With SXSW just over a month away the annual fever has hit. It’s the time of year a lot of local bands start thinking about ways to make the pilgrimage to Austin even though they got the official rejection letter last week. It’s also around this time I start getting asked about ideas of how to get a show down there or do I know of any open slots. I always answer with the same question. What are you hoping to achieve by going and is there another way to achieve those goals without competing against 3,000 other bands? It’s an honest question every band needs to ask themselves.

Truth be told bands no longer get “discovered” by playing SX like they once did, it’s is now where the music industry goes to show the rest of the industry who they are going to be pushing this year.

Instead of worrying about making the big trip, take a chunk of time to comb through the bands that did get accepted. You can gain perspective on what’s happening outside your scene, and hopefully find someone to gig swap, open for, or potentially tour. You can then have a productive year focusing on actionable things that will help propel what your doing. And when you are accepted to SX you can make an impact, not just bet on a lotto scratch off of getting discovered at the mighty SXSW.

Full Disclosure: I love SX and I’m being a mentor for them for the 2nd year in a row for the festival. It’s like summer camp for the music industry, and I enjoy going every year to catch up with friends, and check out new bands. For young bands often it’s better to wait than rush it.