DJ Valida’s SXSW Wrap Up

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From DJ Valida:

This having been my first SXSW, I am happy to say it was one of the best experiences ever and I can’t wait for next year. All of my expectations were met triple-fold — the amount of amazing music I got to hear, the new people I met and the old friends I reconnected with, the awesome restaurants…Not one negative in 5 days. Austin, you’ve been awesome!

Here are my highlights:

*Seeing Duran Duran at the C3 party. They played Rio and I died.

*Dancing the night away to French Horn Rebellion and Miami Horror at the Windish party…

*Seeing Jenny O. do a solo show at Cheer Up Charlie Manimal Vinyl showcase on Sunday, followed by a local band, Cowboy and Indian (who, btw, are great!)

*Getting my Texas fix: a new pair of boots at Allen’s on South Congress!

*Hanging with all the KCRW fam, and especially at our official showcase at The Phoenix where I got to see Naked and Famous, Belle Brigade and Alexander

*Getting to hear Foster The People, my new favorite band, twice in five days

Valida and Tedd from the Generationals
Valida and Tedd from the Generationals (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

*Meeting Ted from Generationals at the Orchard Showcase and telling him about the album review I did for KCRW. He was really nice in person and said he’d start following me on twitter…hmmm….

*Having a local musician friend, Erin Ivey, to stay with and to show me around. She was such a gracious host! The daily walk from Erin’s to 4th street was so rejuvenating and just the amount of daily exercise I needed.

*Announcing bands at the Filter Magazine Culture Collide Showcase  Thursday-Saturday and meeting some of my favorites: Phantogram, Little Dragon, Raphael Saadiq…also Voxhaul Broadcast, Datarock, Harry’s Gym…Too many to mention…

*Having the best dinner at Justine’s on Sunday night. If you’re into French cuisine, I cannot recommend this enough…

*Any hot dog stand that offers veggie dogs was a winner

*Spending the whole Sunday with my friend DJ Bouji who moved to NY last year

and so much more!