'Proud moment' at Austin Texas Music Fest for Memphis, Goner

It's safe to say that Memphis made a lasting impression at the 20th annual South by Southwest Music Conference.

The Bluff City was well represented in Austin, Texas, where more than 1,300 bands landed to play at official showcases, free parties and private events over five days, ending Sunday. Goner, Shattered and Contaminated Records hosted shows at Austin's Beerland; Goner Records was awarded a coveted "official" showcase on Thursday evening, while Shattered and Contaminated Records hosted free parties Friday and Saturday, respectively. PHOTO: Zac Ives and Justice Naczycz, members of the Memphis band Final Solutions, perform at the South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas.

"Cathy Ross from SXSW stopped into the store when she was visiting Memphis and asked if we could do a mini-Goner Fest as a showcase in Austin," said Zac Ives, co-owner with Eric Friedl of the Goner record label and store. Goner had hosted two four-day music festivals in Midtown Memphis in 2005.

"Turns out it's a big deal," said Friedl. "We were honored!"

Once an event mostly for industry professionals scouting new talent, since its inception in 1987 the SXSW conference has warped into a sort of rock and roll spring break. Along with the seven bands playing Beerland, a dive bar decorated with Christmas lights and arcade games, Memphis fans were heavily represented in the audience.

"The whole Memphis/Goner/ Contaminated/Shattered family of people had a real great presence at the festival," says Friedl. "When Scott Rogers (of Friedl's band The Dutchmasters) said, 'Let's hear it for Memphis' from the stage and got a big cheer, I realized how much people love our town and the music from our town. Proud moment."

Memphian Christine Gladney, a veteran of SXSW with two previous trips, said, "People loved the Memphis bands and the Memphis label bands."

The Goner showcase kicked off with King Louie doing his one-man-band show, playing guitar while sitting behind a drum kit using the kick drum, occasionally stopping to ring a cowbell. He was followed by Memphis favorite Harlan T. Bobo backed by Paul Buchignani on drums and Brandon Robertson on bass.

Bobo's set was followed by The Dutchmasters and the Ives-fronted Final Solutions. The night was capped off by sets from Leather Uppers, Atlanta's Carbonas, and finally, the band Head from Seattle.

"HEAD! They've always been one of my favorite bands," Ives said. "Eric and I began plotting ways to get them to Goner Fest a while back."

While commonly known as an industry event, the Goner owners mostly connected with fans at SXSW.

"We're more into the music than the industry," Friedl said. "At the end of the day, they can listen to their money. We'll listen to great music. I think (SXSW's) too big to really get seen by bigwigs who can write the checks. But you can definitely start a buzz. Everyone who goes back to their own community afterwards will be talking. That's publicity you can't buy, but they try."
Bobo did sell records at the event. And, Friedl said, "Someone just e-mailed about getting Harlan some Florida dates after seeing him at the showcase, so that's definitely good."
Story Courtesy of the CAppeal