The Soldier Thread Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 3rd 2010 9:30AM by Marcus Rendon
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The Soldier Thread have just finished their second album, performing the songs live to their fans at the famous Stubb's BBQ in Austin, Texas. Recently, the band was voted to win "Best Record" by fans in the Austin fan-based awards show, the Roaries. Spinner was able to sit with the Soldier Thread the day after the ceremony to talk about their sudden success and what's to come, in anticipation of their upcoming SXSW appearance.

How was the band formed?

Justin McHugh: Todd and I were in another band, and I guess they didn't like me all that much.

Patricia Lynn: He got kicked out.

JM: Yeah, I got kicked out and they said Todd could stick around, but he decided to come write and play music with me. So we just started playing and writing stuff for two people. We decided to go into the studio and needed a female vocalist, and asked around if anyone knew someone who sang and played strings, and thats when Patricia came on board. Then, [at] the end of 2008, Chance and Drew came on, and this is it. This is our lineup.

How did you come up with the name of the band?

PL: Before I met these guys, I had written a song called 'Soldier Thread,' and they were looking for a name that was original. We were in the car on the way to practice, and Justin suggested we call the band the Soldier Thread. I thought he was mocking me, and hit him and said shut up, but he is always mocking me. The term "soldier thread" is the thing you would use to move on or move past a situation that has called pain or a loss in your life. Soldiers pick up and march forward, and a thread is like a mending tool.

What are your influences as a band?

JM: When we're in the van, we listen to M83, Sigur Ros, the Beatles [and] Death Cab For Cutie.

Todd Abels: A lot of Radiohead.

PL: I'm a huge fan of Emily Haines.

Who has the oddest musical taste in the band?

TA: That would be Drew, he is like a music encyclopedia.

Drew Van Diver: Yeah ... I'm on a '70s R&B kick right now.

How would you describe your sound in your own words?

JM: I wouldn't. I would probably give them a free CD or something. [It] sounds like rock with strings and guitars with vocals, I suppose very Dionysian.

What is your songwriting process like?

JM: Most of the songs I write are pretty close [to] done, but the band definitely adds in their own thing in the studio and rehearsals. Patricia writes most of the lyrics, but mostly it's with me writing the song and bringing it to Patricia, and she will [then] help with the lyrics and melody, and then presenting to the rest of the band for them to add the final touches.

What are you live performances like?

JM: We want the show to be a production. [We do] not [want to] just set up our equipment and play -- we want to put on a show. We have our own sound guy, and his son runs all our lights and video, so we always have that as part of the show.

Where you surprised by the quick success of the your first CD, 'Shapes'?

PL: Yeah, we really were. We started out at a small venue and now are headlining places like the Parish and Stubb's, and now [we're going to] SXSW.

Is the band heavily involved in social media?

PL: Yeah, we think it' s really important to keep open communication with our fans. We are constantly updating our Facebook, band website and Twitter.

TA: It seems way more important for exposure to places we can't tour through right now [and] helps build up our fan base.

How did you get in to SXSW?

TA: We did the Sonicbid thing, but were actually invited to perform. We have been doing [it], say, for the past two years, but this is our first actual showcase.

What is your advice for bands coming to SXSW?

PL: Make contacts, network.

TA: And play as many shows that you can get during the festival.

What is your SXSW food recommendation?

Bestwurst, Home Slice for pizza, Thai Tara for Thai, Hut's for burgers and Hot Dog King.

Who is the quiet one in the band?

JM: That would be our bassist, Chance, but you wouldn't want to meet him in an alley.

What is next for the band?

JM: We have a new video and single coming out [March 1] on our website, then SXSW, and our new CD will be released in April.

Marcus Rendon is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.