Friday, March 12, 2010

Choose Your Own Adventure

Today marks the beginning of this year's South By Southwest festival in Austin, an event that will, in coming weeks, host performances from our own MC Frontalot, Random, Schaffer the Darklord, Jesse Dangerously and YTCracker. But just as importantly, SXSW also kicks off what I like to think of as the expanded convention season.

Think about it; back in the proverbial day the con season was synonymous with summer, but now, ably book-ended by events like PAX East and Dragon*Con, it's sort of grown to encompass everything from early spring to damn-near autumn!

Sadly, as my opportunities for travel are always fairly limited, I have to reserve my excitement for the event(s) that I actually stand a snowball's chance in Hell of actually attending. Currently, this means my old stomping ground Nerdapalooza. (Although, in the interest of full disclosure, I was recently invited to head out west for Maker Faire this May as well. #fingerscrossed)

But rather than reflect on 'Paloozas past, I'd instead like take a look to the future, to this very year's festival. I know Hex and company are planning to continue in the proud tradition of mixing shit up this time around, adding more gaming and merch and visual aspects to the proceedings, but I want to focus on the festival's most prominent feature: the music.

More specifically, I'd like to pick your brains as to who you'd like to see perform this summer in the sweltering Orlando heat.

Now I am in no way a duly deputized representative of Nerdapalooza, and I'm not data mining on behalf of Hex Warrior or EMPulse or A Comic Shop or any of our other Floridian allies. This is just me wondering aloud who your best-case-scenario picks would be for musical entertainment at Nerdapalooza 2010.

Personally, I'd love to see all the locals and our out-of-town regulars – Frontalot, Uncle Monsterface, Dual Core, STD, etc. – as well as some of last year's debuts like Beefy, Shael, Scrub Club and The Protomen.

As for new blood, I'd hope for more geek rock, specifically cats like Kirby Krackle and Wrockers such as The Whomping Willows and Nagini/The Vashta Nerada. On the hip-hop end, as I'm always down for hip-hop, Dale Chase pretty much needs to be there. I'm also really interested in the prospect of a few more danceable chip musicians like Starscream or 8 Bit Weapon coming on as a late night headliner, and I'm wholly in favor of bringing in more international talent like Jesse D or Pixelh8.

Oh, and three words: Optimus. Rhyme. Reunion.

But enough of my yammering. Who's on your Nerdapalooza wish list?

24 comments:

Jonny Nero said...

ME!

No not as an artist. I just want to be there. Stupid move to Seattle

killsaly said...

I would love to see myself of my band Campaign Trail 72 play.

Also, Dual Core with c64 there, Positive Attitude, K Flay, Previously on Lost, and Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backflip.

Z. said...

You do need to come out, Jonny.

And Previously on Lost is a great idea, KS. Can't believe I didn't think of that!

Sangriaa said...

My NAPSE wishlist is that guy that does that one bloooog that talks about nerdy/geeky thiiiings. Lol.

killsaly said...

Im working on a remix for them, and possibly some more, if they release any new material. I love POL. Really nice guys too and i think NAPSE would be a perfeto fit para them.

Oh and ill probably be there regardless.

Unknown said...

I would love to see MC COOL WHIP get to do more than one song on the open mic stage this year.

Klopfenpop said...

I'm with Johnny, we need a Nerdapalooza East in Seattle!

MadHatter said...

Boyyy Scrub Club SURE would be nice, eh? ;)

Anthony said...

well we are talking about Reunions i could certainly go for a Chromelodeon reunion as well :D

Also, if there was a chance I would love some UK folks to come out for this one. Namely Spheres of Chaos, Elfonso, and our good chap MisterB

Shael Riley said...

Hows'about a little Jon Coulton?

Teh_Rhymerer said...

I'd like to see whoremoans, personally. I forget if Epic-1 performed last year, but I'll throw him out there. Southside definitely. I'd even like to see lars, despite the controversy.

Also, obligitory sentence about how I'd love to perform but I'm not good enough and so on and so on.

Klopfenpop said...

Oh and Super Dragon X! But next, when I can come. ;)

Klopfenpop said...

*year

Weapons of Reason said...

Shael Riley, STD, Scrub Club, Dual Core, Front (of course), YTCracker, MC Lars + K.Flay (I can forgive his ADHD ramblings), Pixel h8, The Megas, The Minibosses, Luke Ski, oh man I could go on and on...

See you all there!

StarF said...

Whoremoans
Wordburglar
Scrub Club
Jonothan Coulton
Karmageddon
They Might Be Giants
I Fight Dragons
Supercommuter
Optimus Rhyme
Shael Riley
Beefy
The Grammar Club
Marc With A C (Who is already confirmed, so yay for me)
Jesse Dangerously
8-Bit Boys
T.Y.T.
Lemon Demon
MC Cool Whip
Attack Slug
Ultraklystron
Drown Radio
Billy The Fridge
Bloodhound Gang
Bo Burnham
Duane & Brando
Devo Spice
Possible Oscar

And of course, StarF & Mattari. Hahaha.

Guess I have a hell of a wishlist, it probably means at least some of these will end up on the bill, so here's hoping! :)

Rob said...

Jonathan Coulton has never played Nerdapalooza and I just don't see that staying the case for very long.

Billy the Fridge said...

I want to play Nerdapalooza, but would also love to help set up a Seattle edition of sorts too.

Unknown said...

Wordburgler. I really wanted to see him last year but he wasnt performing. Maybe I'll get a legit music video done this year.

DT said...

Geek Rock + Best Live Show Ever = 2 Skinnee J's.

Anonymous said...

2 skinee J's, Optimus Rhyme, Positive Attitude, Frontalot, and TMBG would please me

Z. said...

Wow, those are some excellent suggestions, y'all! I'm with Ant on trying to get Elfonso and Spheres of Chaos over. I was also pleased (but not surprised) to see JoCo and TMBG listed.

As for a West Coast 'Palooza, y'all really need to hit Hex up about that!

Unknown said...

whoremoans. definately him.

Unknown said...

Moans whore or hoarmoans

Backwards Ricky said...

Old Snake and that whoremoans guy