Episode 6: Andy Smith tells SXSW stories cover art

Episode 6: Andy Smith tells SXSW stories

Episode 6: Andy Smith tells SXSW stories

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

Despite the fact that he recently retired from 23 years in state government (or maybe because of it), Andy Smith and I take a break from politics in our recent conversation. Instead Andy tells stories of his years reporting on and later working for SXSW, starting as a reporter for the Austin American Statesman in the early 90s and later as editor of SXSW magazine from 2006-2020. From Big Freedia to a determined band from Uzbekistan, he recalls some of his favorite personalities, musicians and a giant nacho cheese chip brand activation. He also shares his thoughts about the evolution of SXSW from a scrappy music festival, to its many iterations, to what the future may hold for it.

Andy is the coauthor of SXSW Scrapbook: People and Things That Went Before (2011) documenting 25 years of SX, a great pickup if you'd like to take a deeper dive into the subject matter. He also a musician, so take a wonderful trip down the Daylight Titans (his band) rabbit hole on Bandcamp or YouTube.

No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.