SXSW 2014 Interview: Swimming

I’m loving all these great interview responses that we’re getting, so we’ll continue to run out the great interviews we’ve been running via the Internet.  Today we’re bringing you Swimming, a Fayetteville act specializing in brilliant pop music that’s built to get your toes tapping.  I’m always down to support an act from Arkansas.  Read the group’s responses below.

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?

S: We’re here to play music and hope to find more fans, and generate interest in what we’re doing. Networking and finding new music is always a plus too.

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?

S: We don’t have it mapped out yet, it’s not like we try harder for a SXSW set, we’re trying to leave lasting impressions every time we perform for an audience.

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?

S: We have a good relationship with Tequila. Torchy’s Tacos are the jam.

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.

S: Somewhere in between Shaq talking about “wearables” and Kevin Bacon talking about his TV show.

ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?

S: Treefort Music Festival in Boise, ID is great. I like smaller festivals because they’re easier to navigate.

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?

S: We’d play, and it would suck. As long as there isn’t slam poetry though I think we’d be fine.

ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?

S: Kurt Vile, Boards of Canada and My Bloody Valentine all put out great records. The van has a whole lot of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young playing.

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?

S: Pandora is pretty dumb, but in general those things aren’t inherently bad.

ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?

S: I haven’t really done much thinking about it. The two probably just draw different types of folks out. When you’re handing out free booze and taco bell you’re likely to have a different audience than at a house party on the east side or a show in some unique space like a warehouse.

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?

S: I’ve never been, honestly didn’t know it was a thing.