Austin’s music scene is diverse to be sure. However, few bands exercise the kind of diversity within their body of work as Austin’s Borrisokane. They’ve been called dream pop, gloom pop, synth pop, indie rock, horror rock, dark pop, and so on. Borrisokane’s ability to defy being placed into box is what makes them so convincing as a band. Outside of drummer Josh Denslow being a published writer and organizing an epic collaborative box set featuring six different Austin bands, he and fellow Borrisokane member Rebecca Asuan-O’brien managed to start a family this year with the birth of their son, Elijah. All that, and they’re still making the trip out to play Utopiafest this weekend. Color me impressed. Below, Denslow answers a few questions in advance of their performance at Utopiafest, Saturday at noon. By the way, there are less than 50 weekend passes to Utopiafest left, buy yours here.
POP PRESS INTL: Utopiafest always brings out quite a few local acts; how are you feeling about being ambassadors of Austin’s music community out at Utopiafest?
Josh Denslow: With Utopia only a few hours a way, it makes sense to bring in some Austin bands. We’re pretty excited to play to new people, but also see some of our friends. And we are grateful to be ambassadors of the wonderful music community we have brewing in town. We feel pretty lucky all around.
PPI: What are the best and worst experiences you’ve ever had at a festival as a band or an attendee?
JD: My biggest problem with festivals is that there is always two bands I really want to see playing at the same time. So I’m hoping that my “best” festival experience will be this weekend with no overlapping stages. The entire Utopiafest is watching one band at a time. That’s amazing.
PPI: What aspects of Utopiafest’s remote locale are you looking forward to?
JD: Rebecca and I live in Dripping Springs, so I’m excited to go somewhere even more remote than here. Plus when we leave the house with all our equipment, we’ll be going the opposite direction than we normally travel for shows.
PPI: What touring acts are you excited to share a bill with out at Utopiafest?
JD: I think all of us are excited about different acts. Derek won’t stop talking about GZA. He’s great and all, but I’m pretty sure he’s playing with Bernie Worrell who is even more awesome. I’m pretty pumped about Kishi Bashi too. Ryker wants to see Dan Deacon. Rebecca just wants to make sure we all get to our set on time. Which, by the way, is noon on Saturday.
PPI: In your deepest dreams, what is your utopia?
JD: Traveling the world with Rebecca and our son Elijah. I can’t think of anything better.
Here, stream music from Borrisokane:
