DJ Valida’s SXSW Wrap Up

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

*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 4^th 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!