SXSW Interviews: No Swoon + Wait to See Video

We’re continue to roll out our SXSW coverage this week, with a new one from No Swoon; it just so happens to coincide with the band dropping a brand new video today for their track “Wait to See,” from their forthcoming album, Take Your Time. I figure SXSW will be a great way for folks to sample the duo’s sounds, then prep their ears for the Spring release. Click below for the interview with Tasha and Zack, and at the bottom, you’ll find that new hit video!

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

T: No Swoon from Los Angeles.

ATH: Describe your groups sound.

Z: Someone once described us sounding like a band that would play the DIY venue in the Twilight Zone. I think that is pretty accurate.

ATH: What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2022?

T: We released our first album Fall of 2019 and then released a few demos in 2020-2021 while working on a new record. Our latest release is a single called Beside which is off of our upcoming sophomore album (out April 8th).

ATH: Everyones been focused on the negative aspects of the last few years? What are a few good things that came about for you as an individual or the band as a whole during the last two pandemic-stricken years?

T: Honestly, its been really hard to find the good things that came out of the last few years, but we were able to record a new album and eventually moved closer to most of my family after being across the country for 10 years.

Z: A new record is pretty good. Also getting to make music with friends and people who have worked on some of our favorite records of all time was pretty special.

ATH: Why play SXSW? Whats the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?

T: Weve never played SXSW before. We were supposed to in 2020, but we all know what happened then. Im looking forward to connecting with other bands and old friends.

Z: Also pretty excited about eating BBQ.

ATH: Lets say your band has 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 antsy. How would your band deal with such a situation?

Z: I think we just do what we always do. We are who we are and we sound like how we sound. Besides, I’ve never understood why lineups are so siloed. Who wants to hear the same band 5 times in a row?

ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town, but if you could create your own perfect festival, who would you have playing? Would it have a sick name? Where would it take place?

T: Beach House, Perfume Genius, Cate Le Bon, somehow bring Cocteau Twins back, Japanese Breakfast, Moses Sumney, FKA Twigs, and lets throw The Cure in there because, why not?

Z: Yeah – thats a great lineup. And maybe for me a jazz stage: Wayne Shorter, Bill Frisell, Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Jeff Parker.

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

T: I cant stop listening to the new Cate Le Bon record. The Flaming Lips and Beach House always make for good driving music, too. Also, I have to throw some Mariah Carey in there.

Z: Right now: Broadcast, Helado Negro, Juana Molina.

ATH: Theres been a lot of discussion about Spotify and streaming and all that these last few monthswhere does the band stand? Whats your solution?

Z: Spotify just doesnt pay musicians enough. Daniel Ek is literally a billionaire and most musicians I know cant afford healthcare. That is deeply wrong. The solution is that the money Spotify and the major labels make should be redistributed to working class musicians. A musicians fund that has mandatory contributions from DSPs is one potential solution. Or a nationalized streaming service that isnt bound by market pressure and doesn’t compensate based on per unit sales could ensure musicians are paid fairly for their labor.

ATH: The band gets to create their own food truck to take on the road. Whats it called, and what are you serving?

T: The truck would be called Pepperoni Pizza and it would only serve pepperoni pizza, a la Joes in NYC (apologies to vegetarians and vegans).