SXSW Interviews: An Horse
Continuing on with our coverage of established SXSW bands and their current state affairs today, we take a look at Australian outfit An Horse. We sent over some of our SXSW oriented questions to Kate Cooper who represents ½ of the band. Follow the jump for her sweet responses.
ATH: So as a long time fan of your music, what’s in store for you upcoming LP “Walls”? A new direction or sound? What can we expect?
Kate: This time around Damon and I were actually a real band. We made Rearrange Beds in two blocks of time. The first block, we were working in a record store and randomly got time off work to record a handful of songs we were working on. After that session I gave them to a few friends around Brisbane. Damon and I didn’t even talk about releasing them. At one point I vaguely remember asking Damon what we were going to do with the songs. He didn’t know either but we both felt a real need to get them down. A few of my friends surprised me with their response to the recording. They suggested that we should release an EP and have a launch show. I wasn’t into it at all. I was just really enjoying having this kind of private creative outlet in the basement of a record store. Anyway I also emailed the first batch of songs to Sara Quin and she believed in us more than anyone and took us on tour. As a result we got a record deal and we had to give them an album. The label loved the first five songs and wanted us to record more in the same way in the same studio. So you see, we didn’t really write an album. We wrote songs and recorded them in batches. This time around we had a little bit more time and space and we were able to demo songs and give them to people we respected for feedback. When I hear Walls, I hear an accurate representation of An Horse, that is, Damon and I communicating really well musically. Two people just really enjoying playing together. It’s a good vibe. Sonically, because we had more time and Howard Redekopp was very much on the same page as Damon and I, the record is more textured and layered. It’s a lot more than Damon and I doing a live take and slapping a guitar overdub on it. Plus we were also really lucky that Sara wanted to play on it. She played a bunch of keys and sings. She brought some hooks. She’s a bit of a pirate.
ATH: Do you guys tour as a two piece? What strategies do you use to flesh out the sound and keep things interesting?
Kate: Yes we tour as a two piece. We don’t really have any strategies per se. I think the fleshing out part comes when we write the songs. I am very conscious that it’s just two of us and write accordingly. I use chords or sounds that are going to ring out and sound bigger than just one guitar and drums.
ATH: We asked you awhile back about the Australian music scene… What are some new bands we need to know about over there? Besides you!
Kate: I haven’t been living in Australia now for coming up to 2 years. I would ask Damon but he is asleep right now. I do really like Boom Gates, Eddie Current Suppression Ring (who aren’t new but Brendan, the lead singer is also in Boom Gates so it made me think of them and how awesome they are), also Gold Coats which is a new project by Stephanie Hughes (who drums with Darren Hanlon).
ATH: It’s SXSW season and someone asks you why they should come see you play over the other thousand bands in town. How do you “persuade them”
Kate: Oh I wouldn’t bother. I would encourage them to go elsewhere. I don’t want the pressure and I don’t want to play to a sea of folded arms.
ATH: What tips can you offer other up and coming bands to survive SXSW week?
Kate: Start training now! It’s one the busiest weeks of my year. Don’t get too excited that you will get time to see many other bands. At our first sxsw Damon and I were sharing a hotel room with a friend who was there to see some bands and hang out. We were getting up at 6am to do press as she was coming home from partying. At the time I was so confused, I am in the band, how come she gets to party? Now I know what to expect…plus to be honest I wouldn’t have partied anyways but I would have slept in. Oh also it can be really hot! Wear sunscreen.
ATH: Lastly, what do you look forward to about SXSW or Austin in General?
Kate: The weather, although last year it was freezing! I can’t wait to eat BBQ! I am looking forward to catching up with a bunch of friends who will be in town. Austin is a really beautiful city. In some ways it reminds me of Brisbane because it’s small and because of the weather. Oh and there are a couple of awesome places to get coffee.
Thanks a lot Kate for the well thought out responses. Stay tuned to ATH for more set times to see An Horse during SXSW week.