SXSW Interviews: Paul Jacobs

We’re keeping up our preliminary SXSW coverage, hoping to get as many names out there, and as much info out there for artists as we can. Today we’ve got our little interview answers from Paul Jacobs, the Canadian songwriter. Read up on his answers, then pencil him in as an artist you’d like to see when you hit up SXSW. You can check out his latest album, Pink Dogs on the Green Grass after the questions!

ATH: Whats the name of the band/group? Where are you from?

Paul Jacobs: Im Paul Jacobs and I live in Montreal, QC Canada.

ATH: Describe your groups sound.

Paul Jacobs: I have a hard time describing my sound, might be able to slip it into the freak folk genre.

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2022?

Paul Jacobs: I released my full length Pink Dogs on the Green Grass in April 2021 and I have an EP planned for release during 2022.

ATH: Everyones been focused on the negative aspects of the last few years? What are a few good things that came about for you as an individual or the band as a whole during the last two pandemic-stricken years?

Paul Jacobs: For me, I quit smoking and started playing pick up baseball, so that was pretty cool. Montreal has been half closed for 2 years so playing baseball was a nice distraction and came with a lot of nostalgia.

ATH: Why play SXSW? Whats the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?

Paul Jacobs: I released my album in hopes to tour it in 2021 which did not fully happen, now’s the time to get back out there so that’s what were going to do. SXSW is just the thing to do in our music world, it’s the ultimate meet and greet and its a good excuse to escape the Winter for a bit.

ATH: Lets say your band has 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 is growing antsy. How would your band deal with such a situation?

Paul Jacobs: I never thought about the situation, but maybe I’ll prepare some jokes now.

ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town, but if you could create your own perfect festival, who would you have playing? Would it have a sick name? Where would it take place?

Paul Jacobs: I’d book all the classic rock legends, dead or alive, and have free parking everywhere. I’d call it the Classic Rock and Free Parking World Event.

ATH: What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus?

Paul Jacobs: The Byrds come on in the van often, I like having something we can all sing along to on the long drives every now and again. Also just going down memory lane with the indie hits and things like that.

ATH: Theres been a lot of discussion about Spotify and streaming and all that these last few monthswhere does the band stand? Whats your solution?

Paul Jacobs: This was at the point I realized I needed to notcheck on social media anymore. I dont think there is a solution to anything and I will continue to enjoy music somehow.

ATH: The band gets to create their own food truck to take on the road. Whats it called, and what are you serving?

Paul Jacobs: I guess I miss having poutine when leaving Canada, so Id have a truck that serves everything good including poutine, Ill call it Poutine Plus so people know theres more than just poutine, so I can make some $$$$$.