If you're familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing a full day at SXSW. To break down the bright, scintillating chaos, Village Voice Media's roving music editors have selected their favorite moments from SXSW day two. Find 'em below, and let us know in the comments what show blew your hair back.
Nick Rallo Oh nothing, just a guy in a wolf mask playing "Happy Birthday" on the violin
A.Dd+ - Kiss & Fly I was at the Audible Treats showcase at Kiss & Fly to see Dallas' own A.Dd+, who had the entire crowd screaming their name by set's end. Paris Pershun and Slim Gravy facilitated that reaction somewhat by ending the set in the crowd, rapping to each other. They've got the perfect complementary flow, and when they trade verses, they actually look at each other with an intensity rarely seen in rap duos nowadays, gauging where the other might be going. They just got off tour with Detroit's Black Milk, so they've no doubt gotten a chance to refine their delivery. The energy of the set made me stick around for Brooklyn trio Flatbush Zombies, who endured some technical difficulties, but thankfully got to perform their hit "Thug Waffle." Bay area rapper Moe Green followed suit, but the surprise of the night was Georgia Anne Muldrow, an L.A. emcee who's just as comfortable with rap as jazz and soul, a beat poet who eschews formal verse/chorus/verse in favor of mantra and message. Her voice is an instrument in itself. Madlib produced her upcoming album, Seeds, and I can't wait to hear the fruits of that interstellar collaboration. - Audra Schroeder
Skrillex - The Main
Of course the first thing I would have to immediately walk to after a stellar and draining Bruce Springsteen show would be the current King Of Dubstep and the Bizarro World Cobain that is Skrillex. I was in the badge line thirty seconds until a greasy haired dub moppet begged me to get her into the show, thinking I had an extra badge somehow. Inside the crowd was bathing in their own juices as Skrillex held court onstage with a good two dozen friends surrounding him. The audience was screaming for the drop like it was lifeblood, as I sat in the corner taking it all in. There was no moving, only slow sweating and tip-toeing around girls in sports bras and shirtless men writing on top of each other. You know, the usual. A lot of my peers in this business laugh Skrillex off as a dance fad king but there is something interesting going on that classical rock writing can't put a word to. For now, let's just wait....for....the.....DROP, and enjoy the ride. -- Craig Hlavaty
Craig Hlavaty
The Naked Cowboy Talks Politics Earlier in the week we looked down from the balcony of a Sixth Street bar, only to see someone dressed like the Naked Cowboy! Now, we'd seen a lot of folks working for tips looking hot and ridiculous, but this was extra special. "Great SXSW first night!" we tweeted. "Saw a naked cowboy impersonator." Low and behold, we quickly received a reply.
Tomorrow? We did him once better and commenced the interview right then, over Twitter. Of course, we only had one question: "Who are you voting for?" His answer finally arrived two days later. We read it with great anticipation, but sadly it said exactly what we'd expected: "Anybody but Obama!" -- Ben Westhoff
