SXSW Interview: The Blind Owls
We are a mere matter of days away from the annual party time festival known as SXSW. With only a few more work days in site, I think the ATH crew is mentally prepared for whats about to go down. Im continuing the SXSW interview fun with some answers from our Corpus Christi neighbors in The Blind Owls. Hit the jump for their thoughts.
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?
We’ve always been fortunate to live only 3 hours a way from Austin as opposed to many bands who come from all around the world just to play a couple showcases. I can see how the concern with corporate sponsors and pay to play may affect them. However, we have never had to pay to play at SXSW and the three hour drive from Corpus is a regular routine for us. Though, SXSW gives us an opportunity to play and share our music with people from all around the world who come to Austin for SXSW.
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?
Every show that we are a part of has an infinite amount of energy behind our music. We always give our all at every show we perform at. The goal of our performance is to leave a mark on the audience and give them an energetic and unforgettable performance that will keep them excited to hear more. So we plan on coming in to feed off the energy and vibe of Austin during SXSW and give an unforgettable show.
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?
Most of our trips on the road consist of burgers and pizza. Though, mostly pizza. Any place that can cook up a good pizza will always have a place in our stomachs.
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.
We are grateful to be a part of the Levitation Showcase at Hotel Vegas this year, where there will be many bands that we love to share the stage with, such as Christian Bland and the Revelators, Ringo Deathstarr and many great artists and bands that we hope to share the stage with in the future.
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?
Keep doing our thing. It’s our goal to give our audience a fun and energetic show. If we have to work with bad sound and a bad audience. We will make it work. There’s no reason why we cant try to change things around and have a good time, every show is important to us no matter what the circumstances are.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
We aren’t really up to date on albums that came out recently. Most of the music in the tour van consists of a wide variety of artists that influence us. From the music of the 50s with Buddy Holly and Little Richard to music of the 60’s with The EasyBeats and The Sonics and of course you can never go wrong with some Revolver or Pet Sounds.
ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?
I think it just depends on the show and the audience. If you play to a bunch of drunk people on 6th street who are just there to get wasted and will most likely forget about everything the next morning, discovery might be less likely for you. Though, you can never guarantee who is going to walk into the door of your show whether it be an official SXSW Showcase or an Unofficial Showcase, so we try our best to play any show we can get.
ATH: Band catch phrase in 5 words or less.
Pure and Raw 60’s Rock n’ Roll.
Thanks again for taking some time to chat with us. See you in town!
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