SXSW Interview: Brian Merrill

Brian Merrill just released a joyous little EP last month titled Bliss Bunnies. It’s crafted around short little bedroom pop gems, carefully recorded for maximum emotional appeal. He’s headed to SXSW next week, so we wanted to get his name out there in front of you with our little interview questions. You can also stream that EP at the bottom!

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?

BM:I heard the Sidewinder outside is on the river. it sounds delightful. also the weather in NYC has been shit for 4 months, were mostly coming for the sunny weather and swimming holes.

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?

BM: Honestly usually just works if we play a 12 song set really, really fast without any talking between songs.

My EP is 10 minutes, mostly because we cut three tracks and took out all the bridges. Also, my apartment is probably a generous 100 sq feetbut you can do a lot with the right rhythm section and a slide.

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?

BM: The Bliss Bunnies survival diet is kale and kombucha (in a state of repair).

For destruction we get by on blue gatorade, Modelos, Fernet, and San Pellegrino. all food besides salt and vinegar kettle chips just kind of brings you down. But if you can get California burritos there Ill come down for that. otherwise Ill be floating and Nickys probably still fasting honestly. Hes vegan.

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.

BM: Frank Ocean

Haley Heynderickx

Link Wray

Buddy Holly

Townes

Alex G

Navy Gangs

THE SHACKS

Tall Juan

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

BM: Hmm. Someday I want to go to Carnival in Brazil, or go back in time to the Kumbha Mela in 1894.

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?

BM: We played an annual Bronx art festival about a month ago. Vibe was really sweet and genuine. The DJs were playing Uzi right up until our songs. I love trap music. I think Nicky said we played a My Bloody Valentine version of our set. The open tuning thing kinda creates a wall of sound. I like putting our music in random environments though. In this case, I might just request a sing along. From now on I think Ill have my dude Aaron Harridge DJ my shows i got kind of bored after a slow song at our release show a few weeks back had him play a random track and I started ad-libbing about love in elevators in karaoke style. I feel like i never prepare for shows at all so this situation sounds pretty ideal.

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

BM: This week I listened to a lot of Yeezus, Show me the Body, and Shakira. Still listening to Steve Lacys Demo. Hater lovin baby. Dont i feel it. Im having just too much nervous energy and also unjust apathy lately so this music is pretty straight up visceral. I like the Insecure Men LP a lot. Its got that fun FJM swag, but this guys been torn up and is speaking dead on. I think sometime I will write songs with titles that forthright. Also damn, CSHR, this Nervous Young Inhumans track is really nice, so is this HOVVDY record. I’m listening to Katie Von Schleicher track, Nothing, at this very moment. It’s so good.

ATH: Who wins the World Cup this summer?

BM: I like watching soccer when I’m in a bar in another country. In Spain for instance, it’s so nice watching with so many people who feel it so hard.

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