The ever-charming and talented alt-rock outfit Carver Commodore – comprised of guitarist and vocalist Payton Pruitt, guitarist Phillip Blevins, drummer Noah Freeman, and multi-instrumentalist Clayton Christopher – took time out of their schedule to take over our Instagram account during SXSW 2023. We caught up with them post-takeover – and post-fest – to see how it all went down for them. Lead singer and guitarist Payton Pruitt’s words below.
an interview with Payton of carver commodore
iF: What was the first song or album that you remember hearing, and does that work of art have any influence on how you approach your music today?
Carver Commodore (CC): One of the first songs I remember hearing is “That Smell” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I have a core memory of slamming my finger in the door of my dad’s El Camino and rushing to the doctor as my finger gushed blood and “That Smell” played over the speakers. I was probably 4 years old. I still love that song, and I’m 100% sure it has crept into my songwriting at some point. The Lynyrd Skynyrd “triple guitar assault” is definitely something we draw from as a band!
iF: Tell us a little bit about what got you started in music, and how this project came to be.
CC: I started playing music around 11 or 12 years old because a friend of mine played guitar and we both got into AC/DC at the same time, so I wanted to play those songs with him. I started singing and writing songs around 15 years old, and a few bands later, Phil (our guitarist) and I started Carver Commodore together after being in a folk rock band together.
iF: What did the road to SXSW look like for you, literally or figuratively?
CC: We’ve been trying to make it out to SXSW for years. We were booked for a few unofficial shows in 2020, but we all know what happened there. Couldn’t get on in ’21 or ’22, and finally made it in ’23. Played a few great shows with our boys in a band called Brother Moses on our way out this year and loved it.
iF: What has the experience been like? I’d love to see it through your eyes, as first-timers!
CC: Honestly, super chaotic when it comes time to play shows! Parking & Load-in kinda sucks, but that’s just part of it I guess. We had a few great shows and a few not-so-great, but I’m glad we finally got to experience it. It was a learning experience if nothing else! Would also be nice if SXSW would give artists water!
iF: Best showcase, besides your own?
CC: Hermanos Guiterrez at Stubb’s.
iF: What was the most magical thing you found in Austin?
CC: Free parking
iF: What’s your absolute favorite word right now, and why?
CC: “Mode.” No idea why – everything is just on “__ mode” (ex: “SXSW is on $30 parking mode”)
iF: If you had the ability to tell the future, would you like it?
CC: Probably not. Would just give us more to worry about or anticipate!
iF: What’s coming up for you next?
CC: We’re releasing a new EP called “If Nothing Happens” on August 15th! The first single is out April 11th and it’s called “Drown Me in Emotions”. Very excited for people to hear these songs.
iF: That’s amazing! We can’t wait.
CC: CAR-VER COM-MO-DORE! Thanks for letting us be a part of this!
Kenzo Cregan trekked into the depths of SXSW 2023 this year, performing his signature indie rock for audiences from around the world. Though it wasn’t his first experience in ATX, he still seemed to allow the magic of the event – and the excitement around performing it – seep into his bones. If you’re looking for a quick, optimistic interview and an amazing artist to follow, this is it.
an interview with kenzo cregan
imperfect Fifth (iF): What was the first song or album that you remember hearing, and does that work of art have any influence on how you approach your music today?
Kenzo Cregan (KC): The first album I remember listening to was The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I believe it is the pinnacle of great songwriting and production. It absolutely influences my songwriting. However, I only hope to touch the surface of that level of artistry.
iF: Tell us a little bit about what got you started in music, and how this project came to be.
KC: My musical journey began very early. My father was and still is a professional musician. He taught me how to play guitar, and the origins of rock n’ roll. My mother used to also be a singer back in the 80s, and both of them encouraged me to go after my dream. This current project was the result of a lot of trial and error. I finally realized what kind of project I want to have, and how I want to express myself musically.
iF: What did the road to SXSW look like for you, literally or figuratively?
KC: Well, this time around, there wasn’t a tour leading up to it. The bass player in my band joined me to form an acoustic duo for this run. We played 5 shows throughout the week, saw some other great bands, and made some great connections. We also got to explore the city quite a bit. We ate some good BBQ and went thrifting!
iF: Was this your first time at SXSW, or have you been to good ol’ ATX for the madness before?
KC: I had been before with a different project, and have been to Austin on tour.
iF: If you have been, do you have a favorite go-to spot for food, bevs, or people-watching?
KC: There’s this cool boot shop called Allen’s Boots that I went to before. So I had to stop by there for a quick look around.
iF: Best showcase, besides your own?
KC: The Dr. Martens Showcase was awesome! We saw this really cool punk band called “Dream Wife”. Definitely one of the best live performances I’d seen in a while!
iF: What was the most magical thing you found in Austin?
KC: Honestly, there was this Moroccan food truck we ate at on our last night. It was on Congress. Some of the best I’ve had in a while. Highly recommend!
iF: What’s your absolute favorite word right now, and why?
KC: “Love” will always be my favorite word!
iF: If you had the ability to tell the future, would you like it?
KC: Probably not. Feel like we’re heading towards some dark times, unfortunately. That’s why we need love now more than ever.
iF: What’s coming up for you that you’d like us to tell everyone about?
KC: I’m currently in the process of repackaging my music on all streaming platforms. As well as some new music in the works! Can’t wait for everyone to hear!
iF: Anything you’d like to add?
KC: Just want to say it’s always an honor and a privilege to be recognized for my music. Thank you for sending over these questions!
For those who have never been, SXSW is no walk in the park. While the conference has done its due diligence over the years making the process more easily navigable, the week still feels like sheer chaos no matter how many maps, apps, and information you have in advance. New experiences and shows crop up on random corners at all times of the day, and there are so many things to do and see and share that you truly can’t go wrong.
Ron Gallo was in Austin for their FIFTH SXSW experience this year, and we had the unique pleasure of having them take over our Instagram account for a short time that week. We also got to circle back with some questions about the 2023 SXSW experience, answered below.
an interview with ron gallo
imperfect Fifth (iF): What was the first song or album that you remember hearing, and does that work of art have any influence on how you approach your music today?
Ron Gallo (RG): The first CD I remember having in my possession as a kid was Coolio’s “Gangsters Paradise.” I’m not sure how it influences me directly now but I do gravitate towards listening to a lot of hip-hop from the era. Very nostalgic.
iF: Tell us a little bit about what got you started in music, and how this project came to be.
RG: I asked for a guitar when I was maybe 12, for no real reason. Took a few lessons, zero natural talent as a guitarist or singer. Then immediately started using it to write songs in high school when I started my first bands.
We were terrible. But I stuck with it. Then in my college years, I started my former band, which I think was when I started to figure out my voice and how to play half-decently. My “solo project” began in 2014 when I felt like my previous band was no longer in tune with where I wanted to go so I wanted to do my own thing that could perpetually evolve and grow and die with me.
Then came the first album in 2017, “HEAVY META” and that’s what started my actual touring professional music career which is still crazy to think about. Now, here I am still doing it. Not sure how.
iF: What a journey! Speaking of journeys, what did the road to SXSW look like for you, literally or figuratively?
RG: Woke up at 3:30 AM in Philadelphia on Wednesday 3/15, drove to the airport parking, took a shuttle to the terminal, went thru security, got on the plane, landed in Dallas at 9:30 AM, took another shuttle to the rental car, drove 3 hours to Austin, checked into the Airbnb, dropped off stuff, went to Waterloo Records and played our first show at 5 PM. Slept. Woke up at 5:30 AM the following morning to make pancakes for Chiara’s birthday then had to be out the door at 6:30 AM to go play live on air at KUTX at 8 AM. From there it was a relentless chain of play, pack up, go, rest, play, eat, pack up, go go go go go go go.
iF: Was this your first time at SXSW, or have you been to good ol’ ATX for the madness before?
RG: This was my 5th time!
iF: Not sure how you do it! Do you have a favorite go-to spot for food, bevs, or people-watching?
RG: Arlo’s Curbside! Amazing vegan burger. Also, love Jo’s Coffee/Tacos as well as Joann’s Fine Foods.
iF: Best showcase, besides your own?
RG: We didn’t see a single other show besides the ones we played because there was no time but I think my favorite show might have been a tie between Dr. Martens and Brooklyn Bowl/Consequence Party.
iF: So much to do, SO little time down there! What was the most magical thing you found in Austin?
RG: We found this taco truck oasis in some part of town that was off the beaten path where we had amazing food a bit of sun and warmth and a quiet moment.
iF: That sounds dope! What’s your absolute favorite word right now, and why?
RG: I like to call everyone BOSS, as a joke or by a random name that is not theirs.
iF: If you had the ability to tell the future, would you like it?
RG: I think the beauty of life is the not knowing.
iF: Insightful. And damn true! What’s coming up for you that you’d like us to tell everyone about?
RG: Just had a new album called “FOREGROUND MUSIC” come out a couple weeks ago and we are going to begin US and European touring in a couple weeks from now. Also going to be releasing our first book and a concert film we made very soon.
iF: Sounds like you’ve been busy! We absolutely can’t wait. Thank you so much for hanging out.
On Thursday, March 16th, Colony House brought their Cannonballers Tour to The Truman in Kansas City, Missouri. Pop trio Little Image opened the event, bringing the energy up high enough that the crowd was jumping up and down in unison halfway through the set. For a mid-week show in the midwest (in the snow, mind you), that was enough to have me convinced that even the opener has some lasting power.
Colony House took the stage to a warmed-up crowd, many of whom seemed to genuinely know every word of their music. From the first chords of “Landlocked Surf Rock” through the honest lyricism in “Learning How to Love,” and through on into “Man on the Run,” the crowd was 100% engaged in the performance. (Not even the building blizzard seemed to bring them down.) Fan favorite “One of Those Days” felt a bit anthemic, as the crowd came together in vulnerability and a sense of togetherness.
The 22-song set list was to die for at best, and inspiring at worst. About midway through the event, they did an endearing rendition of Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit,” a song it seems the crowd – aside from just myself – will never quite tire of. Nostalgic surf rock favorite “You Know It” was the perfectly placed last performed track, allowing the band to assure us that they will be back again.
New York-based busking royalty Bandits on The Run graced the halls of the Westin at Crown Center during Folk Alliance 2023. Because they had (the smallest amount of) free time between interviews and scheduled sets associated with the festival, they took that opportunity to busk a bit inside. We got to snap some fun photos of them busking near the picturesque entryway, then after they had relocated to the stairwell and accumulated quite the crowd on multiple floors!
Folk Alliance weekend was, let’s just be honest, “Bandits On The Run Weekend”. We started with a cozy Friday performance at Effing Candle Co. on Main Street and then got to watch the trio perform 2 mini pop-up performances at Crown Center. (If you think we feel spoiled, we absolutely do!)
Between those two mini-performances, we actually got a few minutes to take fun portraits of your favorite genre-bending cuties. A few of our favorites below!
