As part of SXSW week, we’re meeting a selection of bands who are performing at this week’s showcase event in Austin, Texas.
From Oxford, Jonquil are Hugo Manuel on vocals and keyboard, Sam Scott on bass and trumpet, guitarist Robin McDiarmid and drummer Dominic Hand. After releasing several 'home-made' albums and touring throughout Europe, Jonquil released their latest album, Point Of Go, at the end of February which they will support with a tour during April.
Guitarist Robin McDiarmid answered our questions.
1. What are your inspirations and do they filter into your own sound?
Between us we’ve always had a fairly diverging set of influences, coming from The Smiths, synth pop, Chic, Ali Farka Toure, Fleetwood Mac, occasionally it takes a bit of time finding the line of best fit but there’s always a fair bit of crossover.
The two things that lock it down for us are beautiful songs and sweet grooves, some combination between those two keeps us all smiling. Fingers crossed that comes across in the music we make.
2. What process do you go through to make music?
Typically things start with Hugo having a melody or a keyboard part and we work on it from there. We don’t have a locked-down process though, some tracks are written live whilst others can be put together during recording.
3. Do you approach showcase gigs, like SXSW, differently to regular live sets?
We're not a premeditated band in terms of our performances, so I don’t think our approach changes gig to gig. The big thing is when we can see an audience enjoying themselves it gives all of us a lift but, you know, we just like playing.
4. What are you looking forward to the most about SXSW?
We’ve got fond memories of some particularly good frozen margaritas from last time so getting reacquainted with those is going to be good. But there’s this constant energy surrounding SXSW and being part of that is going to be fun, its infectious.
5. If you could perform with anyone (dead or alive) onstage at SXSW, who would it be?
Prince, that would definitely make my year.
6. Where can we catch you performing back in the UK?
Dates for an April UK tour should be released soon, it’s been a while since the last one so were definitely looking forward it.
From Oxford, Jonquil are Hugo Manuel on vocals and keyboard, Sam Scott on bass and trumpet, guitarist Robin McDiarmid and drummer Dominic Hand. After releasing several 'home-made' albums and touring throughout Europe, Jonquil released their latest album, Point Of Go, at the end of February which they will support with a tour during April.
Guitarist Robin McDiarmid answered our questions.
1. What are your inspirations and do they filter into your own sound?
Between us we’ve always had a fairly diverging set of influences, coming from The Smiths, synth pop, Chic, Ali Farka Toure, Fleetwood Mac, occasionally it takes a bit of time finding the line of best fit but there’s always a fair bit of crossover.
The two things that lock it down for us are beautiful songs and sweet grooves, some combination between those two keeps us all smiling. Fingers crossed that comes across in the music we make.
2. What process do you go through to make music?
Typically things start with Hugo having a melody or a keyboard part and we work on it from there. We don’t have a locked-down process though, some tracks are written live whilst others can be put together during recording.
3. Do you approach showcase gigs, like SXSW, differently to regular live sets?
We're not a premeditated band in terms of our performances, so I don’t think our approach changes gig to gig. The big thing is when we can see an audience enjoying themselves it gives all of us a lift but, you know, we just like playing.
4. What are you looking forward to the most about SXSW?
We’ve got fond memories of some particularly good frozen margaritas from last time so getting reacquainted with those is going to be good. But there’s this constant energy surrounding SXSW and being part of that is going to be fun, its infectious.
5. If you could perform with anyone (dead or alive) onstage at SXSW, who would it be?
Prince, that would definitely make my year.
6. Where can we catch you performing back in the UK?
Dates for an April UK tour should be released soon, it’s been a while since the last one so were definitely looking forward it.
