Meet the SXSW Band: Smut
Smut caught my attention way back in 2020 with their Power Fantasy 7″, then followed that up with How the Light Felt, so rest assured, you’ve read about them before on this here site. But, I haven’t caught them live as of yet, so they’re definitely high upon my list for acts I’d love to see in an intimate setting. Read on to Meet the SXSW Band, with scheduled dates and such following the jump!
ATH: What’s the name of the band/group? Where are you from?
Hi were Smut. Were from all over, but we live in Chicago.
ATH: Give us a short pitch for your band, describing sound, ambiance or whatever you feel like.
Our songs feel like opening a pressure release valve.
Tay – Our band has a nervous energy that quickly dissolves to anguish and anger and back again wrapped up in a little pop rock bow. (Anger and sadness via catchy rock tunes)
ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2024?
We released an album in late 22 called How the Light Felt. No planned releases in 24 as of yet!
Tay – We are at the very least recording a new album this year, no ETA on release as of now.
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 are stoked to be on some really cool showcases this year, which we plan on making the most of by bothering people into making new friends (lol) We are also hitting Spillover fest on the way out. Come say hey if you run into us!
(We got put on showcases that made it worth going this year, plus were heading to Ft Worth for Spillover Fest which were excited for)
ATH: What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus?
Our tastes are all over the place. were all big music heads really. We bump a lot of Prefab Sprout and My Chem in the van, generally.
Tay – I’ve been almost exclusively listening to Fantasies by Metric for the last couple months.
ATH: If youve 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?
WE LOVE FRIKO!!!
Tay – I’m also hoping to catch Dry Cleaning, Kelz, and Maura Weaver!
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.
Tay – No one should have that power. But, tbh for me it would just be a combo of our current band members plus Damon Albarn.
ATH: Any road survival or SXSW survival tips for newbie bands? What are some must haves to survive the road?
Make a google calendar of your showcases so you don’t forget and almost miss one. I’m also putting this out there, that if anyone from the SXSW committee reads this. Bring back the Jansport backpacks – aka the ultimate SX survival bag!
Tay – Find people to stay with so you don’t waste all your money on surge priced hotels.
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?
Tay – Well there are about four genocides happening as I type this answer so that’s at the forefront. There’s generally so much to be concerned about in the world, and a lot of governments failing their people in pursuit of power. Humanity has always taken a backseat to greed in the world and its incredibly fucked up how little care there is left by the people leading it.
Scheduled Shows:
3/13 – Paste @ High Noon- 1:20PM
3/13 – SXSW Official @ mohawk – 7PM
3/14 – Bayonet @ Spiderhouse – 2:30PM
3/15 – Creem x TMR @ 13th floor – 12:30PM