Kristina Train Interview: SXSW 2010

Although Kristina Train has been playing music since she was three years old, her debut album, 'Split Milk,' was only released in late 2009. The Savannah, GA musician, who sings and plays violin, discusses her flagship journey to SXSW, what she hopes to accomplish in Austin and why Serge Gainsbourg constitutes a guilty pleasure for her.

How did you get started playing music?

My mom started me on violin lessons when I was three so I started on music at a very early age. I started singing in church choir and school choir and playing in youth orchestras. I just realized how much I loved music and I could never ever live without doing it. I can literally say it's been my whole life. My mom was a huge music lover. Every Sunday she would make a huge dinner and it was the tradition that all day long we would play records. She had an extensive record collection. It started me on this unending list of musicians I want to hear and learn from.

Describe your sound in your own words.

The sound for this album is honest, soulful and a little sophisticated.

What are your musical influences?

This is the difficult part. This is where I have to edit down. Listening has always been the best way to educate myself. People who have influenced my style the most would be Mable John, Karen Dalton, Andy Statman, Bobby Womack, T Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Halia Jackson, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline. I could go on and on. Every kind of traditional American music. The list is extensive.

What's your biggest vice?

Red wine.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Nothing bad has ever happened yet, so until I know what emergency gear to pack I don't really have a survival kit.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I not sure I'm guilty about it, but I never would have thought I would like it. The whole French electronic movement like Air, Serge Gainsbourg. That electronic dance-y stuff like Ladyhawke and Santigold, too.

Beatles or Stones?

I guess I would Rolling Stones with the lights off, Beatles with the lights on.

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

When I was out with Keb' Mo' we were in Michigan and my guitar player and road manger and I went out to eat. I was saying, "Oh man, no one knows who I am! This is terrible. People are going to get annoyed when we open for Keb' Mo' because all they're gonna want to hear is Keb' Mo' and I'm going to ruin their night!" After we ate the waiter came up and said, "Are you Kristina Train? Your meal's on us, this whole restaurant is a big fan." That's when I stopped whining and realized how good my life was.

Have you played SXSW before?

No. I've heard it's quite an adventure. I've been wanting to play for quite a while so I'm really looking forward to it. Coming out this year is exciting for me.

What do you hope to gain from your trip to SXSW this year?

I'm flying in that morning and flying out early the next, but if I do have time I would love to walk around a little bit and I'm dying to eat a great Tex Mex meal. And also hear some more music. I'm not quite sure how close my venue is to the rest of the venue since I haven't been there before so I'm just going to walk around blindly and listen. Either way, it will be a success for me.


Emily Zemler is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.