SXSW 2014 Interview: Dead Gaze
Another band kicking things out of the Southeastern United States hotbed is Dead Gaze. The band closed out a solid 2013 with the release of Brain Holiday, before touring the country with good friend Dent May. We were able to catch up with Cole via Al Gore’s greatest invention; you can read his responses down below.
ATH: There was a lot of hubbub last year concerning corporate sponsors and pay to play and what not at SXSW. As a band, what’s your reason for coming to pay at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?
CF: I find that the festival is more of a social gathering for like-minded people than a music discovery platform. To me the corporate stuff doesn’t get under my skin as much. I rarely go to the big corporate blowouts. I always find myself at other friends shows and house parties. SXSW is not for everyone that’s for sure, but I’ve figured out a way to make it as enjoyable as possible.
ATH: For most SXSW sets, you get 30 minutes to leave a lasting impression. What’s your plan of attack? You have a set list mapped out yet?
CF: As of now we don’t have a set list. But we tend to play all of our louder more aggressive songs and then play 1 or 2 of the slower jams. It’s really all about being as natural as possible. And for the most part that is a very hard thing to do being that none of the shows you play feel as normal shows. The time limit you have really plays against you in a negative way. So the key is staying calm and just doing your thing as natural as possible.
ATH: The festival caters to music fans, but food and booze are an important aspect of the fans and the bands. What’s your band’s food and beverage of choice?
CF: We live in Mississippi where the only fast food Mexican is Taco Bell and everyone knows that’s some pretty lame stuff. So we tend to hit up the late night Taco Cabana as often as it seems fit. Also, there is this great Mediterranean place called Tarbouch that is really rad. We’ll hit that place up. Other than that you can never go wrong with the plethora of food trucks everywhere around 6th. There’s a great hot dog truck next to Red Eyed Fly that’s pretty wicked too.
ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town. Who would you ideally like to play with of the 1000s of bands gracing our city? Make your own optimal line-up.
CF: I would just really want to play with our friends. I don’t know I would definitely get Gary Numan, Black Lips, Action Bronson, Blouse, and Real Estate.
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
CF: I really don’t know the answer to that one. I like all the festivals we’ve played really. SXSW and CMJ are kinda like cousins in this weird way. I always enjoyed our times of playing CMJ, so I’d probably say I enjoy the NYC fest more than the Austin fest. But, in reality I really enjoy playing any festival that wants us to be there.
ATH: Let’s say your band has been booked an official showcase at a pop up venue somewhere in the middle of 6th street. The lineup features thrash metal, hip-hop, spoken word, and you. The sound is horrible, the lineup is not your style, and the crowd seems angry at the world. How would your band deal with such a situation?
CF: Just be as natural as possible. Do our thing. Nothing really to do. Just act like good dudes and try not to be assholes about what’s going on.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
CF: I really enjoyed Yeezus, the new Blood Orange, and the new My Bloody Valentine record. Oh and Majical Cloudz.
ATH: The digital age is upon us, like it or not. What are your band’s thoughts on streaming services like spotify, pandora, etc.? Blow em all up? Or embrace the future?
CF: I’ve just embraced the future. I try as hard as possible to be open and optimistic about my thoughts on spotify. But the truth is it does help people discover stuff that normally would never be in front of them. And for that I tip my hat.
ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?
CF: I think it’s been that way for some years now. I really try to keep my head down and do our job as honestly as possible. There are lots of distractions everywhere during that time and it’s important to keep your mind on what you are there to do.
ATH: Flatstock is a crowd favorite. Have you ever been to browse? Find a print to buy? Find a print from one of your shows you didn’t know existing?
CF: I’ve been once and thought it was very cool. I wish I had loads of cash to drop on a few things there. But I’m very happy that there is an outlet for people to show stuff. The poster art medium is one taken for granted. There are some really talented artists out there making some very interesting things.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IFoundtheEnding.mp3]Download: Dead Gaze – I Found the Ending [MP3]