Access To Music student group, Jimi's Parade, at SXSW 2011

Three Planes and 14 hours later after leaving Manchester airport we arrived in Austin Texas exhausted not really knowing what to expect. After a couple of hours spent on 6^th St we realised what an amazing experience we were about to undertake. The threshold of music was on a completely different level than we've ever seen before. SXSW was a great experience for us not only because of the brilliant showcase we got invited to play but because the sheer amount of industry people we got to meet and greet. Everyone from managers, booking agents, festival bookers and label representatives, the list just go on and on. The beauty of being out at the bars and venues with these sorts of people was being able to interact with them on a personal level rather than going through the process of constant phoning and emailing trying to get hold of the right people. The ability to network was very important for a band such as us and we were lucky enough to have Phil Ellis representing us and introducing us to an array of industry colleagues.

 Whilst on the ground at SXSW we put together a video diary capturing not only our experiences but also that of the entire festival which may be turned into the Official video for our single The Lover. With all the action going on at SXSW, It could have been easy to forget the reason we ourself s were out there in the first place and that was to put on a top class performance! Even though our instruments had been left at Manchester airport!!! The gig went great with a full house all enjoying the British Breakfast on offer we went down well and received great feedback and numerous business cards afterwards! We would like to thank The Features from Nashville for the use of there guitars great guys and a great band just one of the many we met along the way.  

Here are our tips for going to SXSW

Preparation – Much of the hard work can be done before you set off not only rehearing as a band but finding out information about the festival online I.e who's playing, where and when. What industry parties would be beneficial to attend  etc. 

Merchandise – Be sure to get together band merchandise CD's, T-shirts , Badges etc. getting all of these things may not be possible so the most important band tool is Business cards!! the more the better you never know who you may bump into.

Be Professional – This goes back to preparation there's so many bands out there doing the same thing as you and 1^st impressions count!

Networking – We found this to be the most important thing. All the hard work can be done before and after your performance and this is where Business cards come in we gave out over 500 in the 5 days and received just as many back from some great contacts for the future.

Enjoy it – It's a great opportunity and even though there is work to be done have fun doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We could talk all day long about the highlights of our time Spent in Austin and with everything happening 100mph whilst out there, many of our experiences are only just coming back to us now . Every musician/band definitely need to experience SXSW at least once so roll on SXSW 2012!!!!           

The opportunity arose from the audition process for the Atom Live Tour 2010. We were successful and took part on the first half of the U.K Tour finishing at The Great Escape Festival. Off the back of the Tour we were asked to play at Le Gibus in Paris for the Inter Écoles Festival. We were asked to play at SXSW at The Breakfast Show showcase  put together by Atom and other partners. The trip would also coincide with a single release through Atom Sounds via Ditto Music of the track, The Lover. It was released on March 14^th in North America.

It's been a busy but great year all round for us and we would like to thank everyone involved for the great opportunity's and advice offered along the way.

Especially Access to Music, Atom Live and Jono Heale, Trevor Newnham, Phil Ellis of Exclusive Entertainment, Jay Kerr of Ditto, Dave from Liverpool Soundcity, Go North Festival, Ahmad and all the staff at lattitude 30 for there hospitality at there great venue, Chris from Cato music for the great sound and use of the backline, all the british music industry who attended our show and all of SXSW, Harold Perkins, The staff at the embassy suites hotel for the great service and free Nachos and cocktails! And all the great people we met out in Austin see you next year.