Last week at SXSW, we ran a showcase and held a day party. We’d heard that Austin locals aren’t particularly welcoming of SXSW. Austin proved that rumor completely unfounded.

At both of our events, Austin locals were so welcoming, we were ready to move and become one ourself.
Emo’s hosted our Thursday night showcase, and their entire staff was professional and friendly. They kept the club clean and the bar well stocked the whole night. Daytrotter, a content-packed website no doubt read by many people in Austin, sponsored the Thursday night showcase.

Then, for our Saturday day party, several local businesses helped us out. The fruit juice from the award winning Goodflow Honey & Juice Company was not only hearty but also refreshing. Local brewery Saint Arnold sent over a few cases of root beer, which tasted as if they had carefully handcrafted every bottle. The brownies from Miles of Chocolate were so succulent and complex that they fully satisfied our sweet teeth for a long time to come. Okay Mountain Gallery (just behind the pinata shop!) let us hang out on their lawn and listen to great music for the final afternoon of SXSW. KTRU in nearby Houston promoted both events, and provided excellent company at each. Finally, Nick Hennies of the Austin’s own Weird Weeds spearheaded the Saturday party and curated the band roster.

If you live in Austin, you probably already know about all these local businesses and organizations, but if these are new to you, we recommend each with all our heart.

All in all, everything was a success because Austinians helped us out. Thanks Austin! We owe you one!