Under The Starry Nitez!

Whoa Hunx

2009-08-06T22:31:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-30T03:50:00.001-07:00

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

Broken Spindles

2009-03-15T15:15:00.001-07:00

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

2009-02-22T06:15:00.001-08:00

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

2009-02-01T01:48:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-03T08:55:00.000-08:00

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

Mika Miko

2009-01-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

Infusing sounds and clashing noises, Mika Miko are a five piece band based out of Los Angeles California. The band includes guitarist Michelle Suarez, bassist Jessica Clavin, drummer Seth Densham, and duel vocalists Jenna Thornhill (also saxophone) & Jennifer Clavin (also guitar). Their music combines influences and beyond to create a wild ride of ruckus. With a new album to be released soon, Michelle took some time to answer some questions about what makes up Mika Miko.

1. Can you tell us how the band came about, where everyone is from and the drummer changes..

The band came about in 2003, sometime. We are all from southern California. Our dummer...is new! And a boy. It's a boy!!!

2. Who or what are some influences for the band?

We all really appreciate music. All of us have different influences: people, music, food, clothing, books, etc.

3. What is the songwriting process like for you guys?

Usually one of us comes up with a riff and we piece it together at practice. Piece by piece, brick by brick.

4. What is your favourite song to do live and why?

I like doing Business Cats because sometimes people know the words and it's really something to see people sing along.

5. How would you describe the band to someone who had no idea what you were about?

I hope that they would believe me when I said...A PARTY! AN AWESOME PARTY.

6. Besides this band, are you involved in different projects?

I think we are all doing our own thing. It's a mystery. I do not really know my bandmates.

7. What's the best & worst part of touring?

Sometimes, the worst makes for a great story. And the best is when you have enough money to go eat at a restaurant together and brush your teeth in the restroom.

8. Apart from the band, what do you do for fun, do you have separate jobs?

We do all kinds of things. Some of us are working outside of home, and some of us work from home.

9. Are Mika Miko currently working on any new material?

We are releasing a new record very soon. Mayish, I believe. It's getting mastered today.

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

Currently, I am listening to Stickmen with Rayguns.

Some old favourites/favourite records?

Old favorites....Misfits. Definitely.

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

The Remo Voor 7". I heard it's going to be really good.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

I got a copy of the SCREAMERS demos LP with red ink, not blue. But really the last record I bought was for someone else. For Jennifer's birthday, I gave her a Barracudas record.

Last movie and/or show you saw?

Last movie I watched was Beethoven's 2nd. It was really retarded but cute. I also just started watching Lost and it is REALLY COOL!

myspace.com/mikamiko

The Octopus Project

2008-10-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Octopus Project are a four piece band made up of Josh, Yvonne, Toto, and Ryan. Blending contrasting sounds, experimental noises, and various instruments, The Octopus Project create a fun and happy atmosphere. Known to switch instruments around, their music encapsulates tiny melodies bursting with fervor. Josh was kind enough to share some info on the band from Austin, known as The Octopus Project.

1. How did the band come together and where is everyone from?

Yvonne, Toto, and I have known each other since we were 18, and were in bands together throughout college. Yvonne and Toto grew up in Houston, and I lived there for high school. Ryan grew up in Austin. Around 1998/99, we (Yvonne, Toto, and I) were all going to college at UT in Austin, and playing together in a band called Hidden Speaker. The band was led by a friend of ours. He wrote most of the music, and at some point we decided that we wanted to break out and do our own thing. So, we quit that band, and formed our own. Ryan joined up with us last year, and it’s been great!

2. For anyone who may not be familiar with the music, how would you best describe the style?

Loud, fun, and colorful.

3. Was it always your intention to be an instrumental band? Have there been considerations to add vocals at some point? Do you also feel there may be limitations with mainly being instrumental?

We never really made a conscious decision to be primarily an instrumental band. We just started writing songs, and let them develop naturally. We definitely weren’t concerned with singing. Instrumental bands weren’t as popular back then as they are now – I think Tortoise was really one of the only big ones. But, it just felt right. The songs that we were writing felt finished, so we never really talked about it. However, we’ve never ruled out vocals. We don’t have any rules in this band. We just take things as they come. And, lately we’ve written a few songs with vocals. The last song on our most recent record has the three of us singing on it. We also put out a single in the UK earlier this year which has two vocal songs. It’s pretty exciting to have a different tool to use, but I don’t think we’ll end up making every song have vocals. We’ll see! As far as limitations… I don’t think there are any. If anything, being instrumental opens up a million new avenues.

4. How did the name come about and do you have a set meaning behind it?

The name comes from a little-known experiment performed by the Japanese government in the 1950’s. I think it was called “Tako Kei Kaku,” which translates to The Octopus Project. But, basically, the army was attempting to build an enormous, robotic octopus (similar to a submarine) that could make manned missions to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. The details are fuzzy, but something went horribly wrong with the experiment, and the government abandoned the project after the robot was lost deep in the ocean.

5. Who or what have been some influences for the band?

It’s kind of hard to pinpoint because we’re always listening to so many different things. But, generally, I think we all like stuff with a little bit of grit on it. – sounds that have a personality. We have a tendency to be drawn to stuff that sounds interesting or exciting. I think that the best combination is amazing sounds + great music. Sonic Youth, Satyajit Ray, Madlib, Alice Coltrane.

6. What was the experience like working with an outside producer for the current record as opposed to primarily working on it your own?

It was definitely different from how we’d worked in the past. It was really fun, but also tough sometimes to find the bridge between our two ideas as to how things should work. We were coming from an unstructured, anything goes recording style, whereas Ryan Hadlock came from a very structured, professional world. We chose him because we wanted that mix of a crazy yet professional sounding record. And, I really like the way it turned out.

7. Do you guys ever just improvise on a song while playing live?

We have a bit of improvisation, but for the most part, things are pretty laid out. Many of our songs are played to sequenced beats and sounds, so it’s hard to change things around in the middle of a song. Some songs are loose, though, and we like to just see what happens.

8. How long does it take to get the stage prepared with all the decorations, etc...and do you feel that it is part of the overall setting of the music and goes hand in hand in a way?

We’ve gotten the stage setup down to a science, and it doesn’t take long at all. Touring so much, you have to be as efficient as possible. It’s taken us a few years to get it down, but lately we’ve figured out a good way of doing things. Most of our decorations, etc. are either built-in to our gear, or are things that can just be thrown up at the last minute. I definitely feel like our stage decoration goes hand in hand with our music. We’re all extremely excited about making things, and love any opportunity to get crazy. Being in a band is an amazing opportunity to let your imagination run wild visually as well as musically. But, being in our band specifically, I feel like we tend to veer toward sounds that are more colorful, or themes and ideas musically that might evoke certain visual themes and ideas to pop into your head. To me, the music and the visuals are all a part of the same entity.

9. If there was one person you could work with, who would it be?

Werner Herzog.

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

Other than the previously mentioned folks…. Clipse, The Tammys, Caribou, Fela Kuti, Deerhoof, all of the Stones Throw stuff, lots more.

Some old favourites/favourite records?

We’re all totally obsessed with the Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

I just got the new Deerhoof and Dead Science records, and they’re both pretty stellar.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

CD – The Paris Sisters, “The Complete Phil Spector Sessions” Vinyl – The Kinks, “Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One” and John Cale, “Paris 1919” Digital Purchase – Deerhoof, “Offend Maggie” and Dead Science, “Villainaire”

Last movie and/or show you saw?

Movie – ‘Hausu’ Show – ‘Mad Men’

http://www.myspace.com/theoctopusproject

The Faint

2008-09-06T20:58:00.001-07:00

The Faint are compromised of Joel Peterson, Clark Baechle, Dapose, Todd Fink and Jacob Thiele; and within that combination, juxtapose their music just as so. Their latest and current release - Fasciination, displays their mixing and fusion of different styles, into creating a sound and style all their own. Jacob was cool enough to take some time out to share some insight into the band from Omaha, known as the Faint.

1. How was the entire process of this album different from the previous albums?

We combined methods from all our previous albums, starting first by simply playing the songs and then realizing that we could do more by recording the songs as we went, once the studio was finished. The end result is something we're very happy with, and I think we've come closer to creating a scientific method for making music than on previous records.

2. What do you feel the (major) differences are between the last records compared to the new one?

The sound of the record is different because we made it ourselves. Doing this also allowed us the chance to experiment a lot more, like trying different keyboards for each part and declaring one superior to another! I think the lyrics are a little more straightforward.

3. What brought on the label change or made you guys leave your old label and release this new record on your own? Was blank.wav started as a result?

We knew we wanted to do something different for this record, and after doing almost everything else ourselves, it seemed like the right time to finally release our own music on our own label. So yeah, I guess it was started as a result. Hopefully one day we can put out other people's albums as well!

4. Being on your own label, what have been the biggest differences you've encountered?

Well, there's nobody to blame but ourselves when things don't go right! I suppose in many ways, it's the same as being on another label. We hired the same publicist, we hired radio people and all that too.

5. Would you consider the band an electronic(a) or dance band? Or how would you define or describe the band?

Kind of both. We don't really try to define ourselves by genres. When we meet somebody on a plane or somewhere who has no frame of reference we say that we're an electronic rock band that plays danse music for punks.

6. Do you have a favourite city to play, and what makes it a favourite?

We don't have a favorite city to play. Of course playing our hometown, Omaha, is a lot of fun, but it's always hellishly hot in the venue we play there! It's always fun to revisit a city we've been to before, but we also like to play new places.

7. What do you find to be the best/worst thing about touring?

Being away from loved ones is the worst. But meeting new people and seeing the world are the best! Also playing shows is lot of fun.

8. What's your favourite song to do live?

It used to be Paranoiattack, but lately it's probably Psycho because I get to do a wild keyboard solo in the middle of it.

9. Who and/or what have been some influences for the band?

Right now we're writing an article about Aphex Twin. He's always inspired us in different ways. Old punk stuff like Wire and old new wave stuff like the first couple Human League albums. We're big fans of bands that play by their own rules like Fugazi and Sonic Youth as well.

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

My favorite new band is probably Late of the Pier. I saw Midnight Juggernauts at a festival in Ireland and they were great!

Some old favourites/favourite records?

It's been fun revisiting Aphex Twin's catalog. I like David Bowie a lot. The Kinks, T. Rex, Brian Eno.

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

Hmmm. I'm looking forward to our next single, Mirror Error, because we're hoping to get some great remixes!

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

I bought a Konono No 1 12" that has some locked grooves on it. Pretty rad stuff.

Last movie and/or show you saw?

The last movie I watched was "We Jam Econo" the Minutemen documentary. I had seen it before, but we were all watching it on the bus because some people hadn't seen it. It's great!

myspace.com/thefaint

photo courtesy of Bill Sitzmann.

Cut Copy

2008-08-08T19:01:00.001-07:00

Four years in between their last record - Bright Like Neon Love, and with their current album - In Ghost Colours debuting at #1 on the Australian charts, Cut Copy are getting set for a co-headling tour with label mates The Presets. Cut Copy are a 3 piece from Melbourne made up of Dan Whitford, Tim Hoey, and Mitchell Scott. In Ghost Colours mixes and blends alternate genres; beautifully, intersecting sounds, cutting back and to from distinct combinations of melodies and most of all makes you feel like you're floating through crystal clear air. Dan was nice enough to give us a bit of details about what makes up Cut Copy.

1. Do you ever feel the need or get in the mood to mix up or change a song while or right before playing it?

We have a pretty short attention span for our own music so we often perform different versions of our songs or different arrangements. I think it's good for our fans too particularly when it comes to older songs that people have probably heard us perform already. Sometimes you'll be performing at a more high energy dance even so you'll take songs more in that direction and sometimes it's more of a noisy guitar driven punk version of the cut copy experience. Also I think audiences dont always want to hear you replay songs exactly the way they are on your album so they feel like they've seen something that is unique for them.

2. What's the best part about playing live?

Playing live is a great immediate way to interact directly with fans. It's also a great way to get a workout.

3. Do you get new ideas for sounds and music while playing, or does it happen at random times? And do you get the sound you're looking for or have in your mind down exact when recording or even demo-ing?

Usually new ideas for sounds or music come when listening to other music or doing something completely unrelated like looking in a bookstore. I kind of feel like our music is such a product of our influences and musical experience that I could almost dissect each song idea by idea and tell you exactly where they arrived from. But I dont think originality in the purest sense really exists, it's more about how you put the things you like together to make your own music.

4. Was there a different approach or one intentionally taken for the new record?

There wasn't a direction we had in mind at the outset. But in general I think we're exploring how pop music can unify the most disparate types of music. We love tangerine dream and neu and ciccone youth and francois k and terry riley but then we also love the doobie brothers, E.L.O, the eagles and chic. For us making music is like navigating across different ways of making pop music, whether it's with a synth, a guitar or a choir. Even the most experimental music can have pop elements to it and I think that's what we find the most exciting.

5. What is/are the main instrument(s) used to get the basis of a song or does it vary?

We never seem to start writing a song in a set way. It really is quite random what we work with.

6. Do you get to go see as many shows as you would like to, besides Festivals you're on? Or do you have the opportunity to dj as much?

We still DJ quite a lot because we often will spin records after we play shows or when we have a night off playing live. Because we're music fans before considering ourselves musicians it's something we love doing. The only downside of touring so much is that we dont get to see the number of shows that we'd like to. When we were a band just playing in melbourne we would be out seeing bands almost every night of the week. But now it's a bit difficult because most nights of the week we're playing shows! But on the upside we have had the chance to see some of our heroes on our tours, like Daft Punk and My Bloody Valentine.

7. Speaking of dj'ing, do you have a particular way of picking tracks for mixes?

We approach our DJ mixes very similarly to writing songs. It's not so preoccupied with style but more with melody and tunes. Like the original balearic DJs, as long as songs can somehow work together that's all that matters. I love the idea that you could put grauzone next to riot in belgium or fleetwood mac next to lifelike and still make it work, still have people dancing and going crazy. I guess we play the kind of music we'd like to hear on the dancefloor; fairly ecclectic but still a party.

8. Do you have a favourite city/venue to play? A favourite to watch another band?

We loved playing at the bowery ballroom in new york. It's a good intimate venue but great sound and just feels nice to hang out there. We've also seen a few gigs there including Guided By Voices second last show which was a long, memorable (and drunken) performance. Its hard to pick a favorite place. There's usually at least a couple of great venues in every city.

9. Who's been a favourite as far as tourmates goes? What's a favourite thing to do after a show and/or with time off?

It seems like a lot of bands have become our good friends after sharing a tour together. But I think we'd have to say our oldest friends Midnight Juggernauts and The Presets are our favorites to tour with. We started out touring together in Australia (sometimes playing only to small audiences) but it feels like as a result we've bonded like brothers.

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

john forde
doobie brothers
phil collins
mercy arms
nick straker band

- Some old favourites/favourite records?

klf-chill out
elo-time
chic-soup for one
bwh-stop/livin up
avalanches - since I left you
malcolm mclaren - duck rock
ariel pink's haunted graffiti - the doldrums

- Anything you're looking forward to being released?

our third record.

- Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

baciotti - blackjack & dennis wilson - pacific ocean blue

- Last movie and/or show you saw?

i just saw a documentary on the life of Arthur Russell at the Melboure film festival. He was quite an intriguing guy.

myspace.com/cutcopy

Pin Me Down

2008-04-30T04:02:00.001-07:00

Named after a text message from Russell to Milena, Pin Me Down is compromised of Russell Lissack & Milena Mépris. Based out of New York and London, they mix in a variety of influences to get their futuristic mesh of electronica-crashing-into-pop sounds. Here, Milena gives us a little taste of Pin Me Down.

1. How did the band come about and was there an instant direction you both knew you wanted the sound to be headed?

Milena Mépris: I met Russell when my former band Black Moustache opened up for Bloc Party in New York. He shared my amp for the show, so we met as a result and hit it off immediately. He saw my band’s set and liked my playing and pink Gibson SG guitar, so we became friends from there. We started sending songs we liked back and forth, and then some of our own music, so the next natural step was to collaborate on something… Initally we just played Weezer songs, but the first 2 songs we ever wrote actually made it on to our record. It was pretty amazing! Russell liked my voice and exposed me to a lot the 80s stuff he’d grown up with, like Cyndi Lauper and New Order. I already liked artists like Madonna and Prince, but we went in a naturally more pop direction, I guess because both of our main bands were heavier.

2. Being based in different cities, how do you work on the songs and does that method have its advantages?

Initially it was difficult because we’d record everything on my digital 8-track which was hard to do since Russell was rarely in NYC, but then we both got laptops and learned how to use ProTools and that allowed Russell to record tracks wherever in the world he was and he’d email his ideas to me to write to. It was a long process but also quite exciting to receive new songs in your email inbox each morning… it was almost like we were communicating in a language that we only had access too. As the songs progressed and matured, we decide we wanted to record them properly and share them with our friends.

3. Coming from different bands, how do you approach this project differently, if at all?

For me, I see Pin Me Down in part as routed in fantasy. I can be completely over the top with this band and chose not to take myself seriously. One of our main objectives was to make sure that we had fun and that people had a blast listening to the songs. I think we can naturally mesh a lot of genres because of different influences Russell and I individually have, and then we bounce off of ideas/references we have in common. I think we can incorporate unreal images into our sound. My stage get-up will reflect this…. I feel bad for the boys, they have to wear jeans and t-shirts…boring.

4. What have been some influences for this band and influences that you had before the band started?

For PMD, the influences are Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush, Madonna, Prince, New Order, Depeche Mode, Weezer. Individually we like different things. Russell loves the Smiths, Radiohead and Suede, whereas I am coming from the 60s and the 90s, so anything by the Beatles, the Zombies, or Nirvana floats my boat.

5. Can you describe the band in a sentence?

Ummmm how about this… I’m being creative Imagine the girliest rock warrior ever throwing herself off a cliff but instead of crashing, she lands on a cloud made of glitter….and levitates.

6. I heard that Milena was one of the two female guitarists used as the basis for the girl guitar player character in the Rock Band video game...how was it being involved with that?

Yeah, Rock Band was a fun experience, and a big work out too. I had to audition for the part and thrash around with a guitar. When we actually taped it, they put me in this black, super tight body suit that had silver sensors all over it. They put sensors everywhere from my face, to my hair, to my shoes, to my guitar, and these sensors were how they captured my movements. The game is interesting because the movements we did corresponded to set timings – a metronome at several different speeds that work for all the songs, surprisingly not the specific songs in the game. You’d be surprised how much energy is required. They’d let me rock out for a minute or two and throw myself on to gymnastic mats and jump around with a guitar and after a little bit later I’d be out of breath and covered with sweat. All the really girly movements are mine. It was pretty funny to see the footage of my rocking sessions back because they’re really quite feminine.

8. The first single will be out in May as well as some European tour dates; will there be an album released shortly after and any additional dates to follow?

We’re taking it one step at a time, releasing the first single “Cryptic” and its remixes in June, launching the PMD live show, playing our first UK dates in May and during all of this we’re in the midst of making plans for our next single and album.

9. Besides anything music related, what do you look forward to doing when you get the chance/time for it?

I am sort of a workaholic. I recently realized that there is very little time when I’m not doing music-related things, but then again, that comes with being a “musician,” and it’s the life I chose to pursue. That said, I love to stay in and watch foreign films and go to art galleries, enjoy nice weather, drink frozen margaritas with my friends in the summer, play with animals, travel, cook, rummage through thrift store bargain bins for my newest, craziest stage costume, try to take a day off every week.

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

Umm.. I am into Queens of the Stoneage, Spoon, Tegan and Sara, Mew, The Duke Spirit, Emily Haines (solo) and her work with Metric, Kings of Leon, anything Jack White does.

Some old favourites/favourite records? Russell and I love Prince Purple Rain, 1999, Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream and Gish, Radiohead Kid A. I am a huge Nirvana and Hole fan. I love David Bowie, Patti Smith, Dylan Bringing It All Back Home, Rolling Stones, the first two Pretenders records.

Anything you're looking forward to being released? I am a huge Secret Machines fan, so I am looking forward to hearing their new record also record #4 by Kings of Leon and the new My Morning Jacket too. THE NEW WEEZER ALBUM too.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased? The new Breeders record

Last movie and/or show you saw? Movie: Lust, Caution by Ang Lee – absolutely amazing!

myspace.com/pinmedown

The Stills

2008-04-30T04:01:00.000-07:00

The Stills, made up of Tim Fletcher - vocals/guitar, Dave Hamelin - vocals/guitar, Liam O'Neil - keys, Olivier Corbeil - bass, and Julien Blais - drums; are a band from Montreal, who are set to release their third lp very soon (august 19th). Tim took some time out in the midst of mixing and mastering of the album to share some info. on some topics revolving around Montreal and The Stills.

1. What is the meaning behind the band name; was it something that sounded timeless, and does the meaning change for you from time to time? Were there any other names considered? Are all the band members from Montreal?

The name The Stills was chosen for us by a friend who was a small star of the New Ethiopian Cinema in the late 1980s. He got into a pretty heavy scene though, in New York City, and died pretty young. But he loved movies, especially American Film Noir of the 50's, maybe more than we loved him. And so I suppose the meaning is constantly shifting in accordance to what every frozen moment that is significant to us feels like. But then, we are all from here, except for Julien who was born in the far north of the province of Quebec, the son of a lighthouse owner on a small island in the St. Lawrence River, where the water is brackish and filled with royal blue ice.

2. Having recorded a couple tracks in French, do you prefer to record in English or French? Would you consider doing a whole album in French? Is there a difference when it comes to actually playing in either language?

There is no difference in playing songs in French. The only one we perform at this time is Retour Á Vega. It is a song composed by our very close friends Pierre-Alain Faucon and Felix Trenton Trenton, de Chinatown. We might consider an album in French - but it's irrelevant because it will never happen. So, no. And a moving song is just that in any language.

3. In between the first and second records, there was the lineup shift; with the original guitarist leaving and Dave switching from drums to guitar, what was the decision for Dave to do so instead of finding a new guitar player?

It was always meant to happen, we simply had no man or woman to bash drums mad in the beginning, and now we have a hot-blooded son-of-a lighthouse-owner who acts likes he was born and raised in the jungle by banshee cannibals, and smashes like he was in Hell.

4. Comparing the first two records, they do seem different, but after a few listens, they sound relatively similar in a good way; as Dave had mentioned -playing the songs live from the 2nd record, they sounded as if they could have been on the first... Was there something(s) in particular from the first record that you tried to consciously stray from and avoid? And is there a song you don't like performing?

We never try to avoid or stray from our path. No artist ever does. You go with what comes to move you, with what presents itself to you. We place flagpoles where we were meant to, and you never know where that will be. Now we will have three, and they will only begin to delineate our territory. The world is getting too small, you have to mark it beyond your share and further.

5. How has being on a tight knit label such as Arts & Crafts, differed from your previous label?

It hasn't differed greatly at all. Arts&Crafts is composed of people so close to us as to have been already considered family before the signing. Vice Records is also family to us, and we will always love them and be thankful for the opportunities and support they provided us. We've been excessively lucky with both through times of light and times of darkness.

6. Did you take a new or different approach going in to record the third record, or even before actually going into the studio? Has the writing process been different for this record as well?

Again, you can't do anything else than take a different approach, since everything changes. It will always be that way. This album came during travels separately and then fully crafted together wherever we were given instruments and the room to do it. Wherever we happened to be, whatever substances were native.

7. Were you guys listening to certain bands/sounds/etc. for inspiration? And who has been a steady inspiration?

It's always shifting, it's always moving, always melodies and moods here and there, in your head, people bring us back tapes of Malaysian radio stations, Singapore, etc.. full of crazy kids making weird songs and sounds, rich, poor, seriously. Everything at the end is hard to make out through static but think about how much is actually in there.

8. What is the biggest difference to you on the upcoming record? And how do you see it being perceived, or is that important at all, to some extent?

Certain angers and weird drives to it that have become more+more prominent. What you go through always shows up in what you create, can't really help it, even if you try to run the record sounds like what you run from. It doesn't matter what you do, it will always shift. So then we make this for ourselves, but to show others.

9. What's your favourite city or venue to play in? Do you have suggestions on where to check out while visiting Montreal?

You can find something amazing anywhere. Seriously anywhere. I bet some people love playing to their people in Baghdad Hell, and I bet those people love hearing them back, in bombed out nothing-fucked backyards. That's hope, and that is good. Istanbul, very amazing. Mount Fuji, Jyukai woods, magnetic poles reversed, lots of sun-blocking-sheet cults, suicides, lost Mastercards, old girlfriends in there. In Montreal, find some friends and go do mushrooms in Parc Lafontaine and tell me that wasn't Jean Leloup you saw drunk on the little island there in the middle. Singing songs asleep.

10. What are some bands you are currently listening to? Some old favourites/favourite records? Anything you're looking forward to being released? Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased? Last movie and/or show you saw?

Current hearings: Ethiopiques. Dice The Boss. The Eternals. Lola Vs. Powerman. Looking forward to new Sam Roberts album yes.
Last album purchased = GZA The Genius, Liquid Swords.
Last movie seen: Chungking Express, fucking genius beautiful, and Apocalypse Now Redux, again, best movie ever. But Chungking Express, go watch it!

myspace.com/thestills

Young Galaxy

2008-03-01T01:34:00.001-08:00

Young Galaxy, are a band originally from Vancouver (Stephen Ramsay & Catherine McCandless), officially forming after the completion of the self titled record, and are now based out of Montreal, where they met the rest of the band to be (Stephen Durand, Stephen Kamp, Liam O'Neill). Their sound is a mixture of melancholy, clashing with dreamy undertones and lush melodies. Stephen (R), was kind enough to give us some details into the creative process of the band that is known as Young Galaxy.

1. So you were Stars touring guitarist? For how long? How did you get involved with Stars? I know the whole Broken Social Scene/Arts & Crafts label is very involved/tight knit with each others bands, have you played with BSS?

I toured with Stars for almost two years in support of the "Set Yourself On Fire" album. I was close friends with Torq Campbell of Stars' wife for many years before we started hanging out with them in Vancouver on a regular basis. He asked me to join after many whiskey-sodden nights together. I have never played in BSS - I would say standing behind the drum riser with a tambourine doesn't really count!

2. How was Young Galaxy formed? Was it a side project during the time you were in Stars? Was that the deciding factor in leaving Stars, or was it a more open door policy..where you could work around tours/shows?

Stars was a full-time commitment. Young Galaxy was my focus from well before my time in Stars, but it was mostly just a bedroom computer-based project. There was no band. I had no experience prior to playing in Stars of being in a proper band, so I knew touring with them would be a crash course in whether I really wanted to get serious about forming a band around my own music. Stars supported me in my project and I gave them my time on tour. When it came to leave, they were very understanding. They are still great friends of mine.

3. What was the original formation of the band? Was it a 2 piece originally?

It was Catherine and me only to begin with. The record is essentially us and Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas of The Besnard Lakes messing around in the studio, with other people just dropping in and lending a helping hand when it was convenient for them. We formed the band after the record was made.

4. Where is the band from? Is everyone based out of Vancouver? Was the move to Montreal imperative for the creative process and/or otherwise?

Most of the band are from out west, I'm from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and Catherine is from Vancouver - but we all met in Montreal with the exception of Catherine and me. I think the move was essential. I didn't know anyone in Vancouver who was doing music other than as a hobby. It's expensive, and the neighbourhoods are spread out there. Here, the cost of living is lower, the musicians all live relatively close together and all the facilities and venues are much closer together as well. People actually go to each others' gigs here. It's a very supportive, vibrant community in my estimation. It's inspiring to be around musicians of all types who are actually making a go of it - you end up becoming valuable resources to each other. In the end, whether you love their bands or not, you end up respecting people for having made the decision to come here in the first place. It's an inspired environment.

5. You'd mentioned some of the songs were written 4-5 years ago, was any of it changed or completely scrapped to fit what you may of been feeling at the time? How was the songwriting process, did the band contribute with it as well, or did they join once the record was already completed? And if that's the case, how do you feel they could have contributed had they been involved at the time?

Some of it changed in the studio, for sure. For instance, 'The Sun's Coming Up...' ended up being very different from the early version, which was much faster and groovier. It was Jace who suggested we slow it down and play up the melancholy in it. We loved the result. The album was made based on the demos, so there was very little rehearsal time put in before we recorded. Our motto is 'by any means necessary', so we used a lot of tricks and layers and things to make it sound as dense and epic as a band that had been together for years. That was the goal - to make it sound sophisticated despite the limitations of not being a band at the time. As I said, the band joined after the record was made, but had the band been involved, I imagine it would have yielded different results. We would have done a lot less looping and Pro Tools editing - it would have sounded that much more organic.

6. What was the difference in recording the EP as opposed to the full length album?

Two of the songs off the EP were from the album. The only track that wasn't, 'The Golden Coin', was done in Vancouver on my very first studio demo in 2003, so it represents a totally different time and place musically for me. I had yet to get most of my 'chops' playing live with Stars, and Catherine had only just become involved in the project recently, so her contribution was very small then.

7. What are some influences that you feel may of reflected the tone of the record? And some maybe not necessarily considered influences, but bands you listened to during the process?

I think the goal was to create a hyper-creative studio environment first and foremost, where we could do away with the conventions of the regular band approach. We did lots of noise experiments.. so in that regard we looked to bands like My Bloody Valentine as an influence, but never overtly. It would have been a waste of time to recreate what they did, we wouldn't know where to begin in the first place! We listened to a lot of psych music - Jace and I would compile what we were listening to and bring it into the studio for listening sessions. There was a lot of Aphrodite's Child (Vangelis' first band), Skip Spence, Moby Grape, Can, David Crosby and Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac - older stuff. We wanted to infuse our poppy-ness with otherworldly weirdness.

8. How did so many Steve's get involved with Young Galaxy?

Why, I went to the annual Steve Convention held in Las Vegas each Spring. Surely that's obvious.. Haha!

9. What's the best part of touring?

Being out of your comfort zone is the best part. You experience strange things on the road when you are in tune with that. It is unfortunately the best part and the worst part of touring! It is good to be thrust into present-mindedness as a general rule, but having few real responsibilties from day to day can be challenging. There is always a fine balance to be struck when touring.

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

Cass McCombs' - Dropping The Writ
Selda Bagcan - Selda album
Anything by Baxter Dury - particularily Flooshow
Studio - Yearbook 1
The Happy Mondays - Bummed
The Mary Onettes - S/T

Some old favourites/favourite records?

Talking Heads - Remain In Light Neu! - Neu! 2
Roxy Music - Avalon
Bruce Springsteen - the song Badlands (devastating!)
John Cale - Vintage Violence
J.K.&Co. - Suddenly One Summer
Ian Matthews - Journeys From Gospel Oak
The Black Angels - Passover
The Bardots - Eye Baby
Aphrodite's Child - 666
Skip Spence - Oar

Anything you're looking forward to being released?
New Spiritualized album

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?
Can't remember - it's been a long time!

Last movie and/or show you saw?

There Will Be Blood - genius, in a weirdly unenjoyable way...

http://www.myspace.com/younggalaxy

You Say Party! We Say Die!

2008-02-18T13:33:00.001-08:00

You Say Party! We Say Die! are a 5 piece, self described dance-punk-new wave band, who formed after it was too cold to take their bike gang out on the streets in Abbotsford, British Columbia. They self released an EP; Danskwad, followed by their first full length album - Hit The Floor!, and most recently, after signing with Paper Bag Records - Lose All Time. Their music is an exciting array and blend of spastic eruption of wonderful and striking noise. YSP! WSD! are: Becky Ninkovic - voice, Krista Loewen - keys, Derek Adam - guitar, Devon Clifford - drums, and Stephen O'Shea - bass; who was nice enough to give a bit of insight into the band that is - You Say Party! We Say Die!

1. How did the band start, where did you all meet, & where is everyone originally from?

the band started in abbotsford back in december of 2003. The story goes "it was raining and too cold to ride our bikes in winter so we ended up in becky's basement and decided to start a band". I can confirm that that story is true. eventually the line-up changed as we toured more and more. everyone from the original band is from abbotsford, all the replacements are originally from abbotsford. we're keep it suburban as best we can.

2. What were you doing before the band and/or inbetween shows, recording, etc..?

we all had regular jobs and attended university. whether it was a pizza place, or a grocery store, or a book warehouse. whatever you could find to get by.

3. How did you come up with the awesome name? Were there any other names just as good in the running?

no one ever find this funny, but we do...the answer to how did we come up with the band name..."we thought it up". it was our second pick after the girls didnt feel comfortable telling their parents we were a band called "the clap".

4. Who/what are some influences on the band?

i joke around these days about have wanted to rip off the international noise conspiracy.

5. You're banned from entering the US for awhile...because of not having visas while crossing? What is the story behind that? And i'd heard you've done it a few times before? In retrospect, does it seem like a big deal?

this is a crappy deal for us, but more a crappy deal for americans that want to see us live. we didnt have visas when we crossed. we applied but were denied. we had played down in the states prior to being banned. just got unlucky i guess....
it's a big deal and a small deal. and a middle sized deal too. but it's definetly not a meal deal. it didn't come with fries.

6. What if any, was the major difference in recording the 2 albums, or even the EP?

LINE-UP CHANGES! everyone loves different members. especially us for some reason....

7. Are you working on new material currently?

no. no, we're totally resting on our laurels. everyone says yes, so i'm gonna say no. hahahahaha. seriously no

8. What is the favourite song to do live?

mine is "giant hands". sadly i think i may be the ONLY person, band and audience that does. oh well.

9. What is the best thing about touring?

an abundance of country side! so many highways!

10. What are some bands you are currently listening to? i just finished listening to a new band from toronto called "lioness"

Some old favourites/favourite records?

it's not old, but it's still a favorite. sigur ros - ( )

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

the lioness EP and the new Cancer Bats record.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

i bought a used copy of orchestral maneuovers in the dark's dazzle ships

Last movie and/or show you saw?

i just watched quadrophenia on joox. i just watched season 1 and the first 11 episodes of season 2 of 'hereos' in a week. again on joox

http://www.myspace.com/yousaypartywesaydie

Matt & Kim

2007-12-28T02:50:00.000-08:00

Matt and Kim are a duo based out of Brooklyn. Mixing drums and keys, their sound is a blend of careless, yet energetic; frivolous, yet totally enjoyable noise. Formed not so long ago, their first release was the ep titled to/from, followed by their self titled full length. Their shows are lively and they share the same unwavering enthusiasm, as evidenced by Kim below. So without further ado, give yourself a chance to get to know Matt and Kim!

1. Where did you guys meet & how long after did you form the band?

matt and i met 5 years ago in brooklyn. we started playing music together about 3 years ago. I had never played drums before but loved watching drummers or anything beat related, and matt had never played keyboards before but he found a really cool one in his neighbor's garage, we were working on all kinds of other things together (art, films) and we just work well together.

2. You're known for being and having a fun party vibe..how do you balance that out with being taken seriously, or is that not much of a factor/important?

I really don't care if we are taken seriously or not. I think too many bands are trying to be on stage with a "cool face" it looks as though they aren't having fun. Why would you do it if it wasn't fun. We really love to play and i think it shows in our shows.

3. When did you start touring and what was your approach? Did you find it difficult booking the first shows?

We started touring a year after we started playing. I guess the approach was to just do it. A lot of people don't understand you can just go and do it! We have a lot of friends that tour and we reached into some of their contacts and through the internet got some more. I booked all of our tours for the first 2 years. It got to a point that we were touring so much that i was booking tours while on tour. It became too hectic. Last January we got a booking dude! It has given me my life back! ha. Yea i guess that is one thing people should understand before they start booking a tour. It is a lot of work.

4. Is it hard to adjust once you get off tour?

sometimes. I usually get home for about a week... sleep a lot, catch up on all the emails and myspace messages i couldn't answer when we were on the road, meet up with friends and then start getting the itch to go back on tour. Matt just sleeps! He feels like he needs 10-12 hours of sleep a day which he doesn't get on tour. I know it is ridiculous! He thinks he is going to live forever if he does this. I use to sleep 6 hours a night before we met. I miss that!

5. What's the biggest surprise you came across while touring?

I guess one of the biggest surprises would be that this is a small world. I guess we realized that when we got overseas and we met alot of people who knew people we knew or saw us in the U.S. To us overseas was just this fictional place on the internet. We never thought we would start touring there.

6. You've mentioned you learned your instruments for the band..so did the band start off as a bit of a side project at first? How long did it take to get a hang of the drums & keys enough to record anything and what was the most challenging part of all of it?

Ha ha... well we first just started it because we wanted to learn our instruments and it was a good way to get us both to practice. We never thought it would be come what it is now. Shit i didn't ever think anyone but matt would hear me play the drums. It took a ton of practice... i still think we are learning our instruments! I guess we record our EP a year after we started playing. I really don't know what the most challenging part of it was...I guess playing live was pretty challenging. I mean we fuck up a lot and you never want to do it infront of people. We are really good at laughing at ourselves so i guess that helps! ha ha

7. Did you completely give up your jobs to take on the band full time? And if so, how much of a risk did you consider that to be, or did you consider it a risk at all?

Yea we haven't had real jobs in about... gosh it is all blending together. I can't remember when i was working last. I think it was about a year and a half ago. I was a nanny and my bosses were great about letting us take time off to tour but then we started touring so much that it wasn't fare on the kids i was watching. I guess because we were always on the road it didn't feel like such a risk. We do work twice as much on the band then any other job we have had. It is crazy how much time goes into a band that isn't playing your instruments.

8. I've heard you guys both have a background in art; what medium of art do/did you work in? Have you been able to use it much for any aspect of the band?

Yea matt and i met at art school. Pratt Institute! (i would say it is the best art school out there... if anyone is thinking about it!) I studied illustration and matt went for film. After graduating i was doing more fine arts stuff. Matt worked on different film jobs. It does work for the band too. We design most of our shirts, stickers and buttons. I did our album cover and matt worked on our video. Now that we are taking a break i would like to get back to making more work. We shall see... depends how long the break is.

9. What bands or artists (or anything else for that matter) inspired you (possibly) to start the band?

I don't know what really inspired us... well matt was in a lot of bands before we were a band. He use to have political punk bands when he was in high school. We also were always going to shows. I think we both love music.

10. What are some bands you guys are currently listening to? Some old favourites/favourite records? Anything you're looking forward to being released? Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased? Last movie and/or show you saw?

Right now as i am writing this i am listening to young joc. We listen to alot of top 40 hip hop! umm i will give you a list of awesome bands people should check out.
The Death set (we are going to go see them play tonight)
No Age
Dan Deacon
Japanther
Parts and labor
Best fwends
Totally Michael
Meneguar
The Mall
Abe Vigoda
Mika miko
xbxrx
dj venom (that is my brother! he is amazing!!)
underground railroad to candyland
against me!
dynamite arrows
gerty farrish
the midnight prayers
flosstradamus
shit... i could really keep going. oh and this is no order... ummm shit last thing we bought... kanye west, 50 cent... we had to support them both, young joc, the first against me album... our disc was scratched to all hell... ok and the last movie we watched... well in a theater it was the darjeeling unlimited. We don't go out to movies often. That shit is expensive. The last movie we rented was... Reno 911! Oh and we are really into renting the show "how i met your mother" That show is hilarious!

And an extra note from Kim:
So i collect Rhode Island quarters. I grew up in R.I. I have about 572.. i think. I am going to collect them all. So if anyone finds a RI quarter i will trade you a regular quarter for it!

http://www.myspace.com/mattandkim

The Raveonettes

2007-12-28T01:26:00.000-08:00

The Raveonettes have a new record out - Lust Lust Lust, following 2005's Pretty In Black, & the first two; 2002's Whip It On (the one recorded in b flat minor, with all songs under 3 minutes), and 2003's Chain Gang Of Love (also all under the 3 minute mark, but in the key of b flat major). Deriving their name from a combination of 60's girl group, The Ronettes, and a Buddy Holly tune, the Raveonettes are a Danish two piece made up of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo. Their sound is a mixture of vintage garage rock, blended with something you might hear in a spaghetti western; perhaps Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino-esque. Either way, here's a bit of a glimpse into their elusively mysterious world, courtesy of Sune.

1. Sune has mentioned that he hates touring- why?


The monotony of traveling every day can be quite uninspiring and bland.

What are some examples of why one might despise touring so much?

Read above.

Does Sharin feel the same way?

I'm sure everyone does every once in a while.



2.  What would you say is the best thing about touring?

Visiting great cities and meeting interesting people and of course make
people happy with great music.

Is there a city you look forward to playing in?

I love so many cities berlin, london, nyc, paris, etc...



3.  Since you live in different cities, where and how often do you
rehearse?

We usually rehearse 2-4 days before tour start.



4.  I heard that in the late 90's Sune moved to NY, Las Vegas, LA, & Seattle, before moving back to Denmark...
is this true? And if so, what area of Seattle was this? Where did you like best?

I lived on suquamish island and in the greenwood area right down the
street from mills burger. I liked nyc the best which is why I have moved
back there. There's a certain electric energy for the soul you can't
find anywhere else.



5.  What would you say is the best way to describe your style, either
musically or otherwise?

Pure r 'n' r wth a twist. I think we manage to capture the cool
elements of an otherwise tiresome genre and turn it into something very real
and true.



6.  How would you say your first band- Psyched Up Janis compares to The
Raveonettes?

It doesn't except for some nostalgic moments.



7.  How does the songwriting usually go.. is it one who might write
lyrics and the other music for a particular track & vice versa or is it a
collaborative process much, or...?

I write everything. I send the songs to sharin to get her opinion.



8.  What earlier jobs did you guys have?
Was there a favourite (apart from the band)?

I have cleaned public bathrooms, worked as a bicycle repair man and as
a photographer assistant.



9.  How often do you go back to Denmark?

Usually for xmas. Other than that only when we play shows.

What would you say are some cool places to check out that you might
recommend, or some places you guys make sure to visit when you're back?

Some good restaurants for sure but the city in general is very old and
pretty.



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

The sadies.

Some old favourites/favourite records?

Too many to mention les paul, dion, jody reynolds, santo and johnny,
etc...

Anything you're looking forward to being released?

Our new album.

Last cd/vinyl/digital purchased?

The sadies

Last movie and/or show you saw?

The sadies

www.myspace.com/theraveonettes

just a test...

2007-12-06T00:50:00.000-08:00

ah testing, testing, testing - 1,2,3!