Villagers Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 11th 2010 11:00AM by Chris Mugan
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Irish artist Conor J. O'Brien is set for a very special St Patrick's Day this year as he joins a host of acts from his native land at an SXSW showcase. O'Brien is the musical brain behind Villagers, a group that made waves in Ireland last year with a debut E.P. before being snapped up by the eminently tasteful Domino Records. Villagers purvey beguiling acoustic and piano-led tunes with a dark undertow of magical and naturalistic imagery. Spinner spoke to O'Brien before his Atlantic crossing.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Folk-centered soul songs surrounded by epic pop arrangements. Ewww, I feel dirty saying that.

How did the band get together?

I wrote a bunch of songs, recorded some demos of them, and then put them up on MySpace. I got asked to play a show so I called some friends of mine to see if they'd play with me. They said yes so we had a rehearsal and played some shows. The very first show was just myself and James, our drummer. There's some footage of it up on YouTube in which I look like a foetus.

What are your musical influences?

Nina Simone and Pavement.

How did you come up with Villagers as a band name?

I wanted a name that wouldn't tie the songs down -- Villagers is nice and faceless. I like its anonymity. It doesn't promote any preconceived notions of how the music should sound. It makes me feel free. Freedom was an alternative but every time I said it, I did a little puke in my mouth.

What's your biggest vice?

I'm finding it physically impossible to answer that truthfully! I'm not comfortable telling you ... coffee -- I'm a liar. Lying! Next question.

What's in your festival survival kit?

A good book and some earmuffs.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Probably someone shy, glamorous and fictional. Or maybe Winona Ryder -- although that was more of an obsession than a crush.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Kula Shaker. I love you Crispian!

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

One time, in an airport in France, I ordered the vegetarian option, as I usually do -- being a vegetarian -- and it tasted good!