Jake Shimabukuro was the only Hawaii artist showcased at South by Southwest this year. Organizers are encouraging Hawaii-based musicians to apply for 2013. (Courtesy photo)
BY ELIZABETH KIESZKOWSKI / ekieszkowski@staradvertiser.com
South by Southwest, an annual festival of music, film and interactive networking that brings hordes of artists, journalists and industry types from around the world to Austin, Tex. each spring, has put a call out to Hawaii musicians. The fest, more commonly known as ?Southby? or SXSW, is is accepting music applications now for the next SXSW?Music Festival, set for March 12-17, 2013.
Only one Hawaii act was part of the official music program at SXSW this year. Next year, the fest?s organizers would like to showcase more Hawaii-based acts.
?A?lot of the reason we don?t have as many Hawaii acts is that they just don?t apply,? said Phil Tripp, the SXSW liaison for musical acts in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. ?But what Hawaii has is a great undercurrent of music that is not Hawaiian, that is not slack key, that is not hula.?
While Tripp said bands such as Hapa that incorporate indigenous island sounds have been well-received at the festival, SXSW may be the most comfortable fit for bands working in genres with a strong national following, including the gentle rock of Jack Johnson and poppy punk of the Throwdowns.
Hip-hop artists also made a strong showing at SXSW in 2012, with Jay-Z?s highly hyped appearance at the festival leading the way.
The Throwdowns could appeal to the music fans and media who take over Austin, Tex. during SXSW each spring. (Star-Advertiser File)
Tripp invited Johnson and the Throwdowns to consider participating at SXSW this year. He said he?d welcome the presence of Johnson as a high-profile, highly popular representative of Hawaii?s musical community.
?Who knows, maybe Bruno Mars will appear this year!? Tripp said. ?Stranger things have happened.?
Nov. 7 is the deadline for submitting an application to be showcased at the festival. To apply, go to the South by Southwest website or Sonicbids.com.
With an application fee of $40, acts can create a Sonicbids electronic press kit, which allows them to share their music, bios and photos online. The Sonicbids package ? also used to send EPKs to concert venues and festivals ? is available to musical applicants for six months.
?It takes money, certainly, because you have to buy your own ticket,??Tripp said, acknowledging that costs and scheduling can be hurdles. But ?if you?re a musician and you want to succeed, SXSW is an ideal site for you.?
Tripp, a U.S.-born former music manager who now lives in Australia, said 40 bands from Australia traveled to Austin for the 2012 music festival. More than 250 applied, and 70 were accepted.
The situation for Australian musicians is comparable to that of musicians in Hawaii, Tripp said.
?We can?t make it just on our own country?s options.?
ACTS ACCEPTED to SXSW will receive a cash payment or festival wristbands, but they will be responsible for their own transportation and housing in Austin.
If accepted, Tripp advises musicians to keep up the hustle, networking with other bands to appear on their bill and joining the lineup for parties during the fest. Honolulu rock and ska band Pimpbot worked SXSW in 2010 and ended up bagging gigs in Guam and Japan via?Armed Forces Entertainment.
?Sometimes the craziest things work,? Tripp said. In 2009, Maui recording artist Anuhea Jenkins? manager, Warren Wyatt, set up a Hawaiian-themed booth at the SXSW trade show where Anuhea performed. Other acts from Hawaii also gravitated to the booth, including John Cruz, who ?played his heart out? at several locations, Tripp said, and collected a number of national contacts in return.
?A thousand members of the media will be there, looking for the next new thing ? someone to champion,? he said. ?We?re looking for them too, because we thrive on their success.?
Last week, SXSW announced its first round of confirmed panels for the film portion of its programming. Filmmakers can submit features ($60), shorts or videos ($40) or title sequences ($10) at sxsw.com/film/screenings/submit. From Nov. 1 until the final deadline on Nov. 15, costs are $15 to $100.
Most presenters at the SXSW?Interactive sessions, which takes place from March 8 through March 12, have been chosen. Confirmed presenters include David Carr of the New York Times, who integrates a blog and frequent video reports into his work; Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist; and Chuck Lorre, writer/producer of th CBS sitcom ?Two and a Half Men.??See the full lineup at sxsw.com/interactive.
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Elizabeth Kieszkowski is editor of TGIF, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser?s weekly arts and entertainment section. Reach her via email at ekieszkowski@staradvertiser.com or follow her on Twitter.
Source: http://www.honolulupulse.com/music/sxsw-seeks-hawaii-musicians
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