January 3, 2007 13:42

David Byrne announced as South by Southwest interviewee

The renowned Austin music festival kicks off in March

David Byrne has been announced as one of the interviewees at this year’s South by Southwest Music and Media Conference.

As well as Byrne the festival, which is to be held in Austin, Texas between March 14-18, will feature interviews with Brazil’s Gilberto Gil and Emmylou Harris, among others.

Former Talking Heads frontman and label owner Byrne will speak about alternatives to record labels in the digital age. Gil, who has recorded 52 albums and has served as Brazil’s Minister of Culture for the last four years, will discuss several facets of the music industry and his forthcoming album, slated for a March US release. The Harris interview will include a special acoustic performance.

Other interviews are scheduled with Terry McBride, CEO and co-founder of Nettwerk Music Group, Rickie Lee Jones, Booker T and Joe Boyd, founder of Hannibal Records.

As previously announced, The Who’s Pete Townshend will be the keynote speaker the event.

More than 1,000 artists are scheduled to perform this year, including The Stooges, Interpol, Lily Allen, Bloc Party, and Cold War Kids.

--By our Los Angeles staff. [url="/about"] Find out more about NME.[/url]