Austinist Interviews SXSW: Lucero

How does the Memphis music scene compare to what you've noticed about the Austin music scene?

I really don't know a lot about the Austin music scene right now. Spoon. Grand Champeen. Lucero has always had a good time when we play Austin. Lots of BMX riders at the shows. Crazy bastards. I think both places have so much musical history that folks today have a tough time living up to the past. It's tough to compete with the best of the best... Townes Van Zandt or Johnny Cash. But there are a lot of really talented folks in Memphis trying to do just that. Harlan T. Bobo, Cory Branan, Amy LaVere. I gotta hang out in Austin more when the SXSW chaos is over and figure out what's really going on down there.

How has living in Memphis had an impact on you sound?

We've worked a lot with the Dickinson family, Luther and Cody of the North Mississippi Allstars and, of course, Jim Dickinson. They really kind of fostered us as we were becoming a band and getting started. They've all got a really good sense of Memphis' place in the world of Rock & Roll. And for us, picking up bits and pieces of that knowledge has definitely influenced Lucero and our outlook on what we're trying to do. There's always somebody that's come before you and had the same ideas you're having. Just trying to be a part of the whole story is really cool.

Has your singing voice always had that gravely drawl to it, or is it the result of too much black coffee, Marlboros and hard livin'?

When I was about 18 I figured out that was the way I sing. Before that it'd been really, really bad. The gruffness helps cover up the fact that I'm not that great a singer. The cigarettes and whiskey are actually making it harder to sing. The voice is getting a little ragged out for sure.

Are there any themes in your music that are recurrent, that you're a little fixated on?

Ha. Same old shit. Girls. Booze. Guilt. I ain't reinventing rock & roll that's for sure.

Describe your typical songwriting process for us?

Usually the songs start with a couple of guitar parts and a vocal melody. Then the lyrics are the tough part. It's really easy to write really cheesy crap. Then I take 'em to the boys, and they become Lucero songs.

What's more fulfilling for you, playing live or recording an album?

Playing live is always a crap shoot for us. We got good nights, and we got bad nights. But I don't mind being on the road at all, so it's fun. The studio makes me nervous, but it is rewarding when you hear a song start to come together better than you expected it to. Guess that doesn't really answer the question at all does it.

Can you share any potentially incriminating anecdotes of debauchery from your days on the road?

Since my dad got a laptop, between the message boards and MySpace, he knows more about what I do on the road than I do. Luckily for me, the booze wipes out most memories of the road, and so I'm incapable of incriminating myself by answering this question. There might be some boyfriends that don't like me. We can pretty much puke on command. The standard stuff.

What are your feelings toward music fests in general?/ How does South by Southwest compare?

SXSW is chaotic. If it wasn't in Austin it wouldn't be near as much fun. It's kinda like a circus. Or the Fair. With hip dudes. I always have a great time and get to see a lot of folks I don't always get to see, but it's a relief when everything settles down again.

A lot of people measure musical success differently. How do you measure it?

Just still being in the game is pretty good as far as I see it.