Otzeki are Mark Sharp and Joel Roberts, a pair of cousins joining the dots between post-rock and brooding electronics.
With ample skills of the plugged-in and amped-up variety, their synthy, beaty, guitary sound combines the rich percussive pull of Daphni with the layered vocal hooks of M83, albeit with a South London twang.
Following a three-year incubation period, Mark and Joel are busy plotting the release of their debut LP, Binary Childhood, on 13 April.
Taster track Pay The Tax offers the first glimpse into their present mindset and, with props from BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio X already in the bag, it sets the bar high for the rest of the album.
We caught up with the pair ahead of their inaugural trip to SXSW to learn about what they’ve got up their sleeves for the Austin showcase…
How are you feeling now there’s less than a week to go until SXSW?
Intrigued about being in Texas, as neither of us have ever been but we've both watched Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Dallas Buyers Club.
What are you most excited about?
Learning to speak in American.
What’s on your SXSW shopping list?
Don't have one but likely to have a browse through some thrift shops and will need sun cream.
Why do you think now is a good time for you to go?
Because we're not too overwhelmed by the prospect of travelling, not sleeping much and playing loads of shows.
What are you hoping to get out of it?
World Peace.
Do you approach showcase gigs like SXSW differently to regular live shows?
No.
Which acts are you most excited to share the bill with?
Labaq and Francobollo.
What will be soundtracking your long flight over there?
Flaming Tunes mixed with a some stuff from James Chance and the Contortions.
What are you planning for the rest of 2018?
To be bigger than Justin Bieber... physically.
Otzeki have been supported via PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund to attend SXSW.
With ample skills of the plugged-in and amped-up variety, their synthy, beaty, guitary sound combines the rich percussive pull of Daphni with the layered vocal hooks of M83, albeit with a South London twang.
Following a three-year incubation period, Mark and Joel are busy plotting the release of their debut LP, Binary Childhood, on 13 April.
Taster track Pay The Tax offers the first glimpse into their present mindset and, with props from BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio X already in the bag, it sets the bar high for the rest of the album.
We caught up with the pair ahead of their inaugural trip to SXSW to learn about what they’ve got up their sleeves for the Austin showcase…
How are you feeling now there’s less than a week to go until SXSW?
Intrigued about being in Texas, as neither of us have ever been but we've both watched Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Dallas Buyers Club.
What are you most excited about?
Learning to speak in American.
What’s on your SXSW shopping list?
Don't have one but likely to have a browse through some thrift shops and will need sun cream.
Why do you think now is a good time for you to go?
Because we're not too overwhelmed by the prospect of travelling, not sleeping much and playing loads of shows.
What are you hoping to get out of it?
World Peace.
Do you approach showcase gigs like SXSW differently to regular live shows?
No.
Which acts are you most excited to share the bill with?
Labaq and Francobollo.
What will be soundtracking your long flight over there?
Flaming Tunes mixed with a some stuff from James Chance and the Contortions.
What are you planning for the rest of 2018?
To be bigger than Justin Bieber... physically.
Otzeki have been supported via PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund to attend SXSW.
SXSW live dates:
13 March - Killing Moon & ReverbNation
15 March - Collide’s TWIX Duo House + AWAL/B3SCI
17 March – British Music @ Latitude 30
https://www.facebook.com/otzeki/
13 March - Killing Moon & ReverbNation
15 March - Collide’s TWIX Duo House + AWAL/B3SCI
17 March – British Music @ Latitude 30
https://www.facebook.com/otzeki/
