South By Southwest: Epilogue

Andrew WK's set was short (which was forgivable seeing as he started at 4 AM) so by 4:30 everyone was leaving. The room was THRASHED.

Somewhere in there is my vomit.

I accidentally walked out the Band Only exit to find just about every band I had just seen schmoozing with each other. Sam Urbani (old friend/ perpetual run into buddy/ lead singer of Friends), was there too, and I saw her get violently kissed by the dude from Doldrums. The drummers in both Friends and Ganglians lied to me about which bands they were in, and I really tried to creep and talk to Grimes, but, of course, I was being solidly out creeped by Pictureplane, who had her full attention.

I eventually gave up and began the long walk home. People were going out for their morning runs at this point. Eventually I took off my sweat and vomit soaked shirt and the Austin night air felt amazing on my disgusting skin. I took a couple pictures of spots around town as I walked as well, afraid I might not even again get the opportunity.

A porno store I never went into!

A video rental store I went into all the time!

I got to bed at 7: 30 AM.

My whole week of no sleep & beer prized over food came to a head on Saturday, and even though SXSW was still very much going on I took the day & night off, resigning to hang out with a recently arrived Lia Jean, her boyfriend Zach, and their adorable puppy Iowa.

Yo girl!

Iowa!

I did manage to see Mike Venmen again and, with him, went to see my friend Henry play his second solo show ever (I think?) under the name Ultra-Gal & Fantasy Closet. He played bass accompanied by electronics and sang about tacos. It was great. I wish I had some pictures of it. I miss that guy.

All in all SXSW was one of the best weeks of my life, Bar None. I can fully understand why someone who had never experienced Austin would fall in love with it from going to SXSW. I spent approximately $35 the entire week and saw so many bands and had so many wonderful times. It was utterly beautiful. I can't say I miss Austin exactly yet, as their were plenty of very good reasons for me to leave, but I can say with no doubt that I will never forget my time there, or regret my going. It was a hell of a time.