YO!
It’s been over a month since the madness in Texas ended and I’m still living out my American Apparel duffel bag!
Definitely a few highlights I would like to share with YOU:
First of all, THANKS to the people that made the trip possible! I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the experience of a LIFETIME without your help so Thank YOU very much! YOU know who YOU are!
EN ROUTE
Traveling to Austin was a completely new experience for me this year. Instead of traveling with my band of merry men (and woman), as I did on my 1st trip to SXSW in ’09, I was forced to take a slightly different approach. The members of the band AMERICAN CITY rented our Ford E350 9 Passenger van for their journey to Texas, which included a few stops along the way, to and fro.
1st stop was Las Vegas, Nevada, where I met the band members/touring party for the first time and we immediately hit it off! Not only would I be sharing a vehicle with these fine people for the next few weeks, but I also would tagging along with them to their several shows along the way.
After introductions were over, I already knew this was a lovely bunch of coconuts and we would become the best of friends before the end of the road.
Since I was just coming along for the ride, I took this opportunity to make the most of my time, and offered to act as “tour manager (TM)” for the band as I’m always looking to lend a helpful hand. My job duties included helping load in/load out each night, procuring drink tickets/water bottles for the performers, dealing with any and all disgruntled promoters, and keeping the band unified during long drives. Having been on the road for the better half of the last few years, I made the transition seamlessly, but am upset for not taking the opportunity to crash 1 of their rebel rousing sets with an impromptu KB freestyle.
While traveling in the South West, you’ll notice quite a few natural wonders, including many adult superstores and fireworks depots, and the landscape is simply breathtaking. We drove by the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon (didn’t catch a glimpse of either!), but since I was handling all managerial duties, I made sure we kept a tight schedule.
“BUS CALL!” is what I’d frequently yelled reminding the troops that time was of the essence, as certain members of AMERICAN CITY, who shall remain nameless, had a habit of roaming about at truck stops and one member almost got left at a gas station outside of Marfa, TX.
U.S. BORDER PATROL
The biggest fireworks of the entire trip (aside from my VIBE House Party performance, of course!) had to come at the hand, and nose, of a German Shepard K-9. We’ve all heard the horror stories about bands traveling into Texas carrying contraband and, having made the trek a few times myself, I knew better!
Upon entering into Texas, all vehicles were stopped and subject to be searched by the Nazi dogs and not all traveling parties were as “lucky” as we were. The K-9s were specifically looking for narcotics and illegal aliens, and we fortunately had neither, but did have someone in our group who was not an American citizen and were asked to pull over.
I nearly lost my lunch, but kept my composure especially since I was acting as TM and had to handle most of the negotiations, mainly conversations under my breath with myself and the prayers I lifted up to the heavens. The officers led us into their make shift bungalow out in the middle of the desert where the dreams of many were shattered, and sat us all down in between two parties who did not share the same fortune as us.
After observing a few disgruntled rebuttals from people whom had had their lives altered that afternoon, I decided to chose my words very carefully, to say the least. I knew there could potentially be residue stemming from extended stays in California left inside the vehicle, but kept my cool and the righteous prevailed!
KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!
Destiny was on our side and this journey was BIGGER than the smile AND the moustache I had on my face! I felt like OJ must have felt when Judge Ito read his “Not Guilty” verdict. I was in disbelief, but expeditiously got the party back on the road!
I had picked up a few nick knacks from thrift stores & gift shops including two moustaches: 1 of which was the Englishman Handlebar and the other we’ll call “Pepe Sanchez”. Austin has this weird affinity with keeping things weird so whenever I come to visit, I try and do my part. All over the city are stencils of moustaches and pictures of moustaches and even a seesaw converted into a “moustache ride”, so it’s quite obvious that when it comes to facial hair, DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS!
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
SXSW attracts artists from all genres and walks of life, and this year, HIP HOP finally made it’s presence felt on and around 6th Street. My show was on “Dirty 6th”, as dubbed by the locals, where visitors engaged in all kinds of debauchery. I was running the streets of Austin with a toolbox, a GIANT handlebar moustache, KB Elephant t-shirt, suspenders and my drummer, Chris Vargas, who flew in and met me in the midst of the madness.
Everyone and their mother was at Venue 222 for the VIBE House Party and hip hop was most definitely in the building! DJ Numark set it off the ‘Respect The West’ event with a medley of West Coast anthems, mostly paying tribute to the fallen soldier, Nate Dogg. After the homey Fuzzy Fantabulous from POWER 106 caught a glimpse of me prepping backstage (combing my ‘stache and loading my six shooter confetti gun) he commented, “Oh, I GOTTA to see this!”. He attempted to get the crowd hyped and introduced me as “Keenan Bell”, but it wasn’t until the 1st round of shots were fired before the audience welcomed me with their cheers and applause.
Fruit and Vegetables LIVE @ VIBE HOUSE SXSW
Kenan Bell x Aceyalone \”T.G.I.F.\” Live @ VIBE HOUSE SXSW 2011
AFTER THE SHOW IS THE AFTER PARTY
Vargas and I did our thing that night at Venue 222 and it was well worth the 3,000 miles I had to travel to make it happen. By the time the other acts had finished performing, including Dom Kennedy, Casey Veggies, Pac Div and Kendrick Lamar, the anticipation had built up and the tension in the room was so thick, it could be cut with a knife. Maybe that was just the clouds of marijuana smoke that had traveled up to the V.I.P. balcony where we were watching the show. People had heard rumors of a surprise guest in attendance, and the entire building erupted when the Doggfather ever so smoothly stepped onto the stage. Even I kinda lost my mind, and I knew he was making an appearance because a little birdy told me.
I can now say that I have opened for Snoop Dog and the DPG, whom initially encouraged me to pick up the pen and write raps when I was just a wee little lad in the Hills next to Chino. The fun didn’t stop after the show, Chris and I dissected the mobs on Dirty 6th Street headed back to the van and eager to end the evening with Whataburger or Rudy’s. On the way, we stopped at a red light as folks were hailing cabs left and right. My van resembles the official SXSW shuttle and I got the bright idea of turning it into a ‘gypsy cab’ to earn a little extra gas money for the trip back to Cali.
A group of young ladies approached the vehicle and offered to pay for a ride back to where they were staying so, being the nice guys we are, we obliged and the 3 students piled into the E 350, finding seats on the band’s luggage and musical equipment. One of the girls got so comfortable, she fell asleep! The ladies directed us to what we believed was their place of residence, when in actuality, they were taking us to the ILL ROOTS mansion party in the hills above Austin. I couldn’t believe my eyes when we pulled up and joined the festivities already in progress. I ran into the homie Nicky Diamonds and Jeron Wilson and had a very good convo with both of them about the state of the industries (sk8/music/fashion) and they both had some amazing insight and advice. Also surprised me to see Kid Cudi and Asher Roth enter the party at the same time and Don C. commented on my moustache. Tyler the Creator already had told me the night before at the Tv On The Radio show how “swagged out” my ‘stache and suspenders were so I know I was doing something right! I also conversed with the homeys The Nice Guys whom I have met on previous trips to TX with De La and RJD2, and those brothers definitely made their presence felt as they welcomed all the visiting artists to their home state. The Cool Kids, Kendrick Lamar, Peas + Carrots and them were also in the building and it was an awesome coincidence to end up at such a happening shingdig, accidentally!
Special thank YOU’s:
Stampede MGMT and the Cashmere Agency for putting on such a remarkable and memorable event and inviting me to take part in their SXSW experience
AMERICAN CITY for allowing me to become an honorary member of their band
ACEYALONE for coming out and blessing the stage with his contributions to “T.G.I.F.”
AMAZING men and women who opened their hearts, homes, and arms to us along the way
U.S. BORDER PATROL for doing such an outstanding job
THANK YOU for reading this lengthy and long overdue blog entry
GOOD DAY!
<3
kb
