The Mother (Down)Load!!!

Are you like me, do you like to download music, but can’t bring yourself to do the illegal download thang??  Well, I have found the cure for that ailment.  Consider this an Official Gobblers Knob Public Service Announcement. 

Every March, the city of Austin, TX turns into the Music capital of the world when South by Southwest hits town and turns the capital city into one big keg-party.  One of the chief goals of the annual conference is to “showcase” bands that are looking to get signed by big labels, or those labels, both big and small, trying to gain attention for their roster of artists. In the spirit of showcasing and spreading the word, the website for each years conference is LOADED with free mp3 downloads from the vast majority of participating bands.  While it lacks depth in the traditional Country genre, the number of Folk, Bluegrass, Singer-Songwriter and “Alt-Country” acts more than makes up for that deficiency.  Before you click on over, understand that there are but a few names that you will recognize off the bat.  Many of these acts are looking to make their break while in Texas.  The 2005 Conference site has the showcase listings still intact (just click on the various days at top of page for each days schedule of bands).  The 2006 list, as well as the 2007 docket, is done in alphabetical order and the genre is listed with each act.  Even if you decided to simply grab only the ”Alt-Country” tracks, the number of songs would be enough to choke a small Ipod.  As long as there is an icon of a cassette tape next to the artist name, click and “save target as” like a mad man!! 

The 2008 site should be complete with mp3’s soon if they proceed similar to years past.  I’ll hook y’all up as I check hourly for that very development (not really, but almost) Below are some (not all) of my faves from the various years:

• 2005 SXSW:  Brandi Carlile, Hayes Carll, South San Gabriel, Heartless Bastards
• 2006 SXSW:  Sarah Borges, The Forecast, Flogging Molly, Collin Herring
• 2007 SXSW:  Hymns, Charlie Louvin, Sunny Sweeney, The Theater Fire

YOU’RE WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!