Seattle's Aqueduct have been doggedly honing an indie/laptop pop sound for several years. Essentially a one-man studio band, David Terry channels influences ranging from a suburban Oklahoma upbringing to fandom of Guns 'N' Roses and The Princess Bride into his catchy, lo-fi home studio creations.

Live, the band is a very different animal: at SXSW two years ago, they simply demolished the crowd with a blend of original tunes, rap covers, an Aqueduct theme song, and even a (quite ahead of the irony curve) Journey cover to finish the set. The quality of their shows led to support slots for both The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse. While Terry looks perhaps more roadie than rock star at first glance, his energy and enthusiasm are infectious. We talked to him recently about SXSW '07, his new Barsuk record Or Give Me Death, and annoyingly inaccurate music reviews.

1. So, SXSW. You were our favorite act of SXSW 2005, perhaps because you led with a Geto Boys cover in tribute to Mike Judge. You also covered Jay-Z in the set. Are you still fond of the live rap covers?

I am still fond of the rap covers. Will we do any more? Hard to say. Brother doesn’t want to get pigeonholed.

2. Do you find that SXSW is worth the effort, either from a business or an audience perspective?

Only if you have an album out. I feel like the days of being discovered at SXSW are numbered. That’s what the internet is for, right? Let’s party! ACL Festival seems like the fan festival from where I’m standing.

3. Your new album features some mariachi-style horns. What's up with that - do you frequent Tex-Mex restaurants?

I was going for that certain 60's country-pop feel on that one; think the Gene Pitney/Burt Bacharach gem "24 Hours From Tulsa." And yes, we frequent all kinds of Mexican joints while on the road. Look for a companion Mexican restaurant travel book coming soon. Got any Austinist recommendations for our SXSW visit?

4. Speaking of Or Give Me Death, the new tracks you've posted on MySpace are all quite different from one another. What was the sound or theme you were going for with this album? Or was there one?

The latter. I pride myself in patchwork pop. I’m an everything including the kitchen sink kind of guy when I write and record.

5. Why does every review of (Aqueduct's last album) I Sold Gold compare you to The Postal Service? Frankly, we like you both, but we don't hear it.

Thank God. Finally somebody steps up and tells it like it is. All those critics that said Aqueduct sounded like The Postal Service were really saying that they didn’t listen past the first track.

6. It seems like there was a lengthy wait for the new album. Was it tough to record, and are you happy with the end result?

This record has been finished for a little bit now. But like a fine wine, Aqueduct cannot be disturbed until its time. All I can say is that all the while it was supposed to come out now.

7. Aside from Jay-Z and the Geto Boys, what music interests you right now?

Not to sound biased, but I love the new Menomena record. And I can’t get enough of Dan Bejar of Destroyer and Swan Lake. Yeah.

8. Do you have a favorite SXSW or Austin story from your travels here?

One time…Yesh, I don’t want to get myself in trouble here. And, I don’t want to down play the notion that SXSW 2007 is going to be the wildest and craziest year yet. What a copout.

9. Finally, are the lyrics to "As You Wish" supposed to be creepy?

They’re either supposed to be creepy or supposed to show my love for The Princess Bride. Is that creepy? Maybe.

Aqueduct will play Buffalo Billards on 3/15 as part of the Barsuk records showcase.

[Aqueduct MySpace]
[Aqueduct Offical Site]

Image via Aqueduct's MySpace page. Photographer not credited.

Aqueduct - "Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights":