Okay, we left our story in the midst of a promising journey through
SXSW, a meandering wonderland of hobnobbery and finding our new favorite band.
Alas, the dreaded allergy-induced sinus infection monster put a damper on our story. So all that headroom I built into my schedule for schmooze-time became snooze-time. (See the article
"How to Make the Most of SXSW")
With a careful balance of sleep, fluids, and flagrant abuse of Vitamin C and a
neti pot, I only missed one of my scheduled appearances and even managed to keep my voice in pretty good shape.
WEDNESDAYPrivate brunch event for a venture capital firm. It went well. Easy gig, good pay. Just the way I like it. I was part of a great lineup of Austin musicians including
AJ Vallejo, Zack Baker, and
Ginger Leigh - all with whom I will be playing a show on May 24th at one of my favorite Austin clubs,
The Flamingo Cantina.
Then I sadly had to bail on my photo opp with
The House of Songs (An amazing international songwriting exchange. This made me SO sad, but fever overruled my heart. Actual fever.).
Sleep.
THURSDAY
In the morning, I had the great pleasure of filming a Public Service Announcement for the
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, which provides affordable health care to working musicians. My conspirator was the great and spirited Kevin Russell of
The Gourds. We had a time. Watch out for the PSAs. I'll post them all around my little universe as soon as they're available.
That beautiful evening, I was privileged to perform a few solo acoustic sets to benefit
The Thirst Project, whose is to provide safe, clean water and sanitization to 1 Million people by 2015. We were on the Sky Patio overlooking 6th and Congress, with a great view of south Austin.
It was up on the 26th floor that I met
Zach Anner, who tells his own story best. My newest hero.
What an inspiring day spent with people who are creating positive change in their communities and the world.
FRIDAYI got to spend a little time with
DJ Valida in the middle of her whirlwind schedule of DJing parties, hosting events for LA radio station
KCRW, and various aforementioned hobnobbery, at which I believe she is a master.
Also checked out the day party at
AM Stereophonic recording studio, which was the perfect hill country chill outside of the craziness downtown. And what a gorgeous studio in addition. I caught the early afternoon set of one
Max Gomez from Taos, NM. He was awesome and I loved it!! Perfect for the atmosphere.
In an entirely tangential direction, I was invited this year to be a musician/model at the Style X ("style by") runway show. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN, not least because it gave us musicians a chance to bond in a completely different atmosphere than we're used to. I was there with the guys from
Bright Light Social Hour,
Tje Austin, Matt Sheehy of
Lost Lander (Portland, OR), Bianca from
The Scoundrels (Vegas, baby!), among others. Check us out in hair and makeup...
I even made it into the
Charming Charlie blog!
That's me, in the green jumpsuit. Yes, a green jumpsuit.
That's all I have time for at the moment. The fine double espresso from
Once Over is wearing off and I know better than to have another.
Thanks for tuning in. More soon from our official SXSW Saturday showcase!
xoxo
Erin
(Erin Ivey and Tje Austin)
