The SXSW Diaries - Cut Off Your Hands: Day One

By: SoundProof Magazine

Cut Off Your Hands Day One: Wednesday, March 18, 2009

It's been two years since we were last here at SXSW and it's funny to be walking up and down 6th Street again, hauling equipment in the hot sun from venue to venue, in the same burning sun. It's hard to imagine that less than a week ago we were in well below freezing temperatures in Minneapolis, fighting our way through a blizzard and trudging through knee deep snow in well worn/soaked through sneakers with holes in the soles.

Regardless, we're in Texas now, and today we played the first two shows in our ten show schedule. The first at Maggie Mae's, for the Spaceland showcase, a multi-leveled party with a bunch of stages featuring a tonne of rad bands. I missed pretty much all the bands i wanted to see – Lovvers, Wavves, The Mae Shi – but happened to stumble upon The Vivian Girls set, which was lovely as usual.

It's a fuckin' meat market here at SXSW, and one thing that's a little disconcerting about the daytime parties is the constant ebb and flow of traffic during your set. Industry types with their computer print outs of bands they must see three songs of darting in and out as you play.

The night time show was a little more fun for us, a party put on by Rock Band, the Xbox game, with just us, The Von Bondies, Peter Bjorn and John and Glasvegas. So it was really packed out, and this time everyone was staying to watch the full sets which was a nice change.

The highlight of the day was Robert Rodriguez (creator of Sin City, etc.) raving to our management about how much he loves us . . .

But anyway, we've got another couple shows tomorrow, four on Friday, then two more on Saturday, so will keep you posted.

Cheers!

Nick Johnston, Cut Off Your Hands

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