The Untitled Interview #18 - SXSW Edition: Starring Dave Thorpe (Pete and the Pirates)

Many of you already know how I feel about impish Reading quintet Pete and the Pirates. For those of you that don't, I'll give it to you straight. I love them madly, a la Morrison. I love them like crazy. I love them seven ways to Sunday (and every day inbetween). There is something so endearing, so lovable about their punchy, saucy songs and crisp, angular guitars. Their music is a potent mix of youthful exuberance and sly cheek, and in my humble opinion, their debut album from last year was simply charming. After hearing some new tunes on the radio of late, I'm seriously excited to see what these Pirates have been getting up to.

And, as luck would have it, we'll all be at SXSW together. O, happy day. Pirate Dave (AKA Dave Thorpe, purveyor of guitar sass) kindly answered my SXSW warm-up questions, so check those out below. Evidently, the band is going to be just a wee bit busy during the course of their stay in Austin.

It might help if you were to listen to the Pirates whilst reading, for the total Pete & the Pirates experience. Just a suggestion.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?

Dave Thorpe: Plane.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:

DT: My camera.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?

DT: 7 or 8 I think?

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?

DT: Micachu and No Age.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?

DT: Depending on the time of day, either some breakfast at the Mexican restaurant with the seats out the back through the kitchen, or have a couple o' beers at the martini bar with the wood decking outside.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?

DT: I think the first festival we played at was one called Tapestry Goes West in South Wales. It was held in a country park in the shadows of a giant powerstation, there was an english medieval theme, we ate hog roast, drank mead and watched jousting, and saw Country Teasers and Brian Jonestown Massacre.