Music
SXSW 2011 Questionnaire: Austra
by Nicole Villeneuve
March 19, 2011
Austra plays three shows this afternoon. For full schedule go to http://schedule.sxsw.com
Who: Austra (Katie Stelmanis)
From: Toronto, ON
Playing: Today, March 19 at 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.
A mainstay on the Toronto music scene, Katie Stelmanis’ latest project Austra has amassed some serious buzz in the past few months, largely on the strength of first single “The Beat and the Pulse.” Their debut Feel It Break will be released on Domino on May 17 and the band wraps up a packed SXSW with three shows this afternoon.
1. AUX: What is your SXSW survival plan?
Katie Stelmanis: Whole foods, lemons, and the hot tub at the condo we rented.
2. Who or what are you most looking forward to seeing?
I’d really like to see James Blake, and Anna Calvi but unfortunately she had to cancel last minute!
3. If you’ve been to SXSW before, tell us your most memorable moment. If you haven’t, what is the most intriguing thing about it to you?
My most memorable moment at SXSW was getting a ticket right in front of our venue for doing a rolling stop at a stop sign. Our set time was slightly delayed, but luckily all the dudes from Domino saw us by accident because of this and we got a record deal.
4. What do you dislike most about SXSW/what makes you want to just go home?
I dislike the frosh-week-for-bands vibe and people puking in the streets at 7pm. Thats why I always like to get an apartment in the nicer neighbourhoods of Austin.
5. Out of the approximately one billion bands playing, why should people come see your show at SXSW?
I don’t know really, this year we are just at SXSW to have a good time and I would tell people to come see us because we are playing some great shows with lots of other great bands that I think will be fun parties.
6. Start a juicy SXSW rumour.
Too early for juicy rumors!!
