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SXSW 2012
January 20, 2012
Matt Sonzala, AustinSurreal.com and SXSW
Matt Sonzala is the man behind the AustinSurreal.com blog and the AustinSurreal Show on Radio KAOS. He’s a champion of local independent music of all kinds, books tours for various artists and programs the bulk of the hip-hop music you see at South by Southwest.
How will you start your Friday night?
Definitely plan to grab some Shiners over to the HEB and preparty at home before I head to the Northdoor for my favorite drink, the Son of a Gun. I highly recommend it!
If you go to a happy hour, which bar will you go to? What will you order?
Like I said I definitely love the Son of a Gun at the Northdoor. Other than that it’s possible that you could see me at any bar at any time. Generally drinking local beers like Live Oak and that one that has the lil A on it and comes in a can and also some Real Ales and some of them Independence’s. Beers and Fried Pickles at the Pour House sometimes go down as well. Also, some chicken wings.
What band will you see this weekend?
Friday I am hitting the Beauty Bar Ballroom to see 10YR and Kendrick Lamar. Hoping to get out of there in time to hit up some of Peligrosa at Scoot Inn as that’s one of the dopest parties every month, hands down. On Saturday, I’m gonna hit Gypsy Lounge to see DJ Burnone, Jackie Chain, Scotty, P-Watts, Indeed, KD, Lil-J of LOEGZ & Sertified. Might walk down to see DJ Orion at the Volstead for a few drinks. And Subkulture Patriots, Notion and the LNS Crew are at Frontier so that could be on the agenda as well. I’m a big fan of Bird Peterson so might have to hit Beauty Bar, and honestly would not mind seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo at ACL Live, but alas and alak, I can only see so much and gotta see the homeys from ATL at Gypsy for sure.
What’s your favorite Austin band aside from who you will see this weekend?
There are a lot that I love! I love Kydd, League of Extraordinary Gz, Zorch, Butcher Bear and Charlie, Sorne, Equals, Die Slo, VIP, Gerald G, 10YR … man, you said band, that’s impossible for me to say, just one, no way I could do that. Christeene, Echocentrics, Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Ocote Soul Sounds, Gary Clark Jr., Multitracker, Rubble, NickNack, Reaganometry, Soundfounder, Bali Yaaah, The Creamers, Atari Matt. There really are too many to name!
What is your favorite venue to watch a show?
Another hard question. I can’t pick just one. I guess the Scoot Inn gets the number one slot if it has to be one. But I love the ND, Mohawk, Flamingo Cantina, Red 7, Chilantro and Hotel Vegas are the bomb.
Where can we find you when you are craving barbecue?
If I have someone in town nine times out of 10 I will be bbqing for them myself. As for restaurants, I love Ruby’s, Rudy’s, Lamberts, some of the Food Trailers…
Where can we find you when you are craving Tex-Mex?
I love El Caribe on Lamar just south of 2222. That’s my spot for sure. And for more interior Mexican, I’ll take any excuse I can to go to Polvos. That’s one of my favorite restaurants hands down. The salsa bar is amazing.
If you go to the lake, what will you do and which lake will you go to?
I swim as much as possible when the water is up and the weather is right. I love to go to Lake Travis and jump off rocks and cliffs and such. Marshall Ford and Paleface are good for that.
What is your favorite place to get brunch?
The Nutty Brown Cafe on a Sunday is out of this world. Selection is insane and they have music and crazy birds all around. It’s really kid friendly and when the weather is right that’s a great place to start your Sunday.
What is your favorite outdoor spot to enjoy a sunny Saturday?
I love Barton Springs and Krause Springs.
Where is your favorite place to take your dog?
We have a cool little dog park up off of Great Northern and there’s generally some like-minded people and dogs there so it’s good for a hang.
What trails will you hit this weekend?
Well, we hiked at Enchanted Rock last weekend. This weekend we will probably head down to the greenbelt. Which greenbelt? I have no idea what any of the proper names are. The place where the hippies go.
What’s your one “must-do” for visitors to Austin?
For most of my friends that would be Waterloo Records. I really do not mind taking out-of-towners down there to get lost for a couple of hours.
Where will you be seen shopping?
Waterloo Records, End of an Ear, MusicMania, Book People, Half Price Books, Encore Music for now. I pretty much only ever buy books, records and beer. And gas. You might see me at the Chevron.
If you’re having a date night, what romantic spot will you go to and what will you order?
Uchi! That’s the spot for real. What will I order? Fish. I know nothing about sushi except that I like it and I like Asahi and Sake a lot!
What’s Austin’s best-kept secret?
There are no secrets in Austin, but if I had to say one, maybe I’d have to say Top Notch Fried Chicken.
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