SXSW Interview: Summer Cannibals

lede_summercannibalsHard to believe that SXSW is just one more short week away right?  Believe it or not, it’s all about to go down.  We are of course not done with our pre-festival coverage and have more interviews, spotlights, and lists coming your way.  Today I’m pleased to share with you a SXSW interview with Portland based group Summer Cannibals.  This band is on my short list of acts to see during the week and I recommend that they make your list as well.  Follow the jump for more.

All answers coming from band member Jessica Bodreaux.

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 play at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?

I’ve been unsure of the whole thing in the past but at our level we can’t really pass up any opportunity to have people see us play. I’m proud of all our records but am really aware of the fact that our live set is our strong suit so I think the most important thing for us moving forward is to take any chance we get to play. At the most I hope we can make some new fans and find a booking agent but at the least I hope we can have a good time, eat some tacos, drink beers, see bands and play music. 

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?

No set list mapped out just yet, we’ll probably take that week of tour before SX to figure out our power-set. Most of our songs are like 2:30 so we can cram a lot into 30 minutes. Cool thing is that I write a lot and we’ve got enough songs to where we can be really choosy about the best 10 or 11 to make sure there’s not a weak point in the set. 

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?

Someone actually just asked us a similar question so I’ve got this: BBQ, tacos, sweet corn, tomatoes, beer, fizzy water, sweet tea. 

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.

METZ, Diarrhea Planet, Thee Oh Sees, Jeff The Brotherhood, Courtney Barnett & White Reaper — is that too many?

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?

Your description actually sounds like a pretty fucking rad show BUT pretending it’s not…I don’t know, probably just play harder. Weird/shitty shows are the ones where I find I push myself harder. Then you know you did everything you possibly could to get something out of it. 

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

All the albums that keep coming to mind came out in 2013…but I loooove the FUZZ full length, Courtney Barnett Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas oh! Parquet Courts Content Nausea, that’s a good one and I think it came out in 2014.  

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

Man, I have no idea…this my first time coming down there. I guess I’d just say whatever works! 

ATH: Band catch phrase in 5 words or less.

It’s a tie between: “FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK” & “AM I IN TUNE?”

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