SXSW Interview: LA Salami

We’re continuing our preliminary work for SXSW, and today we bring you a brief stopover with LA Salami. The music of LA always has this Tom Waits feel to it, either in the way he pulls that vocal from the throat. Here’s a few words from the songwriter, and some videos I love after the jump.

ATH: For a lot of bands, this is their first time coming to SXSW, Austin, or even the United States. What are you anticipating for your arrival into our town? Anything youre really hoping to do (again) while youre here?
LAS: I live with a girl from Austin She tells me i’ll love it And also that i’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to good food.
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?
LAS: Always leave room for improvisation.
ATH: Describe the music community where you come from – Does everyone work together? Is there lots of competition?
LAS: I’ve personally experienced loads of different factions as I’ve run my course, and all of them seem to intertwine in some way A lot of people know each other is what I’m saying.
ATH: What are a few bands we in Austin and the States might not know about that should be on everyones musical radar?
LAS: Francobollo are the new Beatles (Three of them play as my band, The Bootmakers, at the moment), Hoo Has, MOHIT, Flo Kennedy, Amaroun, Strong Asian Mothers, to name but a few.
ATH: Let’s say your band has been booked an official showcase at a pop up venue somewhere in the middle of 6th street (where a lot of shows are set up). 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?
LAS: We’d play loud Every working musician knows that happens sometimes out there, and you just play and deal with it.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus/van?
LAS: A guy called Andrew Butler came out with an album called Chalk that I had on repeat for a loooooong time.
ATH: What are your band’s thoughts on and experiences with streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, Youtube etc? Are you sticking to services like Bandcamp to sell and distribute?
LAS: If a man digs a hole in the ground, it’s his right to rent it out, but if he’s renting out holes every two meters… Well, then I suppose I just have an issue with capitalism.
ATH: Clearly coming over to the SxSW to play shows is something a lot of bands are excited about, but what are some other life or musical highlights for you this year? Wed like to get to know you.
LAS: Eurosonic in Holland and Where’s The Music? Sweden were nice…. Highlights are hard when it’s winter.
ATH: Arent you happy we didnt ask about Trump?
LAS: That’s difficult.