SXSW Preview – Allo Darlin’
In the first of what I really, really hope I can actually make into some kind of regular-ish series in the lead-up to March, I’ve bothered a few of my more favourite British bands playing at SXSW and pestered them with some fairly terrible questions. In the first one, the very loveliest Elizabeth from Allo Darlin’ spared the time to talk to us.
Allo Darlin’ are:
Elizabeth – Sings and plays the ukelele
Paul – Plays guitar and lapsteel and sings and other things
Bill – Sings and plays bass
Mike – Plays drums and percussion and singing sometimes
Bill and Elizabeth are both from Queensland. Mike and Paul are both from Kent.
Why Are You In A Band?
I have a compulsion to make songs that I can’t do anything about. It’s the only way I can make sense of things in my life. Plus it’s one of the most fun things you can do, making music with your friends.
Why Do You Sound Like That?
I have no idea why we sound like we do. Probably because of the sixties cassettes my parents used to play in the car on the way to the beach. I remember knowing Sloop John B pretty well when I was 5 or 6.
How Do The Songs Get Made?
I bring the songs with lyrics chords and melody to the band and play it on the uke, generally. Then we build it up together. Most of the songs on the album our producer Simon Trought contributed a lot to the arrangements as well.
What’s The Favourite Song You’ve Done?
The songs I’m most proud of on the album are “Silver Dollars” and “My Heart Is A Drummer”, both of which came together last minute and we weren’t quite sure if they were going to work. I’m also very proud of “Heartbeat Chilli”. I think it’s probably the best song I’ve written.
Why Will People Hate You?
I think some people will hate us because they see us being twee, which really irritates some people. I don’t know what that means really, and I don’t think we are. But I think it’s probably just the way I am and the way I come across, and I can’t really change that. We’ve definitely never set out to be cool.
Is The Music World Weird Now?
I think the Pirate Bay and things are just a fact of life now. I think giving things away for free has definitely helped raise awareness of our band. Our music is all over the net for free and it doesn’t bother me at all, I like the fact that people want to listen to it. I feel a bit sorry for our record label, because in the end we can still get paid for gigs and paid for the songs being on the radio or whatever. Bands never really made that much money from selling records anyway, really, unless you’re AC/DC or whoever. I used to record demos into my computer and put them up on my website the day I recorded them for free download. It’s a nice way to interact with your audience, I think.
Before going to SXSW for the very first time in March, Allo Darlin are doing a joint UK tour with the School in March beforehand, culminating in a gig in London at Bush Hall – “we’re mega excited about that”
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/allodarlin
MP3
Video
Henry Rollins Don’t Dance (live acoustic session for Off The Beaten Tracks)
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