At the time, Wassenich said, “‘It’s a perfect illustration of what is unweird about Austin. In his mind, the movement was a DIY project for the city, not a single entity for profit. Wassenich was taken aback by Outhouse Designs actions. Then one company wanted to trademark the slogan and it didn’t sit well - Wassenich and Pavelka didn’t produce their merch for profit, they were donating all their proceeds to dog charity in Austin. Students at UT Austin would often paint shirts with the slogan. Outhouse Designs filed trademark papers for the Keep Austin Weird slogan so it could sell bumper stickers and t-shirts, much to the chagrin of Red Wassenich.įrom the outset Wassenich and his wife, Karen Pavelka, started producing bumper stickers and mugs with the slogan. Of course, something so perfect couldn’t stay untouched for long. Keep Austin Weird highlighted the creative nature of Austinites - all of those mad ones who chased their passions after hours in the honky-tonks, art salons, and kitchens of their great city. They had just arrived an hour before from their home in Paris, bought shirts at the airport, and took a cab to the graffiti. She was wearing a KAW t-shirt, so I asked her to pose for a photo. I was at a great graffiti park here taking photos. I’m amazed how long-lived and widespread the phrase has become. It’s still a friendly, fun city.Īny anecdote that you feel summarizes the experience in the Keep It Weird movement? Now that the slogans are so well known, do you think Austin can keep it weird like was initially intended?Īustin still has its essential slightly goofy vibe, but I don’t like the huge increase in the cost of living that is driving all-but-the-rich out. These other towns almost totally use the phrase to promote local businesses, which is great, but not my motivation. Never been to Louisville (Should have been Keep Louisville Batty). Indianapolis didn’t strike me as weird at all, but I was only there once, for three days. They’re welcome to the phrase, although I question their creativity. Obviously people are always going to try and capitalize on something unique, what’s your take on Portland, Louisville, and Indianapolis doing their own Keep It Weird campaigns? Can those cities really compare to Austin’s weirdness? Now, it’s a slogan carved in stone for both Austin and Portland and an almost inextricable part of both cities’ respective identities. This led Wassenich to start a very 2000s website and even author two guidebooks to Austin: Keep Austin Weird: A Guide to the Odd Side of Town, and its sequel Keep Austin Weird: A Guide to the (Still) Odd Side of Town.Įventually, the movement got so big that trademarking companies descended on the Keep Austin Weird slogan and then other cities started jumping on the Keep It Weird bandwagon. The Austin Independent Business Alliance loved the line so much that they ended up adopting the slogan to help promote local small business. It helps keep Austin weird.” With that simple turn of phrase a movement was born. The radio DJ asked Wassenich why he supported the show, and without much thought Wassenich replied, “I don’t know. A librarian named Red Wassenich called into The Lounge Show on a local radio station to pledge some money and the ensuing conversation produced a phrase that would change Austin forever. It all started way back in the year 2000. One which has launched a thousand pieces of art, a deep love of food and drink, a music culture, and even a TV show. While perusing the Keep Austin Weird website I came across a quote that probably best sums up what the “Keep Austin Weird” and “Keep Portland Weird” mottos really stand for: “If the way Austin is going makes you mad, don’t get even.
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