SXSW Watchlist: Fanfarlo
Fanfarlo have become frequent residents of Austin over the last year having played 2-3 shows during the calendar year. Unfortunately, like an idiot, I have missed these guys the last few times they’ve come to town so I’m putting them down as a band to see during SXSW. Currently touring behind their 2009 debut Reservoir, this London based band has been touring like crazy and building a buzz behind their band. Several of our local amigos have seen them live and tell us that we definitely won’t want to miss out this time around. Prior to their Austin arrival, we had the chance to ask drummer/vocalist Amos Memon a few questions about his band. You’ll notice that we’ve been recycling some questions from our SXSW bands to help you get to know them better and so we can pump out tons of interviews for you fans. Follow the jump for full interview with Amos.
ATH: If you were creating a festival, who are the headlining acts? Who would never be allowed to play?
Amos: Headlining Acts: (of artists I’ve never seen play), Galaxie 500, The Byrds (around the time of Younger Than Yesterday), Red House Painters (Grace Cathedral Park era), Erik Satie, The Bangles (circa 1986), Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood
Never: Van Morrison, Procol Harum performing “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, The Cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Also, no insectoid bug-eyed people crawling around on stilts.
ATH: Are there any bands you want to see why you’re in town for SXSW, or are you just going to go with the flow?
Amos: Go with the flow. I will scour the programme for one show by a band I’ve never seen before, but generally I’ll try and catch bands whilst on the move.
ATH: We’re still rather early in 2010, so what are your band’s expectations or hopes for the rest of the year?
Amos: Keep improving on what we currently do. Write new songs, start preparing the second album. Stop searching airports for missing musical equipment.
ATH: We have three options: BBQ, Tacos, Beer. Which is the most important to you on your visit to Austin?
Amos: Tacos, since I don’t drink beer and I’m a veggie
ATH: Seeing as the whole music industry is in town for SXSW, what you think about the current state of affairs with the music industry? Does it need to be fixed? Any ideas on how to do that?
Amos: I get asked this question a lot, and each time I change my mind. Right now I’m viewing the “state of affairs” from the perspective of a music fan AND a musician. As a fan, I watch bands play live, buy as much vinyl as my own space allows and I read about music on a daily basis. As a musician, the tables are turned and I meet people who are excited about the band and shows we play. People have told me how they “stole” our album for free, but then they turn up at shows with a couple of friends and buy a t-shirt or a cd. I’m no expert on this matter, but for a band the size of Fanfarlo, we’d rather see people at our shows and taking an interest in us than not at all. Does the music industry need fixing? Well it’s taken its time to adapt to technology, but I think that’s been well documented already. Generally I try to stick to the creative side, rather than get bogged down in the “business.”
ATH: You have one twitter post to promote your band at SXSW, what does that post say (140 characters)?
Amos: “First day of SXSW: Customs & Border Police, lost luggage, hot sauce, tequila, sunstroke, tattoos, eqpt fail. Playing tonight.”
Many thanks for making some time to answer our questions Amos! The only free show I currently see for Fanfarlo is the March 18th Paste Party which you can RSVP for ahead of time.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/01-Im-A-Pilot-1.mp3]Download: Fanfarlo – I’m A Pilot [MP3]