The Untitled Interview #86 – SXSW Edition: Starring Tôg

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.

Ain't no party like a Norwegian party, y'all. Maybe it's a byproduct of excessively long nights in winter and crazy short nights in summer, but Norway's Tôg know a thing or two about keeping the party going. If you're down in Austin and feel like getting your kicks while shakin' your hips, you might just wanna make a date with these folks. Below, the Norwegian's guide to SXSW.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Tôg: Plane from Oslo, via New York.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
Tôg: Toothbrush and an extra mobile phone to avoid high phone bills calling with our Norwegian phones.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
Tôg: Tues March 15 @ Scoot Inn Inside Stage (7pm) Austin, TX
Wed March 16 @ Cherrywood Outdoor Stage (8pm) Austin, TX
Thurs March 17 - Panache Booking SXSW Showcase @ Red 7 Outside Stage (9:10pm) Austin, TX
(w/ Oh Sees, Janka Nabay, Gary Wilson, Surf City, O'Death, Grass Widow)
Sunday March 20 - Panache Hangover Party @ Beerland (6pm) Austin, TX
4 gigs it seems.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
Tôg: Our friends in Datarock always put on a good party, so we want to hang out at their show. I also want to see Strange Boys, Silje Nes and Ty Segall. There is so much music going on there that I’m sure we’ll end up seeing a lot more when we get to know the programme more and people in the know of the local music scenes.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
Tôg: Probably mostly boring and tacky stuff. There’s the renting of backline issue, but also what all bands do when they haven’t been to Texas before: get cheesy cowboy hats, boots and feel like you’re the first band doing it, and PULLING IT OFF(!).

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
Tôg: I think it was the Haldern-Pop Festival in Germany, with my former band playing. Tôg’s drummer Jørgen also played in that band. They had an amazing mirrortentvenue, an amazing lake and lots of great bands.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
Tôg: That you have to get used to the fact of you not being able to see and experience lots of great music, and appreciate where you are there and then.

mp3: Sansen (Tôg from the forthcoming Reint Mel (I Påsen Din) )