SXSW LINEUP

Get your liver ready, just six more weeks until SXSW. The 16th annual conference has lined up legendary recording artist/DreamWorks creative advisor Robbie Robertson as keynote speaker. And, Courtney Love will grant an interview to The Los Angeles Times’ Chuck Philips.

Confirmed speakers include: Lorraine Ali, Warner Bros.’ Bill Bentley, Chrysalis Music Group’s Jeff Brabec, Lost Highway’s Frank Callari, BMI’s Paul Corbin, Rounder Records’ Ken Irwin, Columbia Records’ Jon Pikus, High Road Touring’s Frank Riley, Atlantic Records’ John Rubeli, Mammoth Records’ Rob Seidenberg and some other people who don’t return your call.

Panels already scheduled include: Attracting Media Attention, Indie Label Opportunities, How Much Does Music Matter?, Artists vs. Technology, The Road To Airplay, Studio Tips, Online Retail, A&R Myths and Realities, Publishers' Role in Creating Income Streams, Digital Music Subscription Services, Are Recording Contracts Fair? and Touring—Exclusive Artist-Promoter Deals. In addition to the panels, one-on-one interviews with RIAA honcho Hilary Rosen and author Peter Guralnick will be conducted.

And finally, here’s a random list of bands that are confirmed to play. Cowboy Mouth, The Damned, Firewater, The Frames, Imperial Teen, Rasputina, Sparta, They Might Be Giants, Alien Crime Syndicate, Jon Auer, Bottle Rockets, Richard Buckner, Clinic, Neil Finn, Girls Against Boys, The Greenhornes and Lo-Ball. A full list of confirmed acts is at SXSW.com.

The most important thing to remember is that the HITS party will be at the Hard Rock on Friday of SXSW week. Maybe Rodel will buy you a drink for a change.