Every year in mid-March, the music industry converges on Austin, Texas for South by Southwest (SXSW), the largest music showcase conference in the world.
The event, taking place this weekend, has grown huge since it started in 1987 to expose new artists to music business players. The conference itself has more than 1,200 acts booked for the official showcases. At least that number come down to play unofficial showcases, often sponsored by a record label, publication, website, booking agent, management company or public relations firm. So the distinction between official and unofficial has become almost as meaningless as the distinction these days between signed and unsigned acts, major labels and indies.
We’ve dug up nearly a dozen artists with a northeast Ohio connection who are playing during SXSW this year. Let us know if we left anyone out. Links provided so you can check them out at home and forgo the 1,200-mile trip to Austin.
We found five artists with a Northeast Ohio connection selected for official showcases: Cloud Nothings, Obnox, Patrick Sweany, Gap Dream, and Dragons of Zynth (a New York-based band fronted by twin brothers from Cleveland).
Cleveland-based sound production/event planning company Belmez Entertainment, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Grog Shop, and Wilbert’s put together the Cleveland Rocks showcase which will feature Attack Cat, Bethesda, The Lighthouse and the Whaler, and Winslow.
Among the showcase sponsors is Cleveland festival Weapons of Mass Creation. While most of the bands on its showcase are from elsewhere (primarily New York), Kent’s Cherry Cola Champions are among the nine bands it’s presenting.
Finally, the industrious Shivering Timbers are going down on their own. They’re making the most of their trip, which is part of a series of out-of-town shows. They’ve booked three unofficial showcases and a house party during their stay in Austin, surrounded by dates in Lubbock, San Antonio, and Houston.
3 Responses to “Northeast Ohio Artists Invade SXSW”
CLEmusic
Dan Miraldi & the Albino Winos are another Cleveland band that have made the trip to Austin and are playing 2 showcases in Austin this week.
Tim
Vanity Crash is also performing at SXSW. You might e familiar with them from their participation in the productions of Hedwig and The Angry Inch, and last year’s Bloody Bloody Jackson.
Tara
Welshly Arms will be there too! Playing March 5th at Opal Divine’s 6th St.