Andy Pratt Interview: SXSW 2010

In a festival geared toward young, hopeful bands, Andy Pratt is the greybeard. He released his first album, 'Records Are Like Life,' in 1969, and had a hit in 1973 with his single 'Avenging Annie,' about Annie Oakley and Pretty Boy Floyd. His career trajectory rose throughout the 70s with major label releases and even a cover of his 'Avenging Annie' by The Who's Roger Daltrey in 1977. He spent several years out of the spotlight recording overseas before returning to the States. Spinner caught up with Pratt to talk about his third appearance at SXSW, and his long career.

What's it like playing SXSW for you?

It's kind of a crazy zoo of wannabe famous people. But I've had some good experiences meeting old friends. My experience with playing the sets, the gigs at these places, has not been so wonderful because they kind of herd you onstage and offstage and you don't know if the people in the hall are there for themselves or you or the other band. So it's that kind of thing, it's everyone for themself typical music industry kind of thing. But I don't want to be totally negative about it. The other great thing about SXSW is I've gotten to see Neil Young speak. I've gotten to see Chrissie Hynde. I've gotten to see some people I really respect as artists, you know? It's a mixed bag. It's like the world, you know? But that's okay.

Considering SXSW has mainly been an industry showcase for younger bands trying to make it, do you approach it any differently than other bands?

Because I'm older I approach it naturally differently. I'm just going to go and do my show. The thing that was slightly upsetting the last couple of times was that, you know, when I was a young rock star, I was treated really well. I'm lugging my equipment by myself, and I go and set up, and I get a nasty review if I do any little thing wrong during the set. So it's a different attitude that I face now than I used to. But that's okay. I can take it.

Do you have anything you consider your SXSW survival kit? Things you need?

Well, just trying not to let it get to me. Just keep going. Around here, I've got a band and it's really good. It's starting to pick up. Basically my whole thing is just, catch one or two people everywhere I go who become fans, who really get touched by the music I do and want to keep hearing it. In order to do that, since I don't have any record company on my side, I have to do it myself.

Are you going to be looking to make record company connections there?

I am always looking for a record deal and management I can trust. Which has been hard to find sometimes. So yes. I'm hoping that will come. What more can I say about it? [laughs]

How would you describe your sound?

Well, it has been described in one article as white soul glam folk. Some of my heroes are Brian Wilson, Stones, Beatles. I like everything. In fact there's this band called Eisley playing, I really like them. They're a young band. I like what I like, you know? Bee Gees, I like all kinds of stuff. I like Radiohead, I've been listening to the radio most of my life.

Do you feel like the sound has changed frequently through the different albums and over the years?

Well, I've been somewhat influenced by the music that was going on around me when I made music. I'm essentially a 70s artist. I tried to get modern, I tried to get faster, and used drum machines and whatever. The point about me is I write honestly and I write what I feel and I write what happens. It really means something to the people who hear it and listen to it. It's pretty much 70s jazz/classical/rock/soul and a mixture of a lot of influences. I don't know. I just write songs and I do them. I guess I'm not quite properly prepared for this interview. [laughs] White soul glam folk will do. But I like rhythm, I like vocals, I like good music.

Do you sort of laugh when you see someone getting a buzz or labeled the new up-and-coming band?

It's a bit painful, actually. I'm sort of doing it myself, still, on my own. I'm actually good, and when I record, it's really nice and it's fun and then I've got to tour and I realize, you are a historical figure, you are from the past. Try getting old, you'll figure that out. [laughs]

What's the craziest thing you've ever seen or experienced on tour?

I narrowly escaped being knifed to death on the streets of Houston on a tour in the 70s. I was out getting some food at night in between gigs and these three people approached me. They said, I've got a carpet knife and I'm on acid, and then the guy with me, my road manager, who's now dead, said run, so I started running and the guy started slashing at me, and I had slashes up my body and stuff afterwards. And it was like a miracle, he took his jacket and he flicked it and the knife went flying out of the guy's hand so we got away. It was kind of wonderful, actually, I was happy to be alive.

Does that kind of thing affect the next performance?

It made me happy to be alive. I was sort of sick of the whole thing, band politics and all that stuff. I wrote a whole book where I described it, it's called 'Shiver in the Night.'

What's your biggest vice?

Hatred. No, I'm just kidding. Hatred of people, but selective people.

What are you up to in the near future? Are you working on a new album?

Yes, I'm continually writing, recording, working with my band and trying to get shows and get more famous and stuff.


Nick A. Zaino III is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.