Jonathan Horstmann
Musician & Activist
BLXPLTN, Messages
Q: SXSW is a playground of new ideas and a time for people to roll out policy ideas; in your view is SXSW a good place grassroots activism?
A: Yes and no. I’m not sure what the criteria are for presenting your ideas during a panel, but there are some exciting things taking place this year. On the grassroots side, however, the influx of people into Austin doesn’t nesecarilly mean you’ll have more exposure. There is a lot of competition for people’s attention.
Q: Issues like the #blacklivesmatter campaign have a presence this year at the festival. It's much different than the consumer based activism that seems to be prevalent at the festival. Where do you see an intersection for education, activism, and confrontation for movements like this to be heard at what is the largely happy-go-lucky tone of the festival?
A: Some folks definitely don’t want you to harsh their mellow, but there are also people who are happy to see an intelligent discourse about real issues. The intersection I can see the most is when bands decide to use their music for a message. What better way to elevate the conversation at a music festival?
Q: Music is unique in that it can educate and confront prejudices in an immediacy that no other medium can compare to. How have you seen this in the reactions to your own music?
A: Honestly the most rewarding thing for me is being able to bond with other people who are not afraid to call out their oppressors. Especially when we’re all in this very commercial space together. Festivals are about money as much as they are music, and it can be very challenging to marry the two when you are spreading an anticapitalist idea. But folks keep reaching out to share how our music has touched them or empowered them, so we’re gonna keep on at it.
Q: How long have you been doing sxsw and what do you hope sxsw can achieve outside of the standard trade show playground it's become year after year?
A: Last year both of my projects had official showcases, but this year we’re just doing the unofficial things. Its really important to support those locals and venues that do the music thing day in day out, not just during spring break. I think this will be my 8th year participating in some capacity. I don’t think SXSW itself, as a company, can really do much else besides the formula they have been implementing. Sponsors are necessary for any music festival. This year we’re seeing a scaling back even, due to last years tragic loss of life on Red River street. What I’m interested in is seeing how the locals and bands themselves decide to capitalize on the huge influx of music and culture fans. I’d like to see more focus on culture, style, and grassroots movements. There are groups organizing for social change that could use the support, and not just one week a year. I’d say more free shows with big bands and really cool, smaller brand sponsorships are probably the way to go.