SXSW Interviews: Best Move
It’s Friday. And you’re looking at taking advantage of Bandcamp Friday deals. But, here, we’ve got more SXSW Interviews for you, as our eyes are on that prize…so to speak. We caught up with Best Move, as they prepare to head our way for the festival. As you’ll see, the band have a new album on the horizon with Park the Van, so there’s going to be tons of new stuff, so if you can’t make it to Texas, be sure to keep an ear out.
ATH: Whats the name of the band/group? Where are you from?
BM: The name of my group is Best Move and we are from Sacramento, CA.
ATH: Describe your groups sound.
BM: We are kind of a cinematic band with folk inspirations, think similar to Elliot Smith, Air and Jon Brion. We try to build folk sounds with cinematic themes and tie it in with instruments that range from Mellotrons to Moog keyboards!
ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2022?
BM: We are planning to release an album Relation Memory this year via Park The Van! Just waiting on them vinyls! We have two digital eps out on Park the Van titled: Joe wants to go to the beach and Mirror Image Twins.
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?
BM: We got signed to Park The Van during the pandemic and met a whole range of new musicians and artists. The label has been extremely heartfelt and warm.
ATH: Why play SXSW? Whats the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?
BM: The label asked us to join on the bill and we said yes. We would love if people from the industry watched us play, but above it all we just enjoy playing music and are excited to be a part of a community of people who just plain love music.
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?
BM: Oh man, a real Blues Brothers moment! Well, I think the show ultimately must go on! Ive played some pretty hard shows that ended up being wonderful and some good shows that ended up being depressing. I think ultimately, you dont know how a gig is going to turn out until you plug in that instrument and give it all you got.
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?
BM: It would be called BEST FEST! After our band, and we would have Tom Petty play, Kendrick Lamar, Danny Brown, Oneothrix Point Never, John Carrol Kirby, Yes, The Sweet Enoughs, Thundercat, Flying Lotus, Dusty Brown, Bibio, Clark, Flying Lotus, Julia Jacklin, Aldous Harding, The Cure, Boards Of Canada, Air, Aphex Twin, Tim Hecker, DEFEM, Dead Kennedys, Andy Shauf, Big Thief, the whole park the van roster, Ray Lynch, Roy Orbison, John Lennon, Tom Waits, Grizzly Bear Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson play. Hmm its just so many artists I love too many.
ATH:. What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus?
BM: John Carroll Kirby, The Sweet Enoughs, Orions Belte, Yes, Arrangement, Sam Gendel, Pharaoh Sanders, Flying Lotus, . . .
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?
BM: In terms of streaming royalties its pretty obvious that they should raise the price of royalties given to the artist. Its just too low and its pretty insensitive. Also, stop fucking worshiping reality TV STARS!!
ATH: The band gets to create their own food truck to take on the road. Whats it called, and what are you serving?
BM: BEST MOLE: we would make tacos, burritos, nachos with different types of enchilada sauces. Oh man, now Im hungry.