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SXSW Announce More Panels and Speakers


03/02/2009
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(SXSW) The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival, scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 18 - 22, 2009 in Austin, Texas is pleased to announce an ever evolving and eclectic array of panels and speakers for the 23rd edition of the Conference and Festival. From Miles Davis to Devo to The Hold Steady and from Woodstock to Mendocino, SXSW will delve into the careers of current and classic musicians of every genre.

Woodstock: Untold Story - The performers, filmmakers, and key technicians who helped create the timeless music classic and Oscar-winning Best Documentary gather for a lively discussion. Get a special sneak peek at the new high def picture and sound in Warner Home Video's upcoming historic Blu-ray and DVD release of "WOODSTOCK: 3 Days of Peace & Music" and a first glimpse of the two hours of bonus performances, some of it newly-discovered footage, contained in their 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition. Participants include Michael Lang, Stu Cook, Eddie Kramer, Jocko Marcellino, Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Barbara Kopple, Wavy Gravy and Holly George-Warren.

Kind of Blue at 50 - Miles Davis remains an internationally acclaimed musician and hero to millions. His significant and innovative contribution to music and our culture remains unparalleled and his appeal continues to cross all demographics. 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of his landmark album "Kind Of Blue," still the best-selling jazz album of all time. With a modal approach to improvisation, this record changed the language of modern music. The recent reissue documents the project with previously unheard music and rarely seen footage. Take a look back at the most forward-looking music of 1959 with Ashley Kahn, George Avakian, Erin Davis, David Fricke and Vincent Wilburn Jr.

SXSW Featured Speakers: Devo - Devo will appear on the dais Thursday afternoon, March 19. Their understanding of the ability of precise, multifaceted artistic expression to relay relevant social commentary elevated the band from quirky cult icons to mainstream players in the late '70s and '80s. Co-founders Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh dubbed the band "Devo," shorthand for their wry philosophy of the "de-evolution" they most readily observed in cultural shortcomings of the United States. Devo sought to bring attention to the crisis of individuality through a finely executed musical and visual experience that was equal parts satire and synth-beat-savvy.

The Hold Steady Interview - Producer John Agnello joins band members Craig Finn and Tad Kubler to discuss the state of The Hold Steady on Saturday, March 21. Strong songs and a killer live show distinguished The Hold Steady from their inception. As acclaim mounts, the band finds itself playing to larger audiences and entering the studio with heightened expectations.

Doug Sahm's "Mendocino" - The Sir Douglas Quintet pretended to be English, but they were Texas to the core. Doug Sahm started his career when he was in elementary school, and by the time he formed the Quintet in the mid-'60s had already made a world of music. Their first hit, "She's About a Mover" in 1965 reached the Top 15. Four years later Sir Douglas was storming the singles charts again with "Mendocino." Sahm had moved to northern California and found deep inspiration in the Humboldt County redwoods. When he resurrected the Sir Douglas Quintet in 1969 they immediately locked back into their magical sound, with Augie Meyers Vox organ lines leading the way. The Lone Star groover continued for 30 more years, spinning out some of the best music ever made, no matter what style was being played. And even if "Mendocino" was his last real American hit, Doug Sahm never looked back. Participants include Bill Bentley, Jan Reid, Shawn Sahm, Augie Meyers, Harvey Kagan and Margaret Moser.

The South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 18 - 22, 2009 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Join musicians, executives and music lovers for four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition covering a wide variety of topics. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1800 acts on 88 stages throughout downtown Austin.

For more information on SXSW or to register for the conference, please access the website at www.sxsw.com or e-mail [email protected].



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