Ivana's SXSW Panel Elicits Raves

K.G. PANEL GETS A RAVE REVIEW: Friday afternoon, our own Karen Glauber moderated a panel, as she does every year at SXSW. For this year’s edition, billed as “Inside the Artist’s Studio,” she called on her close personal friends Mac McCaughan (Superchunk, Merge co-founder), Glassnote’s Daniel Glass, Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Britt Daniel (Spoon, Divine Fits), Coyle Girelli (The Chevin) and Chris Stamey (The dB’s). Apparently, the panel went extremely well; it got the lead review in Consequence of Sound’s recap of the confab. “Sometimes, the most unique moments of SXSW take place within the confines of the Austin Convention Center,” Heather Kaplan wrote. “That certainly felt like the case on Friday afternoon, where a tiny but enthusiastic crowd was treated to an intimate look at the songwriting process with some industry pros. Karen Glauber led the panel in a playful direction, imploring Matthew Caws to write and perform a tune on the fly (mundane song topic: fonts) and asking Coyle Girelli to spin musical gold out of her most-despised lyrical cliché (“touch the sky”). The artists recounted stories of the catalysts for songwriting inspiration, from perfect New York City weather that “changes your brain” (Caws) to a tour manager’s sexual exploits (Britt Daniel) to the rhythm of a porch swing (Chris Stamey). Unlike most SXSW events, there were no complimentary tacos, no open bar. But for those who forewent freebies in favor of stories, the panel offered an insider perspective to the creative spirit that allows SXSW—and the music community as a whole—to grow and thrive.” (3/18a)