Damien Jurado Loves ABBA, Butthole Surfers, and a Clean Pair of Socks

Every March, the entire music industry descends on Austin, Texas, for the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival March 15 to 20, and Seattle's scene is no exception. Dozens of bands are making the trip, and they'll be playing more shows and downing more free Red Stripes than can be calculated.

We normally reserve our "Reverb Questionnaire" for non-music folks like Michelle Norris and Michael Chabon, but in preparation for the massive trip south, we tweaked our standard questions and presented them to a few of the local emissaries making the journey.

Here's what we learned about Damien Jurado:

SW: What music have you been listening to today? Did you like it?

Jurado: God Unlimited, self-titled: Yes, it's my favorite record to listen to right now.

What's your preferred method for listening to music (iPod, car, home stereo, etc.)?

I'm not that picky. So long as I can listen to music, I'm happy.

When was the last time you heard "Stairway to Heaven"? Did you turn it off?

I heard it on the radio, while in an auto-parts store. I did wish that they would turn it off.

Do you play an instrument?

I play guitar.

Do you still listen to anything you were listening to in high school?

There are a lot of bands that I still listen to: Butthole Surfers, The Sound, Crass, various dub artists . . . King Tubby, Scientist . . .

What was the first band/artist you saw in concert? Would you see them again?

My mom took me to see KISS, on their "Dynasty" tour. Yeah, I might go.

What was the last band/artist you saw in concert? Worth your time?

Whalebones and Cave Singers.

When you sing karaoke, what's your go-to number?

Hmm . . . Anything by Run-DMC or Kurtis Blow.

How do you feel about ABBA?

Love them!

What is the last song you want to hear before you die?

"Flying on the Ground" by Buffalo Springfield

What's one indispensable accessory for this year's SXSW?

Socks.

How are you getting down to Austin, and how sure are you that your mode of transportation will get you all the way there?

I'm touring down to SXSW with Viva Voce. I hear they have good wheels and conversation.

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