For the next week you’ll be enduring endless press, publicity, blog posts and videos about how cool it is to be in Austin Texas at this year’s South By Southwest Festival. And no doubt it’ll be a blast I’m sure, especially at our own No Depression shindig. But let’s face it: most of us aren’t 25 years old anymore, don’t work at a record label or marketing company, don’t have a new album to promote (or any for that matter), and probably don’t have either the money, time or our spouse’s permission. So we won’t be there, we won’t be hipsters, we won’t see the next big thing, we won’t eat great food and we won’t be doing Facebook status updates that say “Just saw Todd Snider eating a hot dog in the hotel lobby and talking to that guy from Time-Warner”.
So what? Does that mean we’re stuck doing laundry or washing our hair every night? Are we left to our own sadly moronic devices to have a good time? Are we relegated to white shoes and belts in February and listening to Susan Boyle? Hardly. Because we have our own festival. One for those like me and you. Couch By Couchwest…or CXCW 2012…“The original alternative to South by Southwest. Where the beer is cheaper and the only hipster is you. While you brag about your tacos and exclusive parties, we’ll be rocking out in the comfort of our living rooms.”
Now in it’s second year, with a new web address and a fancy site, CXCW is poised to become the virtual music festival to see and be seen at. From March 11-18 you can let the wonders of the interwebs bring all the music to you, without ever leaving your home. How’s it work? “Musicians from around the world submit videos recorded on a couch, porch, bathroom…anywhere but the stage…for our enjoyment from the comfort of our living rooms. We hope to bring together as many people as possible who are stuck home while all their friends are stuck in the crowds of Austin, TX. So crack open a beer, crank up the volume, and enjoy the couch!”
I discovered this site last year, when it started out as a Tumblr page. Everyday I’d visit to see the videos that were uploaded. Granted, some were pretty bad…some were mediocre. But some were amazing, artistic, enduring, humorous, entertaining and of course best of all…free. While some of the performers are home serial You Tubers, others are real pros with albums and gigs. You never know who might pop up and for myself, it’s what makes it so interesting. One hint if you choose to upload something: dogs seem to be essential.
This year’s twist is that Yer Bird Records is sponsoring a CXCW Haiku contest…To enter, post a haiku relating to any CXCW activity (music, lounging, beer, tacos, not being in Austin, etc.) on either Twitter (@couchxcouchwest) or on our Facebook page. You can post as many haikus as you want to, but you will only be entered once. We will pull two random winners from all of the entries. Enter between March 11 and midnight Pacific Time on March 18.
For more details on what you need to do to submit a video or simply just watch them, hit the website and have fun. I’m including a bunch from last year as a teaser. And remember…never again have to say the words “Hi. When did you get in? Where you staying?”
