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Lesbian and queer folks take annual music festival by storm featuring stoner pop, electronic beats, icons, and more under the hot Texas sun.
Partner
“If you’re reading this, congratulations on being a lesbian,” says Josée Caron, standing outside the Swan Dive in Austin, Texas during the music week of South by Southwest (SXSW). “We’re just really happy to be interviewed by Curve. Curve has awesome content.”
In addition to being an incredible hype person (backatcha with that awesomeness!), Caron is in the band, Partner. Hailing from Windsor, Ontario, Caron and band mate Lucy Niles make guitar-driven pop punk with references to weed “Everybody Knows (You’re High),” Ellen Page “The Ellen Page,” and high school sports “Play the Field.” Partner released their debut full-length record In Search of Lost Time in September 2017, garnering positive reviews for their unique brand of tongue-in-cheek rock that is the musical equivalent of sly grins and late-night hijinks with a best friend – peppered with a few guitar solos for good measure.
“We usually just talk a lot and then if we say something funny or something that sounds good we just start singing it,” Caron says, on the band’s writing process.
“Yeah, and then once we sing it we figure out how the chords go,” says Niles.
Also, the two want everyone to know that they are gay but not for each other, as they explain in the very aptly titled: “We’re Gay (But Not for Each Other).”
“I like talking to [Josée] because it makes me feel happy and calm,” says Niles. “She understands everything. Sometimes I feel bad and I don’t even know why and I tell her and she explains back to me why. That’s nice.”
“What I love about Lucy is her way of seeing things,” Caron says, gesturing toward Niles. “You see things in a way that is so full of joy and laughter. Like when we watch reality TV together, it just changed my life. It’s so different from my mind and when I can see things through your eyes, I see so much more and I’m very grateful for that.”
They quickly hug it out, as if to seal the deal.
“Plus, we just have a lot of laughs,” Niles says.
They definitely have laughs. In fact, it’s tough to imagine a more jovial crew. Even the bass player can’t stop smiling and it seems like far more than just the contact buzz.
“When you enjoy yourself, other people feel free to enjoy themselves and that’s number one,” Caron says on delivering a great SXSW set.
“That and the Melissa Etheridge cover because everybody loves Melissa Etheridge,” says Niles.
True to their word, amidst guitar solos, and songs about pot, Partner covers “I’m the Only One,” quite effectively and to the delight of the SXSW crowd.
“We saw a guy in a shark mask with a boom box,” says Niles. “That was cool.”
Caron nods. “Just the whole vibe here is like…soak it in, I guess.”
The two have a European tour coming up and plans for a new record and EP. Keep Partner on your gaydar.
Now, Now
KC Dalager and Brad Hale make up Now, Now an indie pop band that has been steadily rising on the music scene since their debut in 2005. After 2012’s Threads, fans have been waiting with baited breath to see what’s next.
Lucky for all of us, the wait is almost over as the pair recently announced their upcoming release Saved due out May 18. After doling out three singles from the new album, including the electronica-driven jams “SGL,” “Yours,” and most recently “AZ,” fans are on the edge of their seats to hear the full record.
Immediately following a packed and sweaty show, played to an eager crowd, (including a group of Now, Now die-hards who sang along to every word), the duo relax under a tree outside The Sidewinder nightclub.
Dalager’s hair, a shade or two darker than cotton candy is vibrant and makes an exciting visual, marking not only a sonic gap between Threads and the new material, but a physical identifier of change as well.
“If you make a good song that is a genuine emotion, and you feel strongly about it, no one is going to complain,” says Dalager about the evolution of the band’s sound. “You can’t argue with a good song. No matter if someone says ‘It’s not as guitar-based,’ or whatever. It doesn’t matter. How does it make you feel? That’s all that matters.”
“I’m excited to play all the songs,” says Hale. “Even just playing a new one today that we’ve never played before feels really good. We have a lot of cool stuff planned and I feel like with our whole all-encompassing visuals and music, we finally figured that all out.”
After years of playing together, Dalager and Hale have formed an unbreakable bond that is apparent in their music.
“Your sense of music impresses me all the time. You are the first person that made me excited about music and the possibility of having a career in music,” Dalager says to Hale, before turning back to us. “That’s what I love about Brad.”
“It goes both ways,” Hale says, smiling.
As for the chaos of playing seven SXSW showcases in a matter of four days, the pair steels themselves for the inevitable craziness.
“We just go into every show assuming nothing is going to work. This is going to break. We’re going to have feedback the whole time,” Dalager says.
“So, when it does work, it’s extra fun. Like today, everything worked,” says Hale. “And take naps.”
Looking ahead to a stint aboard the Parahoy Cruise (with fellow musicians, Paramore) and a European tour in support of Saved, the pair has a sense of excitement about what lies ahead.
With the critical acclaim the album is already receiving, music fans should be excited, too.
Linda Perry
Linda Perry is a commanding presence onstage at her SXSW keynote with collaborator, Kerry Brown. The two started We Are Hear Music to manage and support developing artists.
Perry advocates for the authenticity of music, eschewing the fame cycle that frequently raises and then discards talent.
“I’m interested in a band and an artist, not a brand and a celebrity,” Perry says. “Support the creative.”
The lesbian icon is married to Roseanne actor and The Talk host, Sara Gilbert.
Popular in the 90’s with the band 4 Non Blondes and going on to produce many of pop and rock’s top acts including P!NK, Janis Ian, Joan Jett, Dixie Chicks, Christina Aguilera, and more, Perry has a big place in queer women’s hearts and playlists.
Mal Blum and the Blums
Bringing punk rock to Austin queer space, Cheer Up Charlie’s is Mal Blum and the Blums. As someone who is transgender, Blum specifically took a moment to share how they reached out to other trans attendees via the SXSW app SXSocial to feel a sense of community often absent from major festivals.
“If you’re here and you’re trans, I want you to know I see you,” they said, to a raucous round of applause from the enthusiastic crowd.
Blum’s brand of punk brought an exciting element to the festival this year with each song bigger and catchier than the one before. Also spotted in the crowd was Blum’s recent tour mate, Mary Lambert, enjoying the SXSW programming.
Learn more about Mal Blum and check out their tunes at MalBlum.com.
Until Next Year
SXSW is always a chaotic, exciting, and inspiring week. The only problem is catching all the great acts. In fact, we missed Kaki King’s Palm Park Rooftop concert early in the week. In any case, SXSW always seems to be upping its LGBTQ music game, which is great news for us.
So, see you next year, SXSW and see you next month, Curve readers!