Join us at Caroline Collective on Sunday, March 1st, 2009 for Bandcamp: SXSW PREP in conjunction with Caroline Collective’s Houston @ SXSW. Bandcamp: SXSW PREP will be a workshop pairing volunteers with musical artists working to get prepared for SXSW with the following goals:

1. Prepare press materials and basic online presence items for bands playing at sxsw
Any band playing in Austin during SXSW needs to be prepared to promote themselves given the chance. Playing a show is just the start of that promotion. Artists need a press kit, songs hosted online, video posted online, booking and contact information somewhere as well as physical cds to sell to interested parties or to give to record labels or booking agents. Many bands are unprepared for this situation and are lacking many of these items. By providing musicians with creative experts bands can receive focused attention to generate or upload these items to a location on the internet that raises the artists’ visibility.

2. Select bands to play at three (3) Houston focused day parties showcasing Houston musicians, filmmakers and interactive members
Only 23 artists received official SXSW showcases to this year’s conference for whatever reason. So for that reason we have taken it upon ourselves to host several day parties showcasing Houston musical talents.¬† We will discuss these parties at Bandcamp: SXSW PREP but you MUST attend this meeting to be considered to play these showcases.¬† We will have details for these showcases at Bandcamp on March 1st and will select from the bands that are in attendance only.

This Bandcamp is for 1) Houston musicians attending SXSW as official selections and 2) Houston musicians interested in playing at one of the Houston focused day parties and 3)  interested parties looking to donate a couple hours to help generate these materials.

We need skilled graphic designers, web developers, copywriters, PR reps or any other creative professional which would be able to donate time and services for a couple hours to help bands prepare their online presence and press materials for SXSW.

WHAT: Bandcamp: SXSW PREP

WHEN: March 1st, 1-3pm

WHERE: Caroline Collective, 4820 Caroline Houston, TX

WHY: Prepare for SXSW, get selected to play in free showcases at SXSW

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About Houston @ SXSW

SXSW can be a daunting but rewarding experience. Houston @ SXSW is a series beginning the 1st of March preparing the Houston community for achieving the highest level of success at SXSW and celebrating those attending the conference.

Events:

Bandcamp: SXSW PREP, March 1st, 1-3pm, Caroline Collective, Houston bands prepare press materials and online presence for SXSW

Craft Night: SXSW, March 10th, 7-10pm, Caroline Collective, Help Caroline Collective prepare their schwag materials for SXSW: origami

CC/Werkadoo Business Class: Resume/Portfolio Preparation, March 11th, 7-10pm, Caroline Collective, Learn what your marketable skills are and prepare your resume/portfolio

Pre-SXSW Party at Caroline Collective, March 12th, 6-9pm, Caroline Collective, Meet other members of the community attending SXSW from Houston

Houston Party I, March 17th, 12-9pm, TBD Austin, Celebrate and spend time with other Houston community members in tech, music and film

Houston Party II, March 18th, 12-6pm, TBD Austin, Day party with Houston musicians showcasing

Houston Party III, March 19th, 12-6pm, TBD Austin, Day party with Houston musicians showcasing

IndieHouston.org Day Party, March 20th, 10am-10pm, Co-Lab, 613 Allen St, Austin TX, Day party with IndieHouston.org