Critical Mob at SXSW: Day #1

SXSW is in full swing, complete with taxidermy animals on parade and the notorious hobo hotspots. I have yet to see one myself, but I'm on the fence on whether it's kind of a good thing to give them money and visibility or if it's horribly exploitative and de-humanizing. Here's some of the highlights from yesterday.

*I hung out with a band from South Africa called The Parlotones. That's their bassist, Glen, modeling his new Critical Mob t-shirt. They were fun, interesting guys: they'd just come to Austin direct from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in support of "Climb Up! Speak Out!," a campaign by the UN-supported organization Africa UNiTE: To End Violence Against Women and Girls.

*The Warner Sound party was crazy packed, even in the VIP area: seemed like a lot of younger folk and people from L.A. I caught Santigold, who was pretty underwhelming. She had a tiara and round goggle steampunk sunglasses on like she's Lady Gaga, which seems to sort of be her audience now. Maybe I'm the last one to realize this, but, it became very clear to me as I watched. Also, it seemed like maybe she was lipsynching part of the time.

* Unless you're 19 and trying too hard, the standard uniform for SXSW women attendees is cowboy boots and a (probably floral) sun dress.

I met some nice people, but most of the bands yesterday I saw were not so great. But I have a lot more CM-fave band showcases to go to, so I'm hoping I can catch them all! It is VERY easy to burn yourself out in a day, but I'm stoked to be here!