SXSW Part II

03.24.05

I leave for Paris in a few hours, but before I get all my junk together I wanted to share the last of my SXSW story. Friday night Surferosa played at the Drink on Sixth Street for Nordic Night- The Crash (Jackson 5-inspired power pop), The Ark (annoyingly camp), and some other crappy folk band were also on the bill. If you read my diary, you know that I have high hopes for Surferosa, and anyone who has seen them live should know why. I was thrilled to see the Drink packed by the time Surferosa hit the stage, and everyone in the audience was totally in awe of Mariann. With the stage located right in front of the entrance, you could see crowds of passers-by and photographers lining up at the windows to get their shots.

After the gig Alyssa and I loaded up on Red Bull and Vodka (so good the night-of, so bad the day-after) and hung out with the 'Rosa crew. Included in that crew was Mark, his wife Laura, and their daughter Darcy- a Texan family who were hosting Surferosa at their home 30 minutes outside of downtown Austin. I can't remember exactly how they hooked up this deal, but somehow during SXSW Austin folks can host international bands at their home in exchange for free badges (meaning you can get into all the expos, events for free). Mark said that he was throwing a big barbecue at his place on Saturday evening, and invited us along. We had plans to see Kings Of Convenience and Phoenix at Antone's that night, but it soon became clear that we could see those bands anytime. But when would we ever get to experience a real Texan barbecue?!

When we arrived at Mark and Laura's, we knew we had made the right decision. A local cover band was rocking out to Alice In Chains on a stage set up on the tennis court, brisket and chicken and pork and ribs were cooking on the barbecue, coolers were loaded with beer, and everyone was heading towards total intoxication. Surferosa were well drunk by the time they played their set (and what a show it was!) and next thing I know Alyssa and I are up in Mariann's room changing into bikinis to join a huge crowd hanging out in the hot tub. I think there were about 15 people packed in the tub- some Danish and Norwegian sound engineers, Texan teenagers, Surferosa, and some friends of Mark and Laura's. These two young girls started getting very flirty with everyone, and they were more than happy to give us all a little peep show. Very Girls Gone Wild. I remember thinking- this is the greatest night ever. I was in Texas- in a hot tub with a beer, between a couple that was totally going at it and this nice guy from Oslo, the Killers blasting on the stereo. What an adventure. Time for more!

Sheila

Photos: clockwise from left- the nice guy from Oslo, Mariann, and Ziggy @ the barbecue, Marian onstage @ the Drink, Alyssa @ the Nylon party after getting her free makeup done by MAC.

Posted by Sheila at 10:48 AM