Meet the SXSW Band: Semiwestern
The end of this week will see the official kickoff of SXSW, which brings tons of bands and tech companies and movies to our town, so we’ve been trying to highlight some of the acts on the music side. This round, we get to lock into a Texas artist, Semiwestern, coming at us from about 3.5 hours North. There’s a full-length from the artist slated for later this year, and perhaps you’ll get a chance to taste some of his Italian cookies!
Whats the name of the band/group? Where are you from?
Semiwestern, a small town east of Dallas, TX.
Describe your groups sound using only adjectives or superlatives.
Unpolished, melodic, introverted
What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2023?
Released a couple of singles in 2022 ‘Velvet Sea’ and ‘Constant Repeat’, and have a full length album due out this year.
Why play SXSW? Whats the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?
SXSW is always on my radar since I live so close, I’ve had some great memories there. I also love the format as opposed to traditional festivals.
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.
My perfect festival would take place somewhere in rural Texas, or maybe in heaven since a lot of these artists aren’t currently living – David Bowie, The Fall, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Stooges, The Kinks, Lou Reed, Waylon Jennings, Fugazi, Neil Young, Ramones, Dead Boys, Grandaddy, Mission Of Burma, Pinback, The Smiths, Charli XCX, Sonic Youth, The Move, Black Flag, Swans, Unwound, Slint, Nikki Sudden, Big Star, ABBA, My Bloody Valentine, Yo La Tengo, Swell Maps, Boan, Crass, Suicide, Duster, Alex G, John Frusciante, Christian Death, Polvo, R. Stevie Moore, Caroline Polachek, Circle of Ouroborus, AG Cook, Johnny Thunders, Death Grips, The Replacements, Built to Spill, C.Z., Rites of Spring.
What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus?
Hyd, Medio Mutante, kissed her little sister, Charli XCX, Johnny Dynamite and the Bloodsuckers, Planet 1999, Andy Schauf, Green Gerry, Bondo, Gabe Eisner, Caroline Polachek.
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’m all for the list of suggestions I’ve seen regarding more pay, especially doing away with the application fee, that’s what keeps me from applying most years.
Weve been seeing more and more artists get into the food and beverage game, whether its pierogies 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’m actually already in the food game! Mygirlfriend and I make Italian cookies and macarons and sell them at markets.