SxSW 2009 Preview: Thao With The Get Down Stay Down

Thao With The Get Down Stay Down. A strange name to say the least.

Their latest album We Brave Bee Stings And All was released back in 2008 to waves of acclaim with critics and fans alike and so we at Strange Glue thought it was necessary to catch up with the San-Franciscans and see how they felt about playing at this years SxSW Festival in Texas.

1) How many times have you been to SxSW?

None. every year people have been asking and I've felt oddly bad about myself and so it's nice to feel different. 

2) What's the best thing about being in Austin? or if you've not been before.... What are your tourism related plans?

BARTON SPRINGS, the breakfast burritos, the warmth, my cowboy boots have other cowboy boot friends, our austin family members leah and jenny and dan and jenny and dan's baby who likes our music. babies are our new target demographic.

3) Why are you playing SxSW? (Cos we hear the money isn't too good)

we are coming mostly to show support and affection for our record label, Kill Rock Stars, and to play in other showcases as long as we are here because they were kind enough to invite us, and also to see and work with Bob Boilen of NPR again. i think he is rad and i would do anything he asked. within reason. Plus it is a lot of our great friends and colleagues gathering together to get drunk and accidentally sentimental.

4) Who are you showcasing for, and where and when can we expect to see you?

Mar 18 2009 12:00 SXSW KRS Day Party-Club DeVille Austin, Texas. Mar 19 2009 12:00 SXSW, NPR Day Show -The Parish Austin, Texas. Brooklyn Vegan party Thursday afternoon at Radio Room. Mar 19 2009 8:00P SXSW, Hotel Café Showcase - The Parish Austin, Texas. Mar 20 2009 8:00P SXSW, KUT Showcase - Momo’s Austin, Texas. Mar 21 2009 3:45P- Mess With Texas

you can expect to see me around all those show times and venues and ALSO I am on an NPR song-writing panel hosted by my dream Bob Boilen. On friday, I think. but I hear you need a badge to get in. Do I get a badge? shit... Waterloo Park

5) Which other bands/artists are you most looking forward to seeing over music week?

Our label mates The Thermals, all of our other KRS mates, our dear friends and touring companions Tune-Yards, and Sister Suvi, Avett Brothers, i don't know who else is playing, but i bet there's a lot, and i bet i would like them.

6) Will you visit the Film or Interactive sections of SxSW this year? Or is time tight?

I think we are booked pretty solidly but i would be very interested in visiting. the other factor is i don't do well in chaotic, heavily trafficked situations. i just stand still facing a wall and wait for someone i know to swoop me up. so if they don't swoop me towards the film or interactive sections it probably won't happen.

7) What does the rest of 2009 hold for you?

we have a full US tour from April 16th- may 17th and then we will tour a bit in the summer and finish our new record which will be out in October. unless i decide to stay in austin and roll around in Barton Springs, in which case THAT is the rest of 2009 and beyond.

Further Information:

  Thao With The Get Down Stay Down: Myspace / Official Site

VIDEO: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - 'Bag of Hammer'

Playing:

March 18 - SXSW KRS Day Party // Club DeVille, Austin // 12:00 (Midday)
March 19 - SXSW NPR Day Show //The Parish, Austin // 12:00 (Midday)
March 19 - Brooklyn Vegan Party // Radio Room, Austin
March 19 - SXSW, Hotel Café Showcase // The Parish, Austin // 20:00
March 20 - SXSW, KUT Showcase // Momo’s, Austin
March 21 - Mess with Texas // 15:45