Meet the SXSW Band: The Ophelias

We are here and in full force now with some SXSW band previews coming at you several times a week leading up to the festival. Today we are thrilled to share a preview with one of our favorite up and coming acts, Cincinnati based outfit The Ophelias. We get into some great discussions about new music along with a debate about who would be the best dual threat rhythm guitar player to have in your all time band. All that plus show details and a brand new song(!) after the jump.

All responses come from band member Spencer Peppet.

ATH: What’s the name of the band/group? Where are you from?

We’re The Ophelias! We’re originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and now spread across the East Coast and Midwest.

ATH: Give us a short pitch for your band, describing sound, ambiance or whatever you feel like.

The Ophelias are moth music, music for blue hour, gas station slushies, the feeling after a horror movie ends, nostalgia for something you can’t place.

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2024?

We just released our single “Black Ribbon” off our upcoming EP Ribbon, out April 12th!

ATH: SXSW is often called a sort of initiation which can lead to increased exposure. As a band, why did you choose to play the festival? What’s your aim for the week?

We’ve been to SXSW a couple times now, and I think we’ve learned a lot each time. This time I think I want to focus more on seeing people I don’t get to see very often, and trying to catch a bunch of cool sets (along with the sets we’re playing).

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

I’ve been listening to a lot of Enumclaw, Truth Club, Maria BC, and Dijon. Jo’s been mainly listening to Death Grips. Mic’s always listening to Paramore, and he’s the one that introduced the Dijon album Absolutely to everyone. Andrea loves Victor Jara, Alice Coltrane, pinkpantheress, and Silvio Rodrguez. Sometimes on tour we’ll just marathon Alex G albums!

ATH: If you’ve had a chance to check out any of the artists coming into town for the festival – Anyone you are excited about trying to see during the week?

There are so many cool people going this year — I’m excited to catch Mei Semones, Squirrel Flower, Smut, and Dry Cleaning.

ATH: Disregarding the constructs of space, time, and availability – If you could construct a power group of artists to make the supreme, all powerful super group of a band, who would be in it? Pick as many members as you like. Who is on vocals, drums, guitar, etc.? All submissions will be judged with a winner awarded during the festival.

Oh, wow. Okay. Off the bat, Joanna Newsom on harp (and harpsichord/bird sounds). Alex G and Elliott Smith on rhythm guitar. Brittney Parks (of Sudan Archives), Macie Stewart (of Finom), and Andrew Bird on violin. Paul de Jong (of The Books) on cello. Joni Mitchell circa Blue on guitar and vocals. Julien Baker and Dionne Warwick circa Make Way for Dionne Warwick on harmonies (and Julien on piano too). Mick Fleetwood on drums. Frank Ocean produces. Max Richter arranges the strings.

ATH: Any road survival or SXSW survival tips for newbie bands? What are some must haves to survive the road?

Get some groceries before you get into Austin — if you can make a couple meals at your Airbnb/hotel/friend’s house, you’ll be so set. Keep a granola bar and bottle of water in your bag. Make time to see your friends and other bands you like!

ATH: What concerns do you have as a band or a human or both? In regards to music, the world, really…where does your mind tend to wander these days?

The world is in a state of total crisis. I think the best thing we can do is remind ourselves that we do have a responsibility to care for each other, and that community is the antidote to individualism.

For now, The Ophelias had this SXSW show to share:

• Wed. March 13 – Austin, TX @ South by Sad Tree SXSW showcase (solo)

Thanks again to Spencer for making the time to answer these questions! As mentioned above, The Ophelias just released this awesome new single “Black Ribbon.” It’s the first single on an upcoming EP entitled Ribbon, which is due out on April 12th. Pre-orders are live!