This article originally appeared on Boston Band Crush ). The lovely Erin Harpe of Lovewhip kindly told us all about her SXSW experience future and past!
SXSW Interview Questions:
1. Where/When are you playing?
I am playing all unofficial showcases. Seven of them so far and an eighth is being worked on right now. I am also part of an americana/roots fest called NOTSXSW.
Tue, Mar 17 Evangeline Cafe 8106 Brodie Lane Austin TX 8-10pm
Wed, Mar 18 Maria’s Taco Express 2529 South Lamar Blvd Austin, Texas 6pm
Thurs, Mar 19 G & S Lounge 2420 S. 1st St. (Herndon Ln. and Oltorf St.) 4:30pm
Thurs, Mar 19 Opal Devine’s at Penn Field 3601 South Congress 7pm
Fri, Mar 20 Antone’s Record Shop 2928 Guadalupe 3pm
Fri, Mar 20 Amelia’s 2213 South 1st St. 5:30pm
Sat, Mar 21 Evangeline Cafe 8106 Brodie Lane Austin TX 3-5pm
2. How did you get your SXSW gigs?
My bass player/husband Jim Countryman is a booking madman!
3. Is this your first time at SXSW?
I went last year both solo and with my band. My band Lovewhip played
4 unofficial shows including a movie release party for porn star Ron
Jeremy. It was called Spunked, a play on Punked. We met Penny Flame,
but Ron himself got stuck in the UK, or something. They had a 12 foot screen playing the movie on a continuous loop. Large shots of Ron and friends! Very Large! I played three solo acoustic blues shows as well to great response. They love acoustic blues in Texas. As do the French for some reason.
What a fun time we had. Playing outside in March when it’s in the 70’s is such an ideal gig. There are something like 50,000 musicians all playing and partying in one place. The gigs were fun, we got taken out to a lunch meeting with an LA guy, and learned to really love Lone Star beer and taco’s!
4. How important do you think it is to have an “official” showcase?
It may be a little better exposure, but if you have an official
showcase you often can’t play an unofficial one. It is such a madhouse it probably doesn’t matter, you meet people everywhere, be it official or unofficial.
5. What do you hope to achieve by playing at SXSW?
I hope to get some sun! Boston is not very nice this time of year. I
also hope to make some friends with international bookers and dj’s. A tour to Europe is in the works.
6. How do you plan to use the conference to promote yourself?
It’s a great way to meet other musicians from other parts of the
country. Hooking up with new friends makes touring that much easier.
Other than that, it’s kind of like a vacation that is tax deductible!
7. Are you attending any of the actual conference? Are you attending other shows, what shows/bands are you looking forward to?
Not attending the conference. Admission tix for that is something
like $400-500. I’d rather spend that money on a hotel. If someone gave me a pass I would definitely go! I really like electro and dj stuff, the parties will be endless. Last year there was an all night dance party on a bridge. Once you get there find a copy of the local music newspaper that has all of the unofficial shows listed. Often shows/parties have free food and beer. Very often!
8. Do you expect that Boston will have a strong showing this year?
Seems like it. You can spot us on the first day because we are so
white and pasty, and by the end of the week, sunburned red! Lots of
outdoor fun going on, what a great way to break the old man winter of the north.
photo above by Jim Countryman
