OWC is proud to sponsor two events involving the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus during SXSW Conference week. The events coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Lennon Bus and commend the achievements of the remarkable educational organization.
On March 14th, OWC will host the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and the Radio Helsinki Concert and Sauna Bus at OWC’s Austin, Texas facility. The event will run throughout the course of the day on Tuesday, taking place outside of OWC’s offices. The Lennon Bus and the Radio Helsinki Bus will arrive in the morning and set up for recording; Radio Helsinki shows will be recorded inside the Lennon Bus during the morning hours, while a number of top Finnish recording artists including Tuvaband, Satellite Stories, Small Time Giants, and more will be performing in the Lennon Bus throughout the afternoon. The experience will be capped with a showing of a Finnish video at 3:15 p.m.
Larry O’Connor, founder and CEO of OWC, said “We love technology, we love music, we love that our technology enables and is depended on by musicians in creative, recording, and live performance roles today. Even better, having the opportunity to see our technology engaged helping a new generation realize their own musical potential and the how they can benefit from technology to aspire to their own musical dreams and aspire further – just doesn’t get better. We are proud to be a supporter of the Lennon Bus and their 20 years of youth inspiration.”
Also attending the event will be the SIMS Foundation, a local support organization founded in remembrance of musician Sims Ellison, who committed suicide in 1995. Many professional musicians struggle financially and cannot afford mental health services when they need them the most; the SIMS Foundation provides a range of life-saving mental health services to hundreds of clients per year. Representatives will be available to offer literature and answer questions.
Continuing the celebration Thursday, March 16, OWC will co-sponsor the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus at a special showcase at The Belmont in Austin, featuring Third Eye Blind. Other performers include Bob Schneider, Muddy Magnolias, Royal Teeth, and Finland’s Tuomo & Markus. Third Eye Blind will be the latest subject in the Lennon Bus’ student-produced short film series “Perspective.” Students from the Austin Independent School District will be working on the episode together under the tutelage of the engineers and producer who live on-board the Lennon Bus year-round.
About the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. In its 20th year of touring, the Lennon Bus features the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The Lennon Bus travels across the U.S. and Canada year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, and at major industry conferences. Lennon Bus Europe began providing the same opportunities when it launched in Liverpool, UK in May 2013.
About the SIMS Foundation
The SIMS Foundation provides access and financial support for mental health and addiction recovery services to Austin music industry professionals and their families. To reach them, go to: simsfoundation.org/
To register for SXSW, go to: cart.sxsw.com
