SXSW Interview: GRLwood

Part of the fun in SXSW is discovering new bands both before and during the festival as you see where the wind takes you. For me, Kentucky based scream pop group GRLwood is one of those new bands and I’m already really digging what I’m hearing. From the small sampling of music I’ve listened to today, I can tell that this band must put on one hell of a live performance. Hit the jump to read their responses to our SXSW questions.

Questions were answered jointly by band members Karen Ledford and Rej Forester.

ATH: Whats the name of the band/group? Where are you from?

GW: GRLwood. Louisville, Kentucky.

ATH: Describe your groups sound.

GW: Angry scream-pop.

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases from 2020?

GW: I Sold My Soul to The Devil When I Was 12. We are releasing singles right now. and we will continue to release singles throughout 2020 leading up to an album drop.

ATH: For most SXSW sets, you get 30 minutes to leave a lasting impression. Whats your plan of attack? You have a set list mapped out yet?

GW: We will play our usual setlist. Our plan of attack is to be ourselves and have a good time.

ATH: Lets 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 is growing ancy. How would your band deal with such a situation?

GW: Be ourselves and have a good time. We love diverse music and soundscapes and we love mixed genre bills. The crowd can feel however they want to feel, that’s on them. We are here to have fun, and play bangers, and nothing can stop us.

ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town. Of the 1000+ bands coming into town, who would you ideally like to play with. Which band friends will be here?

GW: The band LUNG from Ohio are good buddies of ours. Always excited to see them.

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

GW: Everything from Rihanna, I Wrestled a Bear Once, to euro dance 2000’s playlist, and jazz.

ATH: Describe your perfect festival, real or not? Whos headlining? Wheres it take place? Etc.

GW: Bjork, Marilyn Manson and Rihanna are all headlining together on the same stage. It’s gonna take place on a river barge in Kentucky.

ATH: Whats on the bands rider? If were bringing you food and booze, what can we bring you?

GW: Fruit, oat bars, pizza rolls, fried chicken, dog treats.

ATH: The band gets to create their own taco pop-up shop at SXSW? Whats the name, and what sort of tacos will you have? Any sides?

GW: “Cafe Tu Mam.” Come to mama. We will serve sushi tacos drenched in lime, cilantro and tomato. And moms. There were be moms everywhere. Everyone will be a mom. Happy Mothers Day, from Cafe Tu Mam, to you.