Arts & Culture

Marianne Dissard was born in France, and even though she lives now in Tucson, Arizona. She has been a filmmaker, a performance artist and is presently a writer, blogger and singer. Although she’s been working in English more and more often, Dissard found recently that hip hop beats work especially well with her native tongue. “It’s got that innate rhythm to it,” she says.

Longital are a couple from Slovakia, and 2012 was their third experience at South By Southwest. Although both members are accomplished professionals from the world of math and computer science, they’re making their mark in the musical world through tours in Europe and America.

In this interview, Deirdre Saravia talks to the duo about their travels, as well as the inspiration behind some of their best songs, including “Dragon Clouds.”

Official Website: www.longital.com

Austin-based directors Nathan and David Zellner's dark fable, "Kid-Thing," screens at South By Southwest after playing the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. In the film, young Annie (Sydney Aguirre) roams the countryside of East Texas aimlessly, casually shoplifting, throwing objects at passing cars, and enjoying her freedom, while her father lays about on the couch.