Aussies at SXSW: Spotlight on 2016 showcase artist Spookyland!

Now mere weeks out from hitting the States for SXSW, the AU is throwing the spotlight on some of the Australian artists set to represent for our diverse and exciting industry. First up, Sydney act Spookyland, who’ve been on our radar and no doubt the radars of many music fans around the country for some time now. With some incredible musicianship still flourishing with live shows at home and abroad, Spookyland will be heading to Austin for the first time for SXSW and they can’t wait.

If you’re not entirely schooled up on their music, now is most definitely the time to start your education!

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

I’m Marcus, I sing and guitar in Spookyland.

Have you played SXSW before? If so, how many times?

This is our first time. Friends of ours have spoke to us of the intensity of the whole thing, but also how that’s the fun in it.

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

I guess that the shows are good and that we reach some new people. I love doing lots of shows squished together, we always seem to grow as a band after them.

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

This is our latest single; not the coolest song in the world, but I like it more as time goes by. It tends to normally unfold the other way.

What made you want to showcase at SXSW?

We’re a band still looking for an audience, we kind of live off word of mouth, so any excuse to play to new types of people is a good one.

Do you have any dream collaborations?

I really want to do a spoken word album with Steve Kilbey, somewhere between an audio book and meditation music. Like Patti Smith’s disc Coral Sea with Kevin Shields, I really feel like that’s a format with a lot of potential.

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

We’ve got a few more shows lined up following Austin, supporting Jake Bugg through Chicago and NYC which should be a blast.

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

We generally have better luck over there than in Australia. I still haven’t figured out if they’re just more polite or if we’re just more their speed.

What other Aussie act playing SXSW would you recommend the rest of the world needs to see?

Julia Jacklin, incredible voice.

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

March 17th – Latitude 30 (Presented by PIAS/AIM) | 12:00am – 12:40am

March 18th – The Aussie BBQ @ Brush Square Park | 4:35pm – 5:00pm

Stay up to date on Spookyland’s gigs here!

Spookyland’s debut album Beauty Already Beautiful is released May 6th through Inertia (AU/NZ) and PIAS (USA/UK/EU).

SXSW Music runs from March 15 – March 20. Head over to SXSW Music to find out more!

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