sxsw 2012

Maron, Benson and Earwolf, oh my! SXSW Comedy announces this year’s live podcastline-up

SXSW Comedy has announced this year’s line-up of live podcast recordings, a series of eight tapings that feature some of the biggest names in digital broadcasting alongside top comics (and, of course, plenty of surprise celebrity guests).

As previously announced, WTF with Marc Maron will tape an episode with guest Jeffrey Tambor (The Larry Sanders Show, Arrested Development), who will be presenting his wildly popular acting workshop at this year’s Interactive conference.

Here are the rest of the shows you’ll be able to catch:

Doug Loves Movies: Doug Benson (of Super High Me and The Benson Interruption) brings comics, actors, directors and writers together to talk about new releases and favorite films. Since it’s SXSW, expect at least a few cameos from the Film conference.

You Made It Weird: Hosted by Pete Holmes, YMIW is equal parts absurd and academic, with interviews that dive into all the, well, weirdest parts of performing comedy alongside discussions on process and practice.

The Smartest Man In The World: The title’s not just hyperbole; host Greg Proops (best known for his long-running stint on Whose Line, and his biting wit) delivers monologues that feel more like a fireside chat than a scripted bit. You never know what’ll come up on his “Proopcast.”

Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show: Yes, that Kevin Pollak (The Usual Suspects, Casino, A Few Good Men). The actor-slash-comic is also a prolific talk show host; every week, fans tune in online for this live interactive webcast.

Plus, SXSW is teaming up with podcasting powerhouse Earwolf to will host several live recordings:

Comedy Bang! Bang!: CBB is to many comedy fans what Jay-Z is to hip hop enthusiasts (or Oprah to moms, or Vonnegut to lit snobs — y’know, the best). It seems IFC agrees, because the network is turning the popular podcast into a TV talk show this fall. Hosted by Scott Aukerman (Mr. Show, Between Two Ferns), CBB always features fun guests, many of whom happen to be mind-blowingly brilliant improvised characters (from comics like James Adomian, Paul F. Tompkins and Eddie Pepitone, among others).

Sklarbro Country: If you haven’t seen Jason and Randy Sklar perform stand up, take a second and check out their act (go ahead, we’ll wait). This show’s a little different: Each week, the brothers welcome guests for sports talk that’ll appeal to casual fans and die-hards alike.

Who Charted?: Recently expanded to two weekly broadcasts, Who Charted? is hosted by Howard Kremer (stand-up and former star of Austin Stories) and Kulap Vilaysack, who count down and comment on new music and film releases.

It’s a big year for SXSW Comedy, which will run eight full days this year, from March 10 to 17. They’re also expanding to include more venues; while last year’s shows took place exclusively at Esther’s Follies, this year you’ll be able to catch comedy at The Velveeta Room as well as on the Next Stage at the SXSW Trade Show (from March 12 to 15). Plus, SXSW Comedy is teaming up to present showcases with partners like the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Funny or Die and Gotham Comedy Club.

There are also five comedy-focused panels debuting as part of the SXSW Interactive Festival, which will host podcasters, writers and performers in conversation about everything from breaking into the business to leveraging new media.

This announcement comes just as The New York Times takes a close look at comedy podcasts, exploring the recent trend towards topics that are more heartbreaking than humorous. Judging by past years, we know to expect a raucous good time at this year’s live tapings, but we also can’t wait to hear the incredibly revealing conversations that always result when hosts like Maron, Aukerman and Holmes are in charge. (Last year’s live Comedy Bang! Bang!, featuring Paul Ruebens, Dave Foley and ~~Thomas Lennon~~ Lil Gary, stands out as an example.)

SXSW Comedy doesn’t have its own dedicated badge or wristband, but if you’re interested in attending, good news: Comedy events are open, at no additional cost, to all SXSW attendees. Shows taking place during the Film and Interactive conferences (March 10 to 13) will be open to those with Platinum, Gold and Film badges. Shows during the Music festival (March 13 to 17) will be open to those with Platinum and Music badges and Music wristbands.

The full SXSW Comedy line-up will be announced in the coming weeks.

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In Memoriam

Legendary Texas singer-songwriter Joe Ely dies at 78

Joe Ely/Facebook

Joe Ely was a major figure in Texas' progressive country scene.

Joe Ely, the legendary songwriter, singer and storyteller whose career spanned more than five decades, has died from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia. He was 78.

In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Ely died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, at his side.

Born February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely was raised in Lubbock and became a central figure among a generation of influential West Texas musicians. He later settled in Austin, helping shape the city’s reputation as a hub for live music.

As with many local legends, it's hard to tease out what specifically made Ely's time in Austin so great; Austin treasures its live music staples, so being around and staying authentic from the early days is often the most important thing an artist can do.

Ely got his local start at One Knight Tavern, which later became Stubb's BBQ — the artist and the famous venue share a hometown of Lubbock. He alternated nights with emerging guitar great Stevie Ray Vaughn. He built his own recording studio in Dripping Springs, and kept close relationships with other Texas musicians. Later in his career, Ely brought fans into the live music experience, publishing excerpts from his journal and musings on the road in Bonfire of Roadmaps (2010), and was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2022. Austin blues icon Marcia Ball was among Ely's friends who played the induction show.

"Joe Ely performed American roots music with the fervor of a true believer who knew music could transport souls," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In the 1970s, Ely signed with MCA Records, launching a career that included decades of recording and touring around the world. His work and performances left a lasting impact on the music scene and influenced a wide range of artists, including the Clash and Bruce Springsteen, according to Rolling Stone.

"His distinctive musical style could only have emerged from Texas, with its southwestern blend of honky-tonk, rock & roll, roadhouse blues, western swing, and conjunto. He began his career in the Flatlanders, with fellow Lubbock natives Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and he would mix their songs with his through 50 years of critically acclaimed recordings. [...]"

Read the full story at KVUE.com. CultureMap has added two paragraphs of context about the Austin portion of Ely's career.

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