Applications To Play South by Southwest 2005 Now Open

23rd September 2004

South by Southwest (SXSW) is one of the biggest celebrations of music in the United States, if not the world. The music conference and festival features more than 1000 acts from around the globe performing by invitation each year, helping to expose big name success stories like Norah Jones, the Darkness, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Strokes, Beck, and the White Stripes since its inception.

A yearly contingent of New Zealand acts is well-established, with The Coolies, The Have, Little Thief, Meterman, and Pluto all accepting invitations to play at this year’s event. SXSW 2004 offered these acts a prestigious opportunity for exposure on the world stage. Six months after SXSW 2004:

 The Coolies tour NZ and Australia September/October with Die! Die! Die! and American artists Hawnay Troof. They also have a U.S. tour set for November, and whilst there plan to record the follow-up to their debut album.

 The Have are still in talks with a US label, and have a potential Australian and Japanese release scheduled. They also secured the services of a US and UK lawyer.

 Little Thief is currently residing in the U.K.

 In the coming months Meterman will be releasing a series of 7" records as well as a limited edition Damo Suzuki (of legendary German group CAN) / Meterman record from the Damo Suzuki Tour 2004 (on which Meterman were his 'Sound Carriers'). The group also plans to record an album in Chicago, early 2005. Meterman will use this time to also play shows for the second time around America, Europe and the UK.

 Pluto’s new album is due for release in October.

If you would like to apply to play at SXSW 2005, you can do so online: http://2005.sxsw.com/music/showcase/form

The fee for online applications made on or before October 8th is US$10. The fee for online applications made between October 8th and November 8th is US$20. All international applications must be completed no later than October 29th, although bands are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

For more information contact Steve Newall at the NZMIC

Phone (09)376 0115 or email steve@nzmusic.org.nz