Hello, people. Hopefully everyone's been having a great time since school has resumed, but if not, ask yourself, “Why?” I mean, it's not like stuff hasn't been happening. It's everywhere you look in Athens! And if you haven't been looking, then start. Actually, start here on this page. Right down there...

There Better Be a Fiddle in the Band: Applications to be an official showcasing band at South By Southwest 2013 opened a few weeks ago. The Austin, TX music festival and media conference, which doubles as an unofficial vendor for the worst industry swag ever, will accept applications until Nov. 7, 2012. The fee is $30 until Oct. 5, and $40 after that until the deadline. The 2013 event takes place Mar. 12-17. Flagpole has been a media sponsor of SXSW for a long time, so that's why you're getting this information here. Even though SXSW doesn't ever seem to accept many Athens bands in an official capacity, there's no denying that with unofficial parties, or just as attendees, Athens musicians put their fingerprint on Texas' capital each spring. So, roll the dice over at sonicbids.com/sxsw to apply, or visit sxsw.com for more information.

Ctrl, Alt, Delete: Dodd Ferrelle wrote a fight song for the University of Georgia football team. It'll be included in the pre-game rotation of songs during UGA home games, and it's titled “Go Dogs (Sic 'Em! Woof Woof Woof).” It's unlike anything else he's ever done. For one thing, the tune itself is a wobbly keyboard thing just weird enough to catch your ear but just plain enough to get you through the self-checkout line, too. For another, the lead vocal is a rap performed by Athens artist S.N.I.P.A. And the backing vocals—which are basically inaudible, thus hardly meriting mention—are by Ferrelle and Futurebirds. David Barbe plays guitar on this, but I'll be damned if I can hear it. The whole project is credited to “Dodd Ferrelle and S.N.I.P.A with Kameon Prather and the UGA Music Business Program.” Sure, that's a mouthful, but that's the way things are often done in hip-hop land, so don't hate the player, hate the… dammit, you know what? This sucks. Some things you just can't un-hear. On a positive note, all proceeds benefit the UGA Music Business Program, and you can get the tune for only 99 cents. You may discuss all this with Ferrelle when he and his band play the 40 Watt this Friday (Sept. 7). Keep it real over at doddferrelle.com.

The Music Tapes

In-Tent-City: Honorary Athenians The Music Tapes are enjoying a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign right now. The project was launched a few weeks ago to raise funds for the group's upcoming tour, titled “The Traveling Imaginary.” Specifically, the funds were sought to procure a circus tent in which the shows will be performed. Other funds are to be used for “many new amusements and contraptions” sure to delight audiences. If you've ever been witness to either one of The Music Tapes' large-club shows or any of their much more intimate Lullaby or Christmas Caroling outings, you know you're in for a real treat. I'm really looking forward to seeing this come to fruition. The band's newest album, Mary’s Voice, was released this week via Merge Records. There are still a few days left to kick in some money for the Traveling Imaginary, so visit kickstarter.com/projects/themusictapes/the-music-tapes-present-the-traveling-imaginary and make yourself known. And hey, Music Tapes, go renew your domain name. It expired two weeks ago!

Rocket Men: Athens band Unus Mundus will play the Space Rock Con in Cullman, AL this month. The two-day festival (Sept. 14 & 15) has existed for 11 years, and was hosted in Athens back in 2008. Unus Mundus is composed of longtime Athens-related stalwarts Steve Fitzpatrick, Leslie Grove, Rob Fluhr and Cary Whitley. Space Rock Con features 20 bands performing at the Cullman Civic Center. It's a true bargain at $20 for the weekend, though the only other act performing that Athenians might recognize immediately is The Subliminator. All in all, though, the lineup looks really cool, and chances are good you'll already be in Cullman, AL that weekend anyway, right? Uh, right. So, check facebook.com/SpaceRockCon and grab any other details you need.

Keep on Keeping Up: A few of us from the Flagpole music department will head up to Raleigh, NC this weekend for the Hopscotch Music Festival. We'll be covering things on the fly, and you can spend your weekend with us (and really, what better way to spend a weekend?) via our new live blog at Flagpole.com/liveblog (OK, so it's actually just a feed from our shiny new Tumblr site, flagpolemusic.tumblr.com). We'll be posting photos, updates and recaps beginning Thursday evening and continuing all weekend long. If you're so inclined, you may also keep up with Flagpole music editor Gabe Vodicka on Twitter by following @FlagpoleMusic and me personally via @gordonlamb. And if you're there in physical form, say hello!