10 Scottish bands to perform at South by South West

In March 2005, Scotland’s vibrant music scene will once again be showcased on the world stage with 11 bands from across Scotland participating in the South by South West (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.

The Scottish acts, which will receive support from the Scottish Arts Council to attend the festival, are Biffy Clyro from Ayrshire; Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Jupiter and Teardrop, Sluts of Trust and Trashcan Sinatras from Glasgow, and Dawn of the Replicants, Aberfeldy, The Rezillos, Hobotalk and Idlewild from Edinburgh.

SXSW organisers have selected the bands on the basis of their musical talent and proven readiness to sell themselves to an international market.  The Scottish artists will have the opportunity to perform and promote themselves to some of the 7,000 music industry delegates from around the world and it is hoped that participating at SXSW will lead to business opportunities in new international markets. 

Last year, Mercury Music Prize winner Franz Ferdinand was one of the thirteen Scottish acts that performed at the festival and went on to receive critical acclaim in the US being named as the most influential band of 2004 by US music magazine, Spin. 

The 10 bands attending this year already have a strong following in Scotland and the UK and some are being tipped to follow in the footsteps of Franz Ferdinand.  

As well as live performances by bands from around the world, highlights of the SXSW festival include a conference on issues relating to the global music industry and a tradeshow in which artists can network, promote and connect to the most influential professionals in the business.

Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro says: ‘We were unable to perform previously at SXSW due to schedule conflicts, and went to the city last summer to shoot the video for our most recent single, so to finally be able to play the festival, will be fantastic.  We're very excited about the opportunity and are looking forward to it as one of the highlights of our year.

’It is thanks to the on-going support we have been shown by the Scottish Arts Council, that has enabled us to make this trip, which will hopefully play a large part in establishing Biffy Clyro in the USA.’

As well as funding individual bands to attend SXSW, the Scottish Arts Council, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and representatives from the Scottish music community, will co-ordinate a Scottish presence at the convention’s tradeshow to maximise the opportunities for promoting Scottish music to an international audience.

Leading music promoter, journalist and industry guru Ronnie Gurr is co-ordinating the Scottish presence on behalf of the Scottish Arts Council.  Ronnie has worked with international acts ranging from Boy George’s Culture Club and the Boomtown Rats to Simple Minds and Stereophonics during his 27 year career in the music industry and amongst other things, he is currently a member of the Scottish Arts Council Performing Arts Committee.

Commenting on this year’s SXSW festival, Ronnie says: ‘SXSW is considered to be the biggest music industry networking and showcasing event in the world and this year organisers have once again recognised the valuable contribution being made by Scottish bands to the international music scene by inviting 10 bands to participate.

‘Being invited to perform at the event is only the first step and the Scottish Arts Council’s support will be an invaluable resource for the bands, many of whom would otherwise have struggled to raise the finances.   The phenomenal success of Franz Ferdinand in 2004 demonstrates the value that performing at SXSW can have and hopefully, this year, one of our acts will have a similar impact on the international audience.’

Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, commenting on last year’s event, says: ‘Last year’s South By SouthWest was amazing.  There was a big Scottish presence there and that interested a lot of people.  Austin is a fantastic music town anyway but the festival itself was very important for us in terms of what we’ve gone on to do in America.  The funding we got [from the Scottish Arts Council] last year was definitely helpful.  Something that is often overlooked is that when bands are starting out, they’re skint.  Even when you’re successful, it takes a while for the cash flow to get going.

‘So that kind of funding is very important.  It’s often overlooked because it’s not necessarily a great vote winner but its something that’s very much needed.  Often in the hierarchy of arts funding, you find bands are way at the bottom because they’re not taken seriously since they’re not considered ‘high art’ but what they are is popular or populist art, it’s creativity that ordinary people enjoy and can identify with.’

Ends

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing over £60 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland. Further information is available from our website at www.scottisharts.org.uk.
2. The South By SouthWest music festival, which is now in its 18th year, will run from 16 – 20 March 2005. More information on the festival can be found at www.sxsw.com.

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council