Austinist Interviews SXSW: Cortney Tidwell

Cortney Tidwell may be from Nashville, but her music seems to be the product of an entirely different world. Her debut album, Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up, makes you struggle to keep up with comparisons and references to other bands you might admire (our list included Hope Sandoval, Mogwai, St. Etienne, and Bjork.) This is all quite wonderful, because the parts all meld into a style that is dreamy, catchy, and quietly epic. Tidwell has already become a media darling in the UK, but is just beginning to get attention here at home.

Tidwell makes her Austin debut this week at The Ale House during SXSW. We recently spoke with her about England, heartbreak, and influences.

Even more so than Austin, hailing from Nashville puts a clichéd "sound" on one's initial view of an artist. Do you ever feel you've surprised some audiences or critics that expect strictly country/ Americana material?

Sure. Given my upbringing, I am heavily influenced by country music. Nashville is known as the home of country, so I can understand why people want to pigeonhole me. But I love all kinds of music. I'm the product of too much Tammy Wynette, Morrissey, and Black Sabbath as a teenager.

Do you have any theories yet on why the UK's music fans adore and buy music from artists like yourself, Lambchop, and our own Dale Watson and Alejandro Escovedo given that these same acts haven't broken through to a sizable audience in the US?

The grass is always greener...I guess these artists seem impervious or unattainable, like I perceived Joy Division or The Clash as a kid. America is fascinated by British culture, and vice versa I suppose.

After reading several album reviews, we've seen you compared to everyone from Bjork to Mazzy Star to The Sundays. Do you have a favorite comparison that you've read?

I'm flattered by the comparisons. For sure.

There are some post-rock leanings at times on your album. Do you ever listen to bands like Mogwai or Explosions In The Sky?

I love Mogwai. The first and only time I saw them perform...I wept while my ears bled and my heart broke.

You are touring soon with Dean and Britta from Luna and with Andrew Bird. How did those gigs come about, and are you looking forward to playing in front of their audiences?

You just get lucky sometimes. We are most definitely looking forward to playing in front of these audiences. Andrew Bird is beautiful, and I'm a huge fan of his work.

As a longtime resident of Nashville, we're guessing that you're up on the best young talent there. Is there anyone new from there (from any genre) we should look out for at SXSW?

Turbo Fruits and De Novo Dahl. I actually don't know many bands from here who made the official festival cut...yikes!

In "La La", you imply that music itself can lead to breakups. Is this metaphorical (life can't match the dreaminess of a perfect love song), or simply a suggestion that metalheads and folkies shouldn't date each other?

Sure. Music is the soundtrack of our lives and what you're listening to affects your mind in such a distorted fashion. I would always break up with my boyfriend after listening to "Blood on the Tracks." Music does lead to break-ups, and my record is definitely one of those break-up records...I think.

This seems like a tough record to reproduce live, given the beats and waves of guitars. Are you bringing a band to SXSW, or flying solo?

Oh, I'm bringing a whole posse of great musicians. We will reproduce.

Finally, do you end your show with a happy song or a sad one? We're worried you'll get us all weepy during the fun of SXSW.

I'm in a rock-and-roll kinda mood this year so I hope you'll dance, laugh and cry. To quote Joni Mitchell: "Laughing and crying, you know...it's the same release."

Cortney Tidwell plays SXSW 2007 on Wednesday, 3/14 at The Ale House (midnight).

[Cortney Tidwell MySpace]
[Cortney Tidwell on eMusic]

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By Tom Thornton on March 12, 2007 9:00 AM 0 Comments