Meet The SXSW Band: The Natural Lines
Many of the bands covered for our SXSW interviews have been mostly newer, or maybe even unknown to some, but today we have a true legend and personal music favorite sharing some responses. Though he recently hung up the old “PA” moniker, indie legend Matt Pond continues to make incredible music with a bunch of his music friends in The Natural Lines. I was very excited when Matt agreed to take part in our interview questions and not the least bit surprised when he shot them back within a few short hours. The man is a true pro. Hit the jump for full interview from Matt Pond as part of his new outfit The Natural Lines.
All responses come from Matt Pond.
What’s the name of the band/group? Where are you from?
The Natural Lines. We’re from Kingston NY, Minneapolis and Santa Rosa.
Describe your group’s sound using only adjectives or superlatives.
Shared introspective shimmering.
What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2023?
We released an EP last fall called First Five. And we have a self-titled full-length album coming out 3/24 on Bella Union. This is the music I’ve been trying to make since I started strumming. It took me a lifetime to get here.
Why play SXSW? What’s the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?
These are good questions. I’ve played SX at least 5 times in different bands. While I love Austin and appreciate the concept of the festival, I sometimes feel like a troubled tumble weed that took a wrong turn at Texarcana.
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? Feel free to disregard the rules of time and space.
Weyes Blood, Sudan Archives, Faye Webster, Anya Marina, Jockstrap and Neil Young.
It would be named after my dog, Willa-thon, and it would be in my small living room.
What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus
We haven’t made it out for our first proper tour yet, but in my heaphones Weyes Blood, Sudan Archives, Faye Webster, Anya Marina, Jockstrap and Neil Young.
Obviously you have seen or heard about the issues coming up this year about fair pay for artists at SXSW? Care to offer any insight or comment?
I think bands should get paid a decent wage to play profitable music festivals. I also think all festivals should do more to highlight bands that are starting out. The honor of playing at noon in an empty field sometimes feels a little hollow. But I’m not in charge.
I think musicians should band together on just about every aspect of the music industry streaming, touring, royalties, etc. The problem always comes down to what musicians are really willing to do. We unfortunately tend to stick to the ledges of our hierarchies, the comfort of our groups. (If there are any groups out there that would like to join forces, I’m all for it.)
We’ve been seeing more and more artists get into the food and beverage game, whether it’s pierogis from Pavement or Deftones’ beer. If you ever got into the game, what would be your food or beverage and what would it be called?
I love pickles. They are delicious as a snack or they may be the only food you eat. But I wouldn’t want to ruin pickles by commercializing them. Because then I’d start hating the pickles I used to love.
The only things I want to sell are albums and tickets to shows. Maybe some t-shirts, maybe a few socks. Everything else seems like some kind of money-grabbing, zombie-branding, dystopian limited series coming soon to a screen near you.
Also, my old band made a beer once with an amazing brewer in Louisville KY, Against The Grain. It was called a Matt Pond Pale Ale. So I might be one of those zombies, too.
Thanks again to Matt for taking some time to speak with us. Here are current SXSW show dates along with the video for new single “No More Tragedies.”
- 03.15 – Austin, TX @ Half Step – PIAS SXSW Showcase
- 03.16 – Austin, TX @ Valhalla – Planetary SXSW showcase