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sxsw2012 Thu Mar 15 2012
SXSW 2012 Tour Diary: JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Day 3
Another overnight (possibly probably sleep-deprived) update from Billy Bungeroth of JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound from down in Austin at SXSW. Photos and video are courtesy of the band.
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JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound perform at the Ginger Man at SXSW 2012 (Photo courtesy the band)
Day 3
Big Things Happening
"Here's the thing about SXSW," Andy tells me, "As you walk through the streets, everyone starts to feel like the walk-on's in your life." You see guys from other bands you've toured with, new fans, old friends you haven't seen in years. And don't forget celebrities: Jim DeRogatis (Sound Opinions), Jack White (Third Man Records), and Carson Daley (who was sitting in on drums with TheeOhSees!!!). It doesn't feel like Texas, it's as if someone turned Williamsburg into an amusement park and all your friends are there. And whether it's the lack of sleep, or 312 in a can, it feels like something is happening.
Day 3 got off to an easy start since we'd already checked in to the conference, we could just mill about and wait for the drinking music to start. Hoofed it over to the east side to see Josh & Mer (with our illustrious Portland host, Mr. Paul Beaulieu, on drums), play at the Grackle.
The Ginger Man was our first SXSW day party, sponsored by Blurt Magazine and Dogfish Head Brewery. And that's when the day really picked up. We were genuinely having fun on stage, and it sounded good. But the whole band clicked in and had a tremendous amount of fun. And it wasn't lost on the folks at the Ginger Man. It seemed like something was happening...
Before we were able to bask in the glory, we were driving in MAD traffic to get across town to Hotel Vegas to play Brooklyn Vegan's "Hotel Vegan" party. We barely got to the stage in time, screeched up, lept out of the van like we were the A-Team. Set up. Go. 11 people in the room, tops. The big names are outside in the back. And then something clicked, we just continue to be locked in. I look up five songs later and the room is packed. Wall to wall hipsters, including friends from Gypsy Blood, The Pinstripes, and Kane Place Record Club. It was a riot. Like a real house party. Next thing I know, we're shaking hands and getting in cell phone pictures and some real cool guy from Chicago with a little city pride takes us all out to dinner. And then you're at the C3 house with Body Language. And you want to dance and rage but you're so tired.
You see, somebody in this band snores. Maybe a couple somebodies. It's not cool, AT ALL, but when you spend this much time in a van with someone, and you figure there's got to be something equally aggravating that you do, and they've still got your back, you're able to let it go. Even when they're keeping you up at 4am and your next best option is to sleep in the van. And you go drag your ass out to the van and find somebody else beat you to it. No dice. That's life.
But so is this. Through a bizarre chain of events, and these shows going so well, we got a message tonight that the band will now be taking over the Ting Tings' spot opening for GOSSIP (one of JC's favorite bands) on "Live from the Lot by Google Music and YouTube Presents". That's a stage where Cults, Frankie Rose, Best Coast will all be playing BEFORE us. We don't have a driver or separate hotel rooms, or any big name sponsors. I'd just as well assume Pitchfork wouldn't even listen to our records because we look like F'ing nerds. But now we get a shot. I mean, Black Star is playing the same slot on Saturday night. And YouTube is streaming the whole thing. And we're here with a thousand and one walk-on's surrounding us and it feels like something is happening.
-Billy
See JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound's full SXSW schedule below:
Monday 3/12/12
8pm
Flamingo Cantina
515 E. 6th St, Austin, TX
Wednesday 3/14/12
4pm
Presented by: Dog Fish Head & Blurt Magazine
Gingerman Pub
301 Lavaca St. (at 4th), Austin, TX
5pm
Presented by: Brooklyn Vegan
Hotel Vegas
1500 E. 6th St., Austin, TX
Thursday 3/15/12
1:30pm
Presented by: Paste Magazine
Stage on Sixth
508 East 6th St., Austin, TX
4:30pm
Presented by: Let's Get Messy
The 512
408 E. 6th St., Austin, TX
5:10pm
Presented by: YouTube/Google
Live At The Lot
Parking lot at 9th & Trinity St., Austin, TX
Friday 3/16/12
Noon-7pm (band plays around 5pm)
Presented by: Bloodshot Records
Yard Dog Gallery
1510 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX
3pm
Presented by: Bloodshot Records
Jovita's
1619 S. 1st St., Austin, TX
Saturday 3/17/12
TBA (around 1pm)
Presented by: Ryan's Smashing Life
Rusty's
405 East 7th., Austin, TX
7pm-2am (band to play at 1am)
Presented by: Bloodshot Records
Red Eyed Fly
715 Red River, Austin, TX
