The Untitled Interview #172 – SXSW Edition: Starring Preston Maddox (Bloody Knives)

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.

South By Southwest isn't just geared towards bands coming from out of town, y'know. Every year there's a pretty substantial number of local bands that pepper the bill. One such local band is Bloody Knives, and they're pretty dang good. Teetering somewhere between industrial and sinister shoegaze, Bloody Knives are all sorts of killer. Bloody Knife Preston Maddox hither gives us a local's perspective on SXSW, and encourages you not to move to Austin. I'll let him explain.

Fuzzy Logic: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Preston Maddox: We drive around in my soccer mom style minivan. We like to stay undercover.

FL: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
PM: My phone charger. I always forget my phone charger.

FL: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
PM: We are playing 7 shows

FL: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
PM: I've got to work extra all week because of the festival. SXSW kinda sucks in that way when you live in Austin. I'm gonna miss a lot of shows. Me You Us Them is gonna be rad. I want to see We Are Hex but they broke up.

FL: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
PM: The first thing people should do when they get to Austin is get rid of the thought of moving here. We don't want you here. We already have plenty of musicians and hipsters. DON'T MOVE HERE!!!

FL: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
PM: I can't remember. Must have been a good festival!!!

FL: Favorite thing about festivals?
PM: Finding the dude with the mega-magic-herb. LET'S BLAZE!!