SXSW 2014 Interview: Boy Toy
We’re trying to get you ready for BurgerMania at SXSW, which will kick off on March 15. It’s one of my favorite days during SXSW…they fit in as many great bands as they can, including rad Austin acts. Here’s another rad band that will be part of the various events sponsored by the label, Boy Toy, hailing from Brooklyn. Take some time to read what they had to say before they make their way South.
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?
BT: It’s like summer camp for bands. We get to play and party with our friends from all over the country for a week. All of our favorite bands and future favorite bands are in the same place at the same time. And the sunshine in Austin is not so bad.
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?
BT: Chug a beer, spin around ten times with our foreheads on a bat, and run, naked and screaming, onto what ever stage is closest. Repeat until 30 minutes is up.
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?
BT: Tacos and tequila.
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.
BT: Davila 666, White Mystery, Honduras, Fletcher C Johnson, Hectors Pets, Diarrhea Planet, Cosmonauts, Habibi
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
BT: BURGERAMA!
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?
BT: Fuck it. Play fast and rowdy and tell some bad jokes.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
BT: Holy shit, we have a tour bus?! I don’t think any of these came out last year but currently: Davila 666, The Kinks, Ty Segall, Lost Boy?, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain, King Tuff, T.Rex , Nuggets comps, Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground.
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?
BT: Spotify is pretty sweet. I don’t have it on my phone because it would make it explode, but I love when my friends and road trip mates do.
ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?
BT: No one really wants to pay or wait in line for shows when there are 100 free ones going on in smaller more intimate settings. It’s become the antithesis of why it started, but then cycles back into why itstarted in the first place with the smaller “day parties”. Is thatupside down or just a full circle?