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Austinist Interviews SXSW: Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha arrives officially on March 20, and after his performances here for SXSW, he'll embark on an international tour to support it. The Suzuki method-trained violinist, whistler and multi-instrumentalist is known for heart-stoppingly impressive live sets, and his use of Line 6 DL4 Delay Modelers for live phrase samples has prompted a wave of innovative live acts, as artists like Feist and Final Fantasy make use of similar modelers during their shows. Recently we had a chance to talk to Andrew about bloody ass-spankings, margaritas and Armchairs.
Which songs are you most excited to play live?
"Plasticities" and "Dear Dirty" (Fingerlings 3) "Scythian Empires", "Armchairs" - pretty much the whole record, but these songs in particular can reach an ecstatic otherness where I might wake up inside the bass drum when its over.
Andrew Bird will perform on Thursday @ the Onion, AV Club and Tag Team Media party at Emo's. Check our Interactive Guide for details
Do you have any interesting stories from previous Austin trips? Mind sharing?
The first year was the most memorable at the Yard-Dog parties. Being around Sally Timms and Fred Armisen in 98' 99, forget when exactly ... The Sadies and the Hideout folks and lots of people from my hometown of Chicago I likely wouldn't have met.
My drummer in the Bowl of Fire Kevin O'Donnell bloodied his drums playing with his hands and was asked to give a personal spanking to a female patron after we played at the Ritz.
If you could play with any artist or band living or dead, who would it be? Is it because you identify your music or songwriting with theirs or because you're just a huge fan?
Lester Young. I don't really play Jazz so much anymore, but the reason I hold him up as the greatest is because some of his solos were bigger than Jazz or any idiom. So, I'd go back to 1956 with a Kansas City small group playing ballads. Mature and mellowed-out languorous solos, way back on the beat.
Any acts you're hoping to catch at SXSW? What has you excited music-wise in '07?
The Good the Bad and the Queen. I'm a big fan of Tony Allen. The song "Young Bride" by Midlake is under my skin like nothing else for some time.
How does the songwriting process begin for you? Do you whistle a tune then write it, play on the guitar, fiddle?
I usually whistle a melody as I'm going about my business. If it sticks in my own head then I let it swirl around in a cloud-like form for as long as possible before I pick up an instrument. Words are more or less the same. I rarely put pen to paper.
Margaritas or beer? Migas or breakfast tacos?
Beer after migas. Tequila after dinner. Its the sugar you've got to watch.
Thanks for talking to Austinist, Andrew!
Sure!
