PAPERMAG couldn't make it to Austin for SXSW this year, so we're living vicariously through much-buzzed-about Berkeley indie-pop band the Morning Benders. Currently touring in support of their just-released album, Big Echo, they're about to play six shows in three days at the festival. Here frontman Christopher Chu tells us about the beverages and cinematic gems the Morning Benders are relying on to get them through the madness.

Waking up in Birmingham Alabama, and thinking about howthe same time tomorrow we'll be in Austin, deep in it. Deep in theChaos. They call it Chaos with a capital C, that's on purpose. That'sthe truth. Some men never come back from that place. Some men losethemselves before they even find it.......... "Just try not to focus on thepain." Pounding Gatorade right now, a final attempt to hold on to lifeas we know it,.....as we knew it. Trying to stay sane. My brother justbought a DVD of Pootie Tang for the van ride.