For about 12 hours yesterday I was going to the SXSW music, film and interactive conference(s), today I’m not. Stay tuned for a heavy dose of self pity, but first some music.
It’s been at least ten minutes since Akira The Don got some love from Music Like Dirt.
Catastrophic hard drive failures may have delayed 2nd LP “The Life Equation” but still the exclusive remixes and tracks pop up almost daily on thedon.com. You can preorder a mixtape/tshirt/album “The Omega Selection” for super cheap right now.
Retro gamers wetdream and taster from Omega, “Streetfighter” popped up on his site last week (including the option to download all the sounds from original Streetfighter game) and I’m eagerly waiting to hear what Akira does to The Voluntary Butler Scheme’s “Tabasco Soul“.
Today he sent over a Air France remix to brighten my gloomy day, and said suitably soothing things about SXSW.
Plus his review of “The Watchmen” had me in stitches (I realise its no laughing matter to Moore fans) – Read about the “faithful adaptation” here:
“It’s like somebody traced a picture of a lovely shiny tasty apple, then scrawled maggots all over it, then wiped their arse with it, then decided to feed it to a passing toddler and draw a picture of a banana dipped in pestilence instead“.
LISTEN: Air France – “No Excuses (Akira The Don Remix)” (MP3)
Right (cue violins) yesterday I was unexpectedly asked if I’d like to go to Austin, Texas to film/edit some pieces on the SXSW interactive and movie festival as well as potentially the music part as well. As Billy Connolly once said I was so excited a little pee came out.
7.30AM this morning found me in the queue at the US Embassy nervously checking and rechecking the various forms for mistakes, and hoping the DIY induced splinter in my thumb wouldn’t make my thumbs unscannable.
All went smoothly through the first interview, thumbs scanned, photo’s accepted, and on to the second stage.
Desk 19 “Hello Sir”
Me: “Hello”
Desk 19 “What do you do for your employer?”
Me: “I’m an Editor/Cameraman”
Desk 19 “So you’re going to the South By South West Festival?”
Me nervously: “yes… hopefully”
Desk 19 “I won’t be issuing you with a Visa. Your passport has a split in it and is therefore a security threat to both yourself and to the United States”
And that was that, SXSW ended almost as soon as it began. The merest split in the plastic on the final page (which the UK passport office later said was fine).
In retrospect the first two questions seem slightly cruel if you know you’re going to follow up with a “No visa for you” but that’s the power people have.
I’m off to have a good sob. Pre-Order Akira The Don, people.
