Some of the best moments from SXSW are the comments made by artists and audiences alike…
“I nearly saw your show and it was brilliant.†~ Billy Bragg, reflecting on what to say to a band that he meant to see… but didn’t.
“This is a very romantic instrument… if you happen to be married to your sister.†~ Nick Tremulis referring to the banjo.
“This is a song by a songwriter that shows a lot of promise, Neil Young. I’ve been trying to help him out… by buying his records.†~ Scott Miller
“That’s my life story. Yea, I know, that’s too much information.†~ The woman standing next to me as Lyle Lovett performed his song “Good Intentions.â€
“He sang all those old Smiths songs and made me feel 17 again. It was pretty amazing as I was 26 at the time.†~ Billy Bragg speaking about Morrissey
“The first guy really sucked and everybody left.†~ The woman working the door at an empty SXSW venue.
“Not only were we the first to create football, we were the first to cut off the head of our monarch.†~ Billy Bragg
“We’ve got a new record coming out March 24th. It’s bad-ass. You must buy it.†~ Austin legend Jon Dee Graham. His albums typically are bad-ass.
“This song sound a lot better when you listen.†~ Nick Tremulis, annoyed at a talkative crowd.
“I haven’t stayed up this late in a really long time.†~ Lyle Lovett, a few songs into his 1:00 am set.
“I’ve been playing with this guy for 17 years… He’s 19 now.†~ Alejandro Escovedo
“I only got 35 minutes so we got no time for cheering. I got some rapping to do.†~ P.O.S.
“We play music because we love it, you listen because you love. What the fuck, the world is alright sometimes. “ ~ Willie Nile
“Back when a record was more than a record. And a record store was more than a record store, it was a thing of beauty.“ ~ Lyle Lovett
“I recognize you from Deadwood. I love you. Thank you for being so great.†~Some random woman gushing over the guy standing next to me at the bar. I had no idea who the guy was. His response? He gave her a flyer for his band that was scheduled to play the next night.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.