SXSW & New York City (2008)

Tour diary - Kate Bradley takes on SXSW

Kate Bradley is a singer/songwriter who is completely self-funded and unsigned, and she just got back from showcasing her talent at one of the world's biggest music conferences / festivals South By South West (SXSW).

Kate Bradley has been writing music and performing in bands since her early teens. In 2005, Kate released her debut EP “Don't You Choose Me” which enjoyed airplay on Triple J and great reviews. In addition to that, Kate Bradley was named by Billboard as an artist to watch for 2007. Following this mention, Kate performed at the Laneway Festival and won the Q Song rock award with her song “No Start / Red Light”.

Here's a bit about her time over in the USA.

Kate Bradley applied to perform at SXSW through sonicbids which is an online artist site that allows musicians to make paid submissions to festivals, CD compilations and other interesting ventures. Everyone should try it. You can get results!

In late November, Kate received a brochure in the mail from SXSW, promoting accommodation available for the conference. She thought nothing of it and tossed away the brochure. A couple of weeks later, Kate received her invitation to perform at SXSW. She didn't throw that invitation away.

“Two years ago I had hoped to someday get to SXSW. This was a major goal for me, and after 4 moths of preparation, I made it to Austin”

Despite not receiving any funding from any funding bodies, Kate was determined to get herself to the conference and introduce the world to her music.

The trip

Flight Brisbane to LA – March 8

I'm not a good flyer. On our way sailing through the skies we experienced your typical turbulance and what did I do....sweat and pray for the next 12 hours. However, I did notice another band on the plane, The Grates. They were seated in economy only two rows in front of us. I figured we had to be ok with them on board.

LA Arrival March 8, 7 AM

There's nothing like making a day back when you fly to the USA. With the Grates on board we touched down safely at Tom Bradley International Airport. Funny surname isn't it.

So, we get off the plane and are queued to go through immigration on a line with the Grates. We're all tired and our skin is dehyrdrated. I overcome my nerves and make small talk with Patience and Illana from the Grates. It turns out they're going to be recording somewhere in the state of New York. Wow....Golly....very cool! They are very friendly and enquire about our trip.

Next ...we all face the interrogating immigration officers and we all make it through the queues. I'm beaming with excitement as I allow the immigration officer to take my fingerprint and photo so that immigration, FBI, CIA and all the other beurocrats know who I am.

LA – Two days

We spend two days in LA and I attend a few meetings with music reps. Some arrangements are made.


Austin, Texas March 10

We leave early on a smallish plane (20 seater) which again terrifies me. But I'm blessed and surrounded by many music executives and another artist from Brisbane, Chris Pickering and his manager Leonie. So, I'm a slightly more at ease. We are surrounded by American music executives who are all loud. Interestingly, their conversation leads into a deep discussion about how shit the music industry is now for artists and A&R. I start to think “I don't want to be signed. Is this how it is?”

We arrive in Texas and it's hard to understand anyone.

I'm listed in the Austin Cronicle as “PJ Harvey Without The Mood Swings”.
It's a good thing people don't know my that well here.


Austin, Texas March 11

I rehearse with some very charming American lads who are my Goodbye Horses for the week.
They've come well prepared and have learned all my songs.

I buy some cowgirl boots.

I do my first solo show at Emo's bar, thanks to an invitation from Stage Mothers to do some side-shows. The gig goes well and Paul Kelly is in the audience. Paul Kelly is someone we've all grown up listening to and admiring. So, I'm numb with the realisation that I have to seize the moment and say hello. He makes it easier for me and says he enjoyed my set. Kelly asks me questions but I can;t remember them now. It's all a blur.

Austin, Texas March 12

We perform my showcase at Momo's as a band and it goes off. Because I am unsigned I expect a pretty poor turn out. All the avice I had received back home was that SXSW is all about signed artists so don't expect much. Well, I'm totally blown away when the venue is almost packed out for my showcase. I'm well received and the boys play exceedingly well.

Austin, Texas March 14

We play the Aussie BBQ. Another success for us. I get more contacts interested in what I'm doing. Cards are exchanged. Yes, you need that business card. Everyone has one!
A big thanks to Stage Mothers. They even had a drink named in my honour.

Following that I'm in a cab heading West to the mighty Whole Foods Market to play solo in front of a quieter crowd but again am well received. I make some fans who want to buy my CDs.

New York March 19

After a short break spending some time with my sister who lives in DC we do my final show in New York. It was a fantastic night and again we make connections with more US music reps.
Best of all, I get to perform on the same bill as The Panics and Old Man River.


Kate Bradley will be launching her debut album “The Deeper The Sand” Friday, May 16 @ The Troubadour. 16


Check out www.myspace.com/goodbyehorsesband to find out more.