Thunder Power Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Feb 28th 2010 10:03AM by Sarah Mullally
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Omaha-based indie rock band Thunder Power, with their earthy and gentle vocal tones, creative lyrics and melancholy acoustic folk-pop sounds, will feature never-before debuted songs at this year's SXSW festival. The Midwest's best kept secret, these five talented musicians, write lyrics and melodies that get stuck in your head. One of their earliest songs and my personal favorite, 'Take a Hike' is guaranteed to make an instant Thunder Power fan out of any listener.

How did you come up with your band name?

We came up with Thunder Power one night when we were screwing around on Jason's porch. We later decided to get serious and call ourselves Feelings in the Night. At our next show, someone called us pretentious tool-bags. At that point we decided to go back to Thunder Power. At first it was Thunder Power!!! [with three exclamation points] then just Thunder Power.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Bittersweet. Sweetly bitter. Our music is really melodically based; its melancholy. Sweet pop.

How did your band form?

It started with Matt Hutton and his solo project. Then came Jason Koba. Then came Ian Simons, my brother. A while later Brendan Greene-Walsh and I joined. This was all in 2006. Brendan left in April of 2007 and Alex Boardman joined the group in May. That's when our lead vocalist, Kacynna [Ca-seen-a] Tompsett joined. The band of Matt, Jason, Ian, myself, Alex and Kacynna was together for two years. Then, winds of change and Jason and Matt left in late 2009. So, our band as we know it and love it today is myself [Will], Kacynna, Ian, Alex and Jeremy.

What are your musical influences?

Lou Barlow, Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura, Destroyer. Last year, Ian and I went to SXSW in a journalistic capacity. I was working as managing editor at a magazine here in Omaha. We heard so many amazing bands it really helped steer us in the right direction and really motivated us to get here this year. So I would say musically, Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. But from a work ethic standpoint, the bands we saw at SXSW in 2009 just because they worked hard to get there.

What is your biggest vice?

I need my cup of coffee to start the day.

What's in your SXSW festival survival kit?

Extra guitar in case a string breaks on stage, energy bars, drinks and our bag of cords.

What is your musical guilty pleasure?

I am totally a sucker for 70s power pop like Boston, Raspberries -- epic rock and roll, hooks, and really sweet melodies. I own TimeLife Best of 70s Rock. Other than that, we all grew up on hip hop.

Beatles or Stones?

Beatles. My Dad gave me all things Beatles for Christmas this year. I've always loved the Beatles.

What's the craziest thing you all have experienced while performing or touring?

Last year we were in New York at CMJ and realized we forgot our bag of cords. It was a mess. We are making sure that doesn't happen again. And, one time we were touring in New York City – well, Brooklyn – we'd had a few drinks, exchanged some words, and one of the members wandered off. In Brooklyn. We spent hours in the middle of the night walking around the streets of Brooklyn looking for them!

Who is your celebrity crush?

Lady Gaga.

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