In the shadow of SXSW, Austin's other fest explores Mexican-American music

Image taken during the 2012 Mexican-American Experience music festival.

(

Rene Renteria

)

Image taken during the 2012 Mexican-American Experience music festival.

(

Rene Renteria

)

Can't get a ticket to one of the hundreds of bands at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas? Well, it's not the only music fest in town. The 3rd annual Mexican-American Experience kicks off today, and and just like SXSW, the two-day event brings together acts from all over the world.

Can't get a ticket to one of the hundreds of bands at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas? Well, it's not the only music fest in town. The 3rd annual Mexican-American Experience kicks off today, and and just like SXSW, the two-day event brings together acts from all over the world.

Organizer Leonard Davila admits, "We're the chihuahua and they're the pit bull in this town." Regardless, last year's fest drew thousands of music lovers.

Davila joined A Martinez to talk about some of the can't-miss acts, and the trouble with getting attention when SXSW is drawing much of the hype.

Listen to a sampling of some of this year's performers:

Mariachi Los Toros:

Joe Posada:

Mariachi las Tejanitas: