Boston Band Crush Archived Article: Festival Crush: Mean Creek at SXSW

This article originally appeared on Boston Band Crush ). Mean Creek have kindly taken the time to answer our SXSW questions. They’ve been busy lately finishing up a new album, check out their youtube account for some cool in-the-studio making-of videos. Also, we got the skinny that they are previewing new songs from their upcoming record to their myspace this week!

SXSW Interview Questions:
1. Where/When are you playing?

Thursday,
March 19 we are playing the Pirate! Management Showcase @ Room 710, NOON-6pm (our
set time is 1pm), w/ Say Hi, Jason Lytle, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Mason Proper, and
more…and then a night time showcase @ Room12 (our set time is 8:15pm) w/ Cotton
Jones, Twin Tigers, and more…

Friday,
March 20 – Old Flame Records Showcase @ The Thirsty
Nickel, NOON-4pm (our set time: 2pm), w/ Hardy & Walker (of Dead Confederate), Twin
Tigers, and The Winter Sounds

Saturday, March 21- 40 Watt Club
Day Party @ The Sidebar, NOON-6pm (our set time: NOON), w/ Dead Confederate,
Gentleman Jesse,
Twin Tigers, and more, then heading over to play the Planeta En Ritmo Party @
Baby Acapulco (our set time is 6:30pm)

2. How did you get your SXSW gig?

Our label, Old Flame Records, helped us book the majority of them. We
worked hard at it as well, and between the two of us we were able to book some cool shows.

3. Is this your first time at SXSW?

As Mean Creek, yes. Aurore and I used to play as an acoustic duo before forming Mean Creek, and we played SXSW back in 2006.

4. If you’ve gone before, how did it go?

It was a mix of good and bad. Our “official” showcase was a complete joke. They had acoustic acts performing in a random hotel room in the Hilton. They had set up arcade games in the room, as well as a tribute to Dimebag Darrell where they were displaying his guitars. There were about 5 people there when we played. The unofficial showcases we played were much, much better, well attended, and a hell of a lot more fun.

5. How important do you think it is to have an “official” showcase?

I don’t think it’s important at all, for the reasons stated above.

6. What do you hope to achieve by playing at SXSW?

We have a new album coming out on Old Flame Records in July, so we’re hoping to get down there and get the word out about it. Hopefully get to
play in front of some people who can help spread the word about the
album on a national level outside of Boston and people that wouldn’t
normally be able to see us play if we were just playing around our
hometown.

We also look forward to reuniting with some bands we met on tour. It’s a
great meeting place to hang out with your long lost band friends.

We also hope to indulge in some Lone Star beers and $1 breakfast tacos!

7. How do you plan to use the conference (beyond your show) to promote
yourself?

Basically it’s all about the live shows. Like I was saying, tons of people go
down to SXSW from all around the country/world, so the idea is to get
to play for people that wouldn’t normally be able to see us play.

8. Are you attending any of the actual conference? Are you attending
other shows, what shows/bands are you looking forward to?

We’re really looking forward to seeing Dead Confederate who we’re playing
with at the 40 Watt Party. They’re one of our favorites. Also, we’re
super excited to see Cotton Jones play- they’re an incredible band and
great, great people.

As far as conferences go, we won’t be attending any.

9. Do you expect that Boston will have a strong showing this year?

I hope so. There are some good bands going down this year and it should be a lot of fun.

Photo Above by Brynn Breakey