Q&A: Porij Brings the Their Unique Flavor to SXSW
Photos By Isabella Grossling
READY TO INJECT THEIR ENERGY INTO THE ECHO SYSTEM OF SXSW - Porij is a band on the rise. This was their first time navigating the sprawling festival, a baptism by fire amidst a whirlwind of showcases, industry connections, and fellow music enthusiasts. Despite the unfamiliar territory, Porij isn't fazed. They meticulously prepared for their live sets, a testament to their dedication and a promise to SXSW attendees: expect high-octane chaos, overflowing with love and a sound that pushes the boundaries of punk.
Admist SXSW, Porij's gives us a preview of their upcoming album, Teething, a sonic journey that captures the raw emotions and confusion of young adulthood. But the heart of Porij lies in their connection with fans. The band thrives on the energy of live shows, and their touring plans are a testament to that. They yearn to see the world, connect with audiences across continents, and leave a trail of unforgettable live experiences in their wake. As their career blossoms, their aspirations are refreshingly straightforward: play music, see the world, and maybe catch a 76ers game in Philly along the way.
Read below to explore the world of Porij.
LUNA: Welcome to Austin, Porij! This is your first time at SXSW. What's the vibe like for you, and what are you most looking forward to experiencing during the festival?
EGG: It's absolutely incredible being in Austin, we've never been here before and the vibe is different than anything we've ever experienced. There's so much going on, it's kind of beautifully chaotic.
LUNA: You have a packed showcase schedule. How have you been preparing for your live performances, and what kind of energy can fans expect from your SXSW sets?
NATHAN: We did a setup that was sort of "damage limitation," because we knew it was going to be absolute carnage. We went to a bit of a bootcamp to prep for the festival knowing it was going to be so busy.
EGG: With any show of ours, expect high-octane. Expect chaos. Expect love. We love love.
JACOB: It's the most punk Porij has sounded.
LUNA: Are there any other artists you're excited to see perform at SXSW, or perhaps collaborate with in the future?
EGG: We saw a lot of the incredible band O., which is really funny because they're based in the UK now. Everywhere we go, they're there and it's fantastic and they have such a high energy set, it's a party.
JACOB: There's a band who we didn't actually catch but I love called Fcukers. They're from New York and they played a lot, really sick music.
LUNA: Can you tease any themes or sonic directions we can expect from your new album?
EGG: I think the general theme of the album is 4 scrappy young cats trying to navigate the world in their mid-twenties when they're poor and confused.
LUNA: With the album on the horizon, what are your touring plans, and how do you envision connecting with fans on the road?
EGG: Our touring plans are to do it as much as possible, as evidenced by our hectic American schedule. Seeing people connect with the music in different places is so fun and interesting so we want to go to as many places as possible and play as much music as possible.
LUNA: As your career continues to blossom, what are some of your biggest musical aspirations?
EGG: Gig as much as possible, I'd love to go to Japan, I'd love to see the world, I'd love to go to Philly and write more music (and see the 76ers!)
LUNA: What intentions do you have for the upcoming months?
NATHAN: We have our new album Teething coming out on April 26, that's going to be incredibly exciting. It's the first time we've released anything physically. We're then going on a big headlining UK tour, and then we hope to come back to the US and play more shows.
EGG: Head out into Europe, go see my folks in New Zealand.. Basically you can distill this interview into 'we'd really like to play live more, everywhere.'
