Every year the city of Austin, Texas is transformed by the thousands of bands, managers, agents, labels, media, and music fans that descend upon the annual South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference.
It’s a week-long festival of career-making opportunities, groundbreaking networking, gigs and parties that’s basically unmatched for anywhere else in the music business world.
It’s also possibly the best place to have your band discovered by music’s most influential people, and if you’re an Australian artist looking for that ‘big break’, your chance to play next year’s SXSW has just opened up.
Artist submissions for SXSW 2015 showcases have opened today, offering an early chance for bands to play next year’s edition, taking place 17th to the 22nd March.
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Opening the application process earlier than in previous years, SXSW officials are now giving longer lead time so they can focus on giving each applicant more attention and notify them of their status sooner than previous years, and doubly allows Aussie artists plenty of time to sort out their visas, flights, accommodation, and extra touring opportunities.
Bands (as well as their managers, agents, and labels) can upload their application in electronic press kit form via Sonic Bids starting today (Tuesday 8th July). Full details are available at the official SXSW website and there’s also a handy Showcase FAQ. Application fees are US$ 33, rising to US$ 45 on 12th September.
The final submission deadline for applications is 11th October, so make sure you put in your diaries to ensure you don’t miss the chance to be part of the SXSW 2015 lineup.
This year’s SXSW featured over 55 Aussie artists – a record-breaking number – jetting to Austin for the music conference, giving them the opportunity to showcase to over 25,000 industry reps, mingle with nearly 3,000 media members, rub shoulders with the other 2,300+ showcasing artists from over 57 different countries.
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Some of this year’s SXSW success stories include Castlemaine’s D.D Dumbo becoming the fourth ever Aussie to sign with influential indie, 4AD, buzz-building performances from The Preatures, much attention for ‘Riptide’ hit-maker Vance Joy (oh lookie, he’s on the application page!), folk rockers Boy & Bear, and Melbourne songbird Gossling, and many more.
Other breakout Aussie artists that have benefited from a little SXSW magic include such luminaries as Chet Faker, DZ Deathrays, Alpine, Big Scary, Bleeding Knees Club, The Temper Trap, Emma Louise, Matt Corby, The Temper Trap, NZ expat Kimbra, and many more.
Not in a band but still want a slice of the SXSW 2015 action? Signing up as a delegate to attend the series of music, film, and technology events might be your option; full details for attendance applications and costs are available here.
SXSW 2015
15th – 22nd March, 2015 – Austin, Texas USA
Artist Showcase Applications open between Tues 8th July – Friday 12th September, 2014.
Submissions close Friday 10th October, 2014.
More info at sxsw.com
