Diatribes by Joah

This city is the bestest!

And a few things they missed: - 2006, Mohawk opens joining Stubb's as the most powerful one-two punch in the country for live music venues on the same street - 1997 Alamo Drafthouse opens - 2005 UT Football, led by Vince Young, wins college football BCS National Championship

February Photo Recap

Austin

LA

Didn't get to go to a Lakers game, though

Deva in Santa Fe

We did some hiking

The sky was pretty

Watched the Jazz win

Bought some gear

Went up to Snow Bird for some boarding

Came home to this

And this

Woke up to this

My SXSW Music Guide (for badgeholders; wristbands may apply)

Don’t be lazy. I’ve already done most of your homework; listened to nearly all the bands and musicians, looked at all the showcases and venue lineups, and made this fairly easy to disseminate when you’re scrolling through your iPhone on Thursday at 7:30 trying to plan your night. I don’t care about day parties much because you should use the daytime to stumble into things and people and places. Plan around the night, not the day. Save energy for 1am, 2am if you care to, or just blow your load in the early evening. It’s up to you. Three sections here: panels worth seeing, artists worth seeing, and showcases/venues worth seeing. Use it as you may. Don’t judge me for my musical taste and I won’t judge you for jumping on some band’s bandwagon two years after they played at SXSW. - Joah

Speakers & Panels Worth Seeing During Music

(Does Not Include Style X or Fashion-Related Panels during SXSW)

Filmmaker Richard Linklater ("Slacker") reunites with his "Dazed and Confused" breakout Matthew McConaughey and "School of Rock" star Jack Black, for his latest comedy, "Bernie." All three will be on hand to discuss working together. Wednesday March 14, 2012 2:30pm - 3:00pm @ Austin Convention Center  

Bruce Springsteen's artistry has drawn worldwide acclaim and honors. His recordings include time-tested classics of rock and acoustic-based albums celebrating folk traditions. His live shows are fervent celebrations of the communal power of music. Springsteen keynotes SXSW in conjunction with the release of his 17th studio album, 'Wrecking Ball' and the kickoff of the 2012 Wrecking Ball Tour. Thursday March 15, 2012 12:00pm - 1:00pm @ Austin Convention Center  

Content has been declared king for decades, but good content, alone, is no longer enough. In today's digital media age, artists must also have brands that are well-defined and compelling to achieve commercial success and longevity. Look at the many aspects involved in creating, cultivating, disseminating and monetizing artist brands - sound, image, marketing, social media, distribution and retail strategy. Speakers include Kevin Liles, Kendrick Lamar. Thursday March 15, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm @ Austin Convention Center

Queens rapper Nas, widely considered to be one of the most accomplished and talented artists to ever hit the mic, established his place amongst the hip-hop elite with the 1994 release of his debut album, Illmatic. The impact of his distinctive lyricism and thoughtful storytelling reaches far beyond hip hop culture and has earned him a global audience of millions. Throughout years of multi-platinum album sales, critical acclaim, controversies, and fame, Nas has undoubtedly solidified his position as one of the greatest rappers of all time. On the heels of his collaboration with Damian Marley, Nas is currently preparing his next studio album. In this special SXSW Interview, Nas will be joined in conversation with Steve Stoute, his former manager and longtime friend. As the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Translation, author of The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy, and former music executive, Stoute has been an instrumental figure in utilizing the power of hip-hop culture to revolutionize the way brands connect with audiences. Friday March 16 3:30 pm – 4:30pm @ Austin Convention Center Room 18ABC

Steve Stoute, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Translation, is joined in a special conversation with Dan Charnas, experienced journalist, author of The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop, and current editorial director of InteractiveOne. Charnas' previous work with The Source, Profile Records, and American Recordings provides him with a unique perspective for the conversation. The discussion will look at how hip- hop has spurred creativity and spawned enterprise throughout the global economy as the predominant cultural force of the new century, a phenomenon Stoute calls “The Tanning Effect.  Saturday March 17 11 am – noon @ Austin Convention Center Room 12AB

Artists Worth Seeing

March 13

8pm – Arianne Moffatt, Teengirl Fantasy, Motopony

9 – il Abanico

9:20 – Theophilus London

9:30 – Heartless Bastards

10 – Ume, B. Bravo & The Starship Connection, Love Inks, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, The Xcerts

10:10 - Santigold

11 – Bear in Heaven, Scorpion Child, Yellow Ostrich

11:30 – Beach Fossils, Tycho

Midnight – Schoolboy Q, Caveman, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

1am – Kendrick Lamar, Cities Aviv, Matthew Dear, Soldier Thread, Polica

 

March 14

2:10 – Teeth & Tongue

3 – Michael Kiwanuka

4pm – Alabama Shakes

5pm – Honeyhoney

7pm – Mars Red Sky

7:10 – Quiet Company

7:30 – CFCF

8pm – Andy Suzuki & The Method, Anenon, Cities Aviv, Javelin, Blood Orange, Fidlar, Maneja Beto, Say Hi, The Young Evils

8:15 – Anoraak, Maya Azucena

8:40 – Mux Mool

9 – Big KRIT, Sharon Van Etten, Tribes, The Xcerts

9:15 – Yuksek

9:30 – Housse de Racket

9:35 – Choir of Young Believers

9:45 – Action Bronson

10 – Chrissy Murderbot, Friends, Cherri Bomb, Cashier No.9, Daughter, Foy Vance, Jimmy Cliff, Lila Downs

10:10 – Kimbra

10:15 – Vondelpark, Katey Red

10:20 – Miguel

10:25 – Korallraven

10:30 – Shigeto

10:45 – Mannie Fresh

10:55 – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Jr., Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire

11 – Teitur, Theophilus London, xxxy, Youth Lagoon, Twerps, Zola Jesus, Lee Fields & The Expression, Anna Ihlis, Dry the River, Screaming Females, Three Blind Wolves, Turbogeist

11:15 – Alabama Shakes, Juvenile

11:25 – Tycho

11:30 – U.S. Royalty, Pujol
11:35 – Wavves

Midnight – Bomba Estereo, Mahogany, Miike Snow, John Tejada, Django Django, Neon Trees

12:10 – Nguzunguzu, Dirty Ghosts

12:15 – Bear Hands, Doomtree

12:20 – Matthew Dear

12:30 – Andrew Bird, The Octopus Project

12:40 – Prodigy of Mobb Deep

12:45 – Gary Clark, Jr.

1am – Cowboy and Indian, Carrie Rodriguez, Octo Octa, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Astronautilus, Delhi 2 Dublin, The Men, Motion City Soundtrack, Three Blind Wolves

1:05 – Eve 6

1:15 – Andre Nikitina, Com Truise

1:20 – Slaughterhouse, Ume

 

March 15

5:45 – Little Hurricane

6:45 – M. Ward

7 – Polica

7:45 – Say Hi

8 – Electric Wire Hustle, Fiona Apple, Reptar, Shigeto, The Shins, Sarah Jaffe, Turbogeist

8:20 – Soldier Thread

8:25 – Yellow Ostrich

8:45 - Stalley

8:55 – Tanya Morgan

9 – Carrie Rodriguez, Yukon Blonde, Love Inks, Dry the River, il Abanico

9:05 – Jukebox the Ghost

9:15 – Kendrick Lamar, Lila Downs

9:20 – Teeth & Tongue

9:30 – Charlie XCX

9:45 – Com Truise

10 – Fanfarlo, Jonquil, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, Lee Fields & The Expression, Korallraven, Quantic, Shining, Two Galants, Walk the Moon

10:15 – Soft Metals

10:30 – Robert Glasper Experiment, Purity Ring, Nneka

10:40 – Curren$y

11 – CFCF, Class Actress, Jessie Rose Trip, Kaiser Chiefs, Punch Brothers, Stalley, Wale, YACHT, Mux Mool, Royal Canoe

11:05 – Truthlive, Schoolboy Q

11:15 – Big KRIT, Miguel

11:30 – Grimes, The War on Drugs, Steve Aoki

11:45 - Roge

Midnight – Arianne Moffatt, B. Bravo, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Das Racist, Delta Spirit, Honeyhoney, Kendrick Lamar, Miike Snow, The Temper Trap, Friends, Jimmy Cliff, Seapony

12:10 – Talib Kweli, Sons of Kick

12:15 – T.I., B.o.B.

12:30 – Nicolas Jaar, Seun Kuti

12:35 – Sharon Van Etten

1 – Chairlift, Cloud Nothings, Ed Sheeran, Neon Indian, Niki & The Dove, Van Hunt, VHS or Beta, Youth Lagoon, Purity Ring, Big Sean, D.I.M., Doomtree, Flight Facilities, Kindness, Nite Jewel

1:30 – The-Dream

 

March 16

Noon – Gary Clark, Jr.

1:15 – Punch Brothers

1:30 - Quantic

2 – Fanfarlo

4 – Blitzen Trapper

5 – Heartless Bastards

7 – ANR

7:30 – M.Ward, Electric Guest, The Midgetmen

7:45 – The War on Drugs

8 – Ed Sheeran, Idle Warship

8:05 – Purity Ring

8:30 – Tycho, The Staves

8:45 – Quantic & Alice Russell

9 – Little Roy

9:15 – AraabMUZIK

9:30 – Ben Howard

9:40 – Zulu Winter

10 – Alice Smith, Delta Spirit, Eve 6, Housse de Racket, Paul Wall, The Big Pink, The Cool Kids, Caveman, Kindness, Nite Jewel, Pujol

10:15 – Bear Hands

10:30 – El-P, Glen Hansard, Bomba Estereo

11 – Bad Rabbits, Big Deal, Blitz the Ambassador, Built to Spill, Reptar, Thundercat, Adam & The Amethyst, Team Me

11:20 – Ghosting Season

11:30 – Asher Roth, Grimes, Juanes, Daughter

11:40 – Rapper Big Pooh

Midnight – Alabama Shakes, Candy Claws, Citizen Cope, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, SPEAK, Spoek Mathambo, Chairlift, Daedalus, Flight Facilities, Howler, Talking to Turtles, The Drums

12:10 - Sepalcure

12:15 – Das Racist, Knife Party

12:30 – YACHT

12:50 - Nneka

1am – Blitzen Trapper, Break Science ft. Talib Kweli, Cloud Nothings, Lost in the Trees, Mother Falcon, Neon Indian, Niki & The Dove, Skrillex, The Ting Tings, Tia Carrera, Vampillia, xxxy, Akina Adderly & The Vintage Playboys, Juicy J, Slum Village

1:15 – Blackalicious

 

March 17

Noon – The Big Pink

1 – Justin Townes Earle

7 – The Bright Light Social Hour

7:45 – Norah Jones

8  - The Cult, Michael Kiwanuka, Roge

9 – Blouse, Erin Ivey and the Finest Kind, Yuksek, Justin Townes Earle, Quantic & Alice Russell

9:55 – The Muthafuckin’ eXquire

10 – Breton, Charlie Mars, Fanfarlo, Penguin Prison, Django Django, J Roddy Walston and The Business, Lunice, Soft Metals

10:15 – Keane

10:20 – Freddie Gibbs

10:45 – Quiet Company

11 – Anna Nalick, Best Coast, Duck Fight Goose, El-P, Grace Woodruffe, Cashier No.9

11:45 – John Mayer, Chuck Ragan

Midnight – Daedalus, Flying Lotus, Thulebasen, Wavves, We Were Promised Jetpacks, T Bird and the Breaks

12:15 – Anoraak

12:30 – Lucero, M.O.P., Jimmy Clif

12:50 - Nneka

1 – Allen Stone, Beach Fossils, Flosstradamus, Hudson Mohawke + Lunice = TNGHT, Jukebox the Ghost, XV, Teeth & Tongue

1:10 – GZA ft. Brownout & Grupo Fantasma

1:20 – Katey Red

 

Showcases & The Venues Worth Checking Out

Party Host/Sponsor – Venue

March 13

Pitchfork – Mohawk

Yours Truly - Swan Dive

March 14

Pandora – Antone’s

Dummy XO – Barbarella

Halo Cyan – Barcelona

ASCAP – The Bat Bar

Chevy – Chevy Sound Garage

Ghostly International – Club Deville

Warner Sound – La Zona Rosa

Life or Death/R.A.P. – Lustre Pearl

The Agency Group/French Bureau Export – Mohawk Patio

Transgressive/Rockfeedback - Red Eyed Fly

NPR – Stubbs

March 15

Auditorium Shores

Surefire Agency – Barcelona

IHEARTCOMIX - Beauty Bar Backyard

Pitchfork – Central Presbyterian Church

S.O. Terik – Clive Bar

Paradigm – Club Deville

Elephant Room

The Roxy’s AustinRox – Empire Automotive

Yours Truly/Gorilla vs. Bear – Hype Hotel

Paradigm - IFC Crossroads House at Vice

Audible Treats – Kiss and Fly

Warner Sound –La Zona Rosa

Dickies / Filter – Lustre Pearl

Secretly Canadian – Mohawk Patio

Music Matters – The Stage on Sixth & Patio

AOL Music – Stubbs

Style X/Charming Charlie – Victorian Room at the Driskill

March 16

Biz 3 – 1100 Warehouse

ACL Live at the Moody Theatre

Billions Corp. – Antone’s

Madison House – Beauty Bar Backyard

FryeDay  - Buffalo Billiards

S.O. Terik – Clive Bar

Keep a Breast Foundation – Empire Automotive

Blacksmith Duckdown – La Zona Rosa

Dickies / Filter – Lustre Pearl

Playing in Traffic – Maggie Mae’s

AM Only – Mohawk Patio

KUT – Radio City Stage Convention Center

Communion - St. David’s Historic Sanctuary

Third Man Records – The Stage on Sixth

March 17

Nat Geo – The Stage on Sixth Patio

Thrasher – Scoot Inn

KEXP – Radio City Stage Convention Center

Captured Tracks – The Parish

The Windish Agency – ND

Sounds Australia – Maggie Mae’s Rooftop

Auditorium Shores

Lucero Family Picnic – Cedar Street Courtyard

Clive Bar

Deseo Central Lounge

Warp Records/Brainfeed – Empire Automotive

Hype Machine – Hype Hotel

SBTURKS – The Madison

Stubbs

My SXSW Interactive Guide

First, Some Pointers for SXSW Interactive (particularly helpful for the unfamiliar & SXSWi newbie):

 

1. Live with sacrifices. SXSW Interactive is just like a major music festival. You can't see everyone. Some panels are taking place at the same time. Don't waste time deciding and then miss out due to long lines; just make the sacrifice and get where you need to be early.

 

2. Prepare to wait in lines. No matter how much you plan, if you try to see the best speakers/biggest panel topics/etc. you'll be joining a crowd. So get there early and wait. If there's no line, by chance, then you have time to Tweet and Facebook about how much fun you're having and make your friends jealous. Or get some coffee since you won't have slept much the night before.

 

3. Text. Tweet (DM). Email. Call. That's the order of communication. Get used to it. 

 

4. Enjoy Austin. Pick out at least two types of food you want to get while you're in town, plan meals. Tex-Mex, BBQ, Breakfast Tacos, you name it. Also, check out a couple of shops and buy something for yourself or someone who couldn't make it. 2nd Street District is pretty posh and women-centric; South Congress is the most diverse and will be best for menswear or gift-giving. Try not to pack too many clothes, it'll probably be hot and you'll probably want to take a couple of hours and walk into some shops between panels or meals.

 

Some recommendations:

Coffee – Progress on East 5^th St. or Jo’s on 2^nd Street or Halcyon on 4^th Street

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch – HopDoddy’s on South Congress or South Congress Café on South Congress or Taverna or Lambert’s on 2^nd Street or Frank’s on Colorado St. or Moonshine on Red River St.

Dinner – G’Raj Mahal off Rainey Street or Park Side on 6^th St. or Haddington’s on West 6^th St. or Buenos Aires on East 6^th St. or Eastside Showroom on East 6^th. or Perla’s on South Congress or Whole Foods off West 6^th St. & Lamar Blvd

Shopping – Women – 2^nd Street & 6^th & Lamar Area; Men – Stag & Service on South Congress; Gifts – South Congress Area; Must See Shops – Mellow Johnnys Bike Shop (Lance Armstrong’s place) and Waterloo Records (one of the last true local music shops left in the US)

Exercise & Health (as if you’re that disciplined) – Run on Lady Bird Lake trail, go to one of Austin’s 22,000 yoga classes, check out Milk & Honey Spa off 2^nd Street for a massage

Other – Alamo Drafthouse – The world’s best movie theatre, check it out if you can squeeze in a film (does not apply to Interactive badge holders only, but you may luck out).

 

5. Set up your party RSVPs before you get here. If you're not on the list before you take off for Austin, you're already at the bottom of the list when you arrive in the nation’s best airport.

 

6. Build in travel time. Either from your hotel or walking, SXSW speeds the world up while slowing transportation down tremendously. Don’t expect to find many cabs after 1:30am unless you’ve called far in advance and given a specific address. Pedicabs are helpful if you’re within a mile of downtown.

 

7. Business cards. Bring plenty. Don't over-share. Make Notes in your phone with contact info, download the Bump app or email/text people the moment you meet them.

 

8. See some shows! If you hover around the Red River area, or check out places like Lambert’s (2^nd Street) or Continental Club (South Congress), you shouldn’t have to struggle to find some good music. Lots of bands play in the days before SXSW Music (if they aren’t on the official roster) and plenty of tech companies bring in great bands and DJs. Bazaarvoice has a great DJ on tap for its party on March 12^th and has arguably the best party location with Lustre Pearl, just a few blocks from the Convention Center.

 

SXSW Interactive Best Bets on Speakers, Panels, Meet Ups & Events: Visit sxsw.com/interactive for additional info. 

 

Start Day - March 9^th

 

“Keeping Loyal Consumers Engaged by Shaking Shit Up”

Ben Lerer, Thrillist CEO/Founder March 9th 2pm

 

“What’s The Next big Thing in Social Networking”

March 9th 5pm

 

A Celebration of American Startups @ ACL Live March 9^th 6:30-12pm

 

Learn for your Employer & Self Day #1 - March 10^th

 

“Can You Tweet That? Social Media & The Law”

March 10th 9:30am

 

“Entertain or Fail: Brands as the New Publishers”

March 10th 9:30am

 

 “Why Rappers Are Better Marketers Than You”

March 10th 11am

 

Ben Casnocha, author “Start-Up of You” & Reid Hoffman, Greylock Partners (LinkedIn Chairman)

“The Startup of You: 21^st Century Career Strategy” March 10th 11am

 

“How Brands Build Advocates by Anticipating Needs”

March 10th 12:30pm

 

“Bridging the Lawyer-Social Media Divide”

March 10th 12:30pm

 

Baratunde Thurston – Director of Digital, The Onion

“How to Read the World” March 10th 2pm

Metabridge & Digby VIP Lounge

March 10th 2:30-7:30pm @ 401 E. 6th Street

Dennis Crowley, foursquare CEO

“Making the Real World Easier to Use” March 10th 3:30

 

“Best Practices for Supervising Millenials” with Betsy Flanagan, VP Social – WellsFargo

March 10th 3:30pm

 

“Your Marketing Sucks: Why You Need to Think Local”

March 10th 3:30pm

 

Foodspotting Street Food Fest @ 2^nd & Congress March 10th 4-10pm

 

“The White House on the Road” with Jose Rico Exec Dir, the White House Initative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics The White House

March 10th 5pm

 

Rainn Wilson, actor, SoulPancake founder

“The View from Inside Rainn Wilson’s Brainstem”

March 10th 5pm

The Cloud Lounge by HP @ The Belmont March 10^th – 12^th 10pm-2am

 

Learn for your Employer & Self Day #2 - March 11^th

 

“The State of Social Marketing”

March 11th 9:30am

 

Steve Case, Chairman – Revolution LLC (AOL, with LivingSocial CEO Tim O’Shaughnessy)

“Tapping Into America’s Secret Sauce: Entrepreneurs” March 11th 11am

 

Google Lounge @ Rainey Street March 10^th 1 11^th 11am-10pm

 

Women in Tech Meet Up

March 11th 11am

 

“Large Enterprise Social Media Professionals, Unite!” Meet Up

March 11th 12:30pm

 

“Brands as API: Connect Differently”

March 11th 12:30pm

 

Customer Experience Meet Up with Sean McDonald

March 11th 3:30pm

 

Social Curation Meet Up

March 11th 3:30pm

 

“Big Data: Privacy Threat or Business Model”

March 11^th 5pm

 

The .net Seven Second Pitch Challenge @ Mohawk March 11^th 8pm-Midnight

Mashable House @ Buffalo Billiars March 11^th 9pm-2am

 

Learn for your Employer & Self Day #3 - March 12^th

 

“Expanding Our Intelligence Without Limit”

Lev Grossman, inventor/entreprenuer & Ray Kurzwell, TIME magazine March 12th 2pm

   

“Content As a Means for Social Change”

Biz Stone, co-founder Twitter March 12th 3:30pm

 

“Big Brands and You: Make the Love Connection”

March 12th 3:30pm

 

Bazaarvoice Party @ Lustre Pearl – March 12^th 6-11pm

 

Relax & Enjoy Austin Day - March 13^th

 

“Pinterest Explained: Q&A With Co-Founder Ben Silbermann”

March 13th 11am

   

“Getting the Most out of Google+”

March 13th 3:30pm

     

Interactive Awards Pre-Party & Ceremony @ Hilton Austin March 13^th 6-9pm

Interactive Closing Party @ Stubbs March 13^th 8:30pm-2am

The World's Best Merchandisers & America's Close Second(s)

The following post first appeared here on Huffington Post. I spent the last week of 2011 and first week of 2012 in Japan traveling between Nagano, Kyoto and Tokyo employing roughly one-fifth of my college education, a minor in Japanese, as best I could.

In between snowboarding in Nagano, seeing temples and shrines in Kyoto and riding trains in Tokyo, I managed to check out some 150 boutiques. I even, somewhat, bypassed the online shopping craze during the holiday season in preparation for the trip. And let's just say my more financially prudent self did not make the trip.

In the midst of going over my self-imposed spending limit (us Americans aren't so good at spending limits, I guess), I was able to learn at least one thing worth sharing. No offense, but the Japanese could teach classes to American retailers and boutique owners about meticulous customer-centric merchandising and shop upkeep.

During the mornings, you'd see shop owners and employees doing everything from scrubbing the floors while on all fours to double-counting how many items were folded on each table. When the stores opened, the focus was solely on the products the customer touched and seemed to desire. The decorations, fixtures and racks were set up in such a way that you couldn't help but touch a few things in every store. Words just cannot do justice to places like the Isetan men's department store in Shinjuku, designer Tsumori Chisato's shop in Aoyama (where they refused to allow photos), any of the United Arrows shops around Tokyo, and even the small, locally-owned shops in Kyoto or Nagano.

Major fashion retail companies like J. Crew, Forever 21 and Target should send all of their merchants and store managers to Japan to check out the setup and service at places like Beams, Loveless and Tokyu Hands. If not all of their merchants and managers, at least the ones in fashion-forward cities like New York, LA, Chicago and San Francisco. Cities where European and Asian retailers appear to be targeting for hand-to-hand consumer combat.

Upstart boutique owners and shoppers may not be able to afford the trek to the Far East, so I'll meet you halfway by suggesting some U.S.-based shops that meet the type of merchandising acumen I'm referring to having seen throughout Japan. Some of these shops were mentioned on my previous go-to shopping list here.

I'm not sure when I'll next be visiting Japan, but I know the next time I visit these cities and shops, I'll think back to the merchandising prowess displayed by our friends on the other side of the Pacific.

1. Bodega -- There were plenty of awesome sneaker shops in Harajuku. Similarly, there are several well-designed sneaker boutiques here in the U.S. Undefeated is a behemoth and Alife Rivington Club is always worth a visit. But this Boston shop is second to none when it comes to merchandising. You have to experience the entrance and mahogany heaven for yourself.

2. Canopy Blue -- You'll see and hear words like "unassuming" and "nestled" describe this boutique when someone describes the experience of stumbling upon this shop in the Madison neighborhood of Seattle. This dreamland doesn't feel like Seattle, which is not to say that it's not right at home, but to say that its design truly stands out. The airy space feels like falling into a retail day bed. Canopied dressing rooms, blue walls and chandeliers and seashells may have you thinking you've landed in Greece or, at least, Southern California by mistake.

3. Confederacy -- The shop's owners -- That 70's Show actor Danny Masterson being one of them -- are wonks for customer service and have laid the store out primarily to enhance the shopping experience. Vintage-inspired phone booth-turned-dressing rooms, '50s-themed Tea Room and 16-foot ceilings make it easy to spend more time looking at the shop than the collections they sell. Also, the employees are dressed in uniforms by the likes of Rag & Bone and Shipley and Halmos.

4. Mellow Johnny's -- Does a more interesting place to buy a bike exist than this Lance Armstrong-owned one? Probably not. Sure, they're missing fixed-gear options for the hipster bunch, and the Nike imprint in the shop is a bit overbearing (along with Lance's other brand affiliations), but you can't not be impressed in here. The sad part is that the shop probably makes more money online selling yellow gear to people who've never had the privilege of walking into the shop.

5. Opening Ceremony -- It's not the most accessible shop, from a price standpoint, but the brands -- Rodarte, Topshop, Rachel Comey -- represent a great mix of what's now and what's next, what's "in" now and what never goes out of style. The Olympics-inspired design is both concentrated and evolving reminding me of what Japan's best stores had to offer.

6. Saturdays Surf NYC -- A surf shop in SoHo. Last year, I had coffee here with a friend in the midst of Manhattan's record snowstorm. The shop's coffee offerings, surfside collection of clothing, books and boards, and hip staff made this place a cocoon of cool and a warm retreat from the weather outside.

7. Self Edge -- You won't find a more interesting place to buy a pair of designer jeans than this San Francisco style stalwart. Its owner Kiya Babzani has built a following through educating the rest of us on high-quality denim, with an obvious passion for emerging Japanese brands.

8. Sir & Madame -- This black-owned Chicago gem is located in the Ukrainian Village, not far from the popular Wicker Park area. The shop may be the smallest on this list, but they've packed it with stellar brands, salvaged furniture and a comforting, soulful personality that could only come from a husband-and-wife team.

Japanese Style May Be the Best Style

I was planning to wait to write a full-on blog about the trip, but I'll start here instead.

Okay okay...that last one is me on NYE in Tokyo.

Deva practicing her Japanese stance in the black (left).

More Deva

More me

Guys: Get the Year Started with Style

I'm out here in Japan taking the first-ever two-week vacation in my life, and having a great time. I've been incredibly impressed with the beautiful scenery of Nagano's nearby mountains, Tokyo's fashion and Japan's rail system. All of this traveling and stylewatching has got me thinking back to something I did at the end of 2011 that I would like to share a bit more broadly as we start 2012.

Over the past year, especially since I started Sneak Attack then writing for HuffPo, friends of mine have asked me for style tips and shopping advice. Since I live in Austin, it was natural for me to start there, but I plan to expand this to the other cities I frequent, with even more international focus in the coming year. Until then, get started with what I have below.

Locally, you should be able to get most everything at Stag and Service on South Congress. Other stores I also recommend are Bows + Arrows on Lamar (across from P. Terrys, next to Coffee Bean, Tea Leaf), Estilo on 2nd Street (if you're on the metro side), Barney's at the Domain (if you have the coins saved) and Co-Star on South Congress (Maya Star, the women's shop's new sibling). Online, you should sign up for alerts from Park & Bond and Jack Threads. You'll get great deals from both.

The essentials - You have to start here if you ever want to fancy yourself GQ material.

2-3 pair of high-quality jeans. Start with Levi's (avg. price $45-60) and go up to Naked & Famous (Service Menswear, avg. price $130) and Baldwin Denim (Stag, avg. price $220).
- Get at least two different washes. One should be good with a t-shirt (lighter denim) and one should be better with a button-down (darker, thicker denim).

http://us.levi.com/home/ - I stick to 501 with straight or slim fit, but recommend you spend 30 minutes trying several on until you know your perfect fit.
http://baldwindenim.com/
http://www.nakedandfamousdenim.com/

2 classic white and/or black shirts (one button down, one t-shirt). Start with American Apparel and Zara or J.Crew (avg. prices $20 and $60/$80, respectively) and go up to Rag & Bone (Barney's Domain (or online), avg. price $80 and $175) and AllSaints ($60 and $130).
-The next step would be to do the same in grey.

http://www.rag-bone.com/
http://www.us.allsaints.com/
http://us.topman.com/

2 black jackets. Start with a lighter one. Something you'd wear in the rain when it's chilly out. Urban Outfitters will have good options under $120. Then, and if you really want to make an investment, get a thicker jacket, perhaps bomber style or double breasted. I'd recommend spending a little more and getting a nice one from G-Star or Rag & Bone or All Saints. They all make the best stuff in black.

http://shop.g-star.com/
http://www.johnvarvatos.com/

1 pair of black slacks. Start with Urban Outfitters (avg. price $55) and go up to Life After Denim (Stag, avg. price $100).
-The next step would be to do the same in khaki and navy.

http://www.lifeafterdenim.com/

1 watch. Either sporty or dressy. Preferably a little of both.

http://www.rumbatime.com/ (avg. price $60)
http://www.swatch.com/ (the Levi's of watches)

1 pair of non-sneaker shoes. Wear these with jeans.

http://www.oliberte.com/ (avg. price $165)
http://www.bedstu.com/ (avg. price $60)


The well-dressed man - You'll get compliments from women and men, alike, when you hit this level.

2 graphic tees. Get one sports-themed one from No Mas and one designer tee from Das Monk. (avg. prices $30-$60). We Are the Process is another brand you should be on the lookout for, especially if you're in the South, into sports or love streetwear.

http://www.nomas-nyc.com/
http://www.dasmonk.com/

http://www.wearetheprocess.com/

2 patterned button downs. The best bets are Taylor & Stitch (they'll be at Style X) and Riviera Clothing.

http://taylorstitch.com/
http://www.rivieraclothing.com/

3 pair of quality, stand out socks. Happy Socks and Richard James make good ones you can get at Service. Paul Smith makes the best in the world. They're like $40 a piece.

http://www.happysocks.com/us/
http://www.richardjames.co.uk/
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/

2 ties. One solid. One patterned. The best bets here are The Hill-Side (Stag) or David Hart (more expensive, stylish) and Urban Outfitters (for cheaper ones).

http://thehill-side.com/
http://www.davidhartnyc.com/

1 quality laptop/back bag

http://www.shophex.com/ (avg. price $80)

1 quality wallet

http://www.jfold.com/ (avg. price $100)
http://www.comme-des-garcons.com/ (at Barneys)

1 pair of quality leather boots.

http://shop.helmhandmade.com/ (avg. price $300)

1 pair of sneakers. Nikes

In Austin, there's Nice Kicks or Complete Clothing to choose from, but I'd rather buy them with you on a trip to LA or SF or NY where the best shops are. $100.

1 pair of eyeglasses/sunglasses

http://tortoiseandblonde.com/ ($100)

1 jacket for outdoors. Carhartt and Penfield are the best bets. Carhartt is less cool, but cheaper.

http://www.carhartt.com/
http://www.penfieldusa.com/us

1 quality hoodie

http://www.johnvarvatos.com/


The Style-Savvy Man - You'll be someone other guys come to for tips when you're at this level.

1 favorite place to shop in Chicago, San Francisco, London, Paris and New York

http://www.brooklynindustries.com/ - They have stores in NY and Chicago

http://www.saturdaysnyc.com/ - Manhattan

LA - Both Paul Smith or Penguin have big stores
http://www.originalpenguin.com/

http://thecommonsf.com/ - San Fran

http://www.aubinandwills.com/en-gb/home - London

http://www.colette.fr/ - Paris

1 aspirational brand/designer (super expensive, but well worth it), maybe pick from these. These are brands that you treat yourself to when you celebrate something major or get a big bonus.

APC - http://usonline.apc.fr/ (French gentleman)

Adam Kimmel - http://www.adamkimmel.com/ (American gentleman)

Barbour's Steve McQueen Collection - http://www.barbour.com/ (men's badassness)

Bespoken Clothiers - http://www.bespokenclothiers.com/ (London gentleman)

Band of Outsiders - http://www.bandofoutsiders.com/ (hipster luxury)

Billy Reid - http://www.billyreid.com/ (sophisticated)

Y3 Adidas - http://www.y-3.com/ (casual luxury)

A few pics from the train from Nagano, Japan