Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights Prepare For SXSW

  03.19.10
Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights are just one of the many Atlantic artists performing at the 2010 SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas. We caught up with front man Jonathan Tyler to get his take on the upcoming festival.

Do you enjoy playing SXSW?
I do enjoy playing SXSW, I think the idea of having bands from all over the world in town at the same time is a really awesome thing. We try to make the best of it by playing the right shows and playing as many as we can fit in there to really make a name for ourselves down there because we’re still relatively new. I would tell bands down there to make the best of it. Work while you’re there and try to pass out flyers or something; do something extra rather than just playing your shows.

Is it hard to work down there since there are so many distractions?
Well, we’re in bars so much already that we definitely will work during the day and at the end of the day we’ll have some drinks. But we come down there to work, so it’s not going to be that hard to do that.

Do you have the chance to check out other acts?
Definitely, we always try to if we can. Like last year at the Chop Shop party I saw Janelle Monae and she was awesome—and we checked out the Perry Farrell’s band at the Playboy party, too.

Have you played any memorable shows at SXSW in the past?
There was one we played two years ago and it was a free show that took place kind of last minute at the Whiskey Bar and it was pretty amazing. It was packed out with people and everybody partied for an hour-and-a-half and it didn’t feel so much like a showcase, it felt like a party so that was one of the most fun shows we’ve done yet.

Do you have any festival survival tips?
Yeah, I mean for SXSXW it’s probably going to be pretty hot, so don’t drink too much liquor. Bring your sunscreen and just try to drink a lot of water and you should be fine.

Anya Marina Prepares For SXSW

  03.18.10
Atlantic Records has tons of bands playing this year's showcase South By Southwest, a festival that has broken countless artists into the mainstream consciousness. However in addition to all of the typical industry interactions, the festival is also a week-long party with plenty of free food, drinks and opportunities to take in Austin, Texas’ unique culture. We caught up with three Atlantic artists who are performing this year to get their take on the upcoming festival. First up is Anya Marina.

Are you looking forward to SXSW?
Oh absolutely, I’m excited because in addition to playing shows I’m doing the New Moon panel, which should be exciting. A bunch of my friends are going to be playing showcases too and I can’t wait to make the rounds.

Did you have a chance to check out a lot of bands last year?
I was really busy last year but I did get to catch some people like Janelle Monae, she was amazing. I hope I get to see more performances this year; there are a lot of bands I want to see and [Death Cab For Cutie’s] Chris Walla is doing a panel, it should be a lot of fun.

What acts are you looking forward to seeing this year?
I know Bob Schneider is playing, I want to see him. My producer on my last album Brian Karscig will be out there with his band the Nervous Wreckchords and I really can’t wait to see them, either. It’s just too bad Lady Gaga isn’t going to be out there this year—that would be incredible.

You covered TI’s "Whatever You Like" last year. Do you have anything special planned for this year?
I’m going to do that one live for sure because ever since the my version of "Whatever You Like" was played on Gossip Girl there’s been a huge deluge of requests for it, so I don’t think I could play a show and not do that song. I’ve also got a couple new songs I might debut that I’ve been writing in Portland, Oregon.

Do you have any festival survival tips?
Yeah, bring flats because walking in heels is torture. Those should go in your backpack along with a water bottle, sunscreen and a good hat—and a flip cam because I’m a compulsive documentarian. In the least I’ll always have my iPhone, because I like to add stuff to twitter constantly.