On a cold and rainy Valentine’s Day in Austin, Texas, there was nowhere better to be than at the Mohawk for a sold-out Die Spitz show. I saw this hometown four-piece (Ava Schrobilgen, Chloe Andrews, Ellie Livingston, and Kate Halter) for the first time back in December at the Paper Tiger in San Antonio where I was absolutely blown away, but this show? A whole other level.

The night opened up with two amazing bands, Pussy Gillette and Farmer’s Wife, both of which I can’t wait to see more of. They set the stage perfectly, ramping up the crowd’s energy all throughout the night. 

When it came time for Die Spitz, their set had some of the most insane energy I’ve ever seen in my life. It was so chaotic and ruthless the whole way through, yet there was still so much love amongst the crowd (very fitting for a Valentine’s Day show).

I stayed a bit after to talk to some of the fans about their thoughts on the show, with many of them already having seen Die Spitz before.

“This might be my third [time], I think,” said Paige. 

“I think [I’ve seen them] 13 [times]?” pondered Ryan. “I honestly don’t know, it would be easier [if I asked] how many of their shows have you not been at?”

Taylor proudly stated, “I’ve seen them like 8 times.”

Out of everyone I talked to, only one person was seeing them for the first time thanks to a recommendation from her roommate. 

“…I’m from Singapore, I’m not from Austin, so I heard of this Austin local band and I heard [it was] so cool …” Shay told me.

She came with Paige, who was moshing and crowd-surfing like you wouldn’t believe.

“I love Chloe and Ellie, love them so much,” Paige told me when asked why she returned to see them. “I love their music, Hair of Dog is my favorite [song]. Love the scene, love the people, it’s awesome.”

I asked her about her crowd-surfing and she told me, to my surprise, that it was her first time doing it.

“People were like, “You’re a natural!” and I was like, “I…”, you know? [I was] nervous, a little bit, but I just let it take me and it was sick, so I loved it.”

Shay also had her own first – in this case, her first moshpit.

“It was so cool. I was honestly scared at first but, I realized everyone here is … very welcoming, they’re not mean. [Paige] lost some stuff just now and she immediately found it ‘cause people were raising it up. It’s a very collaborative community.”

Every other fan I talked to adored the energy and authenticity Die Spitz brings to their shows, which is why they always come back to see them.

What made you want to come back to see them?

Ryan: Stage presence. Like it’s different every time, it’s better every time, there’s added value if you see more of it. They do something special live.

Diego: They’re real, true, genuine artists. The drummer, I’ve known since I was like 12, and she’s the best musician I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet. I’m lucky to call her my friend. I just follow them ‘cause they’re my heroes … Like we’re all the same age, and I’m like “You guys are gonna make something of yourselves.”

Taylor: Oh, God, the fucking crowd and the way it’s just like so raw like I’ve never felt more alive than whenever I’m at their show. 

Zachary: For how punk rock they are. It’s one thing [to listen] to their music on Spotify, it’s another thing to listen to [it] live. It’s insane. 

What was your favorite part of the show?

Ryan: Tonight we got two new songs, which is always a pleasure. I think the first new song’s my favorite but the second was just the cherry on top.

Diego: Any time Chloe sings is great, I love it.

Taylor: I was up at the stage and the singer was just fucking giving everything, and I was right in front of her, and I was just like, “Oh my God, I could melt, I could die in the presence of [this] greatness.” It was incredible. 

Zachary: Everything. The energy – it was insane. You couldn’t find anybody standing still the whole time. It was just so good. I mean, I don’t think you could stand still if you were in the mosh pit, you’re getting kicked, you’re getting shoved, you’re getting everything.

I couldn’t leave though without talking to one of the terrific band members, Kate, who was very kind to answer my dire questions, such as:

What made y’all decide to do a Valentine’s Day show?

Kate: Well, we love a holiday that people are looking for things to do on, and love is in the air. And lots of people have found love at our shows. My coworker is marrying her girlfriend in Argentina – unless they broke up. But, they met at our show, so that’s the story. If you work with me, don’t tell me that’s false.

So you like being a good wingwoman at your shows?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And outside.

What did you think of the show and the experience? How did you feel about the crowd?

Awesome crowd, couldn’t have asked for more. The sound on stage when you haven’t played in a while is sometimes iffy, but every time I looked out and saw everyone jumping around in the rain, it made me real happy, so I’m very grateful.

I was starting to ask her about Die Spitz’s debut album and their upcoming festival spots at Bonnaroo and Governor’s Ball when Kate was quickly whisked away. But, she made sure to at least shout goodbye into my iPhone mic.

“Alright, I’m gonna go find the band, thank you so much!”

If you’re heading to either of those festivals, Die Spitz is an absolute must-see. I’m fully expecting them at more festivals and am counting on them playing bigger tours in bigger venues as their first album is set to drop soon. If everyone I talked to didn’t convince you already, don’t you dare miss out on the next Die Spitz show.