The Veils - SXSW Interview and Video

Website:
www.myspace.com/theveils
www.theveils.com

Hometown:
London, United Kingdom

SXSW Show Times:
Mar 17 8:00P - Elysium, 705 Red River St.
Mar 18 8:00P - SXSW Filter Party @ Lustre Pearl (near Red River)
Mar 19 8:00P - SXSW Bug Music Showcase @ Cedar Street Courtyard
Mar 20 8:00P - SXSW Under the Radar Party @ Emo’s Annex East

What do like most about playing at SXSW?
Last time I played SXSW I was only 20 so I had to sneak into our show through a bathroom window. Your ID laws are insane. This time I can do whatever I want cause I'm legally of age and no bouncer in the world can stop me.

Are you out promoting anything?
Promoting things are what interviews are for, the shows are just all about us figuring out what we're doing and where we'll go next.

Do you have any survival tips?
In Texas a small portion of onion rings is more than enough.

Mon Khmer - SXSW Interview and Video

Website:
www.myspace.com/monkhmer

Hometown:
Brooklyn, New York

SXSW Show Times:
Mar 17 2:00P - The Wave Bar (Roof Terrace)
Mar 18 7:00P - Malverde’s (SXSW - PopGun-Bond Showcase) w/ Holy Ghost!, Free Blood, Casxio, Anamanaguchi
Mar 20 11:45P - University of Texas Block Party Benefit

What do like most about playing at SXSW?
Never even been!  Looking forward to some madness.

Are you out promoting anything?
Got our first LP coming in April, and we're on tour all March.

Are there any bands or musicians that you are looking forward to checking out?
Haven't seen Plants & Animals yet, definitely want to check out Wolf Gang

What are the challenges in playing at SXSW?
I hear people are rarely physically fit enough to handle the experience.

Do you have any survival tips?
Don't skimp on sunscreen, gatorade and coconut water hydrate better than water, sleep on the leeward side of the mountain, and most importantly: live by the gun.

Are you more "stick around, check out music and enjoy the scene" or "play as many shows as possible then get out"?
Absolutely looking forward to checking things out and meeting people and getting some serious BBQ.

Sleepy Sun - SXSW Interview and Video

Website:
www.myspace.com/sleepysun
www.sleepysun.net

Hometown:
San Francisco, California

SXSW Show Times:
March 17th - Emo's Annex: IODA SXSW Day Party
March 18th - Beauty Bar: Bay Bridged SXSW Day Party
March 19th - TBA
March 20th - Peckerheads: Rollingstone.com/Rhapsody SXSW Day Party
March 20th - Encore Patio on 7th & Red River - Official SXSW night showcase

What do like most about playing at SXSW?
Playing a show and then walking a block to catch your friend's band.

Are you out promoting anything?
Our 2nd record Fever will be released in the US on June 1st and May 31st in the EU. We're touring out to SXSW then headed to the East coast to tour with the Arctic Monkeys in April. Our cover of Graham Nash's "Chicago" will be released on May 25th on the Songs for Beginners tribute record. We have two collaborations with UNKLE to be released this year, one of which to be included on their forthcoming record due in May 2010.

Are there any bands or musicians that you are looking forward to checking out?
Check out Mondo Drag, Chylde, and Smoke & Feathers on March 17th at Cheers. For the most part, we haven't checked out much of the lineups. More exciting to show up and cruise about.

What are the challenges in playing at SXSW?
Keeping yourself in check.

Do you have any survival tips?
Drink lots of water in addition to libations.

Are you more "stick around, check out music and enjoy the scene" or "play as many shows as possible then get out"?
Somewhere in between?

The Black Atlantic - SXSW Interview and Video

Website:
www.myspace.com/theblackatlantic
www.theblackatlantic.com

Hometown:
Groningen, Netherlands

SXSW Show Times:
March 18th @ Soho Lounge 8:00 pm
March 19th @ Radisson 7:00 - 7:45 pm (FREE show)
March 20th @ Embassy Suites 7:00 - 7:45 pm (FREE show)

What do like most about playing at SXSW?
We really don't know yet. It's our first time playing it with The Black Atlantic. But, we feel priviliged to take part with all of the great bands taking part in it. Some of our friends' bands are playing. And some of our family will be there to. So, we'll try to enjoy as much of it together as we can.

Are you out promoting anything?
All of the above! We're starting a 4 month stretch of international touring at SXSW. We'll be promoting our debut album "Reverence for Fallen Trees" which we released end of August, 2009 as a free download.

Are there any bands or musicians that you are looking forward to checking out?
Our friends in The Antlers, who also played on our record. Dustin O'Halloran, Bowerbirds, Here We Go Magic, Surfer Blood. And, I'm psyched to go see Motörhead!

What are the challenges in playing at SXSW?
The same as for any other unknown foreign band: drawing a crowd and finding people interested in working with us in the future. But, we're not worried about it.

Do you have any survival tips?
No, not really. I think the main thing is just to enjoy it as much as you can.

Are you more "stick around, check out music and enjoy the scene" or "play as many shows as possible then get out"?
Both!

Any additional comments?
Please feel free to download our record (for free) via our website: www.theblackatlantic.com

Julie The Band - SXSW Interview and Video

Website:
www.myspace.com/julietheband
www.julietheband.com

Hometown:
Venice, California

SXSW Show Times:
Key Bar, March 17th 9pm

What do like most about playing at SXSW?
I like the fact that it is a place where true music fans in the industry go to discover new music and see bands they love. The industry folk are there to learn and to soak in the music, and that creates a really vibrant exciting energy. Austin is a great town as well. There are amazing bands!!!!

Are you out promoting anything?
We will be promoting our upcoming EP, "Wild As The Sky". The songs are leaning toward an Alt-Country feel. We will also be touring in the end of April and early May to Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, and a few other spots. We plan on doing a video per song on this EP.

Are there any bands or musicians that you are looking forward to checking out?
Been really into Dawes and Dr. Dog. Hope to see them there!

What are the challenges in playing at SXSW?
Its over saturated at SX. The competition is fierce! SO MANY BANDS...its like going to a museum and after a few hours you get burnt and don't appreciate anymore. The other thing is its nearly impossible to get booked without representation from a PR or Media company, so true indie bands get overlooked. The other thing is no one pays an indie band during that time so you pretty much have to come out of pocket to be there.

Do you have any survival tips?
Keep Breathing, drink lots of water. find something and someone you love.

Are you more "stick around, check out music and enjoy the scene" or "play as many shows as possible then get out"?
We are very hungry to play and work. We would love to play as much as possible and see as much music as possible. its only worth going if you have the attitude of trying to get the most out of it as possible. on all fronts!!!!

Any additional comments?
We are grateful to be playing and making music. SXSW is a great platform for indie bands to be seen...We just hope we get the opportunities to be seen and heard!!