Q&A: Bayonne Reflects on the Evolution of SXSW, New Music & More
FINDING A WAY TO ELEGANTLY BRING ELEMENTS OF ELECTRONIC POP AND INDIE TOGETHER, Bayonne knows how to take his listener on a musical journey. The Austin-based artist is gearing up to realize his latest album Temporary Time, out May 26th alongside a US tour.
Attending his hometown’s SXSW this year as an attendee rather than a performer, Bayonne got a chance to reflect on how the festival has changed over the year and the impact it had on his early career.
As Bayonne shifts away from album making mode to music release and tour mode, listeners can expect to experience the Bayonne sound they’ve come to love with Temporary Time while hearing the artist’s growth as both a songwriter and producer.
Read below to hear about Bayonne’s upcoming album, the live side of things and more.
LUNA: You’re an Austin native and have had your fair share of SXSW experiences. How is this year compared to just previous years?
BAYONNE: It seems like it's finally come back. I haven't really experienced much of the events yet but just being downtown, it feels like the energy is back. It feels like it was before the pandemic or maybe even before that. It seemed like it was dipping off for a little bit like in 2017 and 2018, but this year is different. The people are back it seems more about the music.
LUNA: What value do you feel like SXSW has for both for you as an artist and the industry as a whole?
BAYONNE: When I was like really getting my footing in five years ago, it was super helpful. It kind of brought everybody together and I was able to do just like a tremendous amount of networking. The timing was just right, because I just met my manager and it all worked out. In that situation, it seemed like SXSW was extremely legitimate and really helpful for musicians, especially ones that are just starting off.
LUNA: Shifting to more of just like live music as a whole, what kind of role does your live music side of your work play in you’re creative process?
BAYONNE: There’s been a lot of times whereas I'm writing something, I’ll think about how I'm gonna do it live, but it just never really translates that way. I find it so limiting, but it's different every year or every time I’m doing new music. I usually just try to figure out the live set afterwards. I want the music to speak a little bit more than thinking about it for show. There are ways to make it cool, ut I try to lean towards the music itself.
LUNA: Where are you at with new music and this current creative process?
BAYONNE: I finished a record last year and we've been rolling it out. It's coming out on May 26 and Ww have like three singles out already. I'm figuring out the live set. I'm working on a couple of remixes and just approaching tour phase.
LUNA: What kind of role does the visual side play for you? Are you thinking about the visuals during the creative process?
BAYONNE: I can be very indecisive, so I often struggle with the visuals. For this project, I got my friend Matt, who I’ve done a lot of work with in the past. He did a spectacular job and I’m really happy with it. I think finding a person who can bring the music to life in a consistent yet organic way is awesome.
LUNA: With everything on the horizon for the upcoming months, what intentions do you have for this season?
BAYONNE: Mostly just figuring out the live end and doing the tour, which I'm very, very excited about. I have like a bunch of extra singles that I haven't finished quite yet, so I imagine when I finish tour I’d like to work on those. I just need to finish some other songs and kind of get back into the studio. I want to try to get better at being more consistent and jump right into the studio after tour and keep a true cycle.
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