Kosha Dillz Talks with RESPECT. on How to Recover From SXSW

By now, artists, publicists, managers and other industry insiders are just getting back to normal after their annual trek to Austin for SXSW. The festival took place from March 11 to March 15 and was nothing but non-stop action. With countless music showcases, music industry panels and (presumably) lots of alcohol, SXSW is one of the year’s most anticipated events. It does, however, lead to inevitable exhaustion. Jewish rapper extraordinaire, Kosha Dillz, was among the many who took the journey. In an effort to help others, he came up with 10 ways emcees (and other types of artists) can bounce back after six days of mayhem.

1. Go into your notes and email them to yourself—before you lose them.

I just did this and now I am all set to email all these random people.

2. Scan all my business cards and drop a email to them without links.

Just refresh their memories and ask if they got home ok .Leave it open for them to hit you back. Something short and quick like, “Yo man! Great meeting you outside the taco spot. Thanks for letting me borrow your phone charger for two-minutes. I would love to send you my music, but wanted to see if you are still alive post-SXSW. Hit me back!” This helps open it up for more conversation.

3. Call your parents (or significant other) and tell them you are alive and well.
I always go through post-SXSW depression, so this really helps me get it together.

4. Work out extra hard this week.

As I said, I go through a post-SXSW depression so I need to be in the gym more often after eating bad all week with so much carbs and lack of sleep. I need to sweat as much as I can to get my body back in full swing. If you don’t work out, get a gym membership.

5. Get in the studio even if you don’t want to. If not the studio, the office.
After all that hustling, you might really need to chill and get some time back in the booth, so you can be productive despite your exhaustion, even if it isn’t the best stuff. Don’t worry about making a hit. Just get in there.

6. Ask how you might be able to help them?
Basically don’t think about yourself. You will be a breath of fresh air to an A&R, who gets 50 million struggling rapper emails. You stand out to anyone who is “a plug.” Write them something that isn’t about yourself.

7. Buy a bunch of healthy food.
The music game is mind, body and soul. Why don’t you treat yourself to healthy food even though it cost more? You will make more in the long run. What is one thing you can change in your diet to make yourself healthier? I took out sugar from my coffee, which I drink twice a day.

8. Go to sleep early this week.
If you are anything like me, you passed out a gazillion cards and were on your feet for 12-15 hours a day for five to seven days in the sun. Treat yourself by not being on your phone until you fall asleep

9. Show love to people you met or saw perform via social media.
Believe it or not, the entire world is going through the same thing. Many people are on a high horse and some people are getting signed, but many people are still on the road and hoping to get signed. Pick a bunch of bands you liked or missed and buy their stuff. Helping others is a great way to pick yourself up.

10. Gratitude list
I know that sounds “kum-ba-ya-esque,” but please believe me—this can help you greatly after a week of SXSW. Let’s try it. I am grateful to be alive. The entire world is in limbo from a terrorist attack and I am at a table on a MacBook, drinking coffee. I had an amazing time and met random people I would have never met. I didn’t crash your car. I made a lot of new friends. I curated my second annual official “OY VEY” showcase and got three paid shows, and was even able to pay my friends and co-workers. All my sponsorships came through and didn’t screw me last minute. I helped people all week, and reconnected with old friends and fans. There are so many things to be grateful for in life. It is a way better thing to do than look at how many people are getting more press than you, more business and more shows of higher caliber.

Maybe you have some other things you are doing to bounce back, as well. I think there is much more to add but this is good enough for now. If you really wanna go crazy, check out my new music video with Murs called “We Are Different.“