Miracle Fortress playing Assembly Screening and SXSW weak points

Yesterday I had a practice with my Brave Radar buddie Conor at our jam space near Parc metro. We’re getting much closer to being ready to play sxsw, which is comforting. A lot of the practice was spent figuring out logistics, like plane tickets, passports, accomodations, show times…all of which are still up in the air. After talking with a few other people from Montreal who are playing the festival, it’s pretty clear that sxsw is either disorganized for such a large fest, or doesn’t have the money to be as large as it is.

We’re putting out close to $1000 for flights, $200 for a rush passport, plus maybe paying for a hotel because our home stay didn’t work out, all to get down there to play two shows. And now after emailing everyone playing our showcase to ask what gear we need, the sound guy for our show says that no one but the headliner gets a backline. All the other bands playing have to go splits on the gear, which is gonna be something like $300 for a drumkit and amps, and our setup is relatively simple. From what I know, bands don’t get paid from the door for playing the fest, and I don’t even get a festival pass (which is what other bands are paid in) because Conor was originally booked as a solo act.

Why am I bothering? Well, I guess money aside, it’ll be really nice to travel and experience some warm weather and just be around Austin during such a big festival. Risa’s been forwarding me invites to some sxsw-related parties and shows that I’ll be able to get into, and there are some sxsw interactive conferences and things to check out. Lots of great people to meet and talk with about what we’re doing here at indyish. It could either be a really nice retreat or a crazy 5 day party, and either way, I’m happy. The money I’ll have to earn back this summer in a variety of ways.

After yesterday’s practice, I met up with George downtown to put up posters for this Saturday’s Assembly Screening. I had come prepared in two pairs of jeans, 6 sweaters, two hats, and some serious scarfs. We spent a few hours walking st. laurent doing the 4-eyes-looking-out-for-cops move while maneuvering packing tape and posters with mittened hands. We finished near Casa and stopped in for a warm-up miel madness sandwich and camomille tea and ended up watching some Russian animation shorts that were being screened. Thank you George for braving the cold and being a cheerful postering pal.

This morning I went down to Marty’s print shop to okay the assembly scriptbook proof. It looks great! They should be printed by tomorrow and then it’s folding-and-stapling party at my place.

In other Assembly news, it looks like Miracle Fortress is gonna play the screening as a warmup set for their show at sxsw. They’ll start the night off while people are arriving, then the films will get underway. We’re gonna use both of friendship cove’s stages to make things run more smoothly and allow for less time between films.

This afternoon I’m working out Liederwolfe arrangements and helping Conor prepare his song for the show. I’m also getting a passport and having a practice with my other band in the evening. Then it’s girly drinks at Cine to catch up with two ladies who I haven’t seen in far too long.

Hopefully I can get my shift off work tomorrow to have some brainspace to pull together the last minute Assembly details and just rest a bit. I can’t wait for Saturday and hope a lot of you friendly film-loving folk will come out and have a beer with us. Until then, stay warm.