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First thing in the morning, Austin Convention Center, to get our wristbands. There were a lot of stands there, selling clothes, cds, posters, and a lot of people, from all over the world, very impressive. We met a canadian couple, some brazilians, tons of people. We walked to the artist lounge, where we had hot-dogs and beer. The city is not very big, and there are pedi-cabs everywhere. The bands almost always walk together, so there's a huge variety of styles around, from hip hop dudes to mangá style japanese girls. After that we went to The Copa, where we're going to play. We met a very kind girl from Sxsw crew, Heather. The show was good, but it's very hard to play anywhere after playing in such a special place as The Kava Lounge, in San Diego, 'cause the sound there was perfect. And at The Copa... The sound was not that bad, but it wasn't perfect either, and to make it worse they cut the P.A. system in the middle of the last song, which brought the devil inside us, specially Gabo to come out! What an unpolite thing to do! Afterwards, the manager said it was a misunderstood, and etc, but he was not very convincing... It stressed the band a little. Later, there was this fantastic show from this woman, Chiwoniso Maraire, from Zimbabwe. Awesome! And we discover that Austin is also green... JitB, home, sleep.
(by Chokito)
photo above: John's backyard, Wilbur St. , San Diego, California
We left the Red Roof Inn by 11:00pm, and went to Robert's house. He is a very good friend of Damaceno, and a samba lover. He plays in a Samba school in Austin, Unidos da Ópera, and carries the totally unusual nickname of Jacaré, which is very strange for a guy from Texas, heeheh. What a place!! Big house, Tex Mex style, with a great backyard, and two dogs, Moeaux and Chuy, and a cat, Ms. Kittin. Needless to say that me and Cacau were the most happy ones to have pets around! Then, a welcome barbecue, with excellent ribs!!! Cool!
Later, Gabo, Felipe and I went to downtown, to Blu bar. There, we met Elzira, who recognized us as brazilians 'cause we were speaking portuguese in fron t of her, and, of course, she is brazilian too, and Coutinho, another friend of Damaceno, who plays percussion with some bands here in Austin. Gabo and Felipe got back home to pick up our instruments, so I went for a walk in the city, all by myself. Amazing, it seems that there are people from every part o f the world here, brazilians, canadians, japanese, africans, very cool. Every bar has a band playing in, the music never stops, you almost cannot find a local without music in the air! A fter Cacau and Damaceno showed up, and we stopped at Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop, where there was a strange competition going on: two bikes grounded on the floor, and then 2 guys (or 2 girls) cycling like hell, while their performances appeared in a huge tv monitor behind them, very funny. Gabo and Felipe returned with the instruments but we were not going to play anymore (there was a small chance of performing a set at Blu's), so we tried to get our Sxsw 2009 wristbands , but we're too late, rsrs. JitB, not before getting lost in austin, then home and sleep.
photo above: Not even half-inche of snow and we're already happy, freakin'out! Later this night, it snowed much more and we had our first snowball fight, it wwas awesome.
(by Chokito)
We left Norman Bates motel about 11:ooam, and got back on the road. More desert, more cactus, more Subways. We met some musicians on their way to Austin, too. Little stop at Sonora to eat, than 3 more hours and we finally arrived in Austin at night. It was very late to go to Damaceno's friend house, so we stayed at the Red Roof Inn. The hotel was fuul, and there were some bands there, we could kinda smell it... Cacau and Damaceno stayed in the room, and Gabo, felipe and I went out for a ride. What-a- Burguer, 7-Eleven, and, of course, JitB! Then, back to hotel.
(by Chokito)
p.s.- I'm very sorry to inform that from this moment on we no longer have photos of Austin, 'cause we forgot the damn batteries in San Diego. Said so, this and the next photos are from different moments of our trip in the Usa. The photo above features Dereje, from Dub Addis, and his cute dogs. Durham, North Carolina.
We woke-up very early in the morning, left some of our things at Sergio's house and left in a rented car to Austin, Texas. Through the desert, just like the movies. Many jokes, lots of songs (some nice ones!) and some stops, for restroom or to eat! Subway was elected the best alternative on the road. And always road 10east. At night we stopped in a motel, Norman Bates style. Cool! Tv, shower, sleep.
(by Chokito)
Sunday, but no rest for us! A whole house to clean up! Massive work. After, a little relax at the jacuzzi, some burritos, and Margaret visited us, so cool! At night we moved to Kava Lounge, a awesome bar near San Diego's airport. All the drinks, even sodas, were organic. Crazy. This night, this show, is something to remember. The sound was perfect, the vibe was perfect, the set-list was perfect, it was amazing! Ireally don't know if the acoustic of the house was the responsible, or the Original Crush factor, but it was the best show until now! After, donuts, home and a well-deserved night of sleep.
(by Chokito)
Another working day today. El Dorado, Downtown. Very cool bar, old-fashioned decoration, a huge buffalo head on the wall, nice place! We played two sets, and Gage was our sound operator. It was awesome, very good. The only problem was that i got a terrible headache, and could not enjoy it so much. After, the classical JitB, home, and sleep. The very first time since the beginning of the trip that I slept before everybody, unbelievable...
Huh, I almost forgot: in the afternoon there was a jam session at Sergio's garage. Awesome!
(by Chokito)
We almost have a true friday the 13th today, with all the fame it has! Today was Linda's bithday, and she is one of our great fans here in San Diego. So, we accepted to play at her party, in her house. It would be wonderful, barbecue, friends, fun... And it was! But there's a funny story behind it...
We arrived at Linda's home at 20:oo, with all our stuff. But Damaceno forgot his mix table, so he and I came back home to pick it up. When we arrived there again, there was two cops in the front of the house, talking with Linda. The taller one asked me if I lived there. Of course i said I didn't, but all I wanted to say was: - no, and you? do you? Hehe!
The people who were in the party started to get sad, specially Linda and Maria, but we called Gage and just moved her party to his Warehouse. Another Gage's show! Cool! And the show was great, the party was great, it was totally cool!!!!!!!!! After, Jack in the Box, South Park session, sleep!
(by Chokito)
