While there's no word (yet?) of the Hold Steady performing at the South by Southwest Music Conference in two weeks, frontman Craig Finn will definitely be there. The Edina native and well-known good-talker has been recruited to host a daily interview/performance show for IFC (Independent Film Channel) during the fest, with guests included his '08 tourmates Drive-by Truckers, the Walkmen, Broken Social Scene, She & Him and Dawes. IFC is making a TV studio out of a funky old house at 7th & Brazos streets in downtown Austin (site of previous years' parties). The shows will be streaming live and air every night on IFC at 11 p.m. CT, and supposedly they're open to anyone with a SXSW wristband or badge. Click here for the full schedule. Geez, it's gotten to where you don't even have to be in Austin to enjoy SXSW. Great, then maybe it won't be so crowded this year.
In other Hold Steady news, the band is (very coolly) making limited-edition vinyl copies of its new album "Heaven Is Whenever" available on April 17 in indie shops as part of Record Store Day. Otherwise, the record doesn't come out until May 4.
(Hold Steady photo taken by Tony Nelson at last year's Rachel Ray SXSW party; note all the wristbands on Finn, proof he likes to get out while in Austin).
