Meet the SXSW Band: Izzy Heltai

Well it is officially March now so we should all be feeling at least some level of excitement for the madness of SXSW ahead in just a couple of weeks. We are continuing some coverage today with yet another interview of showcasing artists, this time from Boston based Izzy Heltai. Full interview, along with some tunes and possible show dates are all after the jump.

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

Izzy Heltai. Boston, Massachusetts.

Describe your group’s sound using only adjectives or superlatives.

charming, cheerful, fuzzy, chill, short

What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2023?

“running out” My new song 🙂

A couple more songs planned to come out this year!

Why play SXSW? What’s the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?

We’ve got a lot of friends from a lot of different places that’ll be in town. I’m just excited to see a bunch of people I love and rarely get to see. SXSW is legendary and we are so stoked we get to take part in it!

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? Feel free to disregard the rules of time and space.

Ok if i’m putting on a festival I wanna to see only pop rock bands from the early 2000’s. Headliners include: Goo Goo Dolls, Sheryl Crow, Matchbox 20, Third Eye Blind. I’m throwing The Shins in there too. I know how lame this sounds, but this is all 13 year old me would want.

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

The band is super into The Huberman Lab podcasts. In terms of music, they’re jam band guys. They want Tedeschi Trucks Band and Goose and I want indie. I’ve been loving recent releases from Samia, Annie Dirusso and Medium Build. We also all love HARDY. We play the song Boots before every show we play.

Obviously you have seen or heard about the issues coming up this year about fair pay for artists at SXSW? Care to offer any insight or comment?

I actually haven’t and don’t feel I have enough information to comment!

We’ve been seeing more and more artists get into the food and beverage game, whether it’s pierogis from Pavement or Deftones’ beer. If you ever got into the game, what would be your food or beverage and what would it be called?

Easy. Falafel truck. We’re talkin, falafel wraps, best hummus in the game, fresh pita for days. I am very bad at naming things 🙁

• Wed March 15 – Chicken Ranch Records Showcase @ Hole in the Wall