SXSW Interviews: Shady Bug

Many of you are likely out and about today hitting up SXSW shows, though some of you might not quite be done with work. For those of you still stuck at your day job, I have another interview for you from St. Louis based group Shady Bug. Crazy enough, I just featured them on my Top 6 to watch post so of course I was excited to receive our interview questions back from them. Hit the jump to see the responses.

All responses come from lead vocalist/guitarist Hannah Rainey.

ATH: Whats the name of the band/group? Where are you from?

HR: Our band is called Shady Bug, we are from St. Louis, Missouri.

ATH: Describe your groups sound.

HR: Indie rock with loud-quiet-loud dynamics, melodic vocals, and dissonant jarring guitar lines.

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases from 2019?

HR: We self-released our debut album tbh idk in 2017 and our sophomore record Lemon Lime comes our March 8th, 2019 on Exploding in Sound Records.

ATH: For most SXSW sets, you get 30 minutes to leave a lasting impression. Whats your plan of attack? You have a set list mapped out yet?

HR: I think we will play mostly songs off our new record, we are very proud of it!! Id also like to throw in some even newer songs to try them out. It would be cool to switch sets around every showcase so not all shows will be exactly the same.

ATH: Lets 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?

HR: It sucks when a crowd isn’t vibing with the music but we usually just try to have fun and show everyone who we are. I feel like our sound is versatile and maybe those metal-heads and hip-hop fans would dig it. I’m also angry at the world and let out a lot of emotions while performing so hopefully the audience will find something to relate to.

ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town. Of the 1000+ bands coming into town, who would you ideally like to play with. What band friends will be here?

HR: I really would like to play with Lala Lala, Cherry Glazerr, and Dehd.

My buds Smut from Cincinnati will be there, Stef Chura is a pal, and Stove is a label-mate and friend of ours from EIS! Im sure I will see more random friends hanging around, it will be an indie rock reunion.

ATH: What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus?

HR: We just went on tour!! We played some Tom Tom Club, Duster, TOPS, Isabel Rex (from STL), and Lou Reed.

ATH: Describe your perfect festival, real or not? Whos headlining? Wheres it take place? Etc.

HR: A perfect fest would be a giant slumber party at a sleep-away camp with lots of snacks. Headlining would be Deerhoof. Everyone would sleep in cabins and have campfires.

ATH: Whats on the bands rider? If were bringing you food and booze, what can we bring you?

HR: Is this real?? Haha. Please bring us grapefruit sparkling waters, takis, dried mango slices, and tagalong Girl Scout cookies.

ATH: The band gets to create their own taco pop-up shop at SXSW? Whats the name, and what sort of tacos will you have? Any sides?

HR: SkrimpyBug, all fish and shrimp and some veggie chorizo, street corn on the cob and grilled plantains.

As previously mentioned, Shady Bug have the following free shows planned for SXSW:

3/15Spokesman Coffee Show@ 3:00pm

3/16Post-Trash Showcase@Beerland Time TBA

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