Austin Texas

The drive from Houston to Austin only takes about 3 hours, even if you take the back roads through the Ranch lands. People say it’s been a dry winter, but then Texas is notoriously dry. The grass has burnt away in places and many of the trees are bare. They are withered, grey, skeletal with white branches. Its probably a 60:40 split with some trees already covered in greenery. Bluebells are starting to spring up on the roadside and every so often I see a small tree with striking purple follage. An expert will tell you soon there will be Texan wildflower of all colours. I feel a silent promise that this place will grow lush soon, despite being scarred by the  constant sun.

Cara and Richie say we need to stop off at Joel’s BBQ for some amazing steak and pickle sandwiches. Cara tells me this is a family tradition. Just before we get to Austin we drive through an area of woodland completely ravaged by a fire not long ago. Several firefighters died trying to bring it under control, I’m told the smoke and ash that drifted into the city was so intense that the public were advised to stay in their homes. Everything is still, peaceful in the absence of any breeze. Even the Colorado River looks surprisingly calm to this tourist.

Austin is considered to be the most diverse or ‘weird’ city in Texas attracting people of all kinds. Some of the skyscrapers are innovative, the most impressive is the Frost Building whose roof was designed to look like an owl. There are some cool things to do here, I get some great shots of the Capital building and a friend takes me to Austin Comic Books to appease my inner Geek. We look round the Bullock Museum where I learn about the history of Texas; known as the Lone Star state as it was once a Republic, seperate to the United states. We walk past the Alamo Draft House, an old picture theatre where you can watch a film and have a sit down meal at the same time.

It’s Spring Break and Austin is playing host to the annual South by Southwest Music festival (SXSW). Bands flock in from everywhere, globally, just to get involved. There are people singing and playing in what seems to be every bar, like a thousand heartbeats resonating through the city. The first event we visit is a stage set up in a T shaped alley behind some stores and a restaurant. We can buy cheap beer and listen to a couple of bands, this is ‘typically American’ the crowd say.

There are huge events going on with big artists playing. Friday night brings Green Day and Justin Timberlake to town. The atmosphere is great, SXSW has got so big over the past couple of years. ‘Dirty’ 6^th Street is packed full of people and we see some good up and coming bands in one of the bars. For those who are inquisitive and step out the back there is a smaller stage with more of a soul feel. We accidentally find Eric Burdon from The Animals, a big name from the 60s. To me House of the Rising Sun never sounded better then through his matured and slightly gravelly voice.

To end the night we go to the bar at The Four Seasons Hotel, to try and spot famous people. No such luck I’m afraid, but it would have topped the night. I’ve been told by new friends how they have gone out in Austin and find, after paying just $10, Chris Martin from Coldplay has come to do a secret set or maybe Linken Park. My story hasn’t got that enigmatic punch line, but good music is ‘good music’ and I have a really great time!