WHEELS DOES AUSTIN

MARCH MADNESS: There’s a certain feeling in the air during this time of the year. College hoops, spring break and of course, SXSW are all in full effect. By the time you read this, you’re either cozying up to that third martini, kicking it old-school at the Four Seasons Lounge or popping that fourth tequila shot you know you’ll regret at the Driskill—which is the new spot, by the way. We’ll be shooting straight vodka intravenously at the Red Bull Party House on Congress, courtesy of Grace Marketing’s Greg Hammer (yes, he was the A&R dude from Universal). And during all the partying, showcases and schmoozing, there are still some panels to check out: Yours truly will moderate the Saturday (3/19) A&R panel, titled A&R and Artist Development in a Hit-Driven Business, featuring Factory Records founder Anthony Wilson, Island Def Jam’s Paul Pontius, Interscope’s Luke Wood, Chrysalis Music’s Jamie Cerreta and World Audience’s Berko. On Thursday (3/17), Birdman Recording Group’s David Katznelson will moderate Young and Over the Hill: A&R after 30, featuring Sire’s Seymour Stein, Hollywood’s Jason Jordan, Big Life’s Jazz Summers, producer Ron Goudie and A&R vet Sue Drew. Also on Thursday, check out What to Expect When You’re Expecting, moderated by HITS’ own Karen Glauber. Panelists include KROQ’s Matt Smith, Merge Records’ Mac McCaughan, Bravery bandmember Sam Endicott, MTV2’s David Cohn, Blue Nile frontman Paul Buchanan, KROX’s Lynn Barstow, Zomba’s Lorraine Carouso and Cornerstone Management’s Sara Newkirk... AND HERE ARE MORE SXSW SHOWS TO PICK YOUR NOSE WITH: WED. (3/16): Firekills at Redrum at 11 p.m.; the Tarantulas showcase at Emo’s, featuring the Valley Arena, Darker My Love, Static Age, Secret Lives of the Freemasons, Spittz and My Epiphany (starts at 7 p.m.); Every Move a Picture at the Lava Lounge at 1 a.m.; Murder by Death at Sake on 6th at 1 a.m.… THURS. (3/17): Gloria Butler Management showcase at Room 710, featuring Hydrovibe, Lojic, Killola, Cordalene and The Hatch (starts at noon); SideOneDummy showcase at Emo’s Annex Tent, featuring VCR, Go Betty Go and The Dan Band, among others (starts at 8 p.m.); Ampop at Latitude 30 at 9 p.m.; Chinese Stars at Emo’s Jr. at 11:45 p.m.; Communique at Friends at 12 a.m.; Open Hand at Red Eyed Fly at 12 a.m.; Juliana Theory at Red Eyed Fly at 1 a.m.... FRI. (3/18): INDIE911 showcase/party at Momo’s starting at 12:00 p.m.; Classic Case at the SESAC showcase at the Co-Op at 11 p.m.… SAT. (3/19): Aqui at Club de Ville at 8 p.m.; Hot IQs at Co-Op at 8 p.m.; Greater Good at Habana Calle 6 at 8 p.m.; Hard-Fi at La Zona Rosa at 9 p.m.; Militia Group/Equal Vision showcase at Redrum, featuring Circa Survive, Rocket Summer, Bear vs. Shark, Lovedrug, Armor For Sleep, Copeland and The Snake The Cross The Crown (starts at 8 p.m.); Maximo Park at Pecan St. Ale House at 12 a.m.... BUZZIN’: Late night sausage dogs on Sixth St... Hit me up: [email protected]