SO.CO Team

7 months ago

New Artist Spotlight: Fat Dog

The British Music Embassy @ SXSW - Austin

Featured Photo

Every now and then, a band pops up out of nowhere, and all of a sudden, everyone is talking about them. Fat Dog are the latest such band. Thomas Jackson took the opportunity to find out what the fuss is all about at SXSW last month. 

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

The ever-fruitful London alternative scene has yet another great new hope. Fat Dog have been steadily gaining a solid word of mouth reputation for their chaotic live showing and infectious sound, which mixes indie, dance, punk, and even traditional jewish folk music. The result is a cacophony of noise that in lesser hands would fall apart before it even got started. Fat Dog are just a little bit special though. 

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

The band have recently signed to Domino Records, whose recent string of successes include Arctic Monkeys and Wet Leg, so they know a thing or two about picking winners. That fact is not lost on the capacity crowd at the British Music Embassy for their debut SXSW performance. Recent single, and ode to the underdog, ‘King Of The Slugs’, has clearly made it over this side of the pond, and given the the number of dedicated anglophiles shouting every word along with frontman Joe Love, it’s gone down as well in the US as it did back home. 

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

Fat Dog’s masterstroke is that they don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. They’re the polar opposite to their all too uptight contemporaries on the London scene. They’re musically superb, but they’re also not afraid to look like they’re actually enjoying themselves. It’s a surprising, and refreshing change, and long may it continue. 

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

Fat Dog @ SXSW 2024

Words and photos: Thomas Jackson