Ah, South By Southwest. A whirlwind of live music, fascinating panels and tons of Tex-Mex. (We will not mention the booze. Oops, I guess we just did.)

For a decade, FMC has descended on not-so-sleepy Austin, Texas to participate in discussions about, well, the future of music, and hobnob with the incredible array of artists, managers, entrepreneurs, visionaries, media gurus, rabble-rousers and just about anyone else you can think of. Since we're a musician-centric shop, you can usually find an FMC staffer playing a show or ten.

This year (March 17-21, 2010), we've got a ton of awesome stuff lined up. Our handy SXSW page has all the times, room numbers and details. Here are some highlights:

Social Networks and the Future for Musicians
FMC's technologies director Brian Zisk joins Dave Allen (Pampelmoose, Gang of Four), Raquel DiSabatino (Facebook), Charles Fishman (Cisco) and Ethan Kaplan (Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Music) to talk about where artist-driven social media is heading.

Creative Capitol: Music, Culture and Policy under Obama
With just over a year since this administration took office, it's a good time to reflect on how the creative industries (including music, natch) are faring in the current executive, agency and legislative environments. FMC Policy Director Michael Bracy will lead a discussion with Beltway players including Austin Schlick (General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission) Tim Tuten (Hideout Nightclub, Chicago/Department of Education) and Christine Varney (Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, Department of Justice).

Mentor Session 3: featuring HINT Project Coordinator Alex Maiolo
FMC’s Health Insurance Navigation Tool (HINT) project coordinator, Alex Maiolo, will be on hand about health insurance for musicians. Because you can't rock if you're not healthy. Well, unless you're Keith Richards...

Again, you'll want to peek at our SXSW page for a list of other panels and activities we and our Board and advisory board are involved in, as well as some stuff we just think will be cool to check out.

Hope to see you in Austin!