IVANA CHECKS IN WITH
A SXSW UPDATE

Today's rain has given me a much-needed excuse to spend more than five consecutive minutes in my room. Just saw Island execs L.A. Reid, Steve Bartels, Rob Stevenson and others at breakfast, while Lance Armstrong and Lyle Lovett held court at another table.

Last night's Arctic Monkeys show at La Zona Rosa was mayhem, and clearly proved the buzz is based on fact—they're amazing! Lots of A&R weasel action and PoMo radio's brightest stars were in attendance. Was that Daniel Glass and son Sean in the "pit" at the show?

Following my annual pre-panel anxiety attack, the 6th edition of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (i.e. what artists need to know before their record comes out) went as well as I could've hoped. Matador's Gerard Cosloy provided compelling insights (he should've moderated!), as did Spoon's Britt Daniel, Morningwood's Pedro Yanowitz, Matthew Sweet, AOL's Jack Isquith, KROX PD (and my hero) Lynn Barstow and b23 Management's Brandon Schmidt.

I haven't had more than breakfast since I arrived. After greeting Richard Grabel at Fred Davis' soiree on Thursday night (which drew every industry heavy hitter), I rushed over to Town Lake to see Spoon play in front of 10,000 fans, fresh from winning FIVE Austin Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Album of the Year (for Gimme Fiction), Song of the Year (for "I Turn My Camera On"), Best Rock Band, as well as being added into the Austin Music "Hall of Fame"! Well-deserved, in my completely objective opinion!

Merge Records owner Mac and I went to see Morrissey at the Austin Music Hall after the Spoon show. Every young band could learn a thing or two about star presence from the Moz, who enthralled the packed room with classics both new and old. Some of my favorite Sanctuary-ians were there to hug: Merck, Drew Murray, Mark Chotiner and Alex Valentine.

Stayed til Morrissey sang "How Soon is Now" before catching the set by Lexington, KY's Parlour Boys, who were fantastic (imagine WMA's Kirk Sommer fronting The Killers!), then hoofing it across town to see Chris Stamey, who remains one of my favorite songwriters of all time. Said hi and then raced to the other side of 6th St. to see Wind-up band People in Planes. Another great band!

Off to see The Sounds at Emo's now. Tonight's musical agenda includes The Southland, Damone, Morningwood, Superchunk and Andy Pratt. I'll be the one yelling for "Avenging Annie." See ya.