The first day of SXSW 2007 I met a girl on the shuttle  that was representing a band from Australia. She was excited to see the opportunities for her band of which she was also a member. She said that they wanted to tour more and do some things outside of Australia. SXSW was the place for her to do it.

The next passenger on board was also from Australia. He owns a small label and distributes and licenses music from other countries to sell in his home country. He was here to find bands and music and he was excited and ready.

As you might guess the next passenger was from another country, namely China. John is a promoter that does shows in China. His goal was to come to SXSW to get bands to tour into China and show them how to do it.

As things ended up I was the only American on the shuttle! I said to myself “This is so cool, the world is definitely getting smaller”.

The great thing about this international presence is that it gives one more perspective, new ideas and an appreciation for others and their efforts to expand their music and their business.

{mosimage}To keep with the theme I stopped by the Japan Night showcase and I was floored. I entered the club and the place was going nuts. A 3 piece band called OK! OK! 7188 was rockin’ the stage like nobodies business and the crowd reacted in kind. Huge swells of cheers erupted when a song was over. To be in a room that has that much excitement is exhilarating. When the band was done, very few people left the club. They were not about to lose their spot in the very crowded room to see another Japanese band HY. HY delivered with a power packed and poppy performance.

It wasn’t just the Japanese that showed their musical prowess this year. Line-ups included artists from Jamaica, Israel, Spain, Hungary, New Zealand, Finland, Russia and more.

SXSW is a true melting pot of ideas, music, styles and attitudes. If you missed it this year be sure to treat yourself to a true and creative experience.

SXSW website