When you’re sitting in your office, and it’s all cold and dark, you think “yeah, I’m gonna get to Austin and see this, talk to them, do that, and drink lots of beer, and hear all these bands, and who needs sleep, right?”

That usually lasts for about a day.  Then you start to remember your own mortality.

Nimbit arrived at SXSW yesterday, and we hit the ground running.  First stop was UKTI @ SXSW: Content, New Technologies and the Consumer Experience” The panel was moderated by Martin Atkins, and brought together some heavy hitters (including Nimbit’s Patrick Faucher!) to discuss concepts, ideas, and the “punk” ethic necessary for today’s emerging artists to make a sizeable dent in the music industry.  The labels aren’t the best path to success, and as Martin eloquenty stated, “you need to just fuckin’ DO it.”  Co-panelists included people from Scott Cohen from The Orchard, Vince Bannon of Getty Images, Even Shapiro from IFC, and Dave Allen from Gang of Four (!).

Following the post-panel obligatory cocktail party, we set off to pick up our SXSWregistrations, and worry about the truly important things, specifically:  where were we having dinner?

Here’s where you’ve got to love SXSW:  Sitting ’round the dinner table (at Shady Grove) were some very cool people:  Jeff Marshall from Harmonix, Michael Creamer (artist manager for Nimbit artists like Kay Hanley, Superdrag, and Cassavettes), Jackie Indrisano (booker at Berklee’s Red Room at Cafe 939), Chris Porter (Senior Programming Manager for Bumbershoot), and Nimbit artist Todd Thibaud.  All in all a great group of people.   Also some of the best onion rings in the free world …

Today brings a whole ‘nutha level of excitement and insanity.  Lots of panels, showcases, and folks to talk to.   Suzanne Vega‘s showcasing tonight (!) and so is Chase Coy.  Both Nimbit artists, and we’ll be there front and center.

Nimbit Tally:

Beers:  4
Maragaritas:  3
Scotch:  1