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So my first day here at South by Southwest was pretty damn fun, I must say. While the festival is a bit overwhelming, I think I’m getting the hang of how things work around here. It does help that everyone in attendance (that I’ve run into thus far) has been really cool, really friendly. The people of Austin have been amazing but the imports have been really cool, too. I got to see 4 performances last night — Janelle Monáe, Ladyhawke, Alaska in Winter and Young Love — here are a few photos:

Janelle was a nice surprise. I had heard her music before but never got to see her perform live — she’s amazing. She’s like James Brown and Outkast all packaged into a tiny little woman. Her whole stage persona was really fun and her show was really spectacular. Ladyhawke doesn’t have much stage presence but her music is really phenomenal. Altho she looks like James Hetfield from Metallica circa 1985 and dresses like Debbie Gibson circa 1988 her musical talent cannot be denied. I love all of her songs, I’m really glad my friend Tony introduced me to her music. Alaska in Winter was another surprise … he’s a one man band that brings the Fischerspooner sound into the hipster realm. I liked his whole performance, it was very inventive and fun. Young Love, as always, was a blast. I wanted to dance and YL did not disappoint. I’m really glad he’s got new music out cuz I really love his debut album a lot.

After the shows, I made my way out to the Red Bull Tower Party on the outskirts of Austin and chilled with my good friend Rachel and her friends. That party went until 5am but I had to leave by 2. Ugh. There is so much to do but I really have to pace myself or I’ll die ;)

Along the way, I got to meet some awesome Pink readers … I have to say hey to Denise, Alice, Keri, Gabby, Katie (who’s in Detroit and can’t be here but I heart her anyway) as well as Roberto and Jocelyn (who I met at the SESAC showcase at Volume) — who I got to take a pic with:

There is so much to do … I’m just trying to take as much in as I can and still function :) Tonight is Tori Amos and I’m so excited. I’m planning on seeing The Von Bondies and Peter Murphy before Tori so it should be a fun night. I hear there is a Chick-Fil-A around here somewhere … I’m planning to grab some food there before I get back to the fun. Expect Tweets from me all night long … Woot!