REWIND P .3 M ACC SXSW P . 6
Who is Hesher? Find out on g Discover what QR codes are Pg. 4
eet an band from g Music meets fashion at Style X Pg.7
Pete Perreault•Staff Photographer
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Rewind SXSW with Accent newspaper Dear readers, For the first time since covering SXSW, the Accent sent three editors to cover all three conferences that SXSW has to offer. For me, Editor-in-Chief Karissa Rodriguez, and Campus Editor Natalee Blanchat, we got to experience SXSW for the first time. I covered the Interactive conference and found that the best part of the conference was not the panels, but the tradeshow, comedy shows and Screenburn Arcade. Natalee found herself surrounded by celebrities while watching films and interviewing directors and actors for the film conference. Also, Assistant Editor Sarah Vasquez is no stranger to SXSW and attended the music portion where she spent much of the conference geeking out over Hanson. Since we all had great
experiences during SXSW and have a lot to share with our readers, we decided to create a special SXSW Rewind issue, in addition to our regular issue. SXSW Rewind was created for college students by college students to provide readers with a recap of what the best sights and sounds were at SXSW this year. We focused on creating a full SXSW issue dedicated to what we believe college students should take away from SXSW this year. In the following pages readers will find out what the best mobile applications were at the tradeshow, what movies to watch, which bands to listen to and more. We hope readers enjoy this special issue from the Accent and discover something interesting to take away from our coverage of SXSW this year. Sincerely, Karissa Rodriguez Accent Editor-in-Chief
Use a barcode scanner on a smartphone to scan the above Quick Response (QR) code for a direct link to The Accent’s online coverage of SXSW. There readers will find blog recaps of the interactive, film, and music conferences with photos and video from the editors’ experiences. Not sure what this QR code does? Read the article about QR codes on page 4.
ON THE FRONT COVER: NO BADGE ABOUT IT — Auditorium Shores fills to capacity before Friday’s free South by Southwest shows which were open to the public.
March 28, 2011
SXSW
Editor impressions on SXSW Accent editors remember memorable, not so favorable moments from covering South by Southwest Music, Film, Interactive Karissa Rodriguez
Sarah Vasquez
Natalee Blanchat
Editor-In-Chief
Assistant Editor
Campus Editor
Sitting in on an interview with actor Paul Reubens who played the iconic character of Pee Wee Herman and then getting to shake his hand afterwards was my most memorable experience at SXSW interactive. In the interview, Reubens talked about his career over the last thirty years and his show Pee Wee’s Playhouse on Broadway which is being aired on HBO. Speaking of comedians, I loved all of the comedy showcases that occurred during SXSW this year. Doug Benson, Chris Hardwick, John Oliver, Thomas Lennon and several other comedians traveled to Austin to provide geek-tastic comedy to the nerd attending SXSW interactive. To be completely honest, I believe the worst part of SXSW interactive was all of the mediocre and boring panels that took place. I would have to say that out of all the panels I went to, only four of them proved to be interesting and worthwhile. At two of the panels I thought would be interesting the speaker was missing so SXSW staff had to cancel them. My best advice for anyone wanting to attend SXSW interactive in the future would be to be prepared for the unexpected. For example, rather than sitting through a boring panel, walk around the convention center or other conference hotel because you never know when you will run into a cool, unexpected event like the Live Angry Birds game that was being held at the Hilton hotel this year. Also, plan to spend a whole day just at the trade show to get free swag. I came home with so many t-shirts, pens and other items that my back was hurting from hauling them around all day. Additionally, the trade show is a great place to network and meet new people.
Definitely seeing Hanson for the first time in my life was my most memorable experience at SXSW this year. It’s obvious in my SXSW blog how much I love them, so I become giddy like a fangirl when I think about the show again. Of course, I embarrassed myself when I saw them in person, but we all have our Justin Bieber. Mine is Hanson. The New York Times documentary was also memorable for me, because I got to sneak behind the curtain on how the paper runs. There was also a lot of rudeness from the crowd this year. Usually SXSW is a fun party, but this year, it didn’t feel the same. It didn’t help that I was sick for most of it, but by the end of the week, I was done with drunk people. There were a lot of moments when the press has problems getting close to the front for photos, because the crowd refused to move. There are already stories out there about the angry crowds breaking down fences because they wanted to get in a show that was at capacity, and there was more than one instance when I witnessed people throwing hissy fits because they couldn’t get into a show, because they didn’t have a badge or a wristband. Take it easy when it comes to drinking. Just because there’s free booze, don’t overdo it. Be respectful of the city. There are people who live in Austin that don’t participate in SXSW and have to deal with out-of-towners and Austinites that do participate in SXSW. And if there’s a show that requires you to wait in line for longer than an hour, leave. There are a million other shows out there to see. You could discover the new It band.
My most memorable experience at SXSW was when I got to sit through Q&A sessions after the films in order to hear the directors, actors, and producers takes on the films. It was amazing to be able watch someone as talented as Morgan Spurlock drink Pom Wonderful Pomegranate juice as he hysterically re-enacted a Mane N’ Tail commercial to promote his new film The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. My least favorite moment at SXSW was while I, along with about 30 other members of the press, were waiting on the red carpet in front of the Paramount Theater for Jake Gyllenhaal to show up for the World Premiere of his new movie Source Code. One member of the press, a mediocre camera guy with a hand-held video recorder verbally harassed me by saying that I wasn’t allowed to be on the carpet because I didn’t have a red press tag on my flip, therefore I wasn’t allowed to film. Although I kindly tried to explain to him that SXSW officials said I did not need one for a flip device, the rude man wouldn’t let it go and preceded to film me for at least two minutes as I tried to get coverage saying that he would “exploit me.” My advice for anyone who chooses to participate in the film portion of SXSW would be two things: A) Make a schedule for every movie you want to see at least three days in advance, that way you won’t be lost among the sea of different screenings. B) Show up to the high profile films at least one hour in advance. I regret missing some big premiere movies including Beginners and Source Code because I did not allow myself enough time to get there.
Film
March 28, 2011
www.theAccent.org
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SXSW → Film
Hesher is grungy film success Natalee Blanchat Campus Editor
The movie Hesher, starring Joseph GordonLevitt, Rainn Wilson, and Natalie Portman, tells the story of a family who lose their loving wife and mother, and are now trying to cope with their emotions. Gordon-Levitt plays Hesher, an obscene metal head, who comes in the family’s life and unexpectedly, for better or for worse, rocks their world. Gordon-Levitt breaks out in the role of Hesher, really doing the dead-beat, malnourished, chainsmoking character some hard-core justice, so much so that Hesher himself would be proud. The character is the exact opposite of roles you would expect Gordon-Levitt
to play. He’s typically seen in more fluffy supporting roles in movies such as 500 Days of Summer and 10 Things I Hate About You. However, in the past two years, Gordon-Levitt is starting to come into his own, with a leading role in 2010’s big name action movie Inception, and now Hesher. Director Spencer Susser said that it was hard to cast Hesher, because he didn’t want a big name actor who audience members would easily identify with. However, when he watched GordonLevitt audition, he saw potential. “Hesher represents a lot of things. He’s a complicated person. He’s got a troubled past, and he put up these walls to protect himself. He decided he didn’t want friends, didn’t want a family,
because he doesn’t want to get hurt,” said Susser. “When I got into the room with Joe, I saw that he was an amazing actor and thought that we could pull it off with him.” Other notable actors include Wilson, who gets to the heart of the matter playing the father, mourning the loss of his beloved wife. Wilson’s serious personification is a break away from the stereotypical comedic characters he usually plays, like his most-known television character, Dwight K. Schrute, on the NBC series, The Office. Up-and-comer Devin Brochu, a thirteen-year-old boy who plays the son, T.J., was a character Susser was also worried about casting. He said that it was tricky and wondered where he could
“find a thirteen year old boy to carry the film?” However, when he saw Brochu tap into his emotions, Susser knew he had found his T.J.. “I feel that with almost all of the scenes that include Devin in the film are real. He’s not pretending. He’s just feeling with his emotions,” said Susser. “That’s the thing that’s so great about child actors. Not all of them can do it, but a lot of them can access their emotions in that form.” According to Susser, it was important to make Hesher, a hard core early day Cliff Burton Metallica fan, as well as a representation of life and death. “You start the movie with death. Here’s this terrible, scary thing that shows up at this family’s door, moves in, and there’s nothing they can
SXSW → Film
Source Code movie brings action Erica Bean Staff Writer
Source Code begins with a jolting start. The film premiered on March 11 at the Paramount Theater. It was the opening night film for SXSW film festival. It was directed by Duncan Jones, who other film Moon, which premiered at SXSW in 2009. The story begins quickly, taking place on a Chicago train. After eight minutes of watching the film, the train explodes as another train passes by. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain) plays the role of Captain Coulter Stevens, a solider who finds himself in a metal capsule without any recollection of who where he is. The source code is a computer program that allows a man to use it to return to the last eight minutes of another man’s life. The program is part of a sector of the military, functioning to prevent terrorist attacks after they
have occurred. Michelle Monaghan (Due Date) and Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) star opposite of Gyllenhaal, who is thrown back repeatedly into a sort of parallel dimension where he can exist in the mind and body of another person who died in the explosion. It should be said that Gyllenhaal and Monaghan have great on-screen chemistry. There’s never a moment where the story line feels forced or contrived. The entire goal of the “source code” is to find the bomber who planted the explosives on the train, and attempt to prevent another major attack on the city of Chicago. The story, written by Ben Ripley, follows through despite it’s winding and at times cryptic turns. Though the repetitiveness of the first scene of the movie does tire after the fourth and fifth time, the film is both action packed and thought provoking, and rises to the challenge
Photo courtesy of Wrekin Hill Entertainment
do about it,” said Susser. “He also represents life and living life to the fullest, and he points out some very obvious concepts that we all know but take for granted.” Whichever character the audience identifies with - the sweet grocer Nicole, the father Paul Forney who
SXSW → Film
A Bag of Hammers inspires Natalee Blanchat Campus Editor
Karissa Rodriguez • Editor-in-Chief
SOURCE CODE— Actor Jake Gyllenhaal answers questions from a local reporter before the screening of his movie Source Code at the Paramount Theater on March 11. of both. Gyllenhaal, Monaghan, and Farmiga, along with Jones, walked the red carpet at the sold-out premiere and participated in a Q&A with the audience after the screening.
must figure out how raise a family, the son T.J. Forney looking for a beacon of hope, or the slightly-off, eccentric Hesher - one thing’s for certain, go see this film. It’s funny, it’s real, and it makes people think about life in ways that other movies don’t. On steroids.
A Bag of Hammers, starring Jason Ritter and Alan Sandvig, is an offbeat comedy about two lifelong friends who work as valet employees, but steal cars as a side job. The film was part of the spotlight premiere categories featured at the SXSW film festival. First-time director Brian Crano, along co-screenwriter Jake Sandvic, brought to the festival a film that is not only witty, but inspiring. It brought back a reminiscent ‘80s feel, similar to movies such as Say Anything, starring John Cusack. In the film, two satirical childhood friends, Ben (Ritter) and Alan (Sandvig), are now roommates who lead a carefree life of plotting
and scamming. Everything seems to be going great until Alan decides to take in the orphan boy across the street, played by Chandler Canterbury, who turns their world upside down. Canterbury, who was also seen in the 2008 large blockbuster movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, does the movie justice, touching on the somber, highly depressive state of emotions as a 13-year-old boy who has just lost his mother. Rebecca Hall, who plays Alan’s responsible sister, pulls the film together, and possesses star potential. With a surprise cameo from Amanda Seyfried, the movie, while touching on some dark places, leaves the audience with thought provoking metaphors, and genuine messages.
Interactive
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SXSW → Interactive
Comedians entertain
SXSW → Interactive
Portable bar code promotes, advertises
QR code capitalizes on new marketing techniques Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
Karissa Rodriguez•Editor-in-Chief
COMEDY NERDS — Daily Show correspondent John Oliver laughs after comedian
Chris Hardwick makes a joke about the Queen of England. Hardwick interviewed Oliver during a live podcast recorded on March 15 at Esther’s Follies.
Comedians provide laughs, entertain festival attendees, give interviews Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
SXSW Interactive conference was more than just a love fest for all things nerdy and high tech. The conference, held from March 11 through March 15, was a hot bed of nerdy comedy about high tech gadgets, hipsters and viral videos. Over the span of the conference, several comedy showcases were held at Esther’s Follies, a comedy club on Sixth Street, where comedians John Oliver, Chris Hardwick, Doug Benson, and more, entertained festival goers. Hardwick, who is also known by the alias” the Nerdist”, hosted a live podcast on March 13 at the club where he interviewed Oliver about his life and career at Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. Following the podcast,
Oliver hosted his own comedy show as a special celebration for the upcoming second season of his Comedy Central John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show. Hardwick also headlined another comedy showcase, Talk Nerdy to Me, on March 15 where he opened his set by making fun of hipsters in Austin. “I’ve nearly been gouged in the eye by more ironic mustaches than ever while in Austin,” joked Hardwick who holds a grudge against hipsters, mainly who wear Atari t-shirts, because he was bullied for wearing the same shirts when he was in high school. Actor and comedian Aziz Ansari made a surprise appearance at Esther’s Follies that night also. Lennon, who is most notably known for his role as Lieutenant Dangle on former Comedy Central show Reno 911, performed
twice on March 15 at Talk Nerdy to Me and earlier that day at a Funny or Die panel held inside the SXSW Tradeshow. Lennon was joined by fellow comedians Robert Ben Garrant and Benson to host a panel,Funny or Die Live Twitter Feed Show, intended to teach the audience how to make their own funny videos on funnyordie.com. Instead, Lennon and Garrant spent most of the panel joking about how Funny or Die is not a pyramid scheme intended for it creators Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to get rich off of user’s free video by placing ads like Axe Body Wash next to them. Lennon and his fellow comedians proved throughout the conference that unlike the stereotype that nerds can only be made fun of for being, well nerdy, they themselves can be funny as well.
March 28, 2011
“Scan me!” screamed the bright pink shirt of ACC student Kelly Anderson who stood outside of the Austin Convention Center on March 15 during SXSW. Festival goers stopped, pulled out their smartphones and scanned a picture of Anderson’s tank top on bar code applications throughout
the day in order to scan a quick response (QR) code emblazoned on her chest. The QR code, a type of bar code that’s called a mobile tag, gave people who scanned her shirt a text message with information about a free music showcase that would be occurring later that night. Anderson was just one of many people who wore QR codes at the festival in order to market a showcase, website, or application during the conferences. In fact, QR codes were found everywhere. They were clearly one of the biggest promotion tools used at SXSW this year. The cryptic-looking square
mobile tags were found in the halls of the convention center and throughout downtown on utility poles, discarded fliers and postcards, and even on SXSW badges. QR codes are the latest trend adopted from Japan that businesses and people are using to market their services, especially to younger audiences who are always on the go. College students can also take advantage of QR codes by using them on business cards and resumes, linking them to personal websites in order to promote themselves and show potential employers way who they are in a more creative way.
SXSW → Interactive
Panel explores credibility Jay Rosen examines bloggers, journalists Erica Bean Staff Writer
In the age of growing technology, journalism has been influenced in a major way. “Bloggers vs. Journalism.” is a SXSW panel that informed, analyzed, and broke down the comparison between opinion and fact. Jay Rosen, Associated Professor of Journalism at New York University, wrote an essay juxtaposing journalism and the blogging world. In Rosen’s essay, he investigates that the root of the issue lies a psychological
distinction of the different types of writing by journalists and bloggers. Newspapers, especially major ones like the New York Times, are known as credible sources for information that pertains to current events, politics, arts and music, and much more. Many large publications have attempted to digitalized their news by upgrading their websites and allowing downloadable applications for readers to view on laptops, iPads, or any other portable devices. While newspapers have changed the way their information can be viewed, a drastic change is taking place just below the view of the readers of each. Blogging is a new outlet of developing, sharing, and editorializing news. Despite the fact that newspapers have attempted to change accordingly to
people’s demands, the growing popularity of blogs “masquerading” as credible sources can no longer be ignored. Rosen points out that pro-journalists feel a sense of fear over losing credibility and exclusiveness over the presentation of written facts through a newspaper. Pro-bloggers essentially create a writing outlet that typically mimicks a form of journalism that is achieved by professional journalists. The cure to this feud Rosen presents, is merging the world of bloggers and journalists to give each other a chance to collaborate together or settle on a small amount of respect for one another. This sounds much more simple in that, but in the age of social media, as Rosen says, “Learn to wear the mask if you want to join the club.”
Tradeshow
March 28, 2011
www.theAccent.org
SXSW → Interactive
SXSW → Interactive
SXSW mobile app guide Companies touted mobile applications at SXSW, showcased their work during tradeshow, panels throughout conference
Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
Acts of Sharing
An application that provides a platform where users can share items they own with friends and family through an online market. iPhone only
MapMyFitness
A fitness tracking application that enables users to use the built-in GPS of your mobile device to track all of your fitness activities. iPhone, Blackberry, Android
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Evri
A discovery news engine that delivers real-time streams of information on a variety of current topics. iPhone, Android
iheartradio
Stream over 750 local radio stations on mobile devices no matter where you are in the United States. iPhone, iPod Touch
Foodstream
Helps users discover restaurants nearby their location based off of key words like “healthy” or “chinese.” iPhone only, Android coming soon
Neer
Location-sharing application designed for private sharing between family members and other close people. Users can set reminders to pop up when near specific locations. iPhone, Android
Angry Birds Seasons
Season-themed version of the classic Angry Bird game where users slingshot birds toward egg-stealing pigs. iPhone, iPad, Android
SPIN Play
A portable guide to all that’s new in music including album releases, news, tour dates and more from the current issue of the well-known magazine. iPad
Tradeshow display latest technology
Karissa Rodriguez
Editor-in-Chief
Tradeshow exhibitors at this year’s SXSW conference included lawyers, application developers, web companies and more. Below are three of the exhibitors that were at the trade show.
NewTek
TriCaster is a portable live video production system developed by NewTek, a San Antonio-based company that designs innovative and affordable video and 3-D products. “Its basically a video production studio in a box,” said Rex Olson, vice president Karissa Rodriguez•Editor-in-Chief of content development at NewTek. NEWTEK — A TriCaster allows a single representative for operator to connect up to NewTek demonstrates the company’s live video eight cameras to the system and add graphics and built-in production system TriCaster during the SXSW virtual sets while streaming trade show on March 15. broadcasts live on the Internet. Many universities and colleges have begun incorporating the system into their curriculum. “[TriCaster] gives students the equivalent of a television production studio, but it’s all in one system. So colleges are able to buy multiple systems so students can get more hands on production time,” said Olson.
Appiction
Appiction is a service that people like college students can take advantage of if they have the investment and concept for an application, but do not have the means to actually develop it. Start-up company, Appiction LLC, based in Austin helps clients develop applications for all major mobile platforms including Apple, Android, and Blackberry RIM. The company focuses on not only developing applications, but also marketing them to increase the number of customers who purchase it. Marketing is a key step that most developers forget, according to Appiction.
AboutOne
“Protect your nuts” is the AboutOne’s company slogan and by nuts, they mean your family. AboutOne is an online service that manages and organizes all of the documents and information needed to run a household. The company securely stores your family’s data so you can organize and keep track of anything from health and education records to family memories. AboutOne is a service that college students who are parents can take advantage of in order to keep their family’s records organized while staying organized in classes also.
Music
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March 28, 2011
SXSW → Music
Midnight Riot competes to win Midnight Riot gets their voices heard at several battle of the bands Winston Rivas Staff Writer
Alternative rock band Midnight Riot competed in the Emo’s Battle of the Bands on March 27. Leading the band is ACC Round Rock Campus student Amanda Kirkpatrick, whose fiery vocals bring a dimension to the band and often draws comparisons to another alternative-rock front woman Hayley Williams from Paramore. “I look up to Hayley Williams, but I also look up to other vocalists that aren’t exactly in our genre. For instance, Florence And The Machine, I love her
energy and how she can change a simple song and make it unique just from her vocals,” said Amanda Kirkpatrick. This isn’t the first time the band has competed against other bands. The band recently won the “My Band Rocks Fox” contest which named them the best under-21 band in Austin They also competed in the College Battle of the Bands presented by Chegg, an online textbook rental service, on March 20. “Thanks to these competitions so many doors have opened for us. We are going to be working in the studio with a pretty sweet producer, CJ Eriksson, who
has worked with other bands like U2. So a lot of good opportunities have come out of these experiences,” said Austin Canary, Midnight Riot’s guitarist. Battle of the bands can be seen as a strange concept at its core. Bands are directly competing against each other for the shot at a record deal, but you can’t deny the effectiveness. It’s not every day a band gets to present their best stuff in front of record labels. Midnight Riot’s music blends several genres that makes it accessible to anyone that is in into indie, alternative, and pop. “We attract people from a wide range of genres due to our diversity in sound. Our more poppy songs attract people who, for instance, like Paramour. People who like My Chemical Romance are
going to like our darker, alternative stuff,” said Zak Kirkpatrick, drummer for Midnight Riot. What also separates the band from other young groups is that their set is filled with original songs written by the band themselves. “People are surprised to hear that these are our own songs and that we can play music at the level we can at a relatively young age,” said bassist Dylan Samuel. Midnight Riot presented their sound to those in attendance during South by Southwest music festival performing at a show sponsored by the record label BMI and another one presented by EXPRESS which included other up-and-coming bands like Neon Trees. Now that SXSW is over, the band is looking to make themselves a regular in the
Erica Bean•Staff Photographer
ALTERNATIVE — Lead singer Amanda Kirkpatrick of
the Midnight Riot played a showcase at the Express Stage during SXSW.
Austin music scene. “Right now we want to play at the bigger venues the Antone’s and Stubb’s and be one of the more well-known
local bands,” said Canary. If their recent accomplishment are any indication, the band close to achieving those goals.
SXSW → Music
SXSW → Music
Erica Bean
One night with Perez Hilton brings crowd
Dallas Green colours Austin
Staff Writer
City and Colour, the solo project for Dallas Green, performed at the IFC Crossroads House on Thursday for SXSW, while hundreds of people waited in line just to hear a song from the singer/songwriter. Green formerly played in Alexisonfire, a hardcore punk rock band that was popular in Canada where Green first joined the band. His solo band City and Colour couldn’t be any more drastically different in sound. Green is most prominently recognized for the difference in his music from Alexisonfire compared to City and Colour. For City
and Colour segues into an entirely new genre, and is a much calmer sound with soulful lyrics and much softer sounds. His songs “Bring Me Your Love” and “Sometimes” are songs sung with a lot of heart and a lot of soul. City and Colour is a much calmer sound with soulful lyrics and much softer sounds. While many musicians attempt to challenge themselves with varying genres, Green gives new meaning of what it means to be a artist. What originally began as a project in 2003 has now become sold out shows and crowded venues. In 2008, Green released a full-length album, Bring Me Your Love,
Erica Bean Staff Writer
Erica Bean•Staff Photographer
SING IT — Dallas Green of his solo band, City and
Colour, performed at the IFC Crossroads house during South by Southwest.
which became a huge hit, and not just with the ladies. His vocals are completely original, and he transcends
the stereotype for an acoustic singer/songwriter. Green is an artist that can and should be taken seriously.
Starting out gossiping about celebrities, Perez Hilton has quickly gone up the ranks as a blogger who is famous for his words. Also known for throwing massive parties that often become spectacles, Hilton has thrown parties at South By Southwest (SXSW) for the past few years. Past performances from artists include Lady Gaga, Indigo Girls and Snoop Dogg. This year at SXSW, Hilton pulled out all the stops and merged both party and music into an official showcase. The
ACL Live Moody Theater was the choice of venue, a state of the art music setting with three levels and 2800-people capacity. Word spread like wildfire and wristbands sold out almost as soon as the ticket booth opened. Crowds of people were so willing to get into the Hilton showcase that hundreds sat on sidewalks at noon with doors only opening at 6 p.m. Hilton showcased artists this year such as Frankmusik all the way from London, Dirty Vegas, Mia Moretti, Liz Phair, and many more. If next year is anything like this one, then it can only get better.
Style X
March 28, 2011
www.theAccent.org
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SXSW → Music
� FASHIONABLE —
SXSW gets new style Musicians show off colorful clothing, patterns, designs during festival Sarah Vasquez Assistant Editor
Adding to the music, film, technology, and video games, StyleX introduced fashion to this year’s South by Southwest. Instead of using professional models for the runway, several musicians that performed in the SXSW Music Festival or are affiliated in the Austin music scene walked the catwalk. However, this was intentional. “I think it was just in an effort to make sure that this event didn’t scream of some fashion week-type event. We weren’t trying to create a fashion event. We were trying to create an event that represented the creative
people that make fashion, but align themselves with music, which is why people are here for SXSW,” said Joah Spearman, producer for StyleX (pronounced “style by”). There was a line wrapped around the hallway of the Convention Center for the American Apparel Flea Market as well as many attendees inside checking out the vendors selling their goods. “The turnout was tremendous,” said Spearman. “I think that I would consider this a success because the people that I’ve heard from thus far have said this event really represents a hole that existed in SXSW before.” Founded by locals
Spearman from Sneak Attack! and Jon Pattillo from Sanctuary Printshop, StyleX offered two days of shopping, runway shows, and panels. The event was open to the public, so no badges and wristbands were needed. The idea for StyleX was sparked before last year’s SXSW, but wasn’t put into motion until the festival was over. “January of 2010 was when I first mentioned it to one of the heads of SXSW. But it wasn’t until SXSW last year, when we really started meeting and sitting down. So it’s been about a year, a good year planning,” said Spearman. As far as the future of StyleX becoming an official part of SXSW, Spearman is unsure. “I can’t speculate on that, because I don’t work for SXSW,” said Spearman. “I would hope that SXSW saw the potential in this and the growth opportunities here.”
Fashion designer Kathleen Westerhout from Canada helps her model with the fitting of her Bandeau Belt right before the start of the runway show.
Erica Bean•Staff Photographer
� FITTED— A model is styled backstage into her first outfit at the first ever Fashion show for the SXSW fashion portion of the festival.
Erica Bean•Staff Photographer
ON DISPLAY — Backstage on Friday before the runway show, clothes are lined up and ready to mark the first day of the fashion portion of SXSW.
Erica Bean•Staff Photographer
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March 28, 2011