Best of SXSW 2022: Gustaf

Design by Morgan Seltzer

In this modern time, we are drawn to sorrow and low-spirit stories, whether it's the boredom or anxiety of quarantine, overwhelming global conflict or something as mundane as you figuring out what to eat for lunch. When we over-consume these terrible things, sometimes we just want to scream and kick. Fortunately, Brooklyn-based punk band, Gustaf, is here to melt away all your anxieties with their irreverent music.

One of the most exciting up and coming bands, Gustaf, is composed of Lydia Gammill on vocals, Tine Hill on bass, Melissa Lucciola on drums, Vram Kherlopian on guitar and vocals, and Tara Theissen on vocals and percussion. Touring off of their latest album, Audio Drag for Ego Slobs, the band is continues to churn out indie bangers with singles like Best Behavior and Book. In addition to their own headline tour, they also recently toured with artists such as Idles and Beck.

Performing various showcases at SXSW, the Brooklyn-based punk band attracted enormous crowds, where it almost looked like they were the headliner of the festival. And, fun fact, Gustaf first became a band on a trip to SXSW, when Lydia was asked by Tara and Tine to drive with them to Austin. Everything about their performance is electric and energizing. Whether that’s Tara playing percussion with Café Bustelo coffee cans, Vram’s rhythmic guitar or Melissa and Tine’s killer rhythm section, their show s always have audiences dancing and singing to every song. It also adds that Lydia’s energy fronting the band is addicting and makes you want to scream with her. 

It is such a delightful rarity to find a raw and genuine sound that is created organically in these TikTok days. Much of music and concerts in 2022 are often flooded with pre-recorded tracks and computerized sounds, but Gustaf’s set is real and raw in every way.

Their fiery energy and electric post-punk sound are the key to the band’s DNA. Their show invites the audience to be a part of the sound and the performance, which is what drew the Capitol Sound crew back to see them four separate times amidst the chaos of SXSW 2022. When Lydia screamed, “I’m good, I’m very very good,” I felt that. Yes, they are. And they are always on their best behavior.