I feel like it's my duty to raise awareness of Instrumenti, Europe's only panda duo... they're just such a mystery.

This is the first time I've noticed a band from Latvia playing the fest (atlhough that means nothing, we could have had hundreds, I'm not always the most observant person in the world). As an avid tennis fanatic I've become more interested in that fine country with the emergence of Ernests Gulbis but other than EG, I don't think I could tell you much about the Baltic republic, and I'm fascinated to find they're busy producing panda bands... or in this case it seems to be more of a panda collective if you read the bio.

I can't be the only person dying to see them on Thursday, March 18 at Karma Lounge at 8.25 pm. I mean, just listen to "Life Jacket Under Your Seat"!!! It's a game changer.

I emailed the band's contact to have them do The LPQ. They sent it back mostly finished (I've no idea who actually did it) never to be heard from again. I guess we'll always wonder what the title of their autobio is, but they've definitely made me re-think question #2. [Ed note: The pandas have come through with an answer to question #5 AND a Pick Three!!! Oh pandas and their curious panda ways!!]

Please, you know, enjoy...

The LP Questionnaire
Name: Instrumenti
Pro Wrestling Name: Macho Hawk

1. Pretend you’re 15. Name three songs you'd put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.

“Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden – because it was repeated four times in a row at the school discotheque we first danced.

“Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba – because when you’re 15, listening to songs about whiskey drinks, vodka drinks and lager drinks makes you one of the cool kids.

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve – because fuck the Gallaghers, it’s all about The Verve now.

2. Which evil villain would make the best President? “Which president would make the best evil villain?” would make a better question.

If Dick Dastardly ran for president, he’d get my vote. He’s fun to watch and the guy’s determination is applausable, and however dishonest he might be, in the end he’ll only harm himself. Plus he’s a dapper dresser.

3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? Has got to be a cartoon about this poor hedgehog fellow who got lost in the fog and was being followed by a psycho owl. Still up to this day I have no idea what the cartoon was about. Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure the hedgehog was experimenting with drugs. Check it out here.

4. What superpower do you wish you had? The coolest superheroes don’t have superpowers, it’s all about supergadgets. But if I have to choose one, mind control it is.

5. What would the title of your autobiography be? Pandography would be a handwritten 500 page book with bright, glossy pictures.

Pick Three
BrainStorm: Even though these guys are still youngish and brisk, it seems like some of Brainstorm tunes no longer belong to them as they've somewhat become Latvian folk songs.

The Yellow Dogs: The Yellow Dogs is not something you'd imagine when thinking about Iranian rock. But then again, not that anyone really knows much about Iranian rock.

Zoë Keating: There's just something about red-haired girls with cellos. The way she creates the orchestral sound just by using her cello and a laptop is amazing. I would imagine her whole live performance seem like watching the most intense scene in a good film.

It is all about The Verve, isn't it? Well, that was fun. I'll be back later with one more LPQ to get you through this, might I say, pretty smashingly beautiful Saturday. If you're bored, you can read more here and become less bored.

Follow us on the tweety-makin' place @sxsw and @mspark. Don't know if we've managed to make it implode yet. The plethora of SXSW tweets is pure bananas. If you'd rather, you can email chickens and eggs to musicblog@sxsw.com.

It's just a form of motion one and all, lp