Casino Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Feb 21st 2010 12:20PM by Kat_Lenhart
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In 2009, Chilean shoegaze quartet Casino shared a 65,000-capacity national stadium in their home nation with the likes of Radiohead and Kraftwerk. Now they are preparing for a Spring US tour with their Chilean counterparts the Ganjas and Intimate Stranger. Casino frontman Pablo Giadach has produced albums for not only his band but a sizable portion of the Chilean independent music scene. Spinner sat down with him to discuss SXSW and their upcoming American tour.

How would you describe your band?

I think Casino is a rock band with elements taken mostly from early '90s shoegaze, '80s New Wave, '70s post-punk and '60s psychedelic rock -- a band that is constantly changing. We're not looking for anything specific or trying to make a hit.

What types of music influence you?

Rock, blues, psychedelic, shoegaze, dark, noise, indie. We're all big music fans and record collectors.

What's your guilty pleasure?

I guess some Journey and Toto songs. Is that too bad?

How did you come up with the band name?

We were watching TV and [Martin Scorsese's] 'Casino' was on. We're huge film noir fans. And the name sounds good in every language!

Given your name, I have to ask: What is the riskiest thing you've ever done?

Sign to a big old-school label. It certainly wasn't worth the risk.

How was your experience opening for Radiohead and Kraftwerk this past year?

Incredible. Two nights with more than 65,000 people watching is probably the most crazy thing that ever happened to us. Radiohead's crew worked with Ride -- we are big fans. Also, Debbie Harry was backstage and she enjoyed Casino a lot.

Anything you would like to add to your survival kit for SXSW?

A video camera to make the Casino home video when we get back!

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