The South By SouthWest music conference started today and runs thru March 16th. It’s the biggest music industry conference in the nation today, featuring over one thousand bands over five days in concerts and showcases all over the Austin Texas area.
Keynote speaker Lou Reed will kick off the 22nd annual SXSW music conference. Should be really interesting to hear this guy. Just about every musician I know has been influenced one way or another by the Velvet Underground and Lou’s music.
The various Panels conducted during the conference are always widely varied and will include some interesting interviews this year with Seymour Stein, Steve Reich, Thurston Moore, Danny Goldberg, Johnny Rivers, Louis Messina, Mick Jones and Tony James, Daryl Hall, Ice Cube and DJ Pooh.
One of the many panels of interest will be one called Boomer Power, which addresses the “lost audience” of baby boomers still buying CD’s. What really caught my eye is one of the moderators on this panel is Bonnie Bramlett, one of classic rock’s royalty. (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends; co-writer of “Superstar.”)
The Official Website: sxsw.com
The Official Blog: 2008.sxsw.com/music
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