OEB’s 5 SXSW Qs – Cayucas

Hometown: San Luis Obisbo, CA

OEB 2013 SXSW Review

Zach Yudin, aka Cayucas, took a few minutes this week to share with OEB the latest for this exciting new prospect.  Yudin talked about some SXSW plans and his upcoming full-length record due this April amongst some insight into his catchy sound.

I’ve been listening to music from SXSW artists for the past two months straight and “Cayucos” has to be at the top of my ‘most played’ list.  What is it about this track that delivers such a catchy first impression?

Thank you, it’s a very fast song, I think around 160 bpm that kicks in hot.  That coupled with a very simple chord progression I think is a good basis for catchy song.

Your songs sound completely current, but still have strong draws to pop music of the 60s.  How do you balance both sides of this equation?

I like to get inspiration through music from the 60’s - guitar ideas, vocal harmonies etc…  But, if it sounds too similar than it doesn’t feel fresh to me and I don’t like that.  So it’s a pretty fine line that I just kind of gauge as I write songs.

What’s on plate for 2013 for Cayucas?  Is there a full-length in the works?

The first single High School Lover should be released around the end of this month. The full length is expected to come out in April last I checked.

This year we will be touring quite a bit. We’re opening for Ra Ra Riot this February on the west coast, playing SXSW, and actually going to Europe after that.  

Do you have any shows lined up for SXSW yet?  Is there anything you are looking to accomplish beyond a normal string of shows?

We have a couple shows planned though they’re not official yet I don’t know if I should say… I think we’re just hoping to have a lot of fun really -playing & hanging out.

Have you been able to check out the SXSW artist list yet?  Anyone you are excited to catch yourself?

Somebody told me Third Eye Blind was playing… if that’s true I’ll be there! Tory y Moi is someone I’d like to see as well.

SXSW 2013 Spreadsheet 4:

Today’s set features a new Operation Every Band “award”.  If we find a band that is under-the-radar, yet really turns our ears, we’re going to designate them a “SXSW 2013 - OEB FRESHMAN FAVORITE”.  We determine this as any band with less than 50,000 YouTube views on their top video rated at a “7” or higher.  Lo and behold, this set actually has two of them!  Highlights:

Cave Painting (9) - For pop songwriters, Cave Painting have an incredible amount of depth to their music, building waves of atmosphere over perfect little melodies.

Cayucas (7) - Musically, “Cayucos” harkens back to the breezy surf rock of the 60s, but still includes that bittersweet indie pop tone that has the hallmark of recent breakouts Best Coast and Givers. 

Charlotte Church (7) - Drawing influence from modern sounds of Florence and the Machine and even The xx, Church delivers emotional rhythms and melodies on her new EP ONE. 

The Civil Twilight (7) - Their tone is generally dark and driving, building layers of sound while maintaining elements of a traditional rock quartet (guitars, bass, keys, drums). 

Cheers Elephant (6) – Philadelphian psychedelic pop band Cheers Elephant presents an eclectic menu on their latest record Like Wind Blows Fire, from lo fi, grungy rock to smothered-out punk as filtered through a Hall and Oates strainer.

Churchill (6) – Judging from their musical offerings online, Churchill has been growing their sound from the ground up the past few years.  Luckily, 2012 track “Change” shows an evolution towards a direction that works best for the Colorado outfit: anthemic folk amid strong vocal harmonies (see: Of Monsters and Men).

Cello Fury (5) – Instrumental classical-rock quartet Cello Fury features three cellists and a rock drummer, but their sound has a similar drive to heavy rock music.  It’s an interesting mix for sure and would be a welcome palate cleanser in any traditional rock showcase.

Chris Cohen (5) – The light and breezy sounds of songwriter Chris Cohen has a calming and relaxing nature while still pursuing some experimental electronic-based melodies that demand a closer listen.