The Untitled Interview #110 – SXSW Edition: Starring Marc St. Louis (Valleys)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

Valleys has come to share with the world a magical, bewitching sonic reverie, you lovely loves of mine. This is a band capable of creating hypnotic, otherworldly trances with their songs, pulling you in and not letting go. Their music is nothing short of beautiful, and that’s a fact. Read on to see what Marc St. Louis has to say about this year’s SXSW. And I must say, making sure you’re in the right place is probably the sagest of all possible advice.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Marc St. Louis: In a red Volvo station wagon.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
MSL: Business cards, iPad, overnight eyelid tightening balm and my helmet.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
MSL: 6 or 7, I think.

LET: Bands you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
MSL: White Hills, Lower Dens.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
MSL: Make sure we are in Austin.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
MSL: As a civilian, Lollapalooza in 1994. Highlights: Boredoms, Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, L7.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
MSL: Inter-band sports.

mp3: Ordinary Dream (Valleys from the Stoner EP)

The Untitled Interview #109 – SXSW Edition: Starring Paul Duncan (Warm Ghost)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

Crazy Warm Ghost/LET tidbit of knowledge: Way back when yours truly was a book/record store maven, one of the perks was getting truckloads of free music. One such record was by a guy called Paul Duncan, and it was so weird and wonderful that I totally fell in smit with it. Years later, Paul Duncan has once again come into my life, this time in the guise of Warm Ghost, his former solo and now joint venture (with Oliver Chapoy). The sound is still weird and wonderful, but a lot heavier on the electronics. Below, Paul talks about SXSW and his plans for Warm Ghost’s first (but probably not last) festival.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Paul Duncan: Taking a plane to east Texas where my folks live, then driving a pickup to Austin. That's how we roll.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
PD: A million dollars for tacos and BBQ.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
PD: We are playing 4 and a possible 5th.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
PD: Laurel Halo…also J Mascis is playing later in the night after us on Wednesday I think. Pretty stoked for that too.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
PD: Stretch from the 5 hour drive and say hey to friends I haven't seen in years.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
PD: Lollapalooza…I was like 15-16. Saw Pavement, Beck, Sonic Youth and…Cypress Hill. I fell asleep on the grass next to a girl with blue hair and an L7 shirt.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
PD: This will be our first one to play, but I like the idea of getting to walk around in the sun with a beer and see other peeps play music.

mp3: Open the Wormhole in Your Heart (Warm Ghost from the Claws Overhead EP)

The Untitled Interview #108 – SXSW Edition: Starring Todd Miller (A Lull)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

Darned if I’m even gonna attempt to shoehorn Chicago’s A Lull into a genre, y’all. The closest I’d get is industrial pop, but even that barely scratches the surface. They clatter and clang and hook their way around songs, and the resulting noise is confounding yet kinda awesome. One-man rhythm section Todd Miller puts his SXSW thinking cap on below. I’m betting he hears “Oye Como Va” in his sleep by now...

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Todd Miller: We just bought a new (to us) van before we went out at the end of February. It seems like we've had nothing but van issues since we've been a band. This is our third one in three years, but unlike the past two, which were fifteen years old, this one is a 2007. For the first time, we feel pretty confident that we will get to where we need to be without major problems (as I'm looking for a piece of wood to knock on).

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
TM: Well, since we've already been out for about a week and a half now and are going to head straight to SXSW after this tour, anything we forgot, we have already picked up along the way. I guess we kind of forgot to figure out a stereo situation in the new van, although it was kind of a money-based decision. We decided not to have a stereo installed with an auxiliary input because we thought we would be able to survive on FM radio for three weeks, but we quickly realized that classic rock stations around the country have identical play lists. And it's getting really old. For example, we've heard "Oye Como Va" by Santana enough times already to last us a lifetime.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
TM: We will be playing four times.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
TM: We're really looking forward to the Schuba's/Lincoln Hall Roundup. Those are two venues in Chicago that we love, so we're really excited to get down there and hang out for Thursday afternoon.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
TM: Last year I had what was, by far, the best BBQ I've ever had. It's was super simple, just brisket, hot links and white bread, no sauce needed. The only problem is that the friend who brought it to us has since moved to New Zealand. So we're on our own for finding it, but I think we're up for the challenge.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
TM: I went to Lollapalooza for the first time in 2008, but I haven't been back since. A couple of the guys in the band have been down to Bonnaroo a couple of times as well. As a band, we played a showcase at SXSW last year and we played this year in January at Tomorrow Never Knows in Chicago at Lincoln Hall. We will also be playing at Middle of the Map in Kansas City in April. We'd love to play as many as we can moving forward since they are a great way to get a lot of people in the same place and offer them a wide variety of music choices.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
TM: Like I said, it's a great way for people to go to one place and see a bunch of different music, and they are great for bands since they are exposed to audiences that they may have not been exposed to otherwise.

mp3: Weapons for War (A Lull from the forthcoming Confetti)

The Untitled Interview #107 – SXSW Edition: Starring Jessie Stein (The Luyas)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

I had the immense pleasure of seeing Montreal’s The Luyas live not too long ago, and my dear dearests they were sensational. Like many of their Montreal band brethren, the band traverses some interesting sonic territory, but they find a way to make their noise sound rather breathtaking at times. Believe you me. You have to see/hear/experience them for yourselves. Songstress Jessie Stein lets us in on her SXSW plans.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Jessie Stein: Big decal covered diesel van.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
JS: My sanity.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
JS: 7 or so!

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
JS: Cass McCombs.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
JS: High-fiving the dudes from Dead Oceans cause it's been months. After that, I want to eat a taco.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
JS: The Royal Winter fair in Toronto is an agricultural festival that I was obsessed with from age 8-15. The first time I went to a music festival it was probably Canadian Music Week or something. I was underage and bands snuck me in back entrances of the clubs. It was awesome.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
JS: Getting to see and meet other bands, I guess.

mp3: Too Beautiful to Work (The Luyas from Too Beautiful to Work)

The Untitled Interview #106 – SXSW Edition: Starring Royal Forest

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

Time to check in with another Austin band, I think. Royal Forest (formerly known as Loxsly) makes quite a jangle, getting their shimmy on while staying true to the Austinian love of the psych rock. It’s a dandy little sound they make, friends, quite splendid, so try them for yourselves. Below, more local SXSW conversationalizing.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Royal Forest: We are lucky enough to live in this fair city of Austin.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
RF: This is Texas, land of the Nuge. If you aren't packing, then you are SOL.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
RF: We typically play about 4-6 shows, but nothing is really confirmed until the week before. When you live in Austin you know the chaos that is SXSW.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
RF: Ke$ha

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
RF: Again, we live here so we have been doing it for 7 years, ROCKING.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
RF: Lollapolooza in Phoenix somewhere in the late 90's. KoRn dropped off the line up earlier in the festival season which was a downer to the 16 year old version of me. I did get to watch Snoop Dogg and get visually molested by MJK of Tool. Atari Teenage Riot played and still is the best noise out of Germany since WWII. They are like Enon on 11 but through a fuzz pedal and less dancey, and really nothing much like them.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
RF: Free food. Last year HOMETAPES did an amazing showcase where they cooked everyone breakfast! It was great.

mp3: You’re a Big Girl Now (Royal Forest from Borrowed Tune/You’re a Big Girl Now – Free Download y’all!) (thanks Meccalecca)

The Untitled Interview #105 – SXSW Edition: Starring Jessica Grassia (Golden Dogs)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

For some reason, whenever I hear the name Golden Dogs, I think of Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs.” Totally irrational, perhaps, but I like to think there’s a smidge of Bowie to be found in the music of these feisty Toronto-ites. They get a little raw with their pop-laden rock, and yours truly sure does dig it. Below, check out what salty yet sweet lady mouthpiece Jessica Grassia has on her mind regarding all things SXSW.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile? Jessica Grassia: Taking the BIG BOY, the Betty White, the Vananarama (our white and gracefully rusted 1992 Dodge Ram van with 360 vision). Last time we went to SXSW it was almost the virgin voyage. Now she's a vet. Still purrin' like a bearcat.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
JG: Swimsuit - never fails.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
JG: So far, one party, one showcase.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
JG: Spoon (always great) - Don't even need to check the schedule. Guaranteed they’re playing somewhere.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
JG: Either Mexican & margaritas or BBQ and beer. First morning, breakfast burritos are a must. On tour, it's amazing how much you think about food. We'll also be staying with our good friend from Toronto who lives in Austin now, so the first thing we'll probably do is sit in his back yard drinking some bubbly water and NOT freezing. SXSW is such a nice escape from Canadian winters. It's hilarious seeing all the pasty white Canucks walking around with their shirt sleeves and pant legs rolled up....

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
JG: The first festival I can remember playing as a band was the Festival of Friends in Hamilton, ON. Sass Jordan was the headliner and it was the first and only show ever I played rhythm guitar - for some reason, that never happened again...I must have been way too good.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
JG: I love the way the vibe of festival completely takes over a city and gives it an identity. I only know Austin in SXSW circumstances, so my idea of Austin is this crazy, wild music-frenzied place where you can walk down the street and someone will hand you a pack of free cigarettes, then you walk into a bar and there's free drinks and a cool band you've never heard of playing while there's band vans driving up and down the streets blaring music and giving out flyers then you see Wayne Coyne and he's rolling down the street in a big bubble while you're following the pack to some Beastie Boys afterparty...everyday at SXSW is like that.

mp3: As Long As You Like (Golden Dogs from the forthcoming Coat of Arms)

The Untitled Interview #104 – SXSW Edition: Starring Grass Widow

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

Bewitching. That’s Grass Widow in one word, my little spellbinders. These three Bay Area ladies make some serious post-rock rock ruckus, but they also make some seriously fetching, lovely harmonies. Together, the two elements prove strikingly hypnotic. I suggest you get thee to their shows.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Hannah Lew:We're flying in to Dallas, playing a festival in Denton, driving to SXSW, then touring east with Wild Flag , then flying home from DC.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
HL:My toothbrush. So cliche.
Lillian Maring: I recently had a dream that I forgot to bring my laptop on a trip, and I was really stressed out. I'm about to jinx myself by saying that I'm usually pretty good about remembering to bring everything I need.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
HL:Probably 6 or so. Some stuff is still in the works.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
HL: Mostly pals from other places like Wet Dog, but it's always fun to see Bay Area buddies like Shannon and The Clams. Not really sure who else is going this year, really we're just planning on seeing everyone we know.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
HL: Getting a taco at Mr. Natural
LM: Playing fetch with our friend's dog, Mr. Baby.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
HL: In terms of official festivals with corporate sponsors etc...I guess Ladyfest SF (2003?) was the most legit festival I attended before SXSW last year.
LM: I actually never attended any festivals. Unless the Ren Fair counts. I take that back, I played the "What U Got?" Fest in Olympia, WA a few years ago, it was a small festival showcasing the talents of local under-age artists.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
HL: Grass Widow has played less than a handful of festivals and I can't say too much in general about festivals as I haven't been to many, but SXSW is a great place to see friends from all over the place.
LM: So many different types of music and their corresponding audiences are all jammed packed into the same vicinity, crossing paths and bumping into each other.

mp3: Shadow (Grass Widow from Past Time)

[photo by Dillon Donovan]