[INTERVIEW] The Districts
We headed to Austin on March 5th for SXSW and didn't end up leaving the Texas paradise until one month later... I guess they say that's a common thing for 'visitors of Austin', they somehow become residents. Thankfully, our extended trip allowed us to catch up with Philly band, The Districts during their Stubb's show. Thanks to Free People for turning us onto these talented young musicians (head over to BLDG25 to see this featured on their website). We met the boys backstage to discuss touring, SXSW, Jack Kerouac and swapped musical discoveries...
So welcome back to Austin! How was your SXSW?
It was nice to be back! SXSW was really fun and stressful but Austin is a sweet town so it was nice to stay in one place for a week during a long tour.
What's it like playing in Austin vs a SX showcase?
It was actually probably my favorite show of the tour. There was a really awesome crowd and all seemed to really be into the set.
So how did you guys all meet?
High school musical auditions.
What made you decide to all move to Philly?
We were playing Philly pretty much every weekend and gas money and tolls was a bitch. It just made sense.
Do you miss Lititz? And the country?
Yeah I usually go back decently often. So there isn't much time to get homesick.
And would you say that Philly has influenced your music and style? For example other local bands like Dr Dog (who we noticed you are going on tour with) Man Man, Kurt Vile and The Lawsuits etc?
Oh yeah for sure. Going to Philly And seeing Dr Dog and Man Man in high school was so fun, definitely made us try a lot harder as a band.
And you worked with Bill Moriarty who also worked with these guys?
Correct! One of my favorite people.
What are some other great local bands we should listen to?
Pine Barons, Toy Soldiers, Drgn King, Night Panther, Keepers, Tj Kong and the Atomic Bomb, and Cold Fronts are all sick nasty.
And what would you say your other musical influences are?
Sparklehorse, Neil Young, Built To Spill, Sweet Cherry Rock.
We read that you are big fans of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. What is it about travel, poetry and the beatnik generation that inspires you so much?
Yeah I really like Kerouac he makes normal lives seem so boring. When I first started reading him we just started being a band so I knew I really wanted to be a musician, but he made me want to go out and travel, so his books pretty much made me sure I wanted to be a musician.
So it all sounds romantic to those that don't travel, but what's life really like on the road? Touring in a band? (for example we probably shouldn't mention this but we are down to our last pair of underwear and probably have to spend 3 hours tomorrow sitting in a coin laundry bored out of our minds.)
Hahaha, yeah there are lots of smells on us and in the van. It isn't glamorous at all, but I love waking up in new cities every morning, it's refreshing.
So you guys supported/toured with one of our favourite bands White Denim earlier on your tour, what were they like?
They were super awesome until Steve went postal and killed us all! This will make sense someday haha.
Listening suggestions, as highly recommended by The Districts and us:
Pine Barons, Toy Soldiers, Drgn King, Night Panther, Keepers, Tj Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Cold Fronts