SXSW 2014

Before I get into all the fun that is South By Southwest, I wanted to first take a moment to express my sympathy for those who were injured and lost their lives during Wednesday night’s festivities.  My two friends actually witnessed the horrific event, and if I hadn’t gone for a quick restroom break before leaving Cheer Up Charlie’s, we could have been out there when the drunken asshole selfishly plowed through a barricaded street. I’m not sure if the media conveyed the amazing speed and efficiency executed by the medics, volunteers, and police that evening. By the time I emerged to meet up with my friends, only minutes after the atrocity, all 25 of the victims were already receiving assistance, often from groups of three to five people, administering CPR and helping to bandage wounds.

With SXSW growing more and more each year, the streets feel more chaotic and dangerous than ever, but the quickness and professionalism displayed by everyone that night assured me that both SXSW and the city of Austin are prepared for literally anything.   While this event certainly put a damper on the week, there were still a lot of highlights to look back on.  Here are some of the best and worst moments from the week…

BDWPS Podcast: Episode #23

In this episode we jump full speed into the best albums to come out already in 2014. Discussions include a history of Mali band Tinariwen and their inspiring back story, a look back at my discovery of Slough Feg at South By Southwest years ago, and an appreciation of the documentary “A Band Called Death.”As with all episodes we pay tribute to Bob Dylan, this time looking at his tumultuous days back in Hibbing, Minnesota.

Listen to it HERE! (or subscribe on iTunes – search: BDWPS)

Track List:

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks “Lariat” 
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra “Take Away these Early Grave Blues” 
Tinariwen “Imidiwan Ahi Sigdim” 
Self Defense Family “Nail House Music” 
Roc Marciano (ft. Ka & Guilty Simpson) “Squeeze” 
Slough Feg “Laser Enforcer” 
Death “Let the World Turn” 
Bob Dylan “North Country Blues”