randy ojeda law | sxsw tour diary

Ah, SXSW—the annual pilgrimage where sleep is optional, lines are inevitable (unless you have a fancy badge like me), and discovering your new favorite band is just a wrong turn away. This year, I had the honor of being a Music Mentor, which basically meant I got to skip a bunch of lines and pretend I knew what I was talking about. Between catching insane live sets, running into nerdcore legends, and witnessing a band perform with actual puppets, it was a week of pure, beautiful madness. Here’s my completely unfiltered, sleep-deprived recap.

Nothing like an early morning flight from TPA to AUS to remind you that sleep is for the weak.
First stop: badge pickup. This year, I was a Music Mentor, which means I was an
“Official Speaker.” This also means I had the SXSW equivalent of a Disney Fastpass and could waltz past lines like a VIP.
SXSW2b
After securing my golden ticket, I hit SXSW Songs at Arlyn Studios, an international songwriting camp where artists, producers, and songwriters from all over the world come together to create magic. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of SXSW—like a hidden level in a video game.
First show of the week? Japanese heavy metal band Gokumon. They had synchronized dance moves, headbanging, their own hype person, and even projected lyrics in both Japanese and English. Their soundcheck was so serious I half expected a NASA countdown. 10/10, would headbang again.
People say “Rock is Dead” while a Japanese band absolutely destroys a venue in Austin, Texas, in front of a mostly Japanese audience. Yeah… rock’s fine, guys. Maybe you just need to leave the US.
“Hey man, are you a Bucs fan?” “Nah cuz, the hat just goes with the shoes.”
It doesn’t get any more Austin than Bob Schneider, who’s been playing at Saxon Pub every Monday for 26 years. I caught him not at Saxon, but performing a few songs for a live radio broadcast on Sun Radio.
Randomly ran into MC Frontalot, a nerdcore hip-hop pioneer (per Wikipedia, the most trusted source of SXSW bathroom line debates). We had a full conversation before I realized who he was. Later, I tried to watch his documentary, Nerdcore Rising, on the flight home… but, plot twist: it’s not on streaming.
Thanks to MC Frontalot, I caught British duo Alt Blk Era at Parish. Easily one of the best sets of the week. Their stage was a fog machine’s dream, and their lyrics included gems like: “She’s snorting cocaine every other weekend / She’s partly insane, she’s my drummer’s girlfriend.” Poetry.
Hardcore Montreal band Truck Violence performed like they had a personal vendetta against silence. I respect the energy.
SXSW12
Saw the amazing Quelle Rox at the very fancy Driskill Hotel during a party hosted by Notorious Noise and The Luna Collective—two badass, women-run companies with impeccable taste. Nothing says “rock and roll” like a luxurious chandelier above a mosh pit.
SXSW13
Baths played in direct sunlight at Flood Magazine’s Floodfest, making it the Hottest Set at SXSW (literally). We all barely survived. This was my annual reminder to drink water.
SXSW14
Irish post-punk band Gurriers played next and proved why they were one of the most hyped bands this year. With 35% of SXSW bands coming from overseas, it felt like Austin became the most cultured city in Texas.
Tried to see Dead Gowns at Cheer Up Charlie’s. This is as close as I got.
The Creem Mag/Third Man Records Showcase was a masterclass in chaos, but Brooklyn’s TVOD (Television Overdose) took the crown. They played 13 shows in 6 days, which is either legendary or a cry for help.
Met Sons of Sevilla at a party early in the week. They told me about their set at the Space Agency party, so I made it a point to check them out. Glad I did—great music, great guys. Also, this is your reminder to talk to strangers (at SXSW, not in dark alleys).
Speaking of the Space Agency party, the wildest set of the week came from Worn-Tin and the Freak Nature Puppets. Yes, puppets. The crowd lost their minds. I can’t even explain it, and honestly, I don’t want to.
Acid Baby Jesus packed Hotel Vegas to the point where it was one in, one out the entire set. I was shoved into a wall but accepted my fate. Greek psych rock waits for no one.
Jasmine.4.t ended their set with a System of a Down cover, which instantly made them my new favorite band.
Before heading to the airport, I had to catch Frankie and the Witch Fingers. They were the most talked-about band at SXSW, and somehow I had scheduling conflicts every time they played—except for this one last set at the BrooklynVegan party. Perfect way to close out the madness.

SXSW TLDR:

  • Rock is alive and well
  • Hydration is essential
  • Nerdcore legends walk among us
  • Puppets belong in live music
  • My SXSW Fastpass badge was the real MVP
  • See you next year, Austin.

About the Author:
Randy Ojeda is an entertainment attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of musicians and creatives.
As the founder of Randy Ojeda Law, he provides legal counsel on contracts, intellectual property, and
business matters, helping artists navigate the complexities of the music industry. A graduate of Loyola
University Chicago School of Law and a member of The Florida Bar, Randy combines his legal
expertise with real-world industry experience. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Cigar City
Management, an artist management company, and the host of Cigar City Radio, a podcast featuring
interviews with musicians and industry professionals.
Follow Randy @realrandyojeda
https://www.randyojedalaw.com/

the fur. @ sxsw

the fur. @ sxsw

Rising Taiwanese act The Fur. enjoyed galavanting around SXSW 2019. We know this because they shared a brief glimpse of the experience with us. Check out the view from their lens below, then head over to take a listen to their debut album Town.

“Yes, we are so happy to play at SXSW.”

We got hair done at artist lounge and felt cool and ready to be on stage.

Edit.

Ren made a new friend.

Zero is at Walmart.

We saw someone wearing the same shirt as Ren’s, so took a secret photo with him. Nobody noticed.

It’s challenging to finish a stage setting within a short period of time at B.D. Riley’s. We yelled at each other in Mandarin and moved so quickly to get the change-over done as fast as possible. It’s so much fun to recall how we did the show.

We shopped at a toy store. How we wish to bring all the Rick and Morty toys back to Taiwan but we can’t.

Keep up with The Fur. here.

the roof dogs on tour | a look inside

the roof dogs on tour | a look inside

Follow the Roof Dogs as their live music journey takes them through Cincinnati, Lexington, Nashville, St. Louis, Bloomington, Chicago, Toledo, and all the in-betweens on their most recent autumn tour!

Cincinnati, Sean and his bass on the drive. Touring in a Toyota Corolla can be difficult. While The Bascinets’ vehicle held most of the gear for tour, on the way to Cinci we had to travel with Walker’s drum hardware and Sean’s bass in the backseat.

 

Pre-show R&R at the Airbnb

Found a lighter with some flare.

Nick Wellman of The Bascinets fishing for Pigs at Northside Yacht Club.

Tristan (Bascinets) before he lost his glasses. Tristan would continue to lose several other items before the tour was done.

Andrew with Bourbon (neat). Andrew played NSYC’s “$4 Whiskey Wheel of Wonder,” he landed on Jim Beam.

Dinge. Was the first time we played with them for about three years. They rock.

The Bascinets

Ezra (Dinge)

Trevor (The Bascinets)

Tired after day one…

Our friend Nick (left) let us hangout on his rooftop in Northside after the show. He also let us play his harmonium and theremin. Great fun was had by all.

“Please, no pictures” – Zlata

Eden Park, Cincinnati

Lexington, KY. Game day. The show didn’t start until 11:30 because the Wildcats were “stomping ass.”

Andrew strings up

There was a lot of time to kill, but luckily the door guy charged the folks who came for the game. Many hung around when the show started, too.

Setlist debate

The Bascinets, feat. Mannequin

Abandoned motel shoot between Lexington and Nashville.

Twinning. It seems that almost all of the Midwest claims ownership of Lincoln. The same cannot be said for Andrew.

Nashville: Trevor insisted on $5 cups of coffee at his favorite spot. (They were actually amazing though so it’s okay). Jesse pictured here writing nursery rhymes.

Alberto & Friends in their delightful basement.

The Bascinets

Matt of Superstarfamus1day. He was closely supervised by the doll. They played an impressive impromptu set when their drummer George got very sick right before and couldn’t play.

Our performance did not meet Alberto’s expectations. He locked us up by the doghouses.

Shew (left) and Alberto (right). Post-show hangs in the backyard. His house was an old doctor’s office from way way back in the day (the 40’s?) so his backyard was actually a parking lot that was converted into a giant driveway. They have the perfect band house and we are jealous.

Triple Jesse

We loved the wallpaper.

Sleepy bois. The Bascinets brought along portable cots.

Wellman in the haunted basement.

“No pictures in here, honey. Some people aren’t here with the people they’re supposed to be with.” Hermitage Cafe in Nashville. Great country-fried steak.

St. Louis: At the Arch

Bright bois, where’s Walker?

Farmer Nick

Andrew with the cigarette machine at CBGB.

The Snapchettes, they typically perform as a seven piece.

Frankie Valet. Jack (at microphone) hosted us and took us to a good breakfast spot the next morning. Incidentally, he and Jesse share a birthday on September 14.

Outside CBGB

Felix at the board.

Sean relaxes at Jack’s. He managed to cranked out The Silmarillion on tour. Jack’s excellent cat can be seen in the background.

Jack, our host in St. Louis

Tristan after breakfast. There are more cash-only diners in this country than I ever knew.

Forest Park, St. Louis

En route to Chicago. It was somewhere around this point that Sean and Jesse began to argue over the fortitude of their respective bladders. Sean would soon prevail.

Walker driving

Chicago. We had two days off here with a show in the middle. There was a lot of relaxing but we didn’t get as many pictures here, but had a great time exploring the city. On our last night we rode the train to a 107 year old jazz club, the Green Mill in Uptown where they were broadcasting live on AM radio.

But first a visit to the lake.

Beers on the pier

Tristan and the great beyond

Curious old maintenance man tinkers at the venue.

Wallpaper

Fahrenheit 808, who was, sadly, not allowed by the venue to play due to dumb age restrictions. They were gracious about it.

Oxford, OH. Captain Redbeard and the S.S. Friendship. We played at our friends house, The Secret Garden. It’s a beautiful home.

Trevor, some light leak, and a stray vine. After the show we all went to Bagel & Deli and waded through an ocean of college students to the counter. Every five minutes or so, one worker at the shop would get iced (Smirnoff) by customers and proceeded to jump on the counter and chug to the applause of everyone. I’m pretty sure we waited in “line” for like half an hour. Someone stole my bagel once and I had to order again. Ultimately the wait was worth it. -Andrew

Hot sauce with salt at Hometown Eatery. College Corner, IN. Tristan apparently eats this to curb his appetite. He chose to spend his diner money on a candy apple red Jaguar.

Propane rodeo star, Andrew Marczak.

At Joe’s house in Oxford.

“Joe, where are the forks?”

Wellman with spork.

Toledo, OH. Ottawa Tavern, our last stop, with bangin’ sign.

Watching the game. “Pizza Cat,” the attached restaurant, was delicious and had good deals for performers. We were all satisfied.

Teamonade ripping it right up.

Trevor the angel

Wavves

“It Can Happen to YOU”

One shot of the Roof Dogs playing.

Family photo. We then parted ways and ventured back to Columbus for a day off before we all went back to our day jobs at NASA.

___

Keep up with the Roof Dogs here.