Furry good: Frightened Rabbit's album cover.
Somewhat of a veteran at the South by Southwest Music Festival is Scottish band Frightened Rabbit. Having made the trip four times they are SXSW old hands, but why do they keep coming back?
“This event is unique,” lays out band member Scott Hutchinson, 28, “nowhere else do you get everyone in the industry in one place.”
Unlike events like the Edinburgh Fringe, South by Southwest is a curated festival, so to be continually invited back to perform must mean the band is doing something right.
Hutchinson jokes that their good manners are behind their return. “Without Scottish bands there would be a huge hole in the schedule, as a country we contribute so many unique elements to the scene; and where else could Frightened Rabbit share a billing with [fellow Glasgow performer] Hudson Mohawke?”
Something else the band is doing right is putting in the hard work. Playing nine different shows and venues over four days in Austin, they are making sure that their time is well spent.
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“It is bonkers though,” points out brother Grant Hutchinson. “Unlike other festivals, there is no saturation point, people are always there ready to listen; and there is a huge word of mouth that can get you a lot of attention.”
Frightened Rabbit's schedule is just as bonkers – with a six-week tour around the US starting in April they'll have a little bit of time to recover before hitting the road. “For a small band, touring is where you make your income. There will come a point where we won't need to attend SXSW, but we're not there yet.”
The band has grown since the first trip in 2007 where they played just two gigs. “It's not just about getting bigger gigs and aiming for arena shows. We never want to be a stagnant band - creativity is the key.”
As long as they have that artistic growth, Frightened Rabbit are happy with their progress. “Doing a good set here is not the be all or end all of a career. It's just one date, one gig, and will never translate to overnight success. But it is another step any band needs to make, especially with so many people in the industry here,” realises Scott. “It is convenient for everyone.”
Any tips to make the most of that convenience? The whole band laugh: “Bring your Manager. We can't do the schmoozing to make the most of this event, so we hand her all the cards and names, and just keep playing.”
