You know the drill. IN SHORT is our monthly hodgepodge selection of stuff we think’s worth mentioning… sometimes it’s about music, sometimes not. This month, it’s about live music (what’s that? We kid, we kid), the interwebs, sort of:
SxSW Interactive, Film & Music Festival
Every year it seems someone is always questioning the validity of music conferences. And for good reason. Mostly they suck. The music panels especially. A bunch of know-it-alls who live at 30,000 feet and just like to hear the sound of their own voices — seemingly never doling out any practical, useful advice. Sadly, the music panels at SxSW are generally no exception. But now that I’ve started going to the Interactive portion of the festival beforehand, I could care less.
SxSW Interactive, that’s where you actually learn things. And generally, there’s less drinking (then during SxSW Music) which makes for better brainwork. You remember people’s names. Business cards actually find their way into your suitcase. You take notes. You have ideas.
Then, a funny sort of phenomenon starts to happen as the week wears on and Interactive flows into Music (Film is supposed to be the bridge but really, who goes?). Less green vegetables. Less sleep. Longer nights. The hotel staff now knows you by first name. Instead of sitting at panels you’re standing all day shows. But your attention span is shot and your smart phone is blowing up. Plus, your feet hurt.
Fun stuff. But in the end, I’m there to work. Every second of every waking moment, networking my little hiny off with the hopes that some of it will somehow pay forward and help make this crazy ride we’re on stick (even I don’t exactly know what that means but I’m leaving it in). Fingers crossed.
The best part: gazing out at an endless sea of head-bobbing, balding-with-ponytail, over-40 grown-up heads, collectively getting their badass rock ‘n roll groove right on.
Who says we old farts don’t rock? In Austin, we sure as hell do.
That said, here’s to seeing you at our showcase (a production of THE iNSIDERS NETWORK). If you’re in Austin, do drop on by. Those free beers I’m always threatening to buy you guys? Come and get ‘em.
Thursday, March 18, 12 PM-5 PM, 204 E. 6th St. (BD Riley’s)
12:00-12:35 They Were Stars
12:50-1:25 Seth Glier
1:40-2:15 Robert Deeble
2:30-3:05 Michael Miller
3:20-3:55 Steve Poltz
4:10-4:45 Roman Candle
Yeeeeeeehaw.
Tags: IN SHORT, Michael Miller, Robert Deeble, Roman Candle, Seth Glier, Steve Poltz, SxSW, THE iNSIDERS NETWORK, They Were Stars —
You know the drill. IN SHORT is our monthly hodgepodge selection of stuff we think’s worth mentioning… sometimes it’s about music, sometimes not. This month, three videos that have been forwarded our way multiple times — we got the hint 
. So here goes, one to make you laugh, one to make you ooo and ahh, one to perk your interest about the seedy inner insides of the music industry.
1. Bohemian Rhapsody, The Muppets
Come on, I had you at Muppets. 60 seconds or so in… wait for it. Mama? (Animal).
2. Don’t Stop Believing, Nick Pitera (five of him)
Apparently this is a Glee cover (the TV show which I’m proud to say I don’t watch — although I certainly do watch a lot of cheesy TV). This, for sure, is cheesy but dammit it’s also cool.
3. Golden Days, The Damnwells
Yes, I’ve given this band of ridiculous amount of airtime. But finally, the documentary movie that Chris Suchorsky put together is available. The film follows the story as the band lands their major label record deal and then gets completely hosed by the machine (Epic), as does happen. It’s been around the film festival circuit, even nabbing best documentary in Phoenix a couple of years back. Now, the DVD is available (naturally, Epic delayed the process). If you don’t want to drop the cash, add them to your queue on Netflix, they are officially listed although the release on Netflix, still TBD. It’s a damn (ehem) fine little film.
xo
1/18/10 | Comments (3)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, IN SHORT, KATE BRADLEY, muppets, nick pitera, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, The Damnwells —
Generally, we stick to music here on the OUTLANDOS blog. But once a month, we digress. The idea being that if we share the same taste in music, we likely share the same taste in other stuff, lifestyle stuff. It’s kind of like what we do with THE DAILY DOSE; by associating music with “other stuff” — in this case wine and cheese — it adds a greater value to the music, an expanded aesthetic experience. So that’s the theme for IN SHORT, monthly recommendations of “other stuff” that we think you’ll like, will perk your interest or at the very least make you chuckle. Hence, a review of 2009, the Top Five:
1. Fans
It’s a recurring theme around OUTLANDOS HQ, not only the power of fans but also what to do with it (more on that next week). But for now, just again touching on the idea that We can help.
2. Boxed Wine
Been trying it out this year and I can honestly tell you, it’s not bad. As in, good. Especially for a table wine around the house. And both cheaper and environmentally more friendly with 4 to 6 bottles of wine condensed into one box. Less waste. Black Box is our current fave, if you can find it.
3. Razor Saver
Yes, you can actually sharpen the razor blades you shave with instead of plunking down 20 or so bucks for new ones. It saves a ton of money and it’s environmentally friendly. I bought mine about 3 years ago and I think I’ve purchased a total of 20 blades since… and I mean individual blades, like a couple of 10 packs. It’s totally awesome, idiot-proof and it’s $12. Everyone needs one of these.
4. Breakfast at Sulimay’s
It’s bunch of older folks reviewing new music, most of which is alternative. They are insightful and at the same time hilarious. You will pee your pants. You likely also go and buy some of the stuff they recommend.
5. Autotune the News
The only way to get your news. These guys compile a montage of current stories and autotune the voices so it’s kind of like CNN meets Broadway meets Cher. Ridiculously brilliant.
xo
12/22/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, IN SHORT, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
You know the drill. In Short this week at Outlandos focusing on, surprise surprise, thanks.
For most of us, it’s easy to remember the big things: life, health, happiness, friends and family, the end of Oprah, leftover turkey sandwiches. But then there’s the day-to-day and the people who help us retain basic sanity.
So I’m going to get all touchy-feely on you. Take a moment to thank the people who work with/for you. From your postman to your VP. Without them, you’d likely be screwed.
1. Interns
I don’t know what I’d do without them. These guys do all kinds of banal stuff for me and in exchange, I pledge to give them as many free concert tickets as I can and someday plan to write them a recommendation that hopefully lands them their dream job. Mostly, I tell them how friggin spectacular they are ad nauseam. John, Jay, Elijah: I can’t thank you enough. I’m incredibly fortunate to have you on the team and am grateful every single day for the outstanding work you do. Without you, I would most certainly lose my mind (even more). I owe you like, forever.
2. Partners
People helping people. Oh boy, I told you, it’s like I’m my own Oprah. But seriously, we’re all stronger together. So it only makes sense to partner up with people who get it. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. It’s all in good faith and Outlandos has some amazing partners. In part because we’re such glass-half-full, anything’s-possible, nothing-to-lose folks. Frankly, I’m amazed at the number of people who reach out, wanting to help. More amazed at the people I reach out to who accept. As they say, all opportunities are opportunities. Interested? E-mail me.
3. Fans
That’s you. You forward our blogs, you share us on Facebook, you refer potential clients, you listen to The Daily Dose, you read our newsletters, you send us supportive e-mails. Every little bit helps. And on those days where we don’t know what the hell we’re doing, you ground us. By us, I mean me. So I thank you. If I had a dollar for every thing you’ve done, well, I’d probably hire someone to redesign The Daily Dose. But then I’d buy you each a beer.
Happy Thanksgiving.
xo
11/23/09 | Comments (5)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Fans, IN SHORT, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
First things first, exclusive Donald Passman interview posted here next week! Sweet.
Meanwhile… you know the drill but as a reminder, In Short is our “tribal” feature here at Outlandos HQ. Meaning that, chances are if we share the same taste in music, we share the same taste in other random stuff — lifestyle stuff. And by lifestyle, we mean drinking, bouncing or jumping up and down on the stairs for the fun of it. All in a day’s work, so to speak.
1. Boxed Wine
Recently dabbling in it. After all, 4 to 6 bottles of wine for the price of one. Wine not? Apparently, boxed wine sales across the board increase 30% this year thanks to ye old recession. Our new fave is Black Box. Our least:
2. It’s a Bird. It’s a Plane. It’s a Dude on a Rubber Ball.
Whoa. You might miss it the first time, keep your eyes near the upper right. Kind of makes you want to go out and try it. Or pull a Halpert:
3. Volkswagen Clues into Tribes
Sort of. Sneaky of them to sponsor something where it’s cool by association. Certainly smart. If only lawnmowers had music boxes:
xo
10/26/09 | Comments (1)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, IN SHORT, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Seth Godin, Tribes —
