LA’s Couch Dog Makes a Heartfelt Appearance at South By Southwest, from DTLA to Austin

Couch Dog Thrives at South By Southwest Festival

Austin, TX – The South By Southwest (SXSW) festival can be a daunting experience for any recording artist making their debut. The event, known for its meticulous organization, demands swift setup and breakdown from performers amidst the bustling atmosphere of Austin’s venues. For the Downtown Los Angeles-based band Couch Dog, however, the festival became an opportunity to shine.

Having successfully navigated the festival’s challenges, Couch Dog delivered four compelling showcases last week, exceeding their own expectations.

“The experience was amazing," said bassist Tasha Lee following the band’s final performance in Austin. "We didn’t know what to expect, but playing our official showcase felt like a hometown show. The audience was really hyped."

This enthusiastic reception revealed itself vividly when the audience surprised the band by forming a mosh pit in front of the stage. Given the band’s primarily West Coast performance history, this warm welcome came as a pleasant surprise. Austin music fans are known for their dedication to discovering new talent, and Couch Dog proved they were worthy of that attention.

Drummer Liam Reece reflected on the fast-paced environment of SXSW, noting, "The load in and load out had to be quick, but we heard about what we had to do, and we did it. What we didn’t know was how warm the community is here. They see a lot of music. We loved how much they were into us, a band from Los Angeles that hadn’t played South By before."

Composed of vocalist-guitarist Max Ferrer, Lee, and guitarist Pablo Acosta, Couch Dog was pleasantly surprised by the consistent turnout of dedicated fans at each of their performances.

"It was so cool seeing familiar faces," Lee remarked. "A number of people showed up at each of our four shows here in five days. We didn’t expect that. The entire experience absolutely exceeded our expectations. The energy at the shows was there, and we played well. This was an awesome experience."

Between their 45-minute sets, the band enjoyed some downtime by swimming at nearby Barton Springs, savoring local Tex-Mex and barbecue, and even visiting tattoo parlors. "I got a galloping horse tattoo," Lee shared with a laugh. "It’s very Texas. We don’t come to Austin often, so why not get the tattoo? Max got a medieval knight tattoo. We had the best experience and we hope to come back to South By Southwest."

Marking its 40th anniversary, the festival serves as a springboard for Couch Dog’s first national tour, which kicks off in Dallas. The band plans to return mid-week before embarking on its inaugural East Coast journey.

Since forming at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Couch Dog has transitioned from aspiring engineers and business majors to burgeoning garage rockers, having embraced their passion for music over corporate careers.

"We couldn’t be happier," Lee stated. "This is what we’re passionate about. We’re in a good place."

Now based in Los Angeles, where they relocated a year-and-a-half ago, the band has found a welcoming home. "Los Angeles has been fantastic," Lee noted. "We’ve been received with open arms. Liam is our new drummer, and he’s helped us connect with the LA scene since he’s from here. We’re happy to call Los Angeles home. We couldn’t be happier."