You’ve already heard from Brisbane’s An Horse, but while I was in at the SXSW Aussie BBQ, I chatted briefly with a few other Australian bands performing at SXSW. Here’s what they had to say about their experiences.
RICKY KRADOLFER Guitar and Vocals – CITY RIOTS (Adelaide)
”We’re here playing at the Australian BBQ (in Austin), and it’s been a wonderful few days… we almost got in trouble by the police before, because we were apparently unloading in an area we weren’t supposed to unload in. So we did a little U turn, making out that we were turning, but then we stopped, bailed out of the car, and grabbed all our gear, before they could arrest us, and ran off with all our guitars. So we made it here in time!
It’s been great, we’ve seen lots of bands. Saw Band of Skulls last night who were freakin’ amazing. And now just enjoying the sausages and the great Australian music here today!”
PAUL DEMPSEY Guitar and Vocals – PAUL DEMPSEY (Melbourne)
So you’re here for the first time as a solo artist?
Paul: Yes, Something for Kate has been to SXSW before, but this is my first time doing my own thing.
What have your SXSW experiences been like over the years?
Paul: It’s been great, and it just gets better every year as far as I can tell. This is better again than the last time I was here. I just gets better organised, it seems like more venues have outdoor stages set up.
And what of the crowds? I imagine it’s a bit different to what you’re used to?
Paul: Yeah, it’s a bit more hectic, cause everyone’s trying to see twenty things in one day, so you get a room full of people, and then they vanish because they’ve got to run to the next show. It’s hectic, it’s intense, but it’s really good.
Johnny, Ryan and Heath of CHILDREN COLLIDE (Melbourne)
So we’re at SXSW, is this your first time here?
Johnny: Second!
Can you tell us a bit about your experiences at SXSW? What does it mean to you as a festival?
Ryan: I had long hair last time!
Johnny: So it means shorter hair for Ryan!
I’ve really enjoyed this time, seen some amazing bands. It was a bit difficult the first time, but this time we’ve really taken advantage of it. Seen people like Thurston Moore, Band of Horses – so famous people, to up and coming bands like Warpaint – to old, psychedelic Japanese dudes and great Australian bands here today as well.
It’s like… well, no it IS a music festival, and you’ve got to treat it like that. *Ryan and Heath make sounds of disagreement* No but seriously! Yeah, it’s a bunch of industry people trying to get things out of bands, but when you’re just there enjoying music, it’s really fun!
And what about the crowds here? How do they compare to a normal show?
Ryan: They’re small!
Johnny: It’s kind of like playing a show in Melbourne when no one knows you. A bunch of people doing that *folds arms*.
Ryan: Yeah, and there’s a lot to choose from, so you’ve really got to work your arse off to impress people. And they expect that. But if they respond, then you know you’re doing something right.
Who have been highlights of the bands you’ve seen?
Heath: Road Warrior. Road Warrior were fucking insane. In a car park, a bunch of 50 year old Japanese people from like, 1348, with Axes – it was chaos man, it was really cool.
Ryan: Band of Horses were mine. They were incredible.
Johnny: I shed tears in Band of Horses. And yeah, check out Warpaint. I’m at least their number five fan.
A special thanks to Jessica Kalucy who filmed these three interviews for us. They’ll be part of a special video we’re putting together about SXSW. Keep your eyes peeled!
