SXSW Interviews 2025 – Hachiku

Maybe you thought we were done previewing bands for SXSW this week? Well maybe you thought wrong! We were not quite finished with all of our previews and have one more for you today coming from Australian based upstarts Hachiku. These are some great and thoughtful responses, and we super appreciate these and all of the responses we’ve received so far. See ya out there! Hit the jump for interview from Hachiku along with tunes and set times.

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

We are called Hachiku! I was born in Detroit, grew up in Germany but have been living in Naarm / Melbourne for the past 8 years. Everyone else in the band is from Australia.

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

We started releasing music in 2017 on Courtney Barnett’s DIY label Milk! Records. We make sort of indie-rock/alt-pop – for our most recent album we got to collaborate with a lot of classical musicians as well as Mary Lattimore on harp so it’s a lot bigger than my previous bedroom recordings. Someone recently described it as “dreamy but avant-garde bedroom pop” which I find quite fitting.

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2025?

We just released our second album The Joys of Being Pure at Heart on Feb 28. This is the start of our 30-date global album release tour, because we are currently self-managed, my brain power is going towards that right now so I haven’t been working on anything new at this stage. I’d love to put out a 7″ version of a couple of the tracks that Mary Lattimore played on that are harp only plus my vocals towards the second half of the year.

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?

It seems like you just gotta do it once in your career at least!! SXSW seems like an exciting melting pot of artists, industry people, and music lovers and a cool opportunity to throw yourself into and see what happens. Our goal is to see cool bands, launch our new album to new people, play in front of some potential US & EU booking agents as well as managers, and have a few business meetings with such to extend the future Hachiku team.

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

We’ve been trying to listen to bands from the state we’re visiting, and also getting ready for some bands we’re playing with like Bibi Club, Akai Solo, Pynch. Our guitarist Nat also put out a compilation on her label called Blossom Buddies. Also Doechii, Shady Nasty and embarrassingly (or not) Jack Johnson.

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?

Looking forward to being surprised and walking into some cool acts! V. V. Pete. Yndling. And even though we get to see them all the time, our Australian buddies Delivery, Stella Bridie and Rowena Wise.

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.

Okay we’ve got Clairo on clarinet, Mary Lattimore on harp, Joanna Newsom on second harp for a stereo effect, Jenny Lee Lindberg on bass, Joni Mitchell on vocals, Jen Sholakis on drums, Yvette Young on guitar.

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

We just bought a “Palm Pal” soft plushie toy who we’ve called Chirpy Boii – she’s available for anyone in the band who needs some comfort on the drive. Definitely ear plugs if you’re sharing one big family-sized room so everyone gets enough sleep. A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.

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? How do you refocus?

It’s been pretty heartbreaking witnessing the recent developments of US politics and general right-wing populist shift in world politics the last few years and the dehumanization that comes with it. I’m sad for every single individual that’s feeling attacked or ostracized – it’s been beautiful playing a couple of shows here with people from the trans community and other minority groups and finding the support we all need to give one another in these challenging times.

Thanks again for making the time for this! Shows this week: