Getting to know Austin and SXSW

A new day is shaping up here in Austin. Last night I was so exhausted when I got in that I just went straight to bed without updating you all, so I thought I'd dwell a little on yesterdays events before I start this new day :)

As always when Dreamcatcher does anything, we started with a bang ;) Our breakfast was spent at a closed-for-the-public mingling-party for artists and industry-people, and from there we attended a seminar on how to use modern mobile technology to involve fans even more in an artists career. The lecturers included people who work for artists like Rihanna, Linkin Park, Bon Jovi etc, and we came from it with a few new ideas ;)

Interactive seminar :)

We spent lunch with a great bulgarian artist named Ilona (I've blogged about her previously), and the acclaimed industry veteran Tony Moore. Moore runs his own stage here at SXSW, and at lunch we got to talk extensively about the festival as a whole, what it means to artists to play here, how the whole schabang is run and a lot more...! I'm very grateful that I get to learn so much from the people who are in the know. The music business really is a big community, and the insight that I've acquired so far sends my mind churning to come up with ideas on how to best promote the awesome talent that we have in my home town.

Ilona, Liselotte and Tony waiting for the legendary burritos ;)

Tonight, I'm gonna see Ilona perform on Tony's stage btw. I'm looking forward to it a LOT - and if you're a night owl, you can watch it too online at www.justin.tv/TheBedfordLive. The show starts at 8pm local time which would be around.... hmm... 3am in Norway. (gosh that IS late!). The music is hiiighly recommended though, so if there ever was a night you were supposed to stay up late - this would be the one ;)
  
After lunch, we hit the SXSW Trade Show - a humongous indoor "messe" where different companies present their creative and innovative ideas/products that can ease, revolutionize or simply add fun to the life of a creative business.

Liselotte has been given a complimentary rythm-egg on a stick, and is a veeery happy bunny!!

After a long day of working, our heads felt the need for a break, so we hopped on a couple of bicycles and hit the wonderfully beautiful area of Austin that is the riverside bike and hike trails. Three hours were spent on the bikes, and it was recreation both for the body and soul <3

Sundown at Bat Bridge <3

Talking to the locals about the city

Idyllic

Liselotte has a new best friend :)

Cliffhanging!

A beautiful day in Austin :)

After the sun went down and the bats came out of their hiding place under Bat Bridge (The bridge might have another name... :p ), we hit the main streets for an overdose of music and happy people. Here's a report from the evening:

But now - I'm gonna hit the town again! See you all later lovelies!! <3