see scouts to on the hunt for new talent. Of course, you can expect us to be cozying up to some BBQ and tequila.

SOME OF OUR SOUTH-BY PICKS:
Wednesday (3/14):
The ASCAP showcase at the Dirty Dog Bar will feature Bat for Lashes, White Rabbits, To Live and Die in L.A., The Futurists, Audrye Sessions, Zico Chain and Trainwreck Riders. Other acts to check out include Lemon Sun, Dust & Blood, Tally Hall, X-Patriot, Joe Purdy, Sunshine Underground, Automatic and Jaime T.

Thursday (3/15):
BMI’s showcase at Club de Ville will feature Miracle Drug, Hummersqueal, Trances Arc, The Envy Corps, Cage the Elephant, E>K>U>K and Faktion. Other notable acts to check out are Sparklehorse, The Little Ones, Vietnam, Cheeseburger, Cut Off Your Hands, My! Gay! Husband, Peter Walker, Dusty Rhodes & the River Band, The Hedrons and the “M for Montreal” showcase at Maggie Mae’s.

Friday (3/16):
The SESAC showcase at Eternal will feature Flowers Forever, Hymns, Peter and the Wolf, Pela and The Faint. Expect the Faint show to be highly attended, as the band is a free agent. Other acts to check out include Some Records buzz act Earl Greyhound and U.K. buzz act The Pigeon Detectives. And rap legends Public Enemy will bring the noise at the Dew Music Festival at Towne Lake.

Saturday (3/17):
Tokyo Police Club, The Silent Years and Tender Box.

OTHER NEWS YOU NEED:
Aussie rockers Airborne are out of their Capitol Records contract, with a finished album in hand. The former regime at the Tower took the Australian band off the market before any other U.S. label had an opportunity to see them, so here’s a chance to check them out before they get scooped up again… Brooklyn act Foreign Islands is garnering a Big Apple buzz, and L.A.-based the Tender Box have sold over 140k downloads on iTunes. See Buzz/Gigs for show details.

BUZZIN’:
Tres Generaciones, Chinaco y Don Julio, por supuesto… Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ/GIGS:
FOREIGN ISLANDS Thurs., March 15, 9:45 p.m., Beauty Bar Patio
AIRBORNE Fri., March 16, 10:00 p.m., Friends
TENDER BOX Sat., March 17, 6:30 p.m., Apple Bar