The Untitled Interview #158 – Hopscotch Edition: Starring Kevin Alvir (The Hairs)

If there’s one thing I love, it’s going to a new festival for the first time. And this weekend yours truly shall be heading down to Raleigh for some serious festival goodness in the form of Hopscotch. With a varied, all sorts of awesome lineup, I have no doubt this weekend will be a hot diggity dog dandy. I tracked down some of the most interesting out-of-town prospects playing Hopscotch this year to get their collective take on the joy of fests.

Man alive, y'all. I'm really fallin' in love with The Hairs. These New Yorkers carry the torch for Flying Nun's golden era (think The Clean, especially), as well as capturing that glorious lo-fi jangle of cityfolk Beach Fossils. They're charming, nothing less. Rest assured you'll be hearing more about them on this here blog. For now, Kevin Alvir talks about festivals, stormy weather, and the deliciousness of certain adult beverages.

Fuzzy Logic: How are you getting to Hopscotch: plane, train, or automobile?
Kevin Alvir: Automobile - one in the form of a bus then borrowed car. Hopefully, we can get there cheaper by a tropical storm washing us down there.

FL: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
KA: Show-Clothes - the audience will have to be submitted to my poor everyday fashion choices.

FL: How many shows will you be playing?
KA: It's a short little trip for us. We're playing a show in Richmond, VA (I think?) and then at the festival. Less is more for us these days.

FL: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
KA: If I can manage it, I hope we can catch Times New Viking. But I'm excited to see Kurt (Lambchop) Wagner's set, which we're opening for.

FL: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Raleigh?
KA: Realistically, racing towards the venue to make sure everything is in order. Fantasy-wise: eating BBQ and searching for a mudslide (adult milkshakes).

FL: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
KA: The Kindercore Records expo 2000, in Athens Georgia. I had to run away there. I was a part of the general public. My parents didn't approve of me going to music festivals alone since I was young and naive. But everyone was really nice and helpful. No assaults or psychic damage to report.