The Untitled Interview #75 – SXSW Edition: Starring The Spring Standards

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.

The Spring Standards is a charming, charming band, my friends. This cluster of New Yorkers makes a sound that is both lovely and endearing, and more than a little nostalgic. At times they don't even sound like a modern band, hearkening back as they do to days long before iPods and even long before mod cons like TV and the telephone. It's a little twangy, a little chirpy, and oh so delightful. Read on to see how The Spring Standards will be approaching this year's SXSW.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
The Spring Standards: Automobile! We are traveling by sprinter, cause we need to GET there!...and it sprints...(see what we did there?)

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
TSS: You wouldn't think it, but...tooth paste, deodorant and or a pillow. It's always the most obvious things that we forget.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
TSS: So far we have one official showcase and a few parties. We keep hopping on more parties, so not sure of the exact number yet.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
TSS: What a question. There are quite a few this year. But going off last year, I think we're more excited about the bands we've never heard of. With the amazing "see anything" wrist bands that we're lucky enough to get, we get to see all sorts of new bands. That's one of the best parts about South By...you really get the chance to see and hear amazing bands you've never heard of. So expect to see us walking from spot to spot checking out everything and anything.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
TSS: Getting a really spicy chili dog, then going to Barton Springs!!

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
TSS: We have all seen a few festivals in our day, but I can safely say that the Philadelphia Folk Fest was our first real festival. Camping, watching music, seeing things we shouldn't have seen at that age...the usual festival experience. We were lucky enough to play that festival after years of attending as audience members. It was something else to be a part of it in a whole new way after watching it for so many years.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
TSS: The crazy-wonderful and crazy-crazy people that you meet. So many people are there to hear and see and play new music. It's effing exciting as hell. You get to see awesome new music with other people. The energy of a festival is something that only people who have been to a festival or some other sort of huge group gathering can understand. It's such a positive and wonderful experience.

mp3: Queen of the Lot (The Spring Standards from Would Things Be Different) (via Foundwaves)