SXSW Interviews 2026 – Sunforger

Phew, what!? You’re telling me SXSW kicks off later THIS WEEK!? Well yeah I knew that, but wow if things didn’t really sneak up on me this year, more so than any prior festival. So things “officially” start going down on Thursday, but you are sure to see some things starting today and of course into what is sure to be a wild weekend. We have another preview for you today, this time with Montreal based act Sunforger. As always, full interview, show dates and tunes will be after the jump.

Most answers come from band member Spencer Curtis, with responses from other members noted. Huge thank you for giving some great responses and insight into the current turbulent climate.

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

Spencer Curtis: Our band is called Sunforger. We’re from Montreal, Quebec.

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

SC: People have described us as “weird punk”, “fast slowcore”, and “post-everything”. We’ve also heard “Jar of Flies meets Spiderland”. We hired a bio writer who says: “Sunforger make tenebrous guitar music, a sort of warped post-grunge brimming with spectral atmosphere and elliptical song structures….stacked layers of caterwauling fuzz guitars, brooding vocals, and laserpoint rhythm parts melded together almost alchemically…”

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2026 you’re comfortable sharing?

SC: Our last release was an EP called Auspices, released in July 2025. It’s a concise exercise we wrote, recorded, and released quickly as we were wrapping up our next album. That album is coming May 5, 2026 via Julia’s War and Cooked Raw [and is being announced on March 9 of this year along with the first single, “Say Sorry.” It’s our biggest-sounding music yet, and we’re hyped as hell to share it.

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?

SC: We chose to play SXSW because it’s an iconic fest with an instantly recognizable name. It’s a big deal to play, the kind of thing that looks good on your CV, and we’re stoked to have been asked to do it. Our aims are to slay our shows, see dope bands, and meet booking agents, festival delegates, journalists, and sync people. We’d love to connect with people who can help us grow, and send emails for us.

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

SC: Thee Physical by Pictureplane.
Piper: I think Friend by James K was my most listened to album of 2025. Recently mostly radio and NTS shows.
Chris: I’ve been listening to hats by the blue nile a lot and the new deathcrash album.
Kier: fib album from last year, brian eno, new gash/taurus judge.

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?

SC: I’m trying to see Mx Lonely, Bloodsports, Total Wife, Trophy Wife, and Cashier. I made a longer list of bands that sound cool, but these are the ones who are friends of friends, or whose music we already listen to.

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.

Chris: chickenfoot already exists

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

SC: Bring a French press and coffee on the road with you. If you’re like me and wake up early no matter what, or if you’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s sick to be able to make coffee wherever/whenever. Piper brings instant oatmeal everywhere. Chris listens to white noise to sleep.

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?

SC: Well, we’re deeply concerned about many things happening in the U.S. and the world that made us pause a moment before accepting our SXSW offer. It’s difficult to not be a total doomer, and to fear for the safety of immigrants and citizens alike, touring bands, people in other countries, etc. Also, economic policies from our respective governments (we’re from Canada) are putting our countries at odds at the expense of ordinary people, which is super dumb and unfortunate. Canadian bands look to the U.S. for growth, and U.S. music has always been huge for us. It’s a shame that tariffs and visas depress our ability to freely share in each other’s music worlds.

ATH: SXSW has changed a ton from year to year, with this year adding a lot of new aspects and totally altering the festival as we used to know it. If you’re a returning band, how did you anticipate things might be different for you this year? Anything you wish had stayed the same or any changes you look forward to discovering?

SC: It’s our first time so we’re just stoked to take it as it is.

Thanks again for making this time!

Current known dates for the band:

March 14th, 12:15am @ Swan Dive – Pop Montreal Showcase