Fourth Annual SXSW Party, March 20

Thousands of bands, music fans, and industry representatives will descend on Austin for the SXSW Music and Media Conference, and Berklee alumni and students will be no exception, making their mark at one of the music industry's biggest events. Berklee hosts its fourth annual SXSW Party, Friday, March 20, 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. at Friends, 208 E. 6th Street, Austin, Texas. The party features Berklee, Berkleemusic.com, and Heavy Rotation Records (HRR) alumni and students performing in genres including rock, punk, indie pop, folk, country, and reggae.

Keep up with the Berklee students and staff who are in Austin for SXSW by reading the new Berklee On Tour blog. 

Berklee's SXSW Party is 21+, free of charge, and open to SXSW badge holders. SXSW wristband holders and the general public can RSVP to alumniaffairs@berklee.edu to attend.

This year's performers include Boston Music Award winners Kid:Nap:Kin (HRR); accomplished singer/songwriter Melissa Ferrick, performing solo; New York-based acoustic folk band Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers (HRR), composed of students and alumni; Brooklyn, NY, indie rock band Volunteers; the Hollow Sound, a student band that was a finalist in mtvU's Best Music on Campus contest; Austinite Aaron Sinclair (of Frank Smith), performing solo; SuperVolcano (HRR), a student band that appears on HRR's new CD, Dorm Sessions 6; Boston indie pop band the Motion Sick; and Los Angeles pop/reggae artist Ma'ayan Castel.  

Alumnae Sarah Sharp and Katie Gosnall will host the event. Giveaways include SanDisk Sansa MP3 players, a Berkleemusic.com online course, and copies of HRR's new compilation CD, Dorm Sessions 6. 

Artists listed in reverse order of appearance:

Kid:Nap:Kin (HRR)

Melissa Ferrick

Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers (HRR)

Volunteers

The Hollow Sound

Aaron Sinclair (of Frank Smith) 

SuperVolcano (HRR) 

The Motion Sick 

Ma'ayan Castel

Heavy Rotation Records (HRR) gives music business/management majors at Berklee hands-on experience in running a record company. The students oversee all of the label's functions, including A&R, marketing, sales, touring, web development, media, and accounting. HRR has released 11 CDs since 1995, including the all-female CD Shekinah: 13 Artists, distributed by Epic Records; Apollo Sunshine's second album, coreleased with spinART records; and Dorm Sessions Volumes 1–6. Many up-and-coming artists have appeared on HRR compilations, including Annie Clark (St. Vincent); the Click Five (then called Oscar Bravo); members of Passion Pit, who appeared on Dorm Sessions 5 as the Peasantry; ska-punks Big D & the Kids Table; and Madi Diaz of the movie Rock School.

Berkleemusic.com is the continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, delivering online access to Berklee's acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world. Berkleemusic's award-winning online courses and certificate programs are accredited and taught by the college's world-renowned faculty, providing lifelong learning opportunities to people interested in music and working in the music industry. As the business of music continues to move online, Berkleemusic is taking a leadership role in educating the next generation of producers, performers, and entrepreneurs on this evolving industry landscape. Berkleemusic's students come from over 80 countries around the world, and include Grammy Award winners, managers, artists, publishers, music business entrepreneurs, and major international touring acts.