SXSW As It Happens: SXXpress, Kindles, Paradise for Little Girls and Finding Free Food

Adam Newton, 12:46 p.m.: I’m at Paradise for Little Girls, a Canadian act making Bauhaus-inspired post-punk. There are three Jewish-Canadian emcees on stage.

Adam Newton, 1:00 p.m.: This is Radio Radio, out of Montreal. Fun lyrics, good day party energy and decent beats by a bro, a prep and a hipster. These are sunny, summertime dance floor jams. Radio Radio isn’t actually Jewish, but they ARE over-the-top showmen who just want people to have a fun time with their music.

Adam Newton, 1:22 p.m.: Up next: DD/MM/YYYY, which is pronounced “Day Month Year.” I’m kinda excited. A clever (anti-social?) nerd brought along his Kindle so he could read between sets. I see a guitar, bass, drumkit, two sythns, a keytar and an alto sax on stage. What we have here is a frenetic blast of arty, syncopated pop.

Dan Oko, 1:41 p.m.: Taking care of business most out-of-towners don’t do at this conference: Met with my tax advisor. He used to own a club in Austin. How rockin is that?

Adam Newton, 1:51 p.m.: This DD/MM/YYYY set would be more balanced if not for the technical issues. It was still enjoyable – an exercise in barely controlled chaos.

Dan Oko, 1:45 p.m.: They’ve got a new badgeholder service this year – SXXpress – to help journos skip lines at most showcases. Nice idea but it’s limited. Dirty Dog (Hole) and Stubb’s are already “sold out,” so get there early, sucker.

Brittanie Shey, 2:04 p.m.: At the Village Voice Media party representing the lowly freelancers. Free food in VIP section.

Adam Newton, 2:05 p.m.: Lights (from Montreal) is up next, and there are over 30 under 21 kids crammed against the stage like it’s a tiny local show. Lights also have a

Dan Oko, 2:05 p.m.: Waiting for “What Becomes Legemd Most” panel featuring Jonathan Poneman of Subpop Records, Lenny Kaye from the Patti Smith group and Andrew WK.

Brandon K. Hernsberger, 2:07 p.m.: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is maybe more Fall Out Boy than My Chemical Romance. Still, isn’t the Warped Tour going on somewhere?

Adam Newton, 2:19 p.m.: Big tech issues with the Lights’ setup. The band, sound guy and show organizer all look quite stressed. Lights makes pretty, synth-drenched, indie-girl pop. It’s much too sugary for my tastes.

Brandon K. Hernsberger, 2:27 p.m.: Just took a hologram picture. Welcome to the future.

Brittanie Shey, 2:35 p.m.: Belly full of free tacos and I bought a bike map of Austin at Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop. ‘Bout to ride all the way out to North Loop to see Austin garage heroes The Ugly Beats.

Adam Newton, 2:36 p.m.: I’m now at Dirty Dog Bar for Gordon Voidwell. Insanely hooky and funky New Edition meets Prince, as envisioned for blipsters.

Craig Hlavaty, 2:37 p.m.: I am standing next to you, touching my moustache.

Brandon K. Hernsberger, 2:45 p,m.: Superchunk next. I’m wondering why we aren’t all bowing down at their feet.