SXSW Interview: Avers

529f74da46eb2.imageIt’s hard to believe how close we are to SXSW week with only a few short weeks remaining until all hell breaks loose.  As usual, we here at ATH have a ton more short, SXSW oriented interviews to bring your way to prep you for the fun.  Today we are excited to share with you some answers from Richmond bases group Avers.

Questions are answered from Adrian and Tyler.  Thanks guys!

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?

Avers: For us, it’s about continuing the quest to earn legitimacy and attention to our band.   In the best case, SXSW is an opportunity to gain new relationships with both musicians and industry folk, and at the worst, it’s another stop in our band’s longest tour to date that will include awesome bands such as The Districts, Surfer Blood, and ELEL.

…plus, austin is warm and richmond is 10 degrees right now…

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?

Avers: I like to imagine the band as a spectacle that is nearly impossible to ignore.  We have 4 lead singers, lots of energy, and a tight set.  Also the fact that we have 4 guitar players at times seems to catch peoples attention… diareaha planet comes up a lot..

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?

Avers: With a band of six very individual individuals, it’s difficult to have something we all agree on… Unless it’s that both BBQ and Vietnams are awesome.

Pro Tip – Vietnam drink recipe:

1. Pint Glass with Moderate Ice

2. 1-2 shots Vodka

3. Club Soda to fill

4. Shot of Pickle Juice

Serve in 98 degree weather with 100% humidity

… did I mention I can’t wait to hit up Rudy’s again?!

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.

Avers: 

At Stubb’s outdoor:

Alvvays- that record rules.

Mew- all their records rule.

Beat Connection- too much party.

Matthew E White- RVA bud!

Avers- Us.

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 drunk and angry at the world.  How would your band deal with such a situation?

Avers: Honestly, we would probably rock hard as fuck and try to win them over.  I kind of love situations where there is little to lose…

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

Avers: Twain – Life Labors in the Choir is a favorite among all of us for sure. War on Drugs, Spoon, St. Vincent, Parquet Courts, Courtney Barnett, D’Angelo, Bleached too. We play everything on the bus from static religious radio to Kendrick Lamar.

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

Avers: Is it? This is our first time going as Avers. Parties are usually cool. Showcases sound rad. Honestly, The organizers of the the festival probably have sleepless nights about that but things sometimes need to turn upside down. Hopefully the earth’s magnetic poles flip while we’re in Austin and then we’ll all be upside down.

ATH: Band catch phrase in 5 words or less.

Avers: Fuck yeah

Check out some tunes from Avers over on their bandcamp page.

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