South by Southwest Music Hackathon has returned for a second year. The SXSW music festival organizers have invited musicians, top-level hackers, designers, and programmers for the second annual Music Hackathon next month. The participants will be given twenty-four hours to create new technological advancements in music for the industry, artists, and fans. The winner of the event will be awarded ten-thousand dollars. Last year, second and third place winners also received cash awards of $2500 and $1000. The Hackathon organizers have not announced if they will award cash prizes for second and third place this year.
“This Hackathon unites the artists of both industries together on the same team to carve out an interactive future for musicians and their fans,” CODEMKRS producer Travis Laurendine said in a statement. He added, “Hackers and artists have a lot in common. The core of their art involves writing in their own languages, music and code, often staying up all night to get projects done.” Those interested in registering for the 2015 Hackathon should visit the SXSW website. The event will take place on March 18th at 2pm, and it will conclude the following day at 2pm at the Hilton Austin Downtown. The Hackathon Championship Awards Show will be at the Austin Convention Center on March 20th. The event is free and open to the public, as long as your RSVP is approved by the organizers.
Last year’s Hackathon grand prize of ten-thousand dollars was awarded to MOOT, who beat over one-hundred developers. The 2014 judges at the event included Mack Maine (Young Money), Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros), Stephen White (Gracenote), James Williamson (The Stooges), and Jonathan Dworkin (Warner Music Group). The 2015 judges have not been announced as of yet. Besides the Hackathon, SXSW also hosts concerts and film festivals. The music festival started in 1986, and it has been going strong for twenty-nine years. The festival will take place from March 17th through March 22nd, and some of the artists on the bill include Dej Loaf, Elliphant, Alex G, Yo Gotti, T Bird & the Breaks, Sunset Sons, and Lawrence Rothman. The entire list of recording artists are featured on the SXSW website.