Nardwuar SXSW 2012: Kooky Canadian Icon Takes on Austin With Andrew W.K.

Nardwuar the Human Serviette is attending his sixth South by Southwest. He's busier than ever with four performances by his band the Evaporators and nine interviews in his role as one of the most unique music journalists around.

He emphasizes his interest in talking to the folks who are responsible for the YouTube sensation 'Epic Meal Time' show, which focuses on meat-laden, high-calorie dishes that usually involve alcohol and a pretty high gross-out factor for anyone who likes to eat at least somewhat healthily.

SXSW dwarfs Canadian music festivals like North by Northeast, Canadian Music Fest and JunoFest, with clubs of various shapes and sizes spread out over the city of nearly than 800,000 people. Even the size of the host convention center has Vancouver-based Nardwuar a bit freaked out.

"I love the fact that the Austin Convention Center is so huge -- just massive. I think it symbolizes the whole festival. A friend of mine who works at SXSW said that he lost 10 pounds over the course of the festival just walking back in forth in the convention center."

The Evaporators, Nardwuar's totally trashy but absolutely fun garage rock outfit, features John Collins of the New Pornographers along with David Carswell and Scott Livingstone. But one of the group's SXSW gigs also featured friend Andrew W.K. (who's included on the band's 'I Hate Being Late [When I'm Early]' song and video) sitting in on organ.

"I am so honoured that he took the time to do it, especially since he has like 15 other shows to play," says Nardwuar. "He is so kind."