SPELLS Interview: SXSW 2010

The Austin band SPELLS, formerly known as Moth Fight, apparently have big things ahead of them that they aren't allowed to disclose to the public at this time. Though they've only been SPELLS for a relatively short amount of time, their reputation and experience as Moth Fight landed them a show at this year's SXSW festival. It will be among their first shows in this incarnation of the band. Spinner secured this interview.

How would you describe your sound in your own words?

One of us comes up with an melody, rhythm, even a scenario, and we all filter it through ourselves until it becomes a shared experience.

How did your band form?

We've been SPELLS for only about a month, so this is all very new to us. Most of us were involved in another project called Moth Fight that has since dissolved.

What are your musical influences?

Whatever works its way into our daily environment. It's really hard to filter influences when everything you're bombarded with affects your writing.

How did you come up with your band name?

We'd been referring to songs as "spells" for a while. Mitch and I are definitely drawn toward the fantastic. He likes the purer stuff though, where as I don't mind a little horror.

What's your biggest vice?

Personally, they all have equal standing.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Don't guilt yourself over music. It's antithetical to the whole concept.

Who or what kind of people would you recommend listening to your music?

When you start considering an "intended audience," it gets a little weird. We play shows with bands we like and, hopefully, most people enjoy the whole evening. That's why we tour our songs for a while before we record them. It's a chance to see if the audience is picking up on the vibe of a particular song. That sort of outsider perspective, plus the physical act of performing the songs, can really help determine whether something is working or not.

What works or accomplishments is the band most proud of?

We're sitting on some big news right now, actually, but aren't allowed to disclose anything yet. Hmm. One of our first shows is a SXSW showcase with our friends the Silver Pines.

What key moment made you feel that the band had really "made it"?

I'm reminded of a paraphrased quote from 'The Kids in the Hall.' They said that by the time they realized they had actually "made it," they were working too hard to really revel in it. To us, this is something that we have to do. We're fortunate that it's also a job.

What's your latest music-related accomplishment?

Today we're really excited about a new song we're practicing, dedicated to Mark Linkous.


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