Honeyblood, Casual Sex, Young Fathers, Rustie and more confirmed for SXSW

The first wave of Scottish bands have been announced for annual industry showcase SXSW (7-16 Mar), which takes place in Austin, Texas. Scottish bloggers The Pop Cop report that the provisional announcement of this year's lineup includes the Cairn String Quartet, Casual Sex, Holy Esque, Honeyblood, Prides, Rustie, Saor Patrol, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Withered Hand and Young Fathers.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been named as one of the 2014 event's keynote speakers. The festival will feature live performances from more established artists as well as up-and-coming bands, including synth-pop originator Gary Numan, louche rockers Urge Overkill, and legendary Queensbridge hip-hop crew Mobb Deep. 

Speaking exclusively to The Skinny, Honeyblood's Stina Tweeddale commented: "We are very much looking forward to going. We heard some stories from friends who have been before and it just seems like a great experience. I think it's a great time for us to go as we are starting to plan the release of our debut album and SXSW is a great platform to launch something like that." The duo will be "bunking up in the same house as Prides," she continues. "Just by chance it seems. I think it's great to have support for other Scots going. We've all made the same trip and most of us know each other well."

She and bandmate Shona McVicar are looking forward to catching some emerging bands at the festival: "We played with a band called Mise En Scene a few months back who were really loved and they have been announced too. They are from Canada so it will be nice to see them again! There's also a whole load of amazing bands to catch... Our list will be long. As two girls under 5"4... I assume everything will be bigger than us in Texas. We've also been told to try out the margaritas!"

Also speaking exclusively to The Skinny, Sam Smith of Casual Sex remarks: "This is the first time for all of us at SXSW, second time in Texas for myself. I've worked with various folk who have played and as an experience in itself everyone’s really enjoyed it. For a few it has certainly helped them make considerable inroads into America. Myself,  I shall leave these shores with no expectations other than to go easy on the barbecue. For us, I think it will be a good time to meet many of the folk who have helped us so far, offer some sincere 'thank yous,' and hopefully persuade a few more to do so." 

Asked if he and his bandmates will be hanging out with the other Scottish bands in attendance, Smith responds: "We will be frequenting a few saloons no doubt, swapping tales about the old Scotland, spitting out tobacco juice and nonchalantly twiddling Colt 45s round our fingers." Are there any acts he wants to catch? "Just looking at the third wave of acts announced, there's a lot, lots and lots of whom I've never heard of," he says. "I'm sure I'll find some fresh inspiration if P Diddy don't hit the spot..." He's looking forward to seeing the "big wide open space" of Texas. "I once rode across it on the train," he says - he saw "lots and lots of not a lot. And all the usual clichés, guys in Stetsons saying 'howdy!'"

Further details on the remaining Scottish acts yet to be announced for the festival, as well as a showcase to be presented by Creative Scotland, are expected to be disclosed next week.