Unicorn Kid Interview: SXSW 2010

Oliver Sabin, aka Unicorn Kid, first began making tracks on a small Casio keyboard as a hobby in Edinburgh, Scotland at 16 years of age. By the time he was 18, he was making 8-bit dance-music hits. You can't miss him onstage wearing a majestic lion hat that even his fans have started wearing. Recently signed with EMI and Ministry of Sound in the UK, Sabin decided make his passion for music his career, and has thrown himself into it full-time, currently working on Unicorn Kid's debut album.

Describe your sound in your own words.

I make 8-bit melody-driven instrumental music -- visual/pop/8-bit.

How did your band form?

I bought a Casio VL-Tone keyboard calculator when I was 16 and began experimenting by layering drum patterns and melodies to make simple, short songs. I put some of the tracks up on MySpace, and after a few months was asked to play a BBC Radio 1 session. I then thought about taking it a bit more seriously. The sound has progressed considerably and my methods have changed and developed -- however, that lo-fi sound has always stuck with me.

What are your musical influences?

I like to listen to artists like Rustie, Joker and Hudson Mohawke; however, I wouldn't really consider any particular artist to be a direct influence on my music. Everything is instrumental, so when I'm creating a track, I like to think of visual scenes, either from real life or from my dreams, and try to use those images or feelings as a basis for the track.

How did you come up with your band name?

Folk legend states that the lion and the unicorn have been enemies since the dawn of time, with the unicorn representing spring and the lion representing summer. Two years ago, the unicorn came to me in the night, asking for my assistance in their glorious battle. I wholeheartedly accepted and was given my war title "Unicorn Kid." When I don my lion hat onstage, you witness the battle between the lion and my inner unicorn.

What's your biggest vice?

Burritos from Chipotle Mexican Grill in the US. I first tasted it while on tour last September and can't wait to get on that again!

What's in your festival survival kit?

Face paints and snacks.

Who was your first celeb crush?

I was 8 years old and it was the red Power Ranger. I have been crushing hard on George Clooney and Colin Farrell for the past five years.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I don't think anybody should have guilty pleasures when it comes to music. I think people label tracks as guilty pleasures when they are embarrassed by their own taste. The idea of enjoying a certain music on a purely ironic or postmodern level bewilders me. you should like it because you like it!

Beatles or Stones?

Beatles.

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

In Michigan, a girl waited outside the venue from 6 am to make sure that she would be first in line, then got me to sign a piece of paper for her. She later got the signature tattooed on her ankle. I hung out with her for a bit and she was very cool. That kind of "fandom" completely blows my mind.


Anneliese Curtis Place is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.