The Daily Swarm

(PerezHilton.com)

Associated Press:

Last year, when gossip blogger Perez Hilton came to South by Southwest, he was just a spectator.

This year, he arrived as one of the music industry’s key playmakers — and his newfound power was on full display as he played host to one of the festival’s more coveted parties.

“Thank you Perez!” Robyn, the Swedish-born pop star who is releasing an album in the United States this summer, gushed on stage Saturday night as she performed in front of a packed crowd filled with industry insiders, artists, and the typical hangers-on. Even more people lined the block around the venue in downtown Austin, hoping for a chance to see acts ranging from Internet darling Katy Perry to established artists such as Robyn and N.E.R.D.

L.A. Times:

Perez brought a bit of Los Angeles down to Austin, with fruity drinks, mini-cupcakes, gift bags (I didn’t take one) and hairstylists offering free makeovers. If the music biz is hurting, the Perez biz is apparently doing just fine, and he kicked his self-proclaimed “one night in Austin” with the dance-pop of Robyn, a singer Perez called the most exciting artist in pop music.

Perhaps a bit of an overstatement, but it’s hard to fault Perez’s taste in pop stars.

MTV:

Swedish-born pop tart Robyn has not had a hit in the United States since 1997’s “Show Me Love,” and in the decade since, she’s basically been bounced from label to label. And yet, on Friday night, here she was, being cheered lustily at a fabulously promoted, highly attended SXSW party. And everyone knew the words to all her songs. Ah, the power of Perez Hilton.

(photo credit)

International Herald Tribune:

Numerous articles have been written crediting Hilton (real name Mario Lavandeira) for helping to boost an artist’s sales and profile from his postings: The New York Times reported last month that Warner Bros. Records was in negotiations to give Hilton a development deal that would make him an executive on the label.

“It’s very flattering,” Hilton said with a smile about all the attention.

So, not surprisingly, Hilton lined up a few key artists to perform at his party. The biggest act was undoubtedly N.E.R.D., the trio led by superproducer Pharrell Williams, who said Hilton’s site is a key outlet for groups such as his.

“He’s connected to the kids, he’s connected to our demographic — people who want to be in the know, and he’s opinionated and that’s what makes it work,” Williams said after spending a few minutes chatting with Hilton a celebrity lounge Friday.

(Perez-ident Hilton)

Eye Weekly:

So there is justice in this world — as the scene outside of Pangea proves, Perez Hilton still has to wait in line at SXSW just like the rest of us.

Dallas Observer:

NPR:

Not everyone is happy about Hilton’s success. As popular as his showcase may have been, there were some at SXSW who grumbled about the fact that a gossip maven has decision-making power in the industry.

But Hilton insists he and his site have musical integrity.

“I only post things on there that I really enjoy and love and support — there’s no payola Perez,” Hilton said. “So I think readers who read my site know there’s an authenticity there and they really respond to that.”

Hilton said even though he gets managers and record label executives begging him to promote their artists, he gets most of his tips from fans who send him music links online, and he insisted he isn’t swayed by pushes by industry insiders.

Hilton may be giving his own advice to artists soon, if the Warner Bros. deal works out. And while he’s known for his scoops, he’s still peeved at the Times for revealing the tidbit.

“I’m such a fatalist I don’t like making announcements like that unless it’s done. Hopefully it’s going to happen — we’ve been talking for a while now,” he said.

Not that Hilton’s depending on that label or any other to secure his place in the music industry.

“If it doesn’t happen, I’ll just do it on my own,” he said, ever the entrepreneur.

Perez Hilton:

Our party was epic. Definitely the talk of all Austin.

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South By Southwest 2008: Where’s the Beef?, Pt. 1

South By Southwest 2008: Where’s the Beef?, Pt. 2