The Untitled Interview #21 - SXSW Edition: Starring Christian Rudder (Bishop Allen)

I'll go ahead and just get this out of the way immediately: Bishop Allen makes music that makes me want to pinch their cheeks, buy them cocktails, and give them bear hugs. In other words, it's delightful, adorable, and charming. I once went through a period of several weeks where on many, many occasions I would listen to the Bishop Allen song "Rain" on repeat for hours and hours and hours, just because it's simply, wonderfully splendid and makes me happy.

Also, their newest long player offering (make sure to get your copy March 10th, friends) is entitled GRRR..., which also endears them to me more than I can say. I mean, it would probably be hard for them to be any more likable. End of story. And finally, finally, finally, I'll get to see them live, down at that little party in Austin next month, SXSW.

I managed to track down a Bishop for some question answering, please see below for the wisdom of Mr. Christian Rudder. For all of you bands that aren't on the SXSW bill, take heart, you might wanna think about heading down there anyway.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Christian Rudder: We're driving in our van; we just got it. It's a great time to shop for a car.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
CR: Razors.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
CR: I think we're playing the Dead Oceans showcase and the Hot Freaks party.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
CR: There's a great band from San Diego called The Wild Goose Chase that we played with a couple times when we were out on the West Coast, and they blew everyone away. They're easily my favorite band right now and I think they're playing 3 or 4 times.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
CR: Going to El Chile, getting a michelada.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
CR: We came in 2004, as, well, outsider artists, since we didn't get in that year. We handed out demos on the street while other bands played. Our only other appearance was more official, in 2006.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
CR: Seeing our other friends in other bands.

mp3: Rain (courtesy the official Bishop Allen site)

[Photo by Maryanne Ventrice]