Vic And Gab Talk About The Indie Pop Duo’s Upcoming SXSW Premiere

It’s South by Southwest time again in Austin, Texas, and this year more musicians than ever from Wisconsin are playing the big festival.

One of the new acts this year is Milwaukee sister act Vic and Gab — Victoriah and Hanna Gabriela Banuelos. They’re ready to go national after making a splash in Milwaukee nightclubs — plus opening for President Obama at a Summerfest grounds rally.

But South by Southwest isn’t their first big break. Vic and Gab sat down to talk with me about the shock of their lives — when a song they mixed in their basement was picked up by the old MTV series “Skins” in 2011.

Vic: Yeah, it was kind of like, “Oh my God, is this real?” We got the email and we just got super excited, and we couldn’t believe it. Then we were like, “This is meant to be, we should probably start to take this more seriously and start recording some new songs, and maybe put a band together.”

Terry Bell: Now your first EP, it dealt with a lot of darker themes. And now you have this full-length album, and you’ve decided to turn your attention to the subject of love.

Vic: Yeah. We kind of learned what people liked to hear at bars. You know, people like to be happy and dance, and just have a good time, you know? That’s why you’re going out. So we embraced that, and said “You know what? Let’s make an upbeat album, and let’s be a bit more cheery about it.”

TB: I’m thinking of the lyrics of the title track, Love of Mine: “I wish the ground would swallow me; love of mine, run from me; you’ll never love to easy; you try so hard; we’re such a tragedy.” That still sounds pretty dark!

Gab: That is pretty dark. Well, the singer is a shy, embarrassed person. And that’s why…

Vic: Hence, Gab.

Gab: And that’s why it says “I wish the ground would swallow me,” because this person doesn’t know how to start a conversation with the person who is coming up to her.

TB: Your music is described as indie pop influenced by artists like Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan and Sarah. Do you think that’s pretty accurate? Or how would you describe your sound on your own?

Vic: That’s a tough question. It’s indie because…we’re doing it ourselves. I think it has a very pop-y feeling to it. But it’s also indie because it’s not mainstream. So, I would say that’s pretty accurate.

TB: Now, you’re going to South by Southwest, what’s been described as a giant industry speed-dating event. What are your expectations?

Gab: Well, we don’t really know what to expect. We’ve never been there before. But we’re hoping we can go out there and play really good shows. And we’re hoping to meet new people that can help us get shows with them, like bands. Discover new bands, new music. Make friends. And I’ve heard that the barbeque is delicious, so we want to try that, too!

TB: Not only all of that, but for you, this is extra special. You’re native Texans, and you’re coming home after being in Milwaukee for five years.

Vic: We haven’t really played in Texas. So going to Texas and playing South by Southwest is huge for us. We have a bunch of friends out there that go to school there. We’re excited for them to get to experience what we do, and get to play in our native state.

They grew up in Texas, but Vic and Gab say they consider themselves Wisconsinites now. Other Wisconsinites at South by Southwest this year include Hugh Bob and the Hustle, folk rocker Anna Vogelzang, jazz-hip-hop fusion brass band Youngblood, and indie darlings PHOX.