Levitation Interview: Font
We’re a week out from Levitation, so we’re trying to turn your attention towards some acts we’ve got on our coverage list, which means you get to hear a bit about the acts as well. This one’s a bonus, as this is Font, one of the most discussed acts in the current Austin scene…so we’ve got a double whammy for ya! They’re opening up the show over at Empire Garage on Thursday, October 26th at 7:30 PM, if you’re here festing! Plus, at the end of the interview, you can stream their banging new single, “It.”
ATH: There’s a lot of adoration for what y’all are doing in the Austin scene. How does one look beyond that and try to branch out beyond the confines of Texas? What are the barriers/benefits to being a much loved Austin act?
Thanks for saying that. I don’t think there are any barriers presented from people in Austin responding to the music its been a rewarding thing for which were really grateful, and its given us confidence to move forward and explore.
It’s been interesting to go to places like Brooklyn or D.C. and see different crowds respond to different parts of the set; like, in Brooklyn, the darker, more angular stuff tends to draw more of a response than some of the brighter, more major stuff, which seemed to do better in D.C. and Boston.
As much as we try not to think about genre or aligning with a particular scene, it is true that we probably wouldn’t exist if not for the post-punk resurgence over the past decade or so in London and New York. The fact that we didn’t start in either of those places, but rather in Austin, which doesn’t really have a cohesive aesthetic or sound or scene, has probably played a big role in our sense of freedom and independence. The stakes for aligning with or departing from a particular sound or aesthetic feel lower.
ATH: What’s the one thing that you think Austin is in desperate need of, in terms of music industry Could be related to venue, pay, merch Is there something you wish folks could fix?
Pay will always be a central issue with unclear solutions, especially as the cost of living rises and more artists get priced out. However, we’ve definitely had a couple weird experiences with big radius clauses for very little pay. Once, we had a radius clause for two months a month on either side of the show for a total guarantee of $250, which is tough as a band of five members with little music out who have so far primarily existed as a live act. It seems like those could be easily relaxed in a lot of cases, especially for smaller, local bands.
ATH: From “Sentence I” to “It,” there’s a bit of a noticeable shift in the sound Are we pushing towards a more electronic drive sound with future recordings, or is the intention to straddle genres and be undefined?
We want to push out in all directions louder, quieter, sharper, rounder, prettier, uglier, more guitar, no guitar. All that kind of stuff. A big part of exploration for us involves jumping to different genres and palettes to then see what persists through the change. We feel that who we are is whatever that thing is.
ATH: Speaking of new music, what’s coming from the band in 2024? Is the new single a sign of bigger things to come in terms of a release?
Were hoping to put out some music, hopefully early in the year, and hit the road again. Were definitely tired of not having more than one or two recorded songs to show people. I think we’ve finally figured out some things about what we want to come through in our recordings, and were all eager for that to bear fruit.
ATH: We’ve got you all playing the Levitation bill, which has been drawing folks from all over the world to Austin. How does the band win over folks who might casually catch your set?
Our plan is to just do what we usually do as well as we can and hope that we can surprise or move people in some way.
ATH: Speaking of Austin…you get to put together Fonts perfect 5 band bill…who is playing and where?
Maybe More Eaze, Thor & Friends, Lomelda, Being Dead, Felt Out. If bands that used to be in Austin count, Blood and Photokem and Steven Leftovers too. Does Spoon count? I’m sure we’re forgetting some. More than five, but we could make it work. Probably on the back stage at Hole in the Wall.
ATH: Let’s give away some secrets Where might travelers find the members of Font hanging out for food/drinks/relaxation?
Kinda Tropical has always been a band staple. Barton Springs, Crown and Anchor, AFS.
ATH: How many members of the band have had their picture taken in front of the Jo’s “I love you so much” mural?
Someone probably has, but nobody seems willing to admit to it. So for now well say zero.