The Middle East @ SXSW 2010

In 2009, The Middle East nearly exploded the blogosphere.

No, that isn’t some sweeping political statement – Australian band The Middle East, who released their North American debut EP Recordings of the Middle East in 2009 (an abridged version of their 2008 Australian release of the same name), became such an instant and sweeping e-success last fall that bloggers still can’t stop praising the band’s dreamy, ambient, folk-inspired pop and captivating musical style (they’ve used close vocal harmonies and a glockenspiel), not to mention the band’s stunning animated video for their song “Blood.”

Formed in Queensland in 2005, the band played several tours throughout Australia and released their debut album Recordings of the Middle East in 2008 before splitting up. Eight months later, after deciding to reconvene, the album was abridged and released as an EP that made The Middle East one of the biggest buzz bands of late 2009, and earned them spots opening for the likes of Grizzly Bear.

We at LP33.tv caught up with these festival pros – they’ve played Splendour in the Grass and Big Day Out – in Austin, where they’re in town to play SXSW 2010. You can check out the interview above, and catch the music video for “Blood” here!