SXSW Interview: RVG

You are probably aware already that I’m a huge fan of RVG. If you’re lucky enough to catch the Aussie act on their brief US jaunt, then you’re in for a treat. Their album A Quality of Mercy was a stunner, and to those who spent time with it, it sounds like everything pop music was meant to be. We caught up real briefly with the group to have them answer our little SXSW interview, which is below with their most recent video.

ATH: Every Year there is a lot of hubbub 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?

RVG: I guess we’re just hoping to play to people who like us and want to help us out with shows. We’ve always wanted to play shows outside of Australia but we’ve never been able to until now. Outside of that we’re just happy to get to go to Texas and have a look around. Most of us haven’t been to the US before so it’s very exciting.

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?

RVG: Not really. We tend to go by feel and not overthink things too much. We’ll probably be writing the setlist just before we play.

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?

RVG: We’ll drink or eat anything if it’s cheap. We’re not too picky. Whiskey’s probably the only thing I can drink right now without turning strange.

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.

RVG: The Wedding Present, Shopping and Stella Donnelly

ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?

RVG: There’s a really beautiful festival called Meredith in the Victorian countryside which we played last year and had the most amazing time. You have to go to Australia for it, though.

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?

RVG: That sounds like a challenge. I reckon we could win one or two of them over.

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

RVG: Remember Terry by Terry. We can all agree on that one. I also really loved the Aldous Harding album that came out last year too

ATH: Who wins the World Cup this summer?

RVG: What’s that?