SXSW Interview: Didi
We’re actually going to start SXSW’ing this week, but we’ve still got a few interviews to roll out for you before we get going. Below we’ve got some answers from Ohio’s Didi who are likely to be bringing brand new tunes into town. They’ve got the following sets confirmed: BD Rileys (3/15), Escapes Day Party (3/15) and Peelander Fest (3/16). You can also catch a video of the band’s track “Stampede” after the jump. Plus, if you haven’t heard about them, check out their recently reissued self-titled LP on Damnably.
ATH:Every year there is a lot of hubbub concerning corporate sponsors and pay to play and what not at SXSW. As a band, what’s your reason for coming to play at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?
Didi:We want to play SXSW because it draws such a large, eclectic crowd as well as journalists and agents. We look forward to playing for people who haven’t heard us yet, and we want to meet new people who care about music, especially weird music. We hope our performances catch the attention of some international booking agents or festival organizers. And lastly, we hope to leave SXSW with a bunch of new music to listen to on our way back to Columbus.
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?
Didi: Our set list is tight and ready to go. We bring high energy, a genuinely happy stage presence, a lot of noise, and a “get on stage, do your best, have fun, watch the next band” mentality.
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?
Didi: Texas Tacos! We are going to find a vegan option and sip some local beer or gin & tonics. Though some of us will freshen up with some cold juice or seltzer 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.
Didi: Bully, Strawberry Runners, El Otro Grupo, Say Sue Me, Saintseneca
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around? Are there any you see yourself wanting to play?
Didi: There’s one in Columbus called Melanincholy that came into being a couple years ago that is A LOT of fun. We would also really love to play the Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco or Northside Festival in NY.
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?
Didi: Having played a lot of punk shows, we wouldn’t be too thrown by strange or awkward situations. We appreciate diverse lineups, and if the crowd is open minded enough to come to a show with such an eclectic line up, then we are in good shape. We would talk about how it’s great to be at a place that recognizes the importance of variety.
Then we would play our set as best we could and head out, unless everyone there was mad about the same things we are, in which case we would probably hang out and make new friends.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the van/bus?
Didi: Toma Doe, Jay Som (Everybody Works), Bully (Losing), Bishop Briggs
ATH: Who wins the World Cup this summer?
Didi:It was a three-way tie between Colombia, Brazil, and in Leslie’s dreams, Japan.