Needless to say, when I learned I’d be attending this years SXSW, I was a little giddy as any newcomer would be. Containing my excitement seemed the appropriate move since I knew I’d be working as well as partying and wanted my actions to speak for me. It didn’t hurt that I was in the company of some seasoned pro’s, Franki Chan and Shannon Cornett, who I soon learned knew not only the best spots in Austin but practically everyone who worked there.
Arriving early in Austin for Interactive, we recieved a welcomed rental upgrade from a standard SUV to a Suburban which I knew would be beneficial but didn’t realize at the time how beneficial. We headed into the heart of Austin to the Empire Control Room and Garage to touch base with the venue staff and get a feel for the space. Starving from the plane ride, there was no hesitation in deciding to dive in for our first of many helpings of Texas BBQ. The streets were fairly docile but signs of preparation for the insanity to come were all around us, traffic barricades, saran wrapped telephone poles and parking meters, and a string of production trucks loading in lining the blocks. The calm before the storm.
In many ways I’m very glad I was able to be there for the Interactive portion of SXSW as it gave me a chance to get acclimated with Austin as well as the awesome staff at the Empire. Those first few nights were really my only chance to party so I took advantage of them and went hard in the paint. Following Franki and Shannon to parties was like a boot camp for being a badass. You’re always on the list and if you’re not, you know the person holding the list or hosting the party. The first night or revelry took place at the Mohawk for a screening of Jon Favreau’s latest documentary Chef. VIP Access and an open bar were suddenly our reality and we’re brushing elbows with Favreau and Kimmel and host of Hollywood celebs. This is when I witnessed one of the partiest moves to date. In attempt to get our friend Tommy B into the VIP, Franki Chan came up with a power move of replicating the gold VIP wristband with a clean tear on a brown paper bag. Five minutes later, Tommy B is sipping spirits and confronting Kimmel about living in his old apartment. Classic. 
Day 2, the rain came. What started as light daytime spinkle turned into a massive downpour by night. Again we got our start at Mohawk, this time with a healthy serving of free tacos and free drinks. But after a few hours of lingering the VIP we need a change of scenery and donned trashbags to brave the bitter rain. We made our way to the Funny or Die House, where we bumped into Seth Rogan and gang, cracked a few lame jokes, had a few more drinks, and bounced in search of more madness. We ventured into the dark strobbing depths of a “Hollywoodesque” nightclub where we were fed tequila shots by scantily clad women in neon bikinis. So that happened. All the events that took place after are strictly NSFW. 
Sunday, we kicked off our IHC Interactive Party so I layed off the booze to ensure I was on point and ready for any situation that might arise. The show ran incredibly smoothly considering it was a first show and the only hiccup came in the form of fire marshalls cutting our doors for capacity. A continuing issue we eventually sorted through some good ol’ boy sweet talk, and kind cooperation from venue and staff. Just Blaze, Araabmuzik, and Gladiator were the highlight of the night for me and after an exhausting day I was ready for a good night’s rest. Franki Chan tossed me the keys to the Suburban as he was off for another night on the town, and as they landed firmly in my hand I had a stroke of genius. Given the charge of getting the SUV home safely I cruised down 7th St. in an empty suburban and couldn’t help but notice the throngs of people attempting to hail cabs. Slow rolling to the corner I rolled down my window and casually asked a party of four, “How far you going?” Thus began my SXSW side hustle, indie Uber driver. No need to discuss numbers ;)
Heading into music week, we were determined to make our parties the place to be, and sure enough they came out in droves. By the time we were in the midst of music, I’d found a fine balance of working and schmoozing and boozing. Whether it was working artists check-in or ensuring press entry or making lunch and dinner runs for production staff, I wanted to be the guy to count on in a pressure situation. Of course there were a couple of shows I wanted to see but wasn’t able too but fortunately for me, many of the artists I did want to see were playing our parties, and now I’m not only just fan but a friend to many. SXSW was a life changing experience for sure, and I feel honored to work for such a creative and hard working production company. It’s only just begun….
