South by Southwest (SXSW) is widely regarded as one of the most important industry events for new, developing and established acts to take the next leap in their careers.
Blissfully unaware of what lay in waiting, February 2020 saw Glasgow glam rock connoisseurs Walt Disco preparing excitedly to head to Austin for a string of showcases at SXSW but, of course, the coronavirus pandemic had other plans. SXSW 2020 became one of the first large-scale event of its kind to pull the plug.
Fast forward two years — with International Showcase Funding from PRS Foundation still under their studded belts — the sextet finally touched down on Texan soil and took Austin by storm.
M Magazine joined forces with Walt Disco to document their journey to SXSW, via positive lateral flows and cancelled live sessions, on what feels to have been a career-changing trip for the band.
Watch it in full below.
Walt Disco's debut album Unlearning is a breathtaking debut and is steeped in metamorphoses — a stage show in two acts. It covers flings and romances, identities and bodies and change, profound familial love, and — of course — Hollywood glamour. While the themes of the album are universally relatable, Walt Disco’s gift is in the unique experience of discovery and heartbreak between queer people.
Ahead of the record's release, M Magazine spoke to Walt Disco about their sensational debut.
The International Showcase Fund (ISF) offers vital export support for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers who have been invited to perform or create new music at international showcasing festivals or conferences. Find out more.
