You know what time it is. It’s time to use up them sick days at work in order to make the trek on over to this year’s South By Southwest in Austin, TX. From standing in endless lines to see Action Bronson to a backyard keg with the Cosmonauts, you know wherever you are—it’s going to be a good time.
While you stumble your way from venue to venue with 5% battery life left, go support the El Paso artist that will be making the trip. Austin music media The Cosmic Clash (ran by old-school El Paso punk-rock transport Mike “Cosmic” Cota) will be host to several unofficial shows for this year’s SXSW—known as 4 Daze of Clash—which will feature talent from the Sun City. Here are some of the bands we recommend.
Catch chamber-pop rockers Pet People as they start things off on day one of the Daze at Hard Luck Lounge, on Wednesday March 14th. Their songs transition from heavy groove jams into mellow dreaminess. Lookout for their double A side single “Being a Man/A Breeze to Guide You Forward” preorder available March 9th and out on May 11th.
On day 2 of the festivities the rocking will be happening on Thursday March 15th at Sahara Lounge. Go check out the folk stylings of bilingual singer/songwriter Damian Wyldes. Like music straight out of a Robert Rodriguez movie, the country-western feel comes naturally for someone from the southwest. Sleepsent and This Dead City from El Paso play at this event as well.
Although day 3 on Friday March 16th will not have any El Paso artist, you can check out the sounds of Austin with a heavy dose of Austin blood featuring Christina Cavazos, Loonar, Polarizado and The Rotten Mangos, as well as artist from Glasgow, Scotland—Tijuana Bibles and Emme Woods.
On the 4th day of the Daze (titled “Women of the Clash”) on Saturday March 17th at Lustre Pearl East, you can catch El Paso post-punks The Genders. Led by the energetic and stylish Mona Gender, this group provides a dark template of beautiful sadness complimented by heavy guitars and synths. If you’ve ever seen their set at Lowbrow, Monarch or Love Buzz, you know you are guaranteed a badass show.
Oh yeah, and all days are free! Remember to stay hydrated and keep an eye out on your drunky friends who might have the habit of wandering off and getting arrested. Cheers!
