SXSW 2013: A Diary Of A “Crafty Veteran”

Some band playing some where in Texas...
Some band playing some where in Texas…

Having been dubbed a “crafty veteran” by one local bystander, there are a few certain truths that I have discovered seven years deep into South By South West culture. 1) Always carry your phone charger because the battery will die; the ABC’s (Always Be Chargin’) as we here at Spinning Platters like to call it. 2) Delicious food is only a food truck away when you need to take a break and refuel in-between day parties and evening showcases. And 3) there will be both bad, and good bands at aforementioned showcases. The payout for waiting through a not-so-awesome band, however, can be an amazing, week-altering experience that leads to months of fan-girl-ing out, post-South By. However, this is all contingent on actually being granted admission to that one thing one wanted to see the most. There are still things to be learned and sometimes learned the hard way.

Continue reading “SXSW 2013: A Diary Of A “Crafty Veteran””

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/28/11 – 5/4/11

He thought he was playing The Fillmore tonight, but it's not him.

Since I’m filling in recommending shows to see this week, I’m changing things up! Some nights, I’ll recommend only one show, meaning if you’re not seeing this, you can stay home, play with the cats, cook dinner for your loved ones, or anything else you feel like doing. And other nights, I’ll recommend many shows, which means if you’re not at a show, you’d better have a darned good excuse!  (And if you’re in Vegas this weekend, say hi. Click that cool floating contact bar on the left.) Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/28/11 – 5/4/11”

New Release Round Up 3/30/10 – 39 Instant Album Reviews

Paul and Storm have a new album, and are the only ones in this column who've been interviewed by us.

Instant album reviews is my favorite weekly column on the web, I use it as a way to filter out the LaLa.com list of stuff to decide what to listen to. With Pouria off in foreign lands, they needed a suitable fill in but since they couldn’t find one, you get me.  I’ve been honing my pithy comments and I’m ready to go. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 3/30/10 — 39 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up for 12/8-12/15 – 50 Instant Album Reviews

They don't look much like hippies to me, either.

Pouria took advantage of my being away, and saved up 50 albums over two weeks of the lowest profile albums in the entire world (with a few exceptions). That means you get FIFTY album reviews in ONE column! Who else can provide you such value? Read on! Continue reading “New Release Round Up for 12/8-12/15 — 50 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up, 9/29/09 – 34 Instant Album Reviews

Pouria said "use the Ghostface Killah cover because it's the best." I think it represents his journey through Lala.
Edtior's note: Pouria said "use the Ghostface Killah cover because it's the best." I think it represents his journey through Lala for this week.

This week had some particularly bad, boring albums. Eventually when I got to some good music I stopped wondering why I do this column. Continue reading “New Release Round Up, 9/29/09 — 34 Instant Album Reviews”