Can SXSW Serve As A Launching Pad For R&B Artists? March 19, 2009
- Indies
| RB Hip-Hop
By Gail Mitchelll, L.A.
South by Southwest (SXSW) was always at the back of indie urban artist Maya Azucena's mind.
"As a do-it-yourself artist, I thought I should be there," the singer/songwriter says. "But either it didn't seem like the right move at the time or I didn't have the financial investment."
Finally, with fliers in hand, Azucena went to Austin last year as one of several artists selected to perform at a three-night SXSW Soul showcase. Performing to what she describes as "a pretty full house," Azucena found the experience productive.
"I did radio and TV, several performances, press interviews and a photo shoot," Azucena says. "I'm happy I went, but it's an investment. If you're not ready to hustle and meet-and-greet, or have enough going to make you intriguing compared to hundreds of other artists, you'll be disappointed."
Azucena had a good time, but is she the exception or the rule? And can a music festival with rock overtones be a viable resource for indie R&B? Many in the industry say...
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