South by Southwest, the family of conferences and festivals exploring interactive development, film and music in Austin, Texas, is open for applications from Hawaii musicians who want to bid for a showcase slot in March.

SXSW will accept bids until Oct. 10. The early application fee is $33, rising to $45 after Sept. 12.

Bands or solo musicians who bid during the first stage of the process have an advantage, according to SXSW musicians’ liaison Phil Tripp, because staff has more time to listen to applicants before a crush of acts develops later.

Bands and musicians clamor for a slot at SXSW Music because the exposure can lead to greater opportunities.

Local representatives at this year’s event were reggae artist Mike Love and electronic/hip-hop music producer Mr. Carmack.

Hawaii doesn’t have many acts who apply — or who are accepted — to the festival, but Tripp said he’d like to see the number grow.

Tripp is a former music journalist and music industry veteran originally from the U.S. but now living in Australia. He networks with acts in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii on behalf of SXSW, assisting them with the application process and with unraveling other steps, such as travel.

Calling from Australia, Tripp said he recognizes the hurdles facing Hawaii musicians.

"Hawaii could be a foreign country to most Americans," he said. "And in rock and pop music, it doesn’t have a musical connotation the way that, say, Nashville does. … So you’ll have to be prepared to ID yourself."

It’s also expensive to travel across the Pacific and to prepare demos and video for self-promotion.

Still, he says, for the right artists SXSW can be worthwhile.

"Musicians shouldn’t apply if they’re unreasonable,"Tripp said. "They shouldn’t apply if they feel entitled to success. Wait until you have your management under control, with publicity materials prepared, and you’re ready to reach out to those in the industry.

"Don’t apply if you’re looking to be signed to a record deal. Save that for last, after you have a following. Be prepared to control your touring and music sales."

The conference projects that about 25,000 musicians and industry representatives will attend SXSW Music events in 2015, alongside nearly 3,000 media members.

At this year’s festival more than 2,300 artists were showcased. That included nearly 600 international acts from 57 countries and a record-setting 55 acts from Australia.

To apply, go to SXSW.com or Sonicbids.com. Artists will be directed to create or submit a Sonicbids electronic press kit.

Acts accepted for a showcase can opt to receive either a small cash payment for performance ($100 solo, $250 band in past years) or an artists’ package providing admission to all SXSW Music events, including conference panels, a trade show, a music gear expo and the showcase concerts.

The full festival, scheduled for March 13 to 22, is accepting proposals for daytime presentations on music, interactive or film topics. Submit proposals at panelpicker.sxsw.com until Friday. SXSW will begin accepting Film Festival submissions in August, with a Nov. 15 deadline.

ISLE FAVORITES

SXSW musicians’ liaison Phil Tripp is inviting Hawaii music lovers to send him a list of their five favorite island acts. Email tripp@sxsw.com.

TGIF editor Elizabeth Kieszkowski attended SXSW in 2012 and 2013. Find her blogs on SXSW at HonoluluPulse.com.