When you’re an up-and-coming band looking to get some exposure, an appearance at South by Southwest is a coveted way to go. But when you’re coming from overseas, it gets a bit more pricey than a cross-country road-trip where the only worry is the van breaking down on some long and lonesome highway east of Omaha.
Manchester five-piece and longtime Vanyaland favorites PINS have come up with a unique way to help fund their jaunt to the mid-March festival by announcing a series of eBay auctions. Beginning this afternoon, fans have a chance to win numerous rare items and experiences from the band, which dropped their second album, Wild Nights, last June.
“Touring the USA is a dream for any band, but my god it’s expensive,” says guitarist Lois MacDonald. “We’ve decided to auction off some of our treasure in order to fund the trip. It’s really personal stuff, one off test pressings, actual pieces of the Super 8 footage from the “Dazed by You” video, the original Polaroid from the Wild Nights artwork, lyrics straight from Faith’s notebook! It’s tough to part with this stuff!”
Watch PINS’ own trailer film about their most original scheme below, and head to their official site for a complete list of auctions with the proceeds set to help get them to SXSW and other USA shows.
PINS Auction Details:
Start time: Tuesday, January 26 at 6 p.m.
End time: Tuesday, February 2 between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Listings begin every 15 minutes.
More information at their Facebook event page