WHEELS & DEALS: SADDLING UP FOR AUSTIN

Who to See at SXSW, and Other A&R-Type Dope Straight from Our A&R-Type Dope
By Rodel Delfin

WAIT, THERE’S MORE: By the time you read this, SXSW will be in full effect. If you’re there, we hope you’re drowning your music-biz sorrows with another round of Jack & Coke, while watching some college hoops. But before you go on your drunken, merry way, here’s our updated, non-Austin weasel report... The Brandon Schmidt-repped Elefant performed to a sold-out crowd at the Troubadour last week. Label and pub reps from Capitol, Atlantic, Hollywood, DreamWorks, RCA, Arista, EMI Music, Warner/Chappell and Chrysalis Music were in the house. The group is scheduled to play this year’s Coachella fest, so expect the heat to continue… The Brian Schwartz-repped Rose Hill Drive were spotted last week in the Big Apple, where the Boulder, CO-based rock trio showcased for more label peeps. Will the band be off the market before they hit the stage in Austin?… In case you haven’t heard, Crush-managed acts Midtown and Butch Walker have gotten the mad signing love from the folks at Sony. Former Drive-Thru act Midtown inks with Columbia, courtesy of Will Botwin, John Doelp, Stu Bergen and Matt Pinfield, while former Marvelous 3 frontman Walker pacts with Epic, courtesy of Steve Barnett and Kaz Utsunomiya. Rumor has it that Crush manager Jonathan Daniel was so ecstatic about the signings that he got a big, fat Sony tattoo on his ass… Chicago hip-hop act Bumpy Johnson signs with Free 4 All though Atlantic. Windy City airplay spurred serious weasel courting… Word on the street is that the big pub derby for Evan Taubenfeld (guitarist/songwriter for Avril Lavigne) has finally ended, with EMI Music the victor. Buzzers buzzing that a record deal is up next for the Avril collaborator. Meanwhile, rumor has it that the EMI deal did not include Taubenfeld’s songs for a solo record. Could another pub play be on the horizon?… Lastly, if you don’t get enough boozinger, networking—done in Austin, the 2004 Atlantis Music Conference is just a few months away. The Atlanta confab is set for July 21-24; the artist submission deadline is April 1. We’ll see you there… POST-AUSTIN BUZZ-GIGS: The Yards at the Mercury Lounge in N.Y. on Mon. (3/22) at 7pm; Leah Siegel at Loaisada in N.Y. on Wed. (3/24) at 7:30pm; and Happyendings at the Outland Ballroom in Springfield, MO on Sat. (4/10)… BUZZIN’: The Casanovas, Jason Tillery, Classic Case, David Andreone and Fueled By Ramen… Hit me up: [email protected]

Now, back to more of our SXSW picks:

WEDNESDAY (3/17)

Darker My Love at Emo’s at 8pm

Static Age at Emo’s at 9pm

Jesse DeNatale at Tambaleo at 10 pm

THURSDAY (3/18)

Morningwood at the Soho Lounge at 11pm

FRIDAY (3/19)

The Pleased at the Copper Tank at 12:10am

Paige at El Mercado Be-Side Lounge at 11pm

Stinky Records Showcase at the Copper Tank feat. Gram Rabbit, Another Blue Door, Low Flying Owls and Singapore Sling

SATURDAY (3/20)

Shooter Jennings at the Levi’s Party at 3pm

Fenway Recordings Showcase At Club DeVille feat. The Love Scene, Read Yellow, Consonant and Buck 65

PRE-GRAMMY GALA GOES GAGA FOR GERSON
Jody will be the center of attention at Clive's shindig. (12/18a)
ON THE COVER:
BILLIE EILISH
A star upon the highest bough (12/19a)
NOISEMAKERS:
A HOLIDAY TREAT
Something for their stockings (12/18a)
SUPREME COURT SETS 1/10 HEARING ON TIKTOK BAN
How will SCOTUS rule? (12/19a)
THE HIP-HOP CONUNDRUM
Grammy being Grammy (12/19a)
NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
WHO'S BUYING THE DRINKS?
That's what we'd like to know.
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