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Published: March 18th 2007
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Brandi on Nosy
the home-made dinosaur in front of the Co-op. Where do I even start about Austin? Be prepared, this might be a long entry. The night we arrived it was raining buckets, bolt lightning would illuminate the sky every minute or so, and the thunder would clap so crisp and hard car alarms would go off. And in the middle of all of that you could still walk around at night in a t-shirt and shorts! I was enthralled. Our first couch surfing host, Valera, was a super cool person who we could connect with right off the bat. She knew where the radical info-shops were, the good cafes, where good eating was, and where we should look for oil. She had bus routes and maps for us, and a spare room.
The Ryzome collective houses the Austin branch of Food not Bombs, a prison literature organization called Inside Books, as well as an organic and naturally powered garden. The Spider House was a restaurant with a fantastic vibe. And Café Mundi had free wireless plus good artwork.
Our first full day there we went to find oil where Valera recommended and found the cleanest and most abundant source yet. Needless to say we were ecstatic. We
Wes on Nosy
nobody explained to me the basics of riding dinosaurs. :( also walked around Zilker Park, and that evening we were guided through the down-town streets by Valera and her friend Nick. After several days at her house we decided to switch hosts and went to J’s house. His directions were to take a left on 29th, and they’ll be the house with the big green dinosaur. They were very good directions indeed.
J lived in a place dubbed the Co-op with 7 other males. They had bikes for us to take around, wireless internet, a little garden, a drum set (!), and of course, Nosy, the home-made long neck dinosaur in the front yard. Because of the timing, J cooked great breakfasts every morning. It was wonderful. Also, one of J’s several jobs is teaching graffiti to kids, and through that he was able to arrange a legal painting session along a huge wall. Brandi and I got in on that action.
We happened to arrive during the middle of a music conference called “South By South West” which entirely dominates the city for about two weeks of every year. In a nut shell, it’s about as much live music, independent film, and seminars as you can fit
One of our hosts
this is J working on the art wall. He hosted us at the Co-op. into two weeks. Something ridiculous like 40 or 50 venues participate pretty much all day every day. We didn’t know this would be going on while we were in Austin, but thousands upon thousands of other travelers did. The Co-op where we stayed hosted an extra 5 or so guest on top of the normal tenants, plus us.
We helped ourselves daily to all the free music we could stand, plus cheap beer, and good people. Of the many bands we saw, I’ve got to put in some recommendations. Dusty Roads and the River Band were a five piece band playing a sort of honky-tonk, southern rock, blues. It was very lively stuff that made you want to dance. The Dansettes were a straight up old school soul group headed by three short little women. They had so much soul. Eli Reed and his Band were oldies rock & roll like you just don’t hear anymore. He had a little bit of Buddy Holly, a bit of Richie Valens, and even a bit of Elvis. The outfits were awesome. We also got to see Scott Biram, as Austin is his hometown, which was really cool since we've only seen
him in San Francisco before. And of course, my all time favorite, Peelander-Z.
I’ve seen Peelander-Z six times now, and I can’t wait until the next opportunity. They’re a Japanese comic-action fun punk band with full get-ups, and so much stage presence it’ll make your head spin. Brandi crocheted them personalized hats, we gave them to the band before one of their shows, and ended up getting in for free. The front man, Peelander Yellow, signed my shirt! A couple days later we saw them again at a free outdoors show, and the drummer told us that the show a couple of nights ago was his favorite yet. Very...VERY cool.
Exhausted and mostly deaf, having already stayed longer then we originally planned, it was finally time to leave Austin, the only city in Texas where I was more normal then weird, where they’d heard of things like vegetable-oil run cars, yoga, and organic. Where the activist community was alive, the only city in Texas to not vote republican. The capital of live music in the world (so we’re told). I’m gonna miss that place.
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foley
non-member comment
hey guys!
just wanted to check in and say hello. wondered if you knew that garrett was in austin for that southwest fest. sounds like there was so much going on that you didn't. glad to see that you are having a great time. this blog is such a fabulous idea. don't worry brandi, its just hair, it will grow back and you are still beautiful without. wes you are beautiful too...even with hair. the deep dish nation is still alive and thriving in san francisco..... love, foley