Music Interview: Jill Sorrels + Austin

Last week, we interviewed one half of the events company Knuckle Rumbler and this week its the other half’s turn, producer extraordinaire Jill Sorrels. Jill was nice enough to answer our questions about Austin, Texas, the home of Knuckle Rumbler and the city deemed the “Live Music Capital of the World” where each year the massive SXSW Music, Film and Interactive conference is held and place that over 200 venues and 1,900 musicians call home.
 
What should we know before we go to Austin?
There are things going on every night of the week here. There are weeklies, monthlies, roadshows, and after parties happening all the time. People go out, even if for short periods, 3-4 nights a week. Be prepared to not stay home.
 
There is great music playing somewhere every night of the week. Which makes this city a great source for seeing whats next. There is also so much coverage of events in Austin online and elsewhere, that you can go to a show with a little more knowledge than you may somewhere else.
 
I’ve noticed people are very social here. Most are not afraid to talk to people they’ve never met before that they just bump into. Of course Austin was named one of the hardest drinking cities in the US a while back so there’s that.

Who are your local musical heroes?
Black Joe Lewis, Ghostland Observatory, Prince Klassen, DJ Orion, DJ Mel, Adi Anand (journalist, not musician, but knows everyone in town and more about music than anyone)

What local bands or musicians should we be listening out for?
Soul Mind Tracks, White Dress, Eastern Sea, The Politics, SPEAK.
 
What are your favorite music venues and where should we eat and drink around there?
Venues – Scoot Inn, Mohawk, ND, Emo’s
Bars – Liberty, Sidebar, Shangri-La, Iron Gate, Jackalope
Clubs – Barbarella, Beauty Bar
Food – Curra’s Mexican Grill (BEST IN THE CITY), Polvo’s (close second), Torchy’s Tacos, Kebabalicious, Uchi, Frank
 
Any local music festivals or events we should put on our calendar?
South by Southwest Music Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Kite Festival, Future Fest (drafthouse version), Eastside Studio Tour, Pachanga Fest,
 

Is there an Austin sound?
Too much reverb.
 
Or is there a community/scene vibe in the city?
Half the people you meet are involved in music, events, or writing some how or their friends are. That community is expanding everyday.
 
What’s your perfect night out in Austin?
9pm – Drinks at Shangri La / Liberty with friends
10 pm – 12:30 Check out a show at Scoot or ND
1:00 – 1:30 Drinks at Sidebar
1:30 – Dance at Barbarella
2:30 – After party involving a pool and Lone Star tall boys
**sleep**
10 am – brunch at Enoteca or lunch (12 pm) at Pho Van depending on varying degrees of hangover
 
Any other things that are a must see and do in?
Knuckle Rumbler Versus Parties at the Scoot Inn – over 800 people attend regularly to the epic battle of two musical icons with DJ Orion and Prince Klassen on the decks. Cheap entry, cheaper drinks.
 
Mohawk
912 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701-2625 – (512) 482-8404

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Curra’s Mexican Grill
614 East Oltorf Street, Austin, TX 78704-5667 – (512) 444-0012

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