Woah Hunx

Los Angeles based three piece Woah Hunx consists of Katherine Petersen - vocals, (Dirty) Preston Olson - guitar and Jonathan Harry Weinberg (Matzah) - drums. Putting together their sound, the end result is a blast of frantic noise ready for any party. Here, the band discusses the ever pressing issues that may be on any and everyone's mind.


1. Where is everyone from?

Preston: I am from Moorhead a small town in Minnesota right next to Fargo on the border of the state. Sounds horrible, but it wasn't that bad. Our high school football team was Moorhead Spuds. A spud is a potato, so our mascot was a guy in a big potato costume.

Katherine: I've been to Moorhed with Preston...the high school mascott is actually a guy in a Preston costume. He's just being humble. Oh, I'm from sunny so cal.

Matzah: I'm from Los Angeles.


2. How did you get interested in starting a band?

Matzah: Everytime we'd get drunk together, we'd joke about doing it. One day, we finally did it.


3. What was the process like to form the band?

Preston: It was great. We initally jammed out in Matzah's bedroom. Katherine would be bouncing on the bed yelling without a microphone and I was playing out of a dinky little practice amp using a sliver of a CVS member card as a pick. Matzah was playing a haphazardly put together drum kit all jammed into the corner of the room. Actually, we still aren't too far off from this scenario.

KP: It's all true I was there.


4. Who are some bands or artists that may of influenced your decision for the direction of the band?

Preston: For me, Jesus Lizard has always been a big influence, but also a vast array of friends bands that you go to see and then play with and all kind of evolve together.

KP: Honestly there was no conscious decision in terms of a concrete direction. We generally just write songs we like to play and that we figure we'd like to see preformed, there aren't really rules or even guidelines regarding style in our song writing. Sometimes it will be a turn of phrase from a Magnetic Fields song or maybe a hip hop beat I hear on the way to practice. But mostly it just dumb noodling round and a lot of "hey that sounded cool do it again" and thats pretty much how we started in our "direction"

Matzah: My dad, Daniel Noel Weinberg.

KP: I mean it was Matzah's dad


5. Besides the band, do you guys have other jobs?

Matzah: I work for a hip hop website.

Preston: I raise money for independent films, its a company I own with my brother. It is also my job to party, kind of. Like Spuds MacKenzie.

KP: I'm super rich I don't have to work. Uh JK i gots two jobs and pretty much no days off. They're not interesting.


6. What is something you guys do in your spare time?

Preston: Read and drink.

Matzah: Work, hang, complain, watch movies, play in a couple other bands, I put out other bands records on my label I Hate Rock N Roll, and Preston and I have a night every Wednesday at the Cha Cha here in Los Angeles with Keith Morris called Forming.

KP: (see above...no days off) Most of my spare time is spent um playing in Woah Hunx....YEAH!


7. What is your reaction when an audience isn't responsive?

Preston: Its to get hammy and chat them up, much to Matzah's dismay.

KP: We're pretty hammy anyways but yeah me and P ham it up, Matzah pouts.

Matzah: I pout.


8. What are some bands you are currently listening to?

Preston: Strange Boys, Audacity, Mika Miko, Tweak Bird...

Matzah: The Anasazis, Strange Boys, Christmas Island, Sandy City

KP: dittos on both fronts. The Audacity record is well pretty nice. I'm also finally into Scott Walker, I'm slow.


9. Some old favourites/favourite records?

Preston: Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Kinks, CCR, Biggie Smalls.

Matzah: My recent faves are Hubble Bubble, The Ronnettes and Go Betweens.


10. Anything you're looking forward to being released?

Matzah: Christmas Island LP, The Anasazis 7" and Dr. Dre's Detox


11. Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

Preston: It actually was my friends comedy album. His name is Matt Braunger and his album is called Soak Up The Night

Matzah: The Ronnettes Greatest Hits Volume 2 - it was pricy, but totally worth it. And the new Davila 666 LP.


12. Last movie you saw & show you went to?

Preston: Bruno and I haven't been to a show in awhile that I didn't play. Maybe it was the I HATE ROCK AND ROLL and Videothing 4th of July BBQ with Strange Boys, Graham Forest, Abe Vigoda, to name a few. Good times.

Matzah: We played a party a few days ago? I was also at Bruno with Preston.

KP: Somehow we have got to play with a lot of my favorite bands like Har Mar, The Audactiy and the Anasazis so yeah it's nice to play a show and then be psyched to stick around and watch your buddy's bands play that you actually really love. We're playing with NODZZZZ next week and I would be headed to that whether or not we we're playing. Lucky me! Oh and I saw Year One and Ice Age 3 double feature at The Point drive-in theatre in Danville PA.



http://www.myspace.com/woahhunx

An Horse

Kate Cooper and Damon Cox make up the band An Horse from Brisbane, Australia. Mixing their blend of guitar and drums to craft songs that become ingrained in your mind, their style mixes in with different influences to create a soundtrack of the summer (winter or fall.) Kate was kind enough to take some time out to chat and discuss all things An Horse.


How would you describe the music scene in Brisbane compared to the US?

"Brisbane is a really small city, and has a very strong community; that's what Damon and I love about the states, it's really big and in the US you can tour and tour..."


Were there any other names for the band floating around?

"We didn't even think about it, it was good, we didn't have to have one of those -what should we call the band things." It was a name Kate used for solo shows around Brisbane.


Both Damon and Kate's previous bands had already broken up giving them the time to begin An Horse as more shows were being lined up as well as being asked to do the Tegan and Sara tour.

What is something valuable you learned or picked up along the way that you can use with the band now?

"To be honest, everything I learned about touring I've kind of learned in the last year. Touring in Australia you can tour 3 or 4 days; you could do a two week tour but they are really hard to do because you go to all these rural and outback places and it's kinda not worth it. I've really just learned from touring in the states."


Their former practice space was located in the record shop Kate and Damon both worked in. "The record store was a pretty cool practice space and soundproof and amazing." So nobody actually found out that you guys were practicing down there? "We were very diligent about hiding our stuff and putting everything back the way it was."

Previous jobs?

Damon worked in a pet store. "He got bitten by a rat, that's my favourite story." Kate used to teach media and journalism at a university in Brisbane among other things.


What made you decide to play music in the first place?

When Kate was 15, she went to "a really boring strict all girls school", and got taken out of school one day by her parents to go to a Rolling Stones concert. "I couldn't get a day off to save myself, if I was dying they'd still let me go to school, so the fact that they pulled me out of school was a really big deal. And I just remember watching the Rolling Stones and thinking this looks way more fun than sitting behind a desk. I actually believe my parents regret it deeply, but they're kind of coming around now."


What was the best part of making this record?

"The record was made in two parts, we made an ep, then we went to the label and they said we want some more. So we went again in a different session and made more. The first time we recorded, we knew each other very well when we made the first ep but still getting to know each other I guess kind of musically and we'd never been away together; we had to go away and stay at a studio. That was really exciting, I remember the first night actually staying in the same place away from home. It was just really nice to go, it's like an hour and half west of Brisbane, and to just hang out and make a record and feel really comfortable. And the second time was awesome again, I feel like it's a spiritual home out there or something, we hung out, no pressure, but we did have people that we could send stuff to or they could comment on it and send back. So that was kind of cool. The fact that we got to even go back and make the rest of the record is pretty exciting."


Were there any certain albums you listened to during the making?

"There were records we definitely referenced, but I think at the time I was listening to all the Silversun Pickups records, I remember talking about that a lot."


What is your favourite thing about playing live?

"I like playing every night, I love playing with Damon. I think we play really well together and it feels really comfortable.


Where do you come up with lyrics?

"I dont think there is any one way that it happens. Sometimes I sit down and play, I like to be by myself and play, sometimes I'll be driving along or doing something else and I'll think about something or I'll read something usually, and that'll kind of stick around in my head and comes back to me."


How was playing Letterman, were you guys suprised about being asked on that early in the band's inception?

"It's suprising, to say the least. We'd heard along the grapevine that there was a possibility we could be doing it in a few months, Damon and I kind of laughed about it, thought that was pretty funny and how hilarious that would be. Then we got a call or email just as we were entering Canada saying that Letterman had been confirmed so basically we only found out 3 days beforehand, which is just fine, i didn't want to be having to think about it for weeks and weeks out, 3 or 4 days to think about was more than enough. But it was heaps of fun, it was a lot of fun."


What do guys like to do in your free time or on days off?

"When we're on tour and we have a day off usually we sleep because we need to catch up. And we eat, eating is a big deal for me. Once we're caught up on everything Damon and I plan to watch a whole lot of movies. Also swimming.


What's something you miss most about Australia or look forward to when you get back home?

"I miss my niece, I miss her a lot, that's probably it. I don't miss a whole lot also I've been there for so long that it's really refreshing to be elsewhere. I guess I miss my family, my friends, I miss having breakfast at some of the spots I used to have breakfast at and I miss going to the beach a little bit. It's always there and it's not that far away, technically..."


Is there an item that you can't get in the states that you miss?

"There are a few things actually...This is going to sound cliche a little bit, but I did actually bring vegemite with me. There's this throat gargle that's like magic, you gargle it when you're getting a sore throat and it kills everything. You know what? American chocolate is very different than Australian chocolate. I eat a lot of chocolate, so I'm trying to adjust." Is it a good different or a bad different? "I don't enjoy American chocolate as much, I have to be honest. I think it's because you guys use corn syrup and we use sugar, I'm not sure, I'm trying to get to the bottom of it. ..but it just tastes different. Also it might be a temperature thing, like you know it's really hot at home, it affects the chocolate, i don't know! I mean I'm adjusting!


Best show seen:

"I feel like every time on tour with Tegan and Sara, I don't always watch the bands we're playing with every night, but every night I watched their set. The way they perform and the way they write songs, every night they would blow me away; I'm sure one of them is one of the best shows I've seen." Playing her first solo show as An Horse, Kate says opening for Katie Davidson was another, "The show was absolutely mind-blowing, the way she handled the crowd and the sound of her voice." "Also! The Silversun Pickups played in a mall as part of a music celebration we have - The Valley, which was packed and people were hanging over the sides of the balcony and that was amazing and they played really well. And I've since spoken to the band about the show and they said it was one of the best shows they've ever played."


What was the last show you actually paid to get into:

"My mom took me to see Neil Young for my birthday and she paid for those tickets, but its kinda shitty because the day of the show our record label in Australia rang us up and said they have a whole bunch of Neil Young tickets you guys wanna go? And Damon decided to go and his tickets were right at the front and I had to sit with my mom because she saved up and was really excited and I had to pretend that it was amazing, but it was a good show.


What are some bands/artists that you're listening to lately?

Silversun Pickups, Julie Doiron, Trail of the Dead, Telekinesis, Kevin Devine.


What are some old favourite albums?

"Lately in the van we've been listening to a lot of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tegan and Sara, The Frogs, we've been listening to a lot of audio books, also been listening to Nina Simone and just this morning Damon put on Billie Holiday, very varied. All our favourite records are so hard to nail down, so many of them. Oh, and the Gaslight Anthem."


What was the last movie you guys saw?

"When we're flying together we like to watch films at the same time, so we time it so it plays together that way it's like a shared experience, we watched - I don't even know what its called (Flash of Genius-ed.)- it's like the story, it sounds really boring but it's amazing, but it's the history or the story of the guy who invented the intermittent wiper on cars, who got ripped off basically, it's really good. Before that it would of been something in the cinema and I have no idea what it was I cant even think - oh I think it was maybe was Vicky Christina Barcelona. I'd seen everything in the cinema so I just went to watch that over and over again because I liked it.


The difference between US and AUS coffee?

"In Australia you can only get espresso pretty much, they don't do black coffee. It's a lot stronger at home." So what is your favourite? "At home i would say a flat white, i guess the equivalent would be a latte. Or a long black."



http://www.myspace.com/anhorse

Sebastien Grainger

Previously one half of Death From Above 1979, Sebastien Grainger is now following his name as his new(er) moniker. With a diversion from previous sounds, the solo material takes various twists and turns, with a positive end result. Here, Sebastien discusses some of what went on during the process.


1. How was the transition going from DFA1979 into your current band and was it a natural progression?

The transition began the moment i decided i didn't want to do DFA anymore. I had this hazy vision of what kind of an artist i wanted to be, and i felt like i needed time to develop that vision. My whole approach to music and art has always been from a humble perspective. I always feel like I'm learning. The flip side of that is that i never feel like i've arrived. Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains is/was my statement of what i think a rock band should sound like. My next approach will be drastically different, but as an artist i feel like i'll be able to maintain my "vibe".


2. Would you consider Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains to be more of a collaborative process or a more solo project?

Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains was my conception of a rock and roll band. But you can't execute a rock and roll band without a band...The songs and record were mostly written after already having picked the members and played with each other for a while, so there is nothing inauthentic about it. It is/was my statement of rock and roll. I consider it a solo project, but it would never have worked out in the same way without Nick, Leon and Andrew. Their contribution to the live show and to the songs they play on on the the record cannot be understated.


3. Going from drums in DFA1979 to guitar now, what is your instrument of choice?

Do i have to choose?


4. How do you start the writing process of a song? Do you use a specific piece of equipment?

It depends on the song. Sometimes it starts with lyrical idea, then i try to find the instrument that compliments the concept. Sometimes it starts with a bass line, or a guitar part or a drum part or a piano part. It's really up to the song.


5. Having been on Last Gang records and now on Saddle Creek records, was there any reason for not staying with Last Gang?

For DFA, Last Gang was our Canadian label and Vice was our American label. For this project, Outside Music did the Canadian release and Saddle Creek did the American one. When i started working on material for a record i Last Gang offered me a deal that wasn't right for me at the time. The terms were no right. So, i decided to create new partnerships. Also, the record i was working on seemed like an orphan...like it had no home, and Saddle Creek in the states offered it a nice comfortable place to stay. Labels are pretty much all the same anyway...broke.


6. I had read somewhere that said you guys knew DFA had a certain shelf life so in regards to that, did you have your next band in mind as far as the kind of music and direction you would want it to go?

I believe i answered that in an earlier question. Though with DFA, we were aware of that there was a limit to our creativity together within our (self-imposed) confinements. But we also knew that the music would last. It amazes me the impact we had and continue to garner. We're entering a weird stage with people's memory of the band...We were just a regular band, doing what bands do and got lucky in our trajectory that lots of people were able to hear us...I've been called a living legend to my face...haha, i'm only 30 dudes! The thing with all that is that i remember how it actually was...i remember that it was special...but my perspective was that it could've been a lot better...we just didn't have time....we decided to do things then just did them...no time to waste. I


7. Being co-owner of Giant Studios, how did that benefit you in the recording process or otherwise, and what can you share about the studio?

It's a beautiful facility that i'm proud to be a part of. It was nice to share the studio with Metric as they were making their new record (which turned out REALLY great). I was in there alone alot of the time, so it was nice to benefit from what they were doing in there. They'd leave on a Friday and i'd come in on a Monday and all the pre-amps and compressors would be dialed in perfectly and i could just go to work. So many great bands and producers have been working in there in the past couple of years it's kinda mind boggling.


8. Where do you feel you draw inspiration from for your songs and do you aim to address any specific topics ever?

I get inspiration from other songs, books, movies, and my friends. Sometimes i write about dreams and those are somehow always the best, so i'd like to stick to that.


9. Who would be your ideal tour-mates?

The Strokes.


10. What are some bands you are currently listening to?

Scott Walker (3,4), The Walker Brothers (Night Flights), Nile Rogers, Arthur Russell,

Some old favourites/favourite records?

The Boss "Born to Run", "Born in the USA", The Walkmen "You & Me", Jay Reatard "Blood Visions"

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

Where The Wild Things movie. And the new Charlotte Gainsbourg record.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

CD was Karen O and The Kids. Vinyl was the Flashdance soundtrack for the heavy Giorgio Moroder content.

Last movie you saw & show you went to?

Last movie was Paranormal Activity last band was Fever Ray.



http://www.myspace.com/sebastiengrainger

photo credit: Eva Michon

Broken Spindles

Joel Petersen, aka Broken Spindles, is one fifth of The Faint. Broken Spindles was originally started as a favour for a friend, who had requested instrumental music for a video project. Now with five albums and a second part to the last album Kiss/Kick, entitled Kiss/Kick Addendum, here Joel shares some insight into his project - Broken Spindles.


1. When was Broken Spindles formed and how did the project come about?

check the bio for this one, it goes into it pretty specifically. (( check out brokenspindles.com ))


2. How do you approach this project differently than you do with a band environment/setting?

i try to not dwell on the small stuff for too long, i want broken spindles music to feel free and true. i find that if i start to spend too much time on the minor details, i lose track of the song and the moment i am trying to capture. feeling and expression are the most important things.


3. What is the process of creating a song for you, what kind of approach do you take?

i tend to write the song first with some simple guitar chords and then move over to working in pro tools when i start to work out drum and bass ideas. once those are solid, i add all the little fun things to help keep the song moving along. but in general, it goes song first, then groove, then accents.


4. Is the music something you looked to create specifically, or did it grow naturally?

naturally. any time i have tried to push something out, it has sucked.


5. What would you say is the difference between Broken Spindles and the Faint?

intent.


6. Being involved with a band as well as a solo project, what are the benefits of each and which do you prefer?

doing solo stuff feels freer and faster but being in a group can be good when things are really clicking. ideas can go farther than they could by yourself.


7. What is your favored type of venue to play?

small with no neon beer signs or tvs.


8. Given your choice, who would you like to work with?

anyone who has great ideas.


9. You've remixed some tracks for other artists, how do you select the tracks to remix?

i try to let the band pick what track they would like remixed. i find that when i pick the track it always ends up being difficult to finish but when someone else picks it, i can just be free and do what comes naturally. expectations are a bitch.


10. What are some bands you are currently listening to?

brian mcbride, and eluvium are my current favs.

Some old favourites/favourite records?

sonic youth - daydream nation fugazi - red medicine my bloody valentine - loveless etc.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

i am a pirate and haven't purchased any music for a little while.

Last movie you saw & show you went to?

i am watching a movie right now, it is called 'ladies and gentlemen, the fabulous stains'. it isn't too good.



http://www.myspace.com/brokenspindles

Tilly and the Wall

Bright. Colourful. Fun. Tilly and the Wall, the five piece based out of Omaha are compromised of Kianna - vocals/bass, Neely - vocals/bass, Derek - guitar/vocals, Jamie - tap dancer/percussionist and Nick - keyboards. Mixing harmonies, beats, and melodies, Tilly and the Wall create a dynamic sound that is perfect for singing (or shouting) along to, tunes that are wrapped with ample amounts of exhilarating energy. Here, Kianna shares some details surrounding the wonderful world of Tilly and the Wall.


1. Did you always have the intention to use tap dancing as a form of percussion or incorporate it into the songs somehow?

Not really, it's just something Jamie had done in prior bands and used at the first Tilly practices to keep a beat. We never really discussed it but it just stuck! It was totally meant to be... kismet.


2. Team Love and Saddlecreek records both seem like very tightly knit and nurturing labels; how has that been working within that environment?

It has been totally awesome! Team Love is the most artist friendly label ever. They let us do whatever we want and trust in us. We are very lucky to call them home.


3. How did Tilly and the Wall first form and what other bands were you in prior to this one?

Well the boys had just moved to Omaha from Atlanta and was hanging out working on songs with Jamie who had befriended them. Jamie and I had been writing songs together too ever after our other band broke up. So we just decided to all work together! Then we called Neely because we wanted harmonies and wanted another female singer, we just knew she would be perfect! And then we were Tilly!


4. What is the songwriting process like for you guys or does it usually vary?

Most times one person will write a song and bring it to the rest of the band. Then everyone starts working on it together. We all really understand each other really well and can kind of feel what each other's songs are asking for. It's great because that's how they end up a Tilly song and not a Kianna or Nick (or whoever) song!


5. What are some things you like to do after a show or on days off?

On our days off on tour we LOVE going to the movies together! Especially if there's one out that we have all been excited for! Ones I remember are The Dark Night and The Black Pearl, the Pirates movie! Actually, we cherish these things like you couldn't believe cuz they are so rare and we don't mess around. I bitched out some teen brats' parents at the Pirates movie because their girls wouldn't shut up when the movie started and we were all so pumped about it! HAHAHA!


6. Who would you like to collaborate with?

I think I can speak for everyone when I say Missy Elliott or Michael Jackson.


7. What is your favourite thing about touring? Least favourite?

To me, the best thing about touring is playing the show. That one hour makes all that driving and heavy lifting worth it. Also, those are the worst parts... the driving all day and the loading in and loading out again at 2 a.m.


8. You're known for your happy, fun, bright overall presence...how important is that to convey? Also, where do you usually find/look for your outfits? Are there any particular style 'icons' you look at for inspiration?

We don't make a conscious effort to BE fun or whatever but we just HAVE so much fun doing what we're doing that we can't help it! I will however say that when the band first started it was clear we weren't interested in making sad folk songs... I personally look to my friends for inspiration regarding looks. My friend Peggy Noland is a designer in Kansas City and she makes all of my stage costumes. She always has amazing ideas and I trust her crazy ass! She knows I will wear anything!


9. Who and/or what are some influences or inspirations for the band?

We are all so different it's insane but we all find inspiration from daily life and everything contained in it. It's hard to be specific but anything from a book or a story you hear on the news can spark inspiration. As far as influences, I would say most music you hear sticks with you somehow... subliminally sometimes!


10. What are some bands you are currently listening to?

Currently I am listening to Fever Ray! It's Karin from the Knife's solo project and it's just as haunting and beautiful as the slower songs the Knife had. Also, can't stop listening to the new Animal Collective... I generally get really obsessive about repeating albums I love. This is the case with both of these albums!

Some old favourites/favourite records?

I love listening to old Of Montreal records and reeeally old Desmond Decker records! The Israelites is BANGIN'!

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

The new Grizzly Bear! I can't wait!!!

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased? I got a cd of a band called Borg from my favorite mail order site/store AquariusRecords.org. It is pretty good! Also, just ordered Night Control's new cd from the same website! That site offers the most incredibly honest reviews and also streaming songs from the artists they carry.

Last movie you saw & show you went to?

Last movie I saw was Coralline in 3D! I went to it two days in a row because I could not get over how trippy and beautiful it was. It was even better the second time.



http://www.myspace.com/officialtillyandthewall

Wintersleep

A five piece from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wintersleep are made up of Loel Campbell - drums, Paul Murphy - guitar/vocals, Mike Bigelow - bass, Tim D'Eon - guitar/keys, and Jon Samuel - keys/guitar/vocals. Meshing the heavy with the light to find the right amount of each colliding together, Wintersleep's music can start off in one direction, while smoothly leading up to another by the end of it. This mixture forms their sound to balance out what doesn't go missing within their music. Here, Paul delves into Wintersleep's core for a bit of insight.


1. How do you feel/think being from Halifax differs or compares in terms of the setting and interaction with other bands, than say more mainstream or popular Canadian cities such as Montreal , Toronto or Vancouver ? Or do you think there even is a difference music wise?

Halifax has a bit more of an insular music community than those other cities I think.. Kinda keeping to itself a bit but I think not necessarily in a bad way.. I think it is a good city to develop in as a band/human... People care about local things generally whether it is local food or stores or bands or local art, etc.,, I think the music scene is a bit closer knit because of that general mentality. A hard part about it is that it is kinda isolated from the bigger touring circuit [ Toronto , US ] so Halifax bands don't tour as much as they probably should or would if they lived in a city like Montreal or Toronto or Vancouver .. It's that damn 12 hours between here and Montreal !! Rrrg.. :)


2. Obviously you know/are aware you won the Juno for new group of the year - how was that and did it change anything for the better or worse?

I think it has only done good things.. A nice way to get acknowledged..


3. Who are some influences for the band?

I think we are really influenced by our friends and families and great bands [from Halifax and beyond:)], good books.. Nice landscape.. Touring..


4. How is the songwriting process like for you guys?

We all write parts and bring them to the jam space where they either become something great or get chewed up and left for dead, a pulpy and indistinguishable mess.


5. Do you find it difficult to adjust to life on the road and touring and then getting off tour and heading back home?

It is actually quite difficult to find a balance depending on the length of tour. I think the hardest thing is not really having a home base.. I don't really feel like there is a place I actually call home. Enter the violins upon sad bastard staring into his laptop at 7:38 am just yearning for a home:)


6. How do you describe your music to someone who doesn't know or hasn't heard it?

It's just delicious. Like the best apple you've ever eaten.


7. Where do you find out about new music/bands?

Mike Bigelow tells me about every band I'll ever wanna hear. My brother Mike is also a good source.. Loel..


8. What are some bands you are currently listening to? El Perro Del Mar, Handsome Furs, Dog Day, John Lennon Plastic Yoko

Some old favourites/favourite records?

Love Tara Eric's Trip, Green Mind Dinosaur Jr.. Buddy Holly Greatest Hits, Johnny Cash,, Hank Williams, also greatest hits.. Neil Young Harvest. Sonic Youth Washing Machine

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

Too much

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

Damien Jurado Caught in the Trees, White Birch Come up for Air

Last movie you saw & show you went to?

That Benjamin Button movie



http://www.myspace.com/wintersleep

The Whispertown 2000

With their free flowing melodies and harmonies, The Whispertown 2000 are a four piece based in Los Angeles; made up of Morgan Nagler, Tod Adrian Wisenbaker, Vanesa Corbala, and Casey Wisenbaker. They mix retro classic sounds with a twist of folk to create their own sound. Their first album - Livin' in a Dream was released in 2006, while their current record - Swim, was released in 2008. Morgan was kind enough to take some time to give us a peak into The Whispertown 2000.


1. How is a song created and what sort of approach do you take?

Usually, I write the song on guitar and bring it to the band, where it then tuns into what it is by everybody's shaping and morphing.


2.Do you prefer to play to a smaller or larger audience or venue?

I like a little room packed in where I don't know anybody.


3.Having known Blake and Jenny, what kind of advice did they give you as far as writing and preforming goes?

Well it was Jenny that somewhat insisted that we move forward and unlock our dreams, as she's done in all aspects of my life, and both her and Blake have been extremely supportive .. Just do it


4.Who are some people or bands you look up to as inspiration or influence?

Jenny Lewis, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Benji Hughes, and Bill Murray


5.What do you enjoy most about performing, or even least about it?

I enjoy feeling like the soundtrack and connecting to people, I do not enjoy messing up and if no one likes it. :)


6.How did Whispertown 2000 start?

Jenny insisted I started performing and brought Tod and I together, the 3 of us played a few shows together, then Tod and I continued acoustic through mountain and valley and ended up in a family affair with Casey, Tod's brother on bass, and Vanesa Corbala singing harmoniously, getting tambourine bruises.


7.On the road, what did you discover that you weren't quite aware of before?

California really has the best produce.


8.Do you do much preparation for a show?

Most prep work goes into writing and arranging new stuff, then we just need a run through or 2 :) So we think..


9.Who would you like to go on the road with?

Bob Dylan, The Black Lips, Dr. Dog, The White Stripes, Lucinda Williams...


10.What are some bands you are currently listening to?

Benji Hughes, The Black Lips, and The Staple Singers

Some old favourite records?

John Prine-John Prine, John Prine,-The Missing Years,Tom Waits- The Early Years Vol. 1 and 2, Built to Spill- Perfect From Now On, Townes Van Zandt- Flin' Shoes, Paul Simon- Negotiations and Love Songs

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

Michael Runion's new record

Last vinyl purchased?

Neva Dinova- You May Already Be Dreaming.... a diamond in the rough

Last Movie you saw and show you went to?

Role Models, She and Him



www.myspace.com/whispertown2000