The Untitled Interview #88 – SXSW Edition: Starring Rob Coles (Little Comets)

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.

Some of you might equate Newcastle, England more with the kind of Newcastle you can imbibe moreso than a city prone to churning out killer bands. Well, my little beer-guzzling friends, let me introduce you to Little Comets. These lads from the North East of Blighty are attempting a US invasion down in Austin, and with their charming, impish yet solid little rock jangle, I suspect they might just be successful. Mouthpiece/guitarist Rob Coles took some time out of travel-related fretting to answer the questions below.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Rob Coles: We are getting a van to Gatwick at 4:30am, then two planes. We're going to be pretty hyper though so the tiredness incurred through travel will no doubt be cancelled out by excitement and sugary treats.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
RC: Different things for different people: Mark - passport (or it'll be out of date, or he'll be arrested at customs for sarcasm), Mickey - toiletries, Matt - charm and me hmmmm probably most things as I'll be too worried about the other three.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
RC: At the minute we're playing two: both at the UK Embassy. One is for Huw Stephen's off of the BBC and the other for Generator - a North East England arts body! I think we're also going to play quite a few impromptu little acoustic sets wherever it seems appropriate.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
RC: Probably Foster the People and Das Racist.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
RC: Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. Try to avoid Mark at customs, because he is 90% sure to be rectally examined.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
RC: Erm.... our first proper festival experience was at Latitude in the Suffolk countryside. It was a really amazing atmosphere, just a buzz with music, comedy, drama and people. Hopefully SXSW will be similar but I expect the environment will be slightly different to a field near Ipswich.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
RC: Either the bad food or the toilets, or accidentally bumping into a piece of music that you've never heard before and really enjoying it.

mp3: Joanna (Acapella) (Little Comets from In Search of Elusive Little Comets) (Merci, This Bonus Track)