SXSW 2013 made a huge impact in the music industry compared to all other years in my opinion. It seemed that more sponsors and band wagon crowds were drawn, but never the less one of the hottest upcoming artist and networking festivals of the year.
Next In Show was unable to attend SXSW, but did manage to connect with a few artists who had show stopping performances.
Introducing the Next In Show Interview Sessions with Nylo, L.A and Ryshon Jones.
Nylo (@hatenylo) Chicago, IL
Was this your first sxsw experience?
Completely insane, in the most magical way.
Its hard to describe the depth of it, to someone who hasn't been. Knowing there is a city that, once a year, every year, that opens their doors to all music lovers and musicians alike... to come and takeover every crevice, street, bar, hotel, outdoor patio, sidewalk, etc… and do what they do best with it. Its amazing. The energy is incredible.
I played one of the biggest stages I've ever gotten to play as well, so that was a big highlight for me. Playing on the same stage as Kendrick Lamar was also a dream come true.
The showcase you were involved in was the Ice Cream Official sxsw Social, which featured Kendrick lamar , Pusha T and many more notables.
Give us a brief visual of that day you performed. Was it musical chaos?
Yes, exactly! Musical chaos describes it pretty accurately, haha. I stayed up all night the night before, because I found out that day I couldn't play with my drummer, they didn't have a kit! Since I was unaware, I didn't have tracks with me, and I was 2000 miles from home.
I needed a plan B fast... so I talked to my drummer about playing an MPC live. He suggested instead a Roland SPD-SX, which is a drum machine, but you can play it with sticks. That would solve our problems, but we would have to rehearse it… oh yea… and FIND ONE.
The plan was to just wake up super early, find one, book a rehearsal space, and then go to the venue. Simple right? Noooo. I woke up late and ended up leaving for Guitar Center in my pajamas. Then the first Guitar Center was sold out, we got to our rehearsal space an hour late, we left it another hour late, and then when we had to get our credentials at the venue to get in that evening, it took 25 minutes to get the proper person to escort my band and I into the venue. Kids are already lined up and around the block, and Im standing outside trying to get in… in my pajamas! Hahah, amazing.
Finally we get taken care of, but I still have to change! Driving back to the hotel outside of the city, as you can imagine, we hit major traffic. We only had an hour to get there and get back at the requested time, it took 2hrs instead, and I got back 6 mins before show time! Backstage girls were running around topless doing photo-shoots, I took a shot of Tequila, and walked on stage.
Thats just up through 8:00pm… the night continued on like that, crazy and perfect. My second show with ASCAP was more organized on my part, but the whole day was just madness.
Chicago love for a dope set by Rockie Fresh, and to Jasmine Solano just for being the only other female on the roster and being awesome.
There were so many showcases throughout the week. Did you manage to discover any new music?
OMG, yes. It was honestly every time I left the house I fell in love with a new band. The highlights for me were Allen Stone, Conner Youngblood, and Blackbear.
Myself and 1 million other @Nas fans noticed that Escobar himself tweeted about your performance. What did that mean to you?
It meant kissing strangers and streaking through the pool hall I was in when I saw the tweet.
Nas is an artist, a poet, a legend, and a teacher.
Great music never goes unnoticed Nylo.
This is the land of the people and the home of the brave. The internet has freed the hands and feet of musicians and fans alike. Its our world now and we get to choose anything we want, change anything we want, and give a big middle finger to typical archaic record industry ideals. The new 'artist' is here, and the fans picked it.
L.atasha A.llcindor (@UCanCallMeLa) Flatbush, NY
Last year you told me that "next year you go big or you go home." Did you fulfill that goal?
Yea. I did. In my own way. As a lot of people known I have been without any management and public relations for a while. So I was going to SXSW as a totally new artist in my mind. I have a team now but more so for artist development (Homebass Studios/Last Rights) and we have been making due and a lot of splash through networking and showing pure talent. So I didn't have a huge parade behind me, but making enough (important/quiet) moves is what was going big. Playing smart and not playing the scene is kind of my new thing.
You performed at a showcase called Built from the Ground up. How do you feel it went?
Got shut down blah. not the best location. so i didn't get to perform there but I got to perform at The Lodge for Ryshon Jones' set which was pretty dope and a lot of people really enjoyed it. I was super happy just to be on a stage cause its been a while since I've been in hibernation because of my album, "LALytes : Revelations of a L.ife A.ddict".
Who were you most interested in seeing as a fan this year?
I was super hype to see Future. lol. I know what you are thinking. But Future is pretty great. (Don't hate) I also was hype for Ab-soul, cause in my mind he's my cousin and last time i went to his shown I didn't get to see the whole set cause I fainted because of the overdose of kush in the air. (lightweight problems)
Everybody who's anybody came out for the spectacle. Did you have any special or inspiring conversations with anyone in particular?
Honestly, my best conversation probably was with my new DJ Rieza. Totally an alien being, we had the chance to get to know about each other and figure out what makes us love what we do. He also threw a party in the middle of 6th street and had a crowd in less than a minute. I was in awe really and just inspired by how pressing play can draw people to you.
What were some important highlights to you from that week?
Important Highlights/ Things I learned:
1 - People trying to gain recognition can be more fake than people already at the place they need to be. Not gonna get to deep but "Hypebeast we know about ya."
2 - Some drunk guy told me that "Myspace is Back."
3 - Producers parties can be more clutch than showcases.
4 - Next Year I want Fader fort (and then some)
5 - Even if you get an invite to Illmore, if you can't go with the whole team, don't go. Eat with the people that you starve with.
6 - Rapgenius is the best.
7 - If you say "Popped a molly, I'm Sweating" in a British accent its even better. S/O to Will Prince.
8 - I ain't trying walk on 6th street next year, unless its for the fans.
Another positive step in your career L.A.
Ryshon Jones (@ryshonjones) Philladelphia, PA
This was your second year in a row to be a part of sxsw showcases. Do you feel you have grown from last year?
Yea alot I been learning alot of things lately especially about myself.
What shows were you able to see when your weren't busy?
I caught the TDE show I caught Fader Fort for Future , and I caught the producer showcase with illmind.
You told me last year that you felt like you hadn't done enough at sxsw to grow your fanbase. What did you do differently this year to maximize your potential?
Just going for it .
How did it feel to open for Talib Kweli?
It was....very very memorable and fun.
What was the best part of SXSW for you?
Seeing Trae The Truth bring out T.I, Pharrell & B.o.B and being at the Rap Genuis Ranch.
You the next in show Ryshon.
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