This is the second in a series of reports from the SXSW Film/Interactive Festival, which is still taking place in Austin, TX. Scene-Stealers hosted the Bacon-Flavored Interactive Afterparty, the Harpoon Happy Hour, and the free SenoReality screening, all of which were held at the coolest bar in town, Red 7. While we were down there, Dustin (our executive producer) and I attended several screenings and did lots of cool interviews with the directors and stars as we could. Enjoy!
Saturday, March 14
Dustin went down the convention center to check out some cool film/interactive panels. He saw Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Jon Favreau, Jaime Pressly, and Rashida Jones on the “I Love You, Man” panel. The movie premiered at the festival the night before, but we’d already seen it, so we skipped that. (Our full video review is up here.)
I went to the airport to pick up our new heroes, the winners of the 2008 Pitch Award for Best Avant-Garde/Experimental Band, Kansas City’s own Bacon Shoe. To see a video of their journey (which began very, very early that morning), click here. First, my second Mexican restaurant in two days. Delicious. If you’re eating anything else besides Mexican/Tex-Mex or BBQ in Austin, you are a very silly person.
We realized we needed different speakers (sorry, Chris!) and some mics and cords, so it was back to the rental store. After some careful reassurance that we’d bring all this stuff back before the music portion of the festival started (and some careful avoiding of any questions about what we were actually using this for), we got the goods and headed out. Bacon Shoe went to the parking lot of the Hampton Inn with the power inverter and remote PA in the back of the rented SUV and did a soundcheck to make sure everything was working OK. I dropped myself off at the convention center. Since the car wasn’t insured for any driver but me, I have to admit was a bit nervous, especially since what the band is doing is illegal and usually gets busted by cops.
We were only at the Jeffrey Tambor Acting Workshop for about 30 minutes before it was time for Bacon Shoe’s first “street attack” of the day. It was strategically placed right outside of the Austin Convention Center. As convention-goers were leaving the building to head up to 6th St. for all the parties, Bacon Shoe illegally parked the SUV in front of the Hilton Hotel, pulled up the hatchback to reveal two PA speakers, and launched into a song. For just over a minute. (start at 5:19!) Just as a crowd was starting to gather, a policeman from a nearby tent swooped in and the fun was over. It may have been short, but it was obvious the band was going to make an impression.
We followed them down 6th St. for another “street attack” that lasted a good 4 songs or so and attracted a much bigger crowd. Toine also got his junk grabbed by a homeless fan who apparently dug more than his lyrics. (See the video below–not safe for work!)
Then the band was off into the night to do some more guerrilla street performances to promote tomorrow’s benefit show. Dustin and I headed to the Alamo Drafthouse Lamar 1 to interview the director and stars of “Best Worst Movie.”
