Aussies at SXSW: Spotlight on 2016 Showcase Artist Pretty City!

Pretty City are the latest Aussie act to be featured in our SXSW spotlight series, the Melbourne rockers preparing themselves for the onslaught of music that awaits them in Austin in just a few weeks! Having recently debuted their single “Running Around” in the US, the band is eager to get out Stateside and introduce their music to the American crowds – SXSW is the perfect avenue to do so.

Who are you, what band do you play in and what do you do in said band?

Hugh Matthews; vocals, guitars, keyboards and songwriter at Pretty City.

What are you expecting from the festival?

I’m expecting to sleep little, walk a lot and meet some interesting people. It’s a convergence of the haves and have-nots in the music world. In a sense, it’s the ultimate test as most artists are away from home, playing small shows to get their message out. We love smashing through small club-type shows and for the most part, that’s what SXSW is all about.

What have you heard from others?

People have told us that about this hectic vibe; things evolve during each day, rumours of big shows spread and the festival morphs and flexes with each buzz-band or legend that pops up playing at some club. A friend has mentioned a ‘buzz’ industry SXSW party in a previous year that promised Mick Jagger and all his children in attendance. It ended up being two hipsters and a confused cat at their house near Austin. Maybe their cat was called ‘Mick Jagger and All His Children’. I hope so.

What are you hoping will come out of this year’s event for you?

Chasing the outcome makes you go crazy, so I like to focus on our part of the deal. I’m feeling like we’ve written some good songs, had good early reviews in America and we’re ready to go say hi to everyone. We’ve never been to America; touring anywhere new, the first priority is always to get in a room with some people and help them feel what you feel. It all happens from that. If we can meet some people who help us spread our tunes and tour more internationally, then that’d be exactly what we’re intending to do. But dreaming big is great, it keeps us all going.

Why should SXSW attendees come and see you?

We have our best bunch of songs yet and there’s been a sense of anticipation building over the past six months. My hunch is that the Texas air will agree with us and these will be some raucous shows. Something heavy and fun happens when we find ourselves on small stages a long way from home. There’s nothing familiar around us except the songs and our friends onstage, we tend to cling to those things and really make them count.

What is a track that you think best represents where your band is right now and what audiences can expect from your sound and your set?


People have mentioned Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and My Bloody Valentine recently. I’d throw The Dandy Warhols and really early Oasis in there too. Psych-rock.

What made you want to showcase at SXSW?

America baby, the dream. We felt like it was time to go overseas and SXSW is a festival that has been good to so many Australian bands in the past.

Do you have any dream collaborations?

Hmm…I haven’t thought about it too much. It would need to be someone different to us, like a percussive electro producer or a or a vocalist. Let’s say Bonobo or East would be very interesting. East’s version of “Bittersweet Symphony” makes me think it’d be great. But then bands similar to us do great things too, Temples or My Piranha would be great too.

How much more US touring is on the cards for this year?

Our new (U.S) single “Running Around” just premiered on CMJ, so that might be an option later in the year with some New York dates.

How do you think / hope the American crowd will receive your music?

I think America likes a show and we are quite showy. [Laughs] There’s a raspy, more bluesy edge which has been creeping into the new songs, a bit 13th Floor Elevators type psych-rock. Very Austin, so hopefully they dig it!

Where can SXSW attendees find you performing during the festival this year?

March 16th | International Day Stage Showcase, Austin Convention Centre | 5pm
March 16th | SXSW Official Showcase @ Tellers | 11pm
March 18th | Aussie BBQ Showcase, Brush Square Park | 12pm
March 19th | I Heart Austin Showcase, Maggie Mae’s | 2pm
March 19th | Effectively Immediately Showcase, Venue TBC | TBC
Our debut album Colorize is coming out this April. We are super excited and Australian dates will be announced soon!

http://www.prettycityband.net/

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