1. FLATSTOCK
The annual rock poster exhibition is underway and is as impressive as ever. This year the trend continued toward retro-inspired designs (from 20's deco through to classic '70s rock styles) with muted colours everywhere. Lots of $$ later, this punter's favourites included the works of those who went against the status quo: Ground-Up Press, Petting Zoo Prints & Collectibles, Magnificent Beard, The Cotton Candy Machine and, this year's knockout, Crosshair.
2. DUFF MAN
“Oh Yeeeeah!!” You have admire dedication. A SxSW attendee dressed as Duffman wandered the streets of Austin only speaking when someone inevitably would scream, “Duff man!!”. Every time, never failing, he'd respond with an enthusiastic, fists in the air, “OH YEEEEAH!”
3. THE CURRENT LEADERS OF THE AUSSIE INVASION
Melbourne's High Tension have successfully scared the locals having played some packed shows - word is travelling fast about them. WA expats Birds Of Tokyo are getting attention for the cover of Rocky lll theme Eye Of The Tiger, so much so they landed a spot on local Austin news discussing barbecue (they claimed they prefer Texan barbecue over Aussie style) and their move to LA.
4. AUSTIN IS GLAD WRAPPED
Poles and walls (and every other available surface) around the Austin CDB are covered in Glad Wrap (or whatever the local generic brand is over here). The reason? These surfaces are inevitable going to be postered and stickered all week, the Glad Wrap makes it easy to clean off afterwards.
5. DEBBIE HARRY IS AN ICON
The Blondie front woman graciously spoke to fans and signed autographs as she sat to dine at Casa Chapella. She polltely declined photo requests, but hey, girls gotta eat without ending up on Insti.
Andrew Mast was flown to SxSW as a guest of Warner.
