Baton Rouge is a popular rest stop for bands traveling to Austin, Texas for the South By Southwest Music Festival. But bands are not just here for a quick bathroom break or to visit the vending machine. Bands such as Elf Power, Why?, Panther, Cryptacize and Legendary Shack Shakers are here to play at the Gas, Food and Lodging Festival, an event hosted to attract bands on their way to South By Southwest. Frank McMains, owner of Red Star Bar, has been involved with Gas Food and Lodging since its inception four years ago. Red Star hosted bands The Old Ceremony with Dan Sartrain and The Weight earlier this week in this year’s festival. “Historically, the festival has tried to capitalize on the wealth of talent headed to South By Southwest,” McMains said. “The great advantage of the festival for Baton Rouge is the chance to see so many good bands.” Mitch DeRosier, bassist for Born Ruffians who performed at the Spanish Moon on Tuesday night, said the festival’s name was derived from Baton Rouge’s image as a rest stop on the way to Austin. “I think it’s kind of like a joke because people see Baton Rouge as a pit stop for Austin,” DeRosier said. “But we’ve done Baton Rouge before on a regular tour date, so it’s not like we’re here just because we’re going to South By Southwest.” Luke LaLonde, Born Ruffians guitarist and lead singer, was impressed by the festival’s lineup. “It seems like some pretty good bands are coming in,” LaLonde said. Steve Hamelin, Born Ruffians drummer, notices similarities between Baton Rouge and Austin. “Both Baton Rouge and Austin are really laid back, ordinary Southern cities,” Hamelin said. “They don’t seem like Dallas or Houston or something.” LaLonde said he appreciated the chance to perform for Baton Rouge before heading to Austin. “This might be better than South By Southwest,” LaLonde joked before the show. In a burst of excitement after the Born Ruffians’ final song, Hamelin denounced South By Southwest, embraced the Baton Rouge crowd and said, “This is the real thing.” Cadence Weapon, a rap artist heading toward his third South By Southwest appearance, had good things to say about Austin. “Austin, Texas is probably the ultimate party zone,” Cadence Weapon said. “I’ve had some really good times at South By Southwest.” South By Southwest has already begun, but there’s still a handful of acts that will hit Spanish Moon on the way back from Austin. Elf Power will perform Saturday. Why?, Panther and Cryptacize will perform Monday, and Legendary Shack Shakers will perform Tuesday.
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