SxSW 2009 Preview: Shearwater

We love Shearwater at Strange Glue - as if you could have doubted it - so it was a given and an honour that we grabbed a few minutes with the band to talk about their upcoming long player and their appearance at this years SxSW Festival.

If you've heard Shearwater's beautifully experimental music before, you'll know that they are most definitely one of the unmissable acts at this year's event. See what they had to say below.

1) How many times have you been to SxSW?

Too many to count. 

2) What's the best thing about being in Austin? What are your tips for visitors?

The Great-Tailed Grackles are really entertaining (you'll know them when you see them), the Mexican food is truly excellent, and if it's warm enough, bring a bathing suit and be sure to hit Barton Springs.

3) Why are you playing SxSW? (Cos we hear the money isn't too good)

It's sort of hard to avoid playing since we live here, though as a friend of mine said the other day, "when you gonna wise up?".  This time we're doing it to hang out with our friends from the UK - sort of a way to take a little trip to London while still sleeping in our own beds.

4) Who are you showcasing for, and where and when can we expect to see you?

We're playing at The Local's showcase on Friday the 20th at 1am, on the 18th floor of the Hilton Garden downtown.  Apparently there's a real piano there.  I'm assured that it'll be done up nicely as a venue, but it's hard not to imagine us playing quietly and aimlessly in the corner while dudes in suits order cocktails and fret about their ever-diminishing portfolios.

Actually, I have a feeling it'll be very nice, since it's right downtown but not down on the street among the crowds and the competing sound systems, and at that point in the evening, who wants to be standing down there?  Maybe there'll even be seats.  Last year there was another band playing so loud right next to us that some of our songs were nearly drowned out.

We're also playing the Mojo magazine party on Saturday the 21st in the afternoon (not sure exactly when), at a place called Mean Eyed Cat.

5) Which other bands/artists are you most looking forward to seeing over music week?

Please forgive me, but I haven't even looked at the roster; I've been working on our new record and haven't come up for air very much.  

6) Will you visit the Film or Interactive sections of SxSW this year? Or is time tight? 

Probably not if they won't let us in for free, which I doubt they will.  The film section is supposed to be great, though, and I have a feeling it's probably more fun than the music section in some ways.

7) What does the rest of 2009 hold for you? 

We're coming to Europe and the UK in May for a fairly extensive tour, which includes shows at The Forum and Union Chapel in London, the ATP and Primavera fests, and some stops in Scandinavia, where we've never been before.  Other than that we're focused on making the new album, so I expect you'll see more of us when it comes out next year.

Further Information:

  Shearwater: Myspace / Official Site

VIDEO: Shearwater - 'Leviathan [LIVE]'

Playing:

March 20 // SxSW The Local Showcase // 18th Floor of the Hilton Garden Hotel, Austin // 01:00