Bands log in to find free lodging

AUSTIN (KXAN) - There are too many bands to count in Austin for South by Southwest.

Some are staying in hotels, others are staying with friends and then there are those staying wherever they can find a place.

A couple of musicians are working to change how bands live while on the road. Todd Hansen and Scott Miller came up with the idea for Better Than The Van Web site.

“When you’re touring and you're not making a lot of money and you're done with a show, where are you going to stay that night?” said Hansen, Web site co-creator. “A lot of bands do find a Walmart parking lot and sleep in their van if they can't find a place to stay. Any place is better than the van, basically.”

The friends, who have both toured for years, came up with a plan in 2008 to help starving musicians find a better place to sleep.

Their Web site helps bands connect with others who can offer a floor, couch or beds for members.

“The host signs up and kind of puts on their profile what they have - how many rooms they have, couches, what they're willing to offer the bands,” said Hansen.

The band can then go online and search by ZIP code for those willing to open their doors.

The good news is the service is free and so is the place to sleep. Essentially, it is music’s home for hospitality.

"Better Than The Van is giving away all this equipment and this van during South by Southwest," said Miller, Web site co-founder.

The guitars, drums, other equipment and the actual van are worth a collective $12,000. It is all donated by Better Than The Van’s advertisers.

"So doing something nice like this for them, lets them know, kind of, our vibe.” said Miller. “ We've lived it. We've been in vans. We've been on tour. It's nice when you can catch a break every now and then."

The founders plan to give the van away on Saturday, one of the busiest days for the festival. You have to register online to qualify to win the van and equipment by Friday night.

Miller and Hansen hope to increase the services offered to bands and hosts in the next few years.