SXSW Interview: Freedom Fry
If you thought our SXSW interviews were anywhere near over, man are you totally wrong. Nathan and I went crazy this year and sent these things out to tons of bands we admire and respect. Heck with still several days until music kicks off next week, I think we’re already over our total number of interviews from last year. Gotta hustle. Continuing our coverage today is an interview from L.A. by way of France based group Freedom Fry. Hit the jump for questions and a little tuneage as well.
The band, consisting mainly of Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll, answered this thing together because that’s how they roll.
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?
Freedom Fry: This will be our third time playing SXSW as a band. We sat out last year because we were writing & recording our first full-length album, Classic. Now that the record is about to come out onJune 1stit makes sense for us to come back and perform the new music. SXSW is great for getting your live set in front of people from all over the world. Plus, you never know who youll meet. We hope that our playing there will make the record have a bigger impact when its released.
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?
Freedom Fry: We always try to do a greatest hits set for the most part when it comes to our SXSW sets. Play our stand out songs, maybe include a surprise cover, and then get off before people know what hit them. 30 minutes is a great length because if people liked the songs you can leave them wanting more.
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?
Freedom Fry: You would think with our name that we love French fries, which we do, but we get even more excited for the BBQ. I think we always have to hit up Whataburger at least once. Drink-wise, whiskey on the rocks or champagne is usually the pre-show move. Whiskey if its a rock club and champagne if were somewhere more refined.
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.
Freedom Fry: So our line up is going to go like this
Freedom Fry – We would open so we can get semi-sloshed after and watch the following bands
Billie Eilish – Saw her play at School Night in LA and shes a real talent.
Cut Copy – Been fans for a while now. Great band.
NVDES – We go back with Josh Ocean a ways and their songs are great
Lauren Ruth Ward – Our friend, Michelle, takes some of her photos and shes got a great vibe & sound
Albert Hammond Jr. – Great musician, plus We love The Strokes
ATH:We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
Freedom Fry: I hope this isnt the brown nose answer, but SXSW is actually our fave. We love how long it is. We love the Texas setting. Austin is one of our favorite cities and we usually get a house and chill in-between playing and going to see bands we want to see.
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?
Freedom Fry: We would turn our amps up to 11 and play La Bamba for 30 minutes straight and then break our guitars.
ATH:What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
Freedom Fry: Ti Amo by Phoenix. The production is A++. Also Charlotte Gainsbourgs Rest is a masterpiece. Can you tell we like French bands? 🙂
ATH: Who wins the World Cup this summer?
Freedom Fry: Marie says France because shes loyal to her people. I say Brazil because my Mom is from there and I think theyre overdue for another win.
Thanks once again for making some time for us. Here is the bands latest single “Classic”.