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Music

This 1991 Report Proves That SXSW Has Always Involved Panels, Politics and Painful Naivety

"We came to expose our band to as many people in the profession as we could—and maybe get a record contract."

As Austin readies for thousands of music lovers to descend on the city to score free tote bags and PARTY!!, here's an interesting 1991 report from local station FOX 7 News that previews that year's South By Southwest Festival.

As well as footage of a welcoming speech from Texas governor Ann Richards, who acknowledges the importance of the music industry and the role it plays to the city's economy, the report includes that year's key note speaker Roseanne Cash.

But the real stars are the hungry and aspirational young bands hoping to gain some traction in the always competitive music industry. Young men talking about using the opportunity to play in front of industry heavyweights or as one gentleman says, "to expose our band to as many people in the profession as we can - and maybe get a record contract.

We also like the two Soul Asylum looking guys who praise a panel discussion for giving them inside tips in how to make it in the industry. "They tell you exactly what you need to do to get signed, who you need to talk to and all that stuff."