SXSW 2014 Interviews: Vaadat Charigim
We continue our push towards SXSW with yet another interview. We turn your attention to Israeli band Vaadat Charigim, who’ve just signed on with Burger Records. This will be their first time in Austin, so let’s make sure they feel welcome. Scroll down for responses from Juval Haring; we’ve also got a few of the bands announced shows listed, with more to follow as the festival draws near.
ATH: There was a lot of hubbub last year concerning corporate sponsors and pay to play and what not at SXSW. As a band, what’s your reason for coming to pay at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?
Juval: We sing in Hebrew. We play noisy oddly tuned guitar rock. We are about as much a commodity as a conceptual performance art piece. America always reaches a point where “underground” becomes corporate. It’s a cycle. Being from Israel, a place with no music business, we feel very much outside the loop. So yes, SXSW is more corporate now. To me that only says that people are going to find a new underground.
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?
Juval: We’re just going to be ourselves and play our music. And yes, we have a set list.
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?
Juval: Whiskey and vegetarian food.
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.
Juval: I am currently into Milk Music and Parquet Courts. I’d like to meet them. They seem like solid guys.
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
Juval: The best around ? Seriously I don’t know. Any festival that still allows up comers to seriously get exposed. I think that is the main idea of festivals, other than soda drink ads.
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?
Juval: That sounds like a serious bummer. Sounds like we have a crappy agent.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
Juval: Milk Music’s Cruise your Illusion.
ATH: The digital age is upon us, like it or not. What are your band’s thoughts on streaming services like spotify, pandora, etc.? Blow em all up? Or embrace the future?
Juval: We all work in jobs that have nothing to do with the music business. I have to say, I’ve never been or think I will ever be in a position where my opinion on such things would matter to anyone. I’ve seen people “stealing” our album online. I couldn’t really care less. Whats the idea of making art mechanicaly reproducible and then not allowing people to reproduce it ?
ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?
Juval: The world is upside down.
ATH: Flatstock is a crowd favorite. Have you ever been to browse? Find a print to buy? Find a print from one of your shows you didn’t know existing?
Juval: Never been. Will be visiting for the first time in March.
Dates:
3/13: Austin Psych Fest Official SXSW Showcase – Hotel Vegas
3/15: Burgermania III – Hotel Vegas
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