SXSW Watchlist: We Were Promised Jetpacks
It’s as if these incredible Scotish bands just keep pouring outta the country! A band that sometimes gets lost in the depths of the Scotish scene is Edinburgh boys We Were Promised Jetpacks. Now their sound will sometimes sound a bit similar to country mates Frightened Rabbit or The Twilight Sad, but they’re still able to stand out on their own. I’ve also heard that these guys bring the noise in the live setting, so you’ll definitely want to check them out when they stop in town for SXSW. Prior to their arrival in Austin, we had the chance to speak to guitarist Michael Palmer about his band. After the jump you’ll find his answers.
ATH: We’re still rather early in 2010, so what are your band’s expectations or hopes for the rest of the year?
Mike: Some time off! We did some working out – we’re on tour in the US now and we worked out that when we get home we’ll have had 6 weeks off in the last 7 months! A couple of weeks of not playing our songs, then a Europe tour in April with our friends Dupec, which we’re very excited about. Then some new album writing and some summer festivals, then some more writing, then (hopefully) some recording. We’re pretty excited about all of that…
ATH: Scotland seems like a hotbed for indie acts right now? How do you fit in and what is the scene really like?
Mike: We really don’t know. It’s just where we live. It’s hard to put it in to context because we’ve never lived in Brooklyn, or wherever people say there is a good scene. There are a lot of bands who do it because they want to be super famous, and there are a lot of bands who do it because they love it, and hang out with each other. It’s hard to say if that’s what makes a “scene” as you have to assume it’s the same everywhere. Sorry, this is a stupid, longwinded way of saying “don’t know”!
ATH: There are all kinds of places to play during SXSW, like patios, tiny clubs, large clubs, fields, etc? Which would you prefer to play in and why?
Mike: It’s nice to have a good mix! We did a bunch last time, and there was only one we didn’t like that was outdoors. The show itself was pretty good, but we had an unlucky time with the sun shining on our eyes. We couldn’t see the lights on our pedals as the sun was shining on them, which doesn’t sound like much but was a bit of a stress. Playing to a lot of people is amazing but we’d rather play to 10 people who care than 1000 who don’t.
ATH: Are there any bands you want to see why you’re in town for SXSW, or are you just going to go with the flow?
Mike: We learned last year that you have to just “go with the flow”. We’re playing some shows with our friends Frightened Rabbit and we can’t wait to see them again. We’re in the second part of our headlining US tour, and the bands we toured with Bad Veins and the Royal Bangs are both playing. Can’t wait to hang out with them again. Oh and Bear Hands, who are with us now. As for people we don’t know, Born ruffians, Japandroids and Holy Fuck would be cool to see…
ATH: You have one twitter post to promote your band at SXSW, what does that post say (140 characters)?
Mike: If you want to see us at SXSW, you can.
Thanks again Mike for answering these questions. Some free chances to see WWPJP:
03.17 – 3:45pm @ Fader Fort – Fader Party
03.18 – 5pm @ Yard Dog Gallery (1510 South Congress Ave.) – Schubas/Spin Party
03.19 – 1pm @ Mohawk (912 Red River st.) – The Onion / Flower Booking Party (Info. Here)
03.19 – 5pm @ Emo’s East (600 Red River st.) – AAM SXSW Extravaganza (Free with no RSVP)
Download: We Were Promised Jetpacks – A Far Cry [MP3]