SXSW 2014 Interview: Odonis Odonis
A lot of bands have a lot of time under their belts, but some bands are just starting to really make a big name for themselves. Odonis Odonis is one such band who’ve been picking up steam over the last couple of years; they are making their way down to Austin to rock you like you’ve not been rocked before. It’s all going to continue to build up the eager anticipation to their forthcoming record Hard Boiled Soft Boiled, which comes out on April 15th. Here’s what Dean Tzenos had to say as the band heads our way.
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?
DT: I feel like SXSW for a band can be like buying a lottery ticket and hoping for the best. That being said, we have a new record coming out and Panache is lining up some really great shows, so we’re hoping for good things this year.
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?
DT: It’s a little early for that, but we pride ourselves on being able to adjust our set for every show. We have a lot of songs that cover a wide musical range so depending on the show we use that to our advantage.
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?
DT: We love soaking up the free BBQ’s and beer. If it’s free it’s our favorite.
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.
DT: Something like Soviet Soviet, TV Ghost, Liars, Swans
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
DT: We came down to Austin and played Pyschfest with our buds in Metz and A Place to Bury Strangers last April and it was pretty awesome festival. What I liked was how many people came from all around the world and were all about a specific niche of music. It felt like we had found our home. I’m glad they are expanding that festival.
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?
DT: Well this sounds like a show we had a SXSW a couple of years ago, haha. We are of the opinion that you have to kill it every night, the situation is never going to be ideal you have to always bring your A game even if there’s only two.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
DT: Right now we’ve been loving the Soviet Soviet record, Mood Rings, most of the Gesaffelstein record and the new Chelsea Wolfe is pretty amazing.
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?
DT: As a music fan I love it, as I’m answering these questions I’m using Rdio. It really is the future like it or not I think the industry needs to find away to embrace it. If we didn’t learn from Napster we should learn from this. Making money on record sales is changing and you can cry about it or you can accept and look for new avenues to make money. That being said it be really fucking nice if some of the real money trickled down to the artist from streaming services.
ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?
DT: Yes?
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?
DT: I don’t know anything about this but now I do so ill let you know!