Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. first broke onto the scene at SXSW in 2011, where they did about eight shows the festival serving as a sort of mini, trial tour for those on the cusp of being discovered. 
This year, the band is eyeing about half as many shows, which they kicked off with a private party Saturday night, hosted by Tito's Vodka. The band, made up of Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein (not earnestly named race car driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and by extension, Dale Earnhardt Sr.) is known for their radio-friendly song "Simple Girl," but their sound is more rock-heavy than their single would let on. Zott, the band's lead vocalist, took a few minutes aside while packing up equipment to chat with HuffPost about their rock-meets-dance sound, how things have changed since SXSW last year and their signature, neon checkered race-car sports coats.
How do you pick what shows you end up doing at SXSW?
Whoever offers us the most money, I guess. Last year we played a lot more shows because it was our first year, and this year we're picking ones that, whether they pay us better, or the venue will be a good event where people will come out, we're just being a little more picky and not do too many gigs. Because this is a lot more important for bands trying to get discovered, and we felt like that kind of happened, and we feel really lucky, and we want to come here and play, but we don't want to overdo it, and maybe we'll get a chance to see some other bands -- we didn't get to see any other bands last year.
Whoever offers us the most money, I guess. Last year we played a lot more shows because it was our first year, and this year we're picking ones that, whether they pay us better, or the venue will be a good event where people will come out, we're just being a little more picky and not do too many gigs. Because this is a lot more important for bands trying to get discovered, and we felt like that kind of happened, and we feel really lucky, and we want to come here and play, but we don't want to overdo it, and maybe we'll get a chance to see some other bands -- we didn't get to see any other bands last year.
Is there anyone you're looking forward to seeing?
Yeah, if I get to look at a schedule. I really want to see Fiona Apple. I want to see if Jon Brion is playing with her at all, but we'll see.
Yeah, if I get to look at a schedule. I really want to see Fiona Apple. I want to see if Jon Brion is playing with her at all, but we'll see.
How have things changed since last year in general?
Well we have the new record out now, and we've really been able to learn a lot about playing shows. When we played here last year, we really hadn't played that many shows, and now [it's been] pretty much half a year of touring. So we're a little more comfortable with playing, being in front of a crowd.
Well we have the new record out now, and we've really been able to learn a lot about playing shows. When we played here last year, we really hadn't played that many shows, and now [it's been] pretty much half a year of touring. So we're a little more comfortable with playing, being in front of a crowd.
Watch Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. perform "Morning Thought":
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