Do these bands know they can book a gig at Ruby Tuesday once a year by themselves?

Nothing like playing in a record store 15 blocks north of 6th St. in Austin at 2pm on Wednesday.

I talked to the organizers about it. They're good people who work hard at playing music.

They're not trying to rip anyone off, or take advantage of anyone. I think they're just trying to sidestep the process of actually being asked to formally play SXSW.

In a way, it's clever and resourceful. But in a way, creating a day just for Columbus bands, that's not formally a part of the fest really cuts down on the whole networking that might typically be associated with playing a show sandwiched between bands from all over. Plus, I think it's better to be put alongside other buzz bands from the nation, rather than next to whatever Columbus band can afford to travel for the week.

And I'm pretty sure most people frown upon the kid who gets upset he wasn't invited to the big party, so he throws his own party right next door. That party is usually kind of sad.

HOWEVER...it may just be different enough and clever enough that it gets a bit of noteriety, and maybe a little press. It's really pretty aggressive. So, I definitely wish them well.

It's in no way "clever."

To add one more thing, I think the thing that bothers me the most about it, is that there's completely a chance that 98% of the bands who participate could be Columbus' B or C level bands.

If an outing like this can only send our second or third stringers who are less memorable, less aritistic and less original, then it doesn't really help anyone to be there at all.

You end up with a roster of bands who aren't on a level to be exposed nationally, and anyone who attends could easily assume that Columbus has a yawn-worthy music scene.

who's payin'?

Ive been helping out with this recently, and don't think its a bad idea at all. Its ambitious and a great opportunity for any one that goes down to this event. Official or unofficial, Austin will be infested with all the right people that might walk into that venue. The worst out come of this is that 13 bands go down to sxsw and have a great time playing a set and then checkin out a kick ass city when its offering more music than any where else in the world.

As for the bands going down...

Karate Coyote
Town Monster
Floorwalkers
Andy Shaw Band
Joey Hebdo
and a few more that I am not thinking of at the moment.

So you can be negative towards the effort, or supportive and happy for the bands trying to get there band name out to the world. Lots more bands are going down to Austin independently to play house shows or unofficial showcases. This is just taking it up to another level.

We are farmers...bom bom bom bom bom bom

there's a fair amount or internet animosity towards this band

also i need a ride to sxsw

.

To be fair - I think the organizers made it pretty clear that they are not part of the main SXSW event. To imply that they are somehow tricking people into going is a bit of a reach... (Nobody's forcing the bands to go). Also, i don't think anyone here should be leveling charges against anyone else about being a limited group giving the appearance of representing Columbus as a whole - this charge is basically leveled by everyone against some group in Columbus, given how fractured the music community in Columbus is. (A lot of the collectives and whatnot were started specifically because they thought that certain ... outlets ... were not representing Columbus as whole - so they went off and did their own thing)

A question that I have - Why not be happy for them, instead of being so sure that they have bad intentions? Or - if DW thinks it's wiser that they be included somehow, then why not offer your services to them and help them out? Don't get me wrong - There are some things that confuse me about the event - but the reaction here i think is just about as baffling.