SXSW Interivew: Demo Taped

The best thing about such a large festival like SXSW is the diversity; you can pretty much catch any sort of music you like. Demo Taped brings some soulful pop to Austin next week, and we caught up with him real briefly to catch some insight into his forthcoming performances, as well as his hit “Own It.” If he catches your ear with that, be sure to look into his Momentary EP.

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?

DT: I’m coming for the experience. I’ve always wanted to go to SXSW and I feel really blessed to be a part of it. I want to show people a good time through my set. 🙂

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?

DT: I’m just going to have fun. I’ve learned that when you have fun on stage, the audience will pick up on that. It’s like leading by example. I just plan on playing my songs and dancing like no one is watching.

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?

DT: You’re always good with a bottle of San Pellegrino water & sushi. A beautiful pairing if I do say so myself.

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.

DT: Oh this one’s tough. I’d love to do a show with Khalid. His energy seems great. I wanna see Cuco so add him to the list. Billie Eilish as well! I want to do a show just full of the kids. That would be pretty rad.

ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?

DT: I really dig Bonnaroo. I’ve attended that festival twice and it was a really wholesome experience.

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?

DT: I’d get in front of everyone and again just have fun. One thing I do when people are on their phones or not engaged is sing directly to them. It’s all in good fun and it’s a great moment when you catch their eye. I’d probably do that with this theoretical crowd or angry people. Maybe some sort of group meditation or chant too. I believe that there’s really supposed to be a union between the performer and the audience. One won’t work without the other.

ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?

DT: DAMN by Kendrick, Flower Boy by Tyler the Creator, Process by Sampha, and LCD Soundsystem’s American Dream all blew me away.

ATH: Who wins the World Cup this summer?

DT: The underdog.

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