OEB’s 5 SXSW Qs – Rosco Bandana

Hometown: Gulfport, MS

OEB 2013 SXSW Review

Vocalist/percussionist Jennifer Flint of Rosco Bandana shared a few words with OEB this week to talk about the band’s past experience, excitement for SXSW and why the band is especially looking forward to crossing paths with Midlake in Austin.

Time to Begin has quite a weathered and mature sound for a debut.  Has Rosco Bandana been gigging together for a while to hone a tight sound right out of the gate?

Sort of. Jason, Barry and I have been a part of Rosco for over 3 years now. The group we have now has been together for 1 year. But Jason who is the main songwriter of our family has been working on these songs for years, so I guess that’s where the “weathered and mature” sound comes from. He’s an amazing songwriter. He inspires me.

There seems to have been a resurgence in artists transforming folk and blues into a modern sound.  Where does Rosco Bandana fit in within this new wave?

For us it’s just a natural style, that is. We want to be seen as our own creation. Even though our sound is in the latest trend, it is who we are.

Your tour is kicking off this week in Dallas. Any stops you are particularly looking forward to?

I always look forward to going to Austin.  It draws so many different kinds of folks. I try to get around while I’m there to see other musicians and of course shop in the awesome vintage shops.

Any SXSW appearances lined up yet? Anything you are looking to accomplish in Austin?  Given their recent support, I’ve got my fingers crossed for an appearance at Paste’s annual party.

Besides the show itself no, at least not that I know of. I hope to increase our fan base while in Austin, I love our fans, I will always be gracious and kind to them. They are one of the biggest parts to this process so they mean a lot. Oh, and to be invited to the Paste party would be such an honor. I hope it happens in the near future.

Any bands on the SXSW lineup you are looking forward to catching yourselves?

I am looking forward to seeing Midlake. They are one of my favorite bands. In fact, Rosco came from one of their songs “Roscoe” so we took it, dropped “E” and added Bandana behind it.

SXSW 2013 Spreadsheet 23:

The second round through the “B”s have yielded some great recs including two return artists from SXSW 2011 and a welcome new OEB Freshman Favorite.  Highlights:

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (9) - I caught a Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears set at SXSW 2011 after discovering them through that year’s project and absolutely loved it.  The horns, the dancing and the soul all took turns capturing the crowd’s hearts and minds.

Rosco Bandana (8) - Heavily steeped in Americana and country, Rosco Bandana stands out for the rambling energy throughout their debut record Time To Begin.

The Black Atlantic (8) – The Dutch band did release the Darkling, I Listen EP earlier this year and it continues the emotional and patient patterns established in their debut LP.

Bearhug (6) – Bearhug’s dreamy power pop songs are really well formed on their debut LP Bill, Dance, Shiner.  Look for sharp guitar licks, catchy choruses, and just enough punk energy to add that twist of authenticity.

Blackchords (6) – Australian folk/rock band Blackchords seem like they’re still trying to find their musical space on their debut LP.  There is some nice potential throughout their catalog however, from the tender ballad “Sinking Like Stone” and new alt-rock number “Dance Dance Dance”.

The Blank Tapes (6) – The Blank Tapes, aka California songwriter Matt Adams, has to be commended for his extensive lo fi catalog, racking up seven albums in the past four years.  Committing to basement pop is a small consistency throughout The Blank Tapes’ records, allowing Adams to move into all sorts of different genres track-by-track.

Blaudzun (6) – Danish singer-songwriter Johannes Sigmund records under the name Blaudzun, a folk rock/indie pop project that delves into the quiet and loud.  There is an inherit honesty throughout Blaudzun’s catalog, whether it is an understated track like “Midnight Room” or the driving rock energy of latest single “Elephant”.

The Balconies (5) – There’s a nice level of blues rock in The Balconies’ heavy pop sound, but they are best in those moments when they break away from protruding rock into more experimental territory.