This year has seen a record number of Irish bands invited to play the South by Southwest festival in Texas next month, and for the sixth year running, they’ll have a chance to ply their wares at two “Music from Ireland” showcases on March 17th and 19th.
Although their Arts Council funding has been cut by 41 per cent this year, Angela Dorgan of Music from Ireland is adamant that the show will go on. “To get invited to SXSW at all means that you’re at a certain level,” she said.
“It’s the contacts and the impressions that you make out there that will reflect back on Ireland, and raise the profile of the industry.”
And So I Watch You From Afar and Dark Room Notes are two of the bands in prime position to make waves at SXSW this year. The latter – who signed a worldwide distribution deal for their debut album last year – plan to drive to Texas from Canada in a VW camper van.
“We’ve been trying to book as many gigs as possible – not easy considering that there are going to be about 2,000 bands doing the same thing,” said DRN guitarist Ruairi Ferrie. “But we’ve managed to finagle our way on to a bill here and there.”
Other Irish acts on this year’s SXSW bill include
The Lost Brothers, Villagers, The Coronas, Halves and Julie Feeney. For more, see www.musicfromireland.org. lmurphy@irishtimes.ie
