SXSW Interviews: Still Parade
When we start looking at all the bands on the SXSW lineup, it’s sometimes hard to decipher everything and find quality acts. Need not worry though, ATH will help you out in that department as much possible as we lead up to the festival. We’re continuing things today with another interview, this time from Berlin based Niklas Kramer and his project known as Still Parade. Click the jump for more from Kramer.
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?
Kramer:Itll be our first time at SXSW, actually our first time in the US (as musicians). So I dont have any first hand experience. A few friends mentioned that it can be hard, but all of them also said that its totally worth it. So what we’re hoping for is to get to know some nice people, seeing some great bands, meeting old friends and making new ones.
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?
Kramer:Still working on the set list. But we have an album coming out very soon, so therell be tons of new music. So Im just trying to stay relaxed and hope people are going to dig the music.
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?
Kramer:Definitely vietnamese. Probably wine.
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.
Kramer:There are sooo many bands. There are definitely some favourites:
Empress Of
Polica
The Weather Station
Waxahatchie
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
Kramer:Theres this great festival here in Berlin. Its called Torstraenfestival. Dont know if its the best, but its pretty good.
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?
Kramer:This may sound cheesy, but most of time there are people who came to see you. They still deserve a great show and theres always a way to make it work. But if its really that bad, a week later I might have a great story to share.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
Kramer:Its an EP but Kelelas Hallucinogen EP has been on repeat for a long time. Sooo good.
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?
Kramer:Streaming is the present and theres no way around it. But theres still tons of stuff that needs to be figured out. Especially for small independent artists.
But as a listener its amazing to have this big catalogue of music, I use it all the time and its fun to dig through Spotify and discover new stuff. It will be interesting to see how that whole (playlist) curation will develop, there is a lot of power in that which good be used for the good but also for the bad. The thing I am suspicious of is when they are trying to tell me what I should listen to. All these generated playlists. That way youll never get out of your comfort zone and discover stuff thats really new and exciting. Ask your friends or try to find some music by yourself. Much more fun!
Thanks again to Niklas for making the time to speak with us.