CONRAD KEELY'S TRAIL OF WORDS

Conrad Keely from Trail of Dead writes exclusively for NME on his own SXSW experience [March 2001]

As I sit here at Ego's listening to the bittersweet country lays of Dale Watson. I wonder exactly how many days it will be before my body feels like it did before this year's South By Southwest music conference, ie, normal. Both my bandmate Kevin and I agree that of the six conferences we've played, this year's has been by far the most exciting, exhausting, and by that same token also the most fucked-up in.

Unlike past years, this time there were simply too many bands to see. Among those I had the fortune to catch were turntable god MIX MASTER MIKE, the explosive BLACK EYED PEAS and JURASSIC 5, the haunting DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, fellow Austinites KNIFE IN THE WATER and SPOON, nostalgic 80s heroes THE CULT, the UK's own IDLEWILD, the soulfully punk-rock DEL RAYS and of course, our Scottish comrades MOGWAI, whose set left me a gelatinous mass.

Originally intended as a showcase for new and unsigned acts SXSW's original purpose has deviated to a place where labels showcase their rosters, leaving those unsigned to scrounge for what little place is left available. For many Austinites it's seen as an intrusion upon an otherwise usually peaceful microcosm - a feeling unaided by the fact that unless you're playing or are affiliated with a label or the press, the $500 tee for a SXSW badge comes out of your own pocket.

SXSW also seems to allow certain clubs an excuse to act abusively towards attendees and treat bands as if they were being done a favour by being allowed to play. But it's the bands playing SXSW that are the event, not the tiny clubs 'allowing' them the privilege.

For us, playing the festival this year was symbolic as it's most likely our last. We feel it's time to make way for the unsigned yet-to-bes SXSW was intended for. I hope the future sees a change of attitude towards performers and even return to its original intention of being a golden opportunity for unknown artists. Until that happens, we'll continue to enjoy our town's annual music conference - not because of the attitudes of the festival and clubs but in spite of them.