Sol... On NatiVe Ground!

Mar 29
Mar 25

Traveling from California to New Mexico, through Arizona to Texas we quickly became aware of the drier climate and increasingly greasier cuisine. With a van full of misfits ranging from 3 to 35 years old, including a pair of teen beats, we headed to Austin, the home of SXSW (South by South West), a 2 week long festival that showcases innovations in music, film, and technology. From March 16-20 we joined the Austin community in celebrating their 25th year of welcoming independent artists and other creative folks from around the world, attracting thousands of conference attendees and bringing millions in revenue to the city.

Armed with two press passes, 10 crew members, one case of Guayaki Mate and an IPhone we headed through the desert to find out what was happening in the South West, On Native Ground. Once we hit the desert and the poisnous snakes signs appeared, we knew we weren’t in Cali anymore. One of our first stops was on Apache land (Arizona) where according to state historical signs, Geronimo and Cochise both fought to preserve their culture against an “influx of Anglo-American settlers”. Apparently, illegal immigration has been a problem in Arizona for a long time.

There is no doubt that SXSW attracts an eclectic group of creative people from around the world. You find yourself dodging musicians, film makers, producers, techies, and all other types of right-brainers while maneuvering the ridiculously crowed 6th Street. 6th and Congress streets host the bulk of the festivities with a variety of clubs, restaurants, stores, and parking lots turned outdoor performance venues. The official conference workshops that focus on music, film, and interactive technology are held at the Austin Convention Center. The passes/wristband to attend the conference and sponsored events throughout the city will cost from $150 if you are an Austin resident to $900 for non residents to gain all access Platinum status. Whatever pass you have one thing is certain, you will have to know how to navigate via Map, GPS, or intuition to find the thousands of performances spread throughout the city. For those who attend on a budget, or like to “whoride” on the dream, there are just as many if not more creative adventures to get into. From spontaneous free-style rhyme sessions in the streets to hundreds of unofficial performances, you will be sure to get yours! In and around the vicinity of East 6th Street is the place to be for an even more independent, down to earth experience. Treasures such as Switched On, a small store that specializes in the sale and repair of vintage analog synths and drum machines and the Trailer Park, a parking lot which houses some of the yummiest mobile food including vegan and desert options, were among the many surprises as we wandered the streets in search of fun and adventure. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the craziness in the streets or distracted by the cupcake truck or school bus surrounded by youngsters with the rock band playing inside, but somehow we managed to find our way to see Chico Mann at the Wax Poetics party. Chico Mann is an audio treat whose music simply gets your mind right and keeps your heart open (as well as make one “act a fool” on the dance floor). Marcos Garcia, the man behind the avatar is a former member of Antibalas,afro-beat legends based in Brooklyn. The rhythms of his Cuban upbringing and New Jersey street stomping are heard through his Casio Keyboards and drum machines. If you don’t already know about him, find out! He is currently working on a new album that he says will be a blend of his older recorded material and live performances. He is scheduled to return to California in early May. Keep your ear on the streets!
Mar 24

There is no doubt that SXSW attracts an eclectic group of creative people from around the world. You find yourself dodging musicians, film makers, producers, techies, and all other types of right-brainers while maneuvering the ridiculously crowed 6th Street. 6th and Congress streets host the bulk of the festivities with a variety of clubs, restaurants, stores, and parking lots turned outdoor performance venues.

The official conference workshops that focus on music, film, and interactive technology are held at the Austin Convention Center. The passes/wristband to attend the conference and sponsored events throughout the city will cost from $150 if you are an Austin resident to $900 for non residents to gain all access Platinum status. Whatever pass you have one thing is certain, you will have to know how to navigate via Map, GPS, or intuition to find the thousands of performances spread throughout the city. For those who attend on a budget, or like to “whoride” on the dream, there are just as many if not more creative adventures to get into. From spontaneous free-style rhyme sessions in the streets to hundreds of unofficial performances, you will be sure to get yours!

In and around the vicinity of East 6th Street is the place to be for an even more independent, down to earth experience. Treasures such as Switched On, a small store that specializes in the sale and repair of vintage analog synths and drum machines and the Trailer Park, a parking lot which houses some of the yummiest mobile food including vegan and desert options, were among the many surprises as we wandered the streets in search of fun and adventure.


It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the craziness in the streets or distracted by the cupcake truck or school bus surrounded by youngsters with the rock band playing inside, but somehow we managed to find our way to see Chico Mann at the Wax Poetics party. Chico Mann is an audio treat whose music simply gets your mind right and keeps your heart open (as well as make one “act a fool” on the dance floor). Marcos Garcia, the man behind the avatar is a former member of Antibalas,afro-beat legends based in Brooklyn. The rhythms of his Cuban upbringing and New Jersey street stomping are heard through his Casio Keyboards and drum machines. If you don’t already know about him, find out! He is currently working on a new album that he says will be a blend of his older recorded material and live performances. He is scheduled to return to California in early May. Keep your ear on the streets!

One of the liveliest parties in town was the ReMezcla party. ReMezcla is a blog, turned electronic anthropological study of all things Latino/a. Their party featured some of the most innovative artists, beat makers, and DJ’s who are developing a culturally distinct sound that has been called many things including tropical bass, ghetto bass, or our personal favorite, world hood. A sound that takes traditional and electronic sounds and turns them into an instant dance party/fiesta! Mexicans with Guns, aka Ernest Gonzalez was in the house killing the crowd with an arsenal of beat machines. Also in the the place to be was Moombathon Massive, Dj Dus, Toy Selectah, and Sonora dropping fire with the amazing Zuzuka Poderosa following it up with thunder. All of these artists have been making noise from Toy Selectah being signed to Mad Decent to Moombathon invading most electronic music blogs. This crew has been reppin’ hard, simutaneously developing a genre that is rooted in their culture, all from different cities and with diverse accents. It was amazing to catch then under one “lit up” roof. I overheard Zuzuka say , “it’s like a family reunion”. Another crew that knows how to set it off is Mad Decent. Their party reached capacity early on with nothing but breathing room inside. Loyal fans crowded together in the humid club while Brodinski got things jumping. Literally I was knocked in the head a few times. The venue’s security expected chaos after it was announced that headliner Dj/Producer Diplo was arrested for jaywalking, but the crowd dispersed dazed and confused. Half an hour later Diplo was seen walking up, Mac laptop in hand, ready to rock. He is pictured to the left with Brodinski, a free man on the streets of Austin. Overall SXSW is now a blur of art in the streets, loud music, excited people, scattered hip bikes and mobile food trucks. We’re ready to do it again next year, as this is one of those festivals that can only get better as you gain an understanding of the schedule, promotional hustle, and Austin’s downtown grid. On Native Ground!
Mar 24

One of the liveliest parties in town was the ReMezcla party. ReMezcla is a blog, turned electronic anthropological study of all things Latino/a. Their party featured some of the most innovative artists, beat makers, and DJ’s who are developing a culturally distinct sound that has been called many things including tropical bass, ghetto bass, or our personal favorite, world hood. A sound that takes traditional and electronic sounds and turns them into an instant dance party/fiesta! Mexicans with Guns, aka Ernest Gonzalez was in the house killing the crowd with an arsenal of beat machines. Also in the the place to be was Moombathon Massive, Dj Dus, Toy Selectah, and Sonora dropping fire with the amazing Zuzuka Poderosa following it up with thunder. All of these artists have been making noise from Toy Selectah being signed to Mad Decent to Moombathon invading most electronic music blogs. This crew has been reppin’ hard, simutaneously developing a genre that is rooted in their culture, all from different cities and with diverse accents. It was amazing to catch then under one “lit up” roof. I overheard Zuzuka say , “it’s like a family reunion”.

Another crew that knows how to set it off is Mad Decent. Their party reached capacity early on with nothing but breathing room inside. Loyal fans crowded together in the humid club while Brodinski got things jumping. Literally I was knocked in the head a few times. The venue’s security expected chaos after it was announced that headliner Dj/Producer Diplo was arrested for jaywalking, but the crowd dispersed dazed and confused. Half an hour later Diplo was seen walking up, Mac laptop in hand, ready to rock. He is pictured to the left with Brodinski, a free man on the streets of Austin.

Overall SXSW is now a blur of art in the streets, loud music, excited people, scattered hip bikes and mobile food trucks. We’re ready to do it again next year, as this is one of those festivals that can only get better as you gain an understanding of the schedule, promotional hustle, and Austin’s downtown grid. On Native Ground!