For the most part I have sat and silently watched the various positions taken about the CSRF called SXSW. Each year one of my artists attends to showcase and each year we (ragged pup records) presents a private (pirate) showcase at the Austin art gallery "Wild About Music". I believe that these expensive little showcases do provide an opportunity for the artists and the label to expand their horizons and world wide contacts. This year however is the first time we have sent a full band from Canada to do one showcase. The cost of airfares, hotels per diems and all adds up pretty quickly, especially in US dollars. This is also the first year we have had to rent a backline for the band and I just received a fax from SXSW with a quote for a very simple backline for what they are calling a 1 day rental which in fact is a 45 minute rental for the amazing sum of $665.07 or in Canadian dollars about $1100.00. Does anyone know if the heat has gotten to the brains of the SXSW planners or am I just living in a part of the world that considers this both a rip off and/or a bad joke? Doug BTW if any of you can help with a drum kit and a couple of guitar amps for Saturday at a reasonable price please contact me off list Thanks.
