The Bewitched Hands on the Top of our Heads Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 12th 2010 9:30AM by María Lopez
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The seven knights of the pop apocalypse, or seven guys from Reims, France? This many-headed ensemble come to show the world that those of the Gallic persuasion can do folk too -- it's not only Gainsbourg or Daft Punk. They certainly don't subscribe to the usual traditions of French pop. The Bewitched Hands on the Top of our Heads (or the Bewitched for short) formed the group as a side-project and it's led to a brand of catchy melodic pop where psychedelic vocal harmonies crossover with folk. They gave Spinner the lowdown ahead of their SXSW appearance.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Melodic, psychedelic, pop

How did your band form?

We had known each other for a long while, we had all played in different bands and to some of us, in the beginning the Bewitched ... was more of a creative project, opposed to our "serious ones."

What are your musical influences?

They're huge -- they go from 60's pop to indie rock, folk or new wave.

How did you come up with your band name?

The idea of an "extension cord" name inspired by psychedelic music pleased us, its length reflects perfectly the fact that we've always been many people playing on stage, and we like the idea of bewitchment that it implies.

What's your biggest vice?

Vodka or whisky, depending on the night.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Extra pack of strings, aspirin, boots and shoe wax, occasionally.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Nirvana, Beatles, Pixies.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

It depends on the members... Italo disco, Jean-Luc Lahaye or AC/DC.

Beatles or Stones?

Beach Boys.

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

A pretty disastrous live date, time and technical organisation wise, in southern France. No doubt it wasn't our greatest gig, but it is a souvenir we still laugh about today.