SXSW 2014 Interview: Dead Stars
Long have we supported the New York’s Dead Stars, so as they prepare to head into Austin for a few days of rock n’ roll at SXSW, we thought it best to give you a quick introduction to the band before you decide that you’ll be better off including them in your viewing plans. Read on for the band’s answers to our thought-provoking questions.
ATH: There was a lot of hubbub last year concerning corporate sponsors and pay to play and what not at SXSW. As a band, what’s your reason for coming to play at the festival?
DS: What do you hope to get out of it?Our reason for going to SXSW this year is just to have fun, play music and meet other bands. We aren’t really looking to get anything specific out of it. The more shows the better.
ATH: For most SXSW sets, you get 30 minutes to leave a lasting impression. What’s your plan of attack? You have a set list mapped out yet?
DS: We usually wait until right before each show to make a set list. It all depends on our mood at the time.
ATH: The festival caters to music fans, but food and booze are an important aspect of the fans and the bands. What’s your band’s food and beverage of choice?
DS: Tacos and beer. What more do you need?
ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town. Who would you ideally like to play with of the 1000s of bands gracing our city? Make your own optimal line-up.
DS: There are way too many bands playing to come up with the perfect line-up. Maybe the one with the biggest crowd or the one with all our friends bands. That sounds good.
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
DS: We are huge fans of the Medieval Festival in Tuxedo Park, NY. Renfair. They have a pub crawl, dragon swing, archery and tons of other cool stuff. You should check it out.
ATH: Let’s say your band has been booked an official showcase at a pop up venue somewhere in the middle of 6th street. The lineup features thrash metal, hip-hop, spoken word, and you. The sound is horrible, the lineup is not your style, and the crowd seems angry at the world. How would your band deal with such a situation?
DS: Easy. We would just do what we always do, play loud and not worry what anyone else thinks.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
DS: QOTSA ‘…Like Clockwork’, Kurt Vile ‘Wakin On A Pretty Daze’, Splashh ‘Comfort’, or Parquet Courts ‘Light Up Gold’. Those records were in pretty heavy rotation on the road.
ATH: The digital age is upon us, like it or not. What are your band’s thoughts on streaming services like spotify, pandora, etc.? Blow em all up? Or embrace the future?
DS: We don’t really have a problem with it. Embrace the future. You can’t stop it.
ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery? Is the conference really completely upside-down?
DS: No not really. It’s just a natural evolution for a festival of this size. Bands are going to find a way to play no matter what. Official showcase or not.
ATH: Flatstock is a crowd favorite. Have you ever been to browse? Find a print to buy? Find a print from one of your shows you didn’t know existing?
DS: No we haven’t been. This year we will check it out though I’m sure.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Waste-Away.mp3]Download: Dead Stars – Waste Away [MP3]