With their new album, 'Cancel The Future', released just last week Melbourne shoe-gaze rockers Pretty City have also spent time recently at SXSW in Texas.
We asked the group's singer/ guitarist Hugh Matthews to pen a few words about their Texas adventure.
Monday 12 March
My name is Hugh Matthews. I write songs, sing and play guitar/ keyboard in Melbourne band Pretty City. This March we made our second appearance at the famed SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.Our appearance at SXSW 2018 was a showcase for the global release of our new album ‘Cancel The Future’. We went to SXSW 2018 very proud of our new work.
This was re-enforced by some positive, early reviews in Europe and AirPlay across the USA. At SXSW we would bring it all together. Our two shows were at Australia House for Sounds Australia and The Iron Bear for NYC blog Glamglare.
Tuesday 13 March
Australia House was a really welcoming and eclectic party thrown by Sounds Australia. We found a raucous energy onstage, and were at one with the crowd almost immediately.
Sometimes this is a gradual experience, however Australia House was alive from the start. I enjoyed getting to know some members of the Australian embassy after the show; you never know who you might be talking to at SXSW.
Wednesday 14 March
The Glamglare showcase was wonderfully curated by the uber-tasteful New York blog of the same name. The first set from NYC artist I Am Snow Angel set a close-knit, sensuous atmosphere which hung in the air all night.We hit the stage at 1am, ready to collide with destiny. This show was raucous and wild, drum sticks and microphones were flying about the stage. In among it, the songs felt fully realised and the band united in it’s desperation to let the leash go.
We left it all on the stage of the Iron Bear.
Thursday 15 March
SXSW is widely known as a music festival where artists from across the globe perform and network in the hope of spreading their message and furthering their career opportunities.While music performance is certainly a major aspect of SXSW, the 2018 festival was diverse, incorporating film, gaming, tech, tourism and music presentation.
This intermingling of disciplines makes SXSW a broad and energetic think tank on global culture and progress. It was a pleasure to once again dive into the aspirational free-for-all of SXSW, where grungy rock & roll rubs up against corporate millions with sexy results.
16-17 March
In the daylight Austin was sunny and welcoming, and filled to the brim with interesting creatives during SXSW.
We had a swell time talking to some great electro artists from New York, David Fricke from Rolling Stone, Dave from Gang of Youths (finally) and Susan Sarandon, all in quick succession.
SXSW has a relaxed, casual atmosphere which cuts through the bullsh*t nicely. Everyone is just buzzing on fresh ideas, food truck tacos and Lonestar. It’s an inspiring place to visit. We’ll be back.
