.:The Solution w/ DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez:.

Flashback: 2014 SX Solution Showcase & Austin Goodness at La Barbecue recap, complete with video, pics & quotes from the featured artists!!!

Time flies. Last year’s SX704 Solution Showcase at La Barbecue seems like just yesterday and that still seems awesomely surreal (from DJing for the Pharcyce to the crazy dope lineup to the unbelievably great food), so when the opportunity to throw a whole day’s worth of events came up this year, it was no-brainer. And so me and some friends (primarily France, DJ Trackstar & Dayta), set out to program twelve hours worth of Saturday fun at the biggest music festival in the country, bringing a mix of both Goodness & The Solution type flavor to the acclaimed BBQ spot. When everything was said and done on the morning of 3/15, the lineup was stacked with ridiculously talented MCs, DJs, singers and producers from all over the country and looked like this:

Extra stacked lineup, busiest day of SXSW and we were greeted by rain and fog on the morning of the event; not ideal at all. Regardless, we trudged through, set up tents over the turntables and stage and not too long after things got going, with the spot packing out quickly as Austin Goodness started with sounds from some of the best DJs in the country. From there, the weather cleared up, things somehow ran (mostly) according to schedule, despite a short break for a blown mixing board (which somehow got replaced in an under an hour, I credit good musical karma) and when the event wrapped up shortly after midnight, well over 30 top notch acts from NY to LA to Saint Louis to Denver and more had performed for hundreds of people.

Choosey & Exile rocking at The 2014 SX Solution Showcase via NBC San Diego

CRL CRRLL’s awesome recap of his SXSW & the party

Over the course of the day, I met a ton of ton of new people and the main thing they said was that the event had one of the purest, best vibes they saw all week and that the day carried on the classic SXSW tradition of independent artists and musical discovery (I was even put on to some new favorites at my own event…LOL). To me and everybody involved that’s what it’s all about and we couldn’t be happier with how things turned out, especially when the overwhelming sentiment of SXSW 2014 is that it’s become too commercialized for its own good. With that said, see what the artists involved had to say about the event and check out pics of the day below (as well as even more pics here):

“The Austin Goodness party had the best vibes all week. Oh, and the best BBQ!” – DJ Sober (Dallas / Black Milk’s DJ)

“Epic…Inspiring…Great feeling to be around so many great DJs Goodness, grooving, and [I] loved the crowd’s reception of us” – DJ Dozen (Denver)

“Goodness, the best way I could spend digesting the best food in Austin.” DJ Expo (Los Angeles)

“Amazing group of musicians playing records in the rain is the best way to start off SXSW at the Austin Goodness…Don’t forget the coleslaw!” – DJ Clockwork (Los Angeles / Mac Miller’s DJ)

“Good eats, good beats and vibes” – Dayta (Houston)

Deejay Theory (San Francisco)

“It was really nice to walk up to a fully relaxed situation with all of the craziness I had been experiencing before that day at SXSW. Turning left instead of turning up is just what I needed after playing intense party set one after another. Vibe at The [Austin] Goodness was on point and very welcoming. 5 stars.” – DJ A-Minor (Charlotte, NC)

“The show was dope. Good food and good performances. I got to see folks I never heard of killing it.” – YC The Cynic (New York)

“The SXSW Solution Showcase with DJ Low Key is good people, good music and good food = a great time” – Exile (Los Angeles)

“I had a ball rocking at The SX Solution Showcase with my Dirty Science brethren. The food and the talent on the bill were top notch!! I’m already looking forward to next year’s bill! – Johaz of Dag Savage (Los Angeles)

“Between Goodness & The SX Solution, there was only one place you needed to be on Saturday at SXSW, La Barbecue. Great vibes, fantastic music and amazing food.” – Donwill of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“Goodness & The SX Solution Showcase were like a marathon of hot shit. The original purpose of SXSW, at its best, in one location.” – Von Pea of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“”SXSW is always dope cuz it’s like Mardi Gras in Austin a whole week. Mobbin’ all over the city running into other artists & fans from all over the country, rocking for new fans. The SX Solution Showcase was especially dope cuz everybody who performed not only killed it, but showed love to everybody else who rocked.” – Ness of Weekend Money (New York)

“I was honored to be there. My city was turned. God Bless you [DJ Low Key] for giving me a shot!! We just wanted to show and prove.” – Tef Poe (St. Louis)

“The event was the highlight of the week as far as shows are concerned, we had the opportunity to perform at four shows during SXSW and the La Barbecue show was the best one; most responsive crowd, best sound system, best food lol I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as well as all of the other acts I witnessed while I was out there. Also, much appreciation to DJ Low Key for showing STL love, it was great to see so many of my homies whom I feel are the best representatives of what dope music from STL sounds like, all on one bill, all down in SXSW, it was just a good feeling, and I appreciate that.” – Nick Menn (St. Louis)

“The SXSW Solution Showcase was my most important experience this year. It was a grand opportunity to perform new music and connect with fans and friends alike. Thanks for having me Low Key.” – Theophilus Martins (Los Angeles)

“Good music, good people, good food & beer. Felt like I was rocking in my family’s backyard” – Yonas Michael (Los Angeles)

“The SX Solution Showcase was an unbelievable experience! The opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of new faces froma cross the U.S. for the time, in addition to Statik Selektah, Dee Woods (of Danity Kane fame) and Tanya Morgan was beyond awesome and very motivational.” – Slangston Hughes (New Orleans)

“I got put on to a lot of acts I’d never heard of and a lot of people got put on to me. I heard a lot of people complaining about how SWSX is so corporate now, but the big, overhyped shows were easy to ignore. I spent most of my time at smaller showcases like The Solution jawn. The food at La Barbecue was so good I couldn’t eat any meat for a week after I left Austin and now almost a month later I’ve just begun eating beef again. I knew I wouldn’t find anything comparable in NY.” – Spec Boogie (New York)

“Hyped up parties and sold out shows and The SX Solution Showcase was one of the biggest highlights of my SXSW. Not only was there good food at SX Solution Showcase, but it got so hype later that night the almost broke some tables. Low Key put on one of the most unique events I visited in Austin and I got to see some pretty amazing ish! Here’s to The SX Solution Showcase!” – CRL CRRLL (Denver)

“The SX Solution Showcase was great opportunity for us to network, everybody was there!” – Travii of Bodega Brovas (Dallas)

“One of my favorite memories from this year’s SXSW was rocking at The Solution Showcase at La Barbecue. Got to meet a lot of great people and the food was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Huge shout out DJ Low Key for making it happen.” – Catch Lungs (Denver)

“The [SX] Solution Showcase at La Barbecue was amazing. I had the opportunity to party with people that I’ve never met. I knew that they would dig me because they dig Low Key. The pulled pork sand which was off the chain too! ” – Turner Jackson (Denver)

“Family Affair’s experience with DJ Low Key at SXSW was everything that you could imagine as a upcoming artist. We were treated with the utmost respect even when our personal DJ was under the weather for show time. DJ Low Key without any hesitation assisted F.A with our show. The beer was unlimited it seemed like and the food was phenomenal! What I noticed different is that after every performance there was somebody ready to give them a hot plate of bbq as they exited the stage. We had our crew with us and we enjoyed ourselves so much we just stayed at the event almost til closing. As a band member we always pride ourselves on how the venues cater to our product and I can say this was one of the most humbling events with so much talent on one roster. Family Affair is looking forward to next years event without a doubt.” – Repp of Family Affair (St. Louis)

MC Tree (Chicago)

Boonie Mayfield & Audiopium (Colorado)

Ken Rebel (New York)

Black Spade (St Louis)

Me, celebrating an unforgettable event with some magically delicious ribs the next day.

HUGE shouts to everyone who came out, all the artists involved, La Barbecue’s amazing staff, Chisum aka The Archduke of Austin, Eric “France” Maitrepierre, Dayta, DJ Trackstar, Potholes In My Blog, Upslope Brewing Company, Acrylick, Akomplice, Leann Mueller Photography, Lone Star Beer, & whoever else I’m sure I’m forgetting! See y’all at SXSW 2015!!! – DJ Low Key

Tags: Acrylick, Audiopium, Austin, Black Spade, Boonie Mayfield, Catch Lungs, Choosey, CRL CRRLL, Dag Savage, Dayta, Deejay Theory, Dirty Science, DJ A-Minor, DJ Clockwork, DJ Dozen, DJ Expo, DJ Low Key, DJ Sober, Exile, Family Affair, Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends, Ken Rebel, La Barbecue, Leann Mueller, Leann Mueller Photography, Nick Menn, Potholes In My Blog, Spec Boogie, SX704 Solution Showcase, Tanya Morgan, Theophilus Martins, Tree, Weekend Money, YC The Cynic, Yonas Michael

Saturday, 3/15 from 4pm to midnight -> The SX Solution Showcase w/Exile, Dag Savage, Tanya Morgan, Tree, Tef Poe, Black Spade, YC The Cynic, Boonie Mayfield & lots more at La Barbecue!!!

SATURDAY, 3/15 from 4pm to midnight -> It’s that time of year again, things are warming up, it’s feeling like spring break and we’re beyond excited to announce this year’s SX Solution Showcase at La Barbecue (recently named the #13 new restaurant in the entire country by GQ Magazine, and it was pretty much the only one that wasn’t over the top fancy)!!! We’ve teamed up with one of our favorite music blogs/sites, Potholes In My Blog, our good friends at Akomplice Clothing and the one and only Leann Mueller Photography to build on last year’s unforgettable SX704 Solution Showcase and feature even more amazing talent from all over the country. And oh yeah, free beer all day with no cover, RSVPs or wristbands necessary to get in. So with no further delay, take a look at the ridiculous lineup for the party:

Exile + Dag Savage featuring Choosey (Dirty Science / Los Angeles)

Tanya Morgan (New York)

Tree (Chicago)

Tef Poe (St. Louis)

YC The Cynic (New York)

Boonie Mayfield & Audiopium (Colorado)

Yonas Michael (Los Angeles)

Black Spade (St Louis)

Weekend Money (New York)

Theophilus Martins (Los Angeles)

CRL CRRLL (Denver)

Spec Boogie (New York)

Family Affair (St. Louis)

Catch Lungs (Denver)

Nick Menn (St. Louis)

JUST ADDED:

Ken Rebel (New York)
CharlieRED (New York)
Turner Jackson (Denver)
Slangston Hughes (New Orleans)
Bodega Brovaz (Dallas)

+ more TBA

While Austin’s known for BBQ and there are many exceptional establishments in town, La Barbecue has a more renowned pedigree and pitboss than almost any spot in Texas (the yelp reviews explain things well here) and is generally considered to run neck and neck with Franklin’s (the one from the current Mastercard commercial with Chef Nobu) for the #1 spot in the Austin/regional BBQ hierarchy. Here’s a little more about La Barbecue:

“After one bite, I was convinced this is the best brisket in existence.” – AustinFoodstyle.com.

“His name may not (yet) carry the same level of recognition as Aaron Franklin or John Mueller, but make no mistake, John Lewis makes some of the best barbecue not just in Austin but in the state of Texas. From his massive handcrafted smoker on South First Street, Lewis produces tender, subtly smoky brisket with a bark that doesn’t get carried away with its bite. And his pulled pork has no peer in town.” – Austin360.com

P.S. If you came out to last year’s event, please note that La Barbecue has moved locations & they’re now much more conveniently located on 1200 E 6th St, right around the corner from the Fader Fort.

Tags: Audiopium, Black Spade, Boonie Mayfield, Catch Lungs, Choosey, CRL CRRLL, Dag Savage, Dirty Science, Exile, Family Affair, Ken Rebel, La Barbecue, Leann Mueller Photography, Nick Menn, Potholes In My Blog, Spec Boogie, SX704 Solution Showcase, Tanya Morgan, Theophilus Martins, Tree, Weekend Money, YC The Cynic, Yonas Michael

Flashback: 2013 SX704 Solution Showcase Recap…We teamed up with one of Austin’s best BBQ spots and some of our favorites acts out for our first ever showcase during SXSW!!!

Austin during SXSW.  The undisputed heavyweight champ of music festivals in the US and one of the coolest cities in the country year round.  Having been down to play at the festival for the last six years, it had become a goal of mine to throw a SXSW version of The Solution with the countless greats acts I know who attend every year, but that’s a little easier than said than done with countless brands, promoters, artists, labels and such scouring the city for unique venues and locking them down well in advance of the festival.

And while this year SXSW continued to grow at a frantic pace, with venues scarcer than ever, we were able to team up with infamously delicious BBQ haven, La Barbecue, the Austin Nomad and one of our favorite music sites, PotholesInMyBlog.com, to create the inaugural SX704 Solution Showcase.  One (somewhat major) catch though, we only had about a week’s notice to put together the whole event (and to make matters worse, I was in Los Angeles for some DJ gigs when I got word).  Never one to back down from a challenge or great opportunity, my week in LA was quickly taken over by SXSW prep work and a flurry of phones calls.

Over the next few days, me, DJ Trackstar (aka Killer Mike’s DJ) & our friend France (aka Eric Maitrepierre) started working out logistics and details and within no time, we’d put together a lineup that rivaled bigger corporate events, but strictly through our relationships in music and reputations.  When everything was said and done, the acclaimed lineup, with ridiculous talent from all over the country, looked like this:

Spree Wilson & Go Dreamer (ATL)
BLKHRTS (Denver)
Yonas Michael (LA)
Black Spade (St. Louis)
Tef Poe (St. Louis)
Family Affair (St. Louis)
Denniro Ferrar (NC) & BK Beats (Albuquerque)
Ness/Weekend Money (Brooklyn)
Trackstar The DJ (ATL)
SL Jones (ATL)
Uzoy (Houston)
Rich Kidd (Toronto)
&
THE PHARCYDE (LA)

And so, on the afternoon of March 14th, 2013, hundreds of people crossed the bridge from downtown Austin over to South 1st St for the inaugural SX704 Solution, where they were treated to some of the best acts in hip hop, free Lone Star beer and some of the best BBQ in all of Texas (no exaggeration, check out the rave reviews about La Barbecue here, here and here).  Better yet, we were able to set everything up as a free event, with no official SXSW wristband requirements and a refreshing vibe that offered a welcomed contrast to the drunken zombies wandering through 6th St.

With rap legends The Pharcyde and up and coming Dungeon Family affiliate Spree Wilson closing out the day, we packed a ridiculous amount of talent into our four hour showcase and left everyone with some great experiences, new favorite acts and a belly full of rave-worthy BBQ.  As if that wasn’t enough, the party was free to get into, didn’t’t require an RSVP, wristband or any of that hassle and had free beer to compliment the incredible BBQ, plus a complimentary photo booth, courtesy of Austin Nomad Photography.

A few days later, La Barbecue made sure I left Austin with an enormous freeze-dried brisket and asked us back for 2014, setting the stage for another, bigger & better event, especially based on what we did in one week in March.

Last but definitely not least, extra special shouts to everyone who helped make the event such a success: Leann & everyone at La Barbecue, Chisum at Austin Nomad Photography, France aka Eric Maitrepierre, DJ Trackstar, David & Potholes in My Blog, Sean, Greg & The Pharcyde, Yeti Frozen Custard and all the artists that came through and rocked! – DJ Low Key

1502 S. 1st St (that’s South First Street, not downtown, but close; check out the map below for directions).

Austin hip hop legend DJ Nick Nack on La Barbecue: “It’s the best brisket in Austin”

Tags: BK Beats, Black Spade, BLKHRTS, Denniro Ferrar, DJ Low Key, DJ Trackstar, Family Affair, France, Go Dreamer, La Barbecue, Ness, Rich Kidd, SL Jones, Spree Wilson, SX704, SXSW, Tef Poe, The Austin Nomad, The Pharcyde, The Solution Showcase, Trackstar The DJ, Uzoy, Weekend Money, Yonas Michael

Meet Yonas Michael aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I, our featured out of town act for The Solution Showcase #12 on 1/26 at the Meadowlark…

.:Download Ro Blvd & Yonas Michael “Cyst”:.

Denver, meet LA’s Yonas Michael aka Y-O (formerly of U-N-I), our out of town featured act for The Solution Showcase #12 on Saturday, 1/26.  Maybe you know him from his recent project with mixtape titan Mick Boogie, The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory, maybe you know him as the guy with the mohawk who used to be in the exceptional rap duo U-N-I (who also happened to host our The Solution Tape #1 mixtape), maybe you heard him on “Cyst”, (his insane collab with producer Ro Blvd from last year, we play it at a lot of our parties) or maybe you’re not familiar with him at all.  Either way, we’re excited to have the super talented, eclectic rapper/singer/etc back out to CO for his first solo show.

.:Download Yonas Michael & Mick Boogie – The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory:.

Years ago, we first heard Y-O’s music while he was in his former group, U-N-I, right around the time that him, his former partner Thurzday, and Ro Blvd (also former Solution Showcase guests) first linked up.  While U-N-I had received a lot of attention from earlier projects, their album with Ro Blvd, A Love Supreme, proved to be one of 2009’s best releases and garnered some of the attention that an incredible, modern day cult classic deserves.  After that, U-N-I & Ro Blvd released a retail version of A Love Supreme (2.0) with more live elements and new songs like the “Land Of The Kings” remix with Houston legend Bun B to even more props.   Following the success of A Love Supreme, U-N-I surprised us and parted ways with Y-O changing his rap moniker to Yonas Michael and he keeping the momentum going with his diverse Lost In Hollywood project, an ambitious collections of tracks with influences from a kitchen’s sink of genres, all while maintaining his hip hop roots.  More recently, Yonas Michael & Mick Boogie’s fresh The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory and collabs with Ro Blvd, Casey Veggies, Polyester and H.O.P.E. have kept the vibe of exploration going with a hip hop mentality as Yonas remains one of the more forward-thinking voices in the progressive LA scene and nationwide.

.:Download Yonas Michael – Lost In Hollywood:.

Above: “A Short Film Called Lost In Hollywood” by Yonas Michael.  /// Below: “Open The Door” by Yonas Michael

Above: U-N-I (Y-O & Thurz) & Ro Blvd “Land of the Kings”/// Below: U-N-I (Y-O & Thurz) & Ro Blvd “Hollywood Hiatus”

Catch Yonas Michael making his solo Denver debut, along with Denver up and comers Team Latchkey, BLK HRTS/Pirate Signal producer/mastermind Yorrissey, Solution co-founder DJ Low Key & Solution Boulder alum B-Money for what promises to be another dose of the best in hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).   9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.

Tags: The Solution Showcase, U-N-I, Y-O, Yonas Michael

Saturday, 1/26 -> The Solution Showcase #12 w/Yonas Michael (aka Y-O, formerly of U-N-I), Team Latchkey, Yorrissey, DJ Low Key & B-Money at the Meadowlark…

SATURDAY, 1/26 -> For our twelfth edition, The Solution Showcase kicks off 2013 by importing one of our good friends from Los Angeles, Yonas Michael aka Y-O (formerly of U-N-I), as our out of town featured act.  Y-O’s gonna be joined by super hype Denver up and comers Team Latchkey, BLK HRTS/Pirate Signal producer/mastermind Yorrissey, Solution co-founder DJ Low Key & Solution Boulder alum B-Money for what promises to be another dose of the best in hip hop at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St).

Even if you’re not familiar with the name Yonas Michael or The Mixtape Before Blvck Swan Theory, his recent project with mixtape monster Mick Boogie, you should know Y-O his work in critically acclaimed (and former XXL Freshmen feature) group, U-N-I, including being one of the hosts of our mixtape, The Solution Tape #1, a few years back.  Featured Denver act Team Latchkey has two producers who’s names should ring a bell, as both DealzMakesBeats & J Gunna aka Black Jordan were featured at the party last year.  They’ll be joined by the rest of the crew (Morning After, Big Keim, B Smith & DJ Hobo) in the six man group’s official Solution Showcase debut.  Yorrissey, producer for recently signed Denver heavyweights BLK HRTS and award-winning Pirate Signal, will be rocking beats as our featured producer for this month.  DJ Low Key and Denver favorite B-Money will be holding down things on the turntables and making sure things are just as much a party as a rap show and that should round out another top notch lineup for your listening, dancing and drink pleasure.  9pm/21+/$5 pre-sales at all 3 Family Affair locations or only $8 at the door.

Tags: B-Money, Black Jordan, BLK HRTS, DealzMakesBeats, DJ B Money, DJ Low Key, Family Affair, J Gunna, Mick Boogie, Pirate Signal, Team Latchkey, The Meadowlark, The Solution Showcase, U-N-I, Y-O, Yonas Michael, Yorrissey