Houston Calling

SXSW preview: This Will Destroy You

February 19th, 2011 · No Comments

San Marcos instrumental rock band This Will Destroy You makes ear-splitting instrumental rock that has won the band fans worldwide since it got its start in 2005. It albums are thrilling listens, but the band–like most “post-rock” groups–thrives in a live setting. In 2010, the band switched directions a bit on its “Communal Blood” single, so it will be interesting to hear what the band has in store for fans with its new album, Tunnel Blanket, which will be released in May. This Will Destroy You (current line-up includes guitarist Chris King, bassist/keyboardist Dono Jones, guitarist Jeremy Galindo, and drummer Alex Bhore) plays an official showcase at this year’s SXSW in Austin in anticipation of Tunnel Blanket.

I recently asked Chris King of This Will Destroy You some questions about the band’s influences, plans for 2011, and South By Southwest.

Houston Calling: What are you looking forward to most at this year’s SXSW?

Chris King: Raging. Getting to see old friends and making new enemies. Laughing at L.A. record execs with cowboy hats.

HC: Any bands in particular that you’re looking forward to seeing during SXSW?

CK: Gary Wilson, Tamaryn, Games, Holy Other, Asobi Seksu

HC: What’s your most memorable SXSW experience?

CK: Giving Adrian Grenier a back massage while eating free Taco Bell.

HC: There are quite a few instrumental rock bands out there today, but your music–like that of Explosions In The Sky and Mogwai–seems to rise above the rest. What do you consider to be your primary musical influences and how do they play into the music you make?

CK: Collectively as a band, I feel like Stars of the Lid and Brian Eno have been an influence for us. Everyone in the band has diverse taste in music which helps to bring out a different perspective in the writing process. It causes conflict at times but ultimately creates a happy medium which makes everything work.

HC: How has digital technology changed the way you create your music?

CK: I’ve been making music on my computer for years and Alex is also a studio engineer, so a lot of it is just adapting to the times and filtering the influx of information. The rapid growth in technology is definitely a double-edged sword. It is great that anyone can create HD recordings out of their bedroom but it also comes with the price of music becoming rapidly over-saturated and watered down.

HC: How do you guys go about creating your songs? Does each member bring ideas into the studio or do you just collaborate together and grow the songs from there?

CK: For the most part, it really is a collective process. There are times where we will all be in the same room and just bang out a song seamlessly and just add on to it. Other times we will start with a sample or idea that someone brings to practice and work around that to finish a song. The longer we write music together, it just seems to get easier and more efficient to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

HC: Other than SXSW, what’s on the horizon for the band in 2011? Working on a new record?

CK: We have a new record coming out called Tunnel Blanket, which will be released in May. After the release, we’ll be out on the road for the remainder of the year to promote the album.

HC: Any music you’ve been listening to lately that you’d recommend?

CK: Oneohtrix Point Never, Smokey Emery, Tangerine Dream, Ceephax Acid Crew, Belong, Popul Vuh, Gatekeeper, Nike7up

This Will Destroy You plays it official SXSW showcase at 512 (408 E 6th St.) on Saturday, 3.19.11 at 1am. Visit the band online at MySpace.

Tags: Interviews · Music · Show listings · SXSW

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