Last weekend, I wrapped up SXSW by shunning downtown for an open house hosted by South Side Sanctuary. Nestled into a light industrial complex just off far South Congress, the Sanctuary is the new production facility for both Fat Caddy Merchandise & Design (the agency side of Fat Caddy Records) and Chin Print.

Fat Caddy head Jon Pattillo (right) showed me and my family around the facility, including demonstrations on silk-screening, typesetting, and the Sanctuary's vintage 1940's letterpress. We admired the 20-foot Johnny Cash mural painted along the back wall and picked up some fine hand-made gear before heading home.

All in all, a fine way to close out an event-filled week.

*****

Congratulations to Fat Caddy Records for a second straight Best Local Label win at the Austin Music Awards. I have some free sampler CDs featuring songs from Fat Caddy artists and beautiful packaging hand-crafted at South Side Sanctuary. Just send me an email if you'd like one of the CDs.

Track list:

• Macon Greyson, "Minnesota Weather Map" from Twentieth Century Accidents
• Austin Collins, "Bridge Street Lullaby" from Roses Are Black
• Dan Dyer, "Love Chain" from self-titled release
• Black Water Gospel, "All in All" from Conspiracy Row EP
• Brian Keane, "Forbidden" single
• The Band of Heathens, "Bumblebee" from Live from Momo's