The Untitled Interview #163 – SXSW Edition: Starring Mikkel Jakobsen (The Foreign Resort)

One of the first harbingers of Spring is not, in fact, the adorable, fluffy robins hopping along looking for worms or the bold yellow bursts of daffodils blooming. Sure, the longer days and Daylight Savings Time act as pretty good indicators. But they're not what I had in mind. Nay, friends, one of the first signs of the new season is SXSW, the week of music and mayhem down in Austin. I wrangled some of the bands I'd want to see, if I was going, to get their take on this year's installment of South by Southwest.

I'd like to begin with the gloriously moody, shoegaze slash noise/doom pop of The Foreign Resort. These Danes make some pretty nice noise, and I can only imagine they sound even better live. Read on to see how TFR's Mikkel Jakobsen feels about the festival scene, both here and in his native climes.

Fuzzy Logic: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Mikkel Jakobsen: We are playing some shows on the East Coast before taking a plane from New York to Austin. Then renting a car while in Austin.

FL: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
MJ: Toothpaste and the key to one of the guitar cases. We will have to break that one open.

FL: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
MJ: 6 so far. But if we get the chance to play more we will happily accept.

FL: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
MJ: Pretty much all the bands performing at the STPP party on Saturday.

FL: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
MJ: Pick up amps and drums. Then check in to our motel and finally playing a show at Bernadette's Bar.

FL: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
MJ: Roskilde Festival in Denmark. about 70.000 people attend every year. My first time I was 16 years old and scared to death when I witnessed two guys in a fist fight in front on the main stage. But I had a great time and keep coming back.

FL: Favorite thing about festivals?
MJ: The overload of music and alcohol. Nothing beats being drunk at a show late at night!