Learning Secrets 7th Anniversary w/ Kisses + Interview / Ticket Giveaway

Learning Secrets is turning 7. That is 7 years of this fine duo bringing some of the most exciting up and coming acts to town as well as legendary DJ's and promoting the finest this town has to offer. The thing that has always stood out to me about them is that they never do anything that doesn't live up to the highest of standards. They book bands months in advance of any hype and always create a vibe at their events that can't help but make you feel that you are at the right place. This Saturday they are celebrating their anniversary with a huge party at The ND.

It comes as no surprise that they would have an exciting act flown into town for the event in the form of Kisses. If you aren't familiar with the band you should be. Let's just say that if you miss this you will probably be kicking yourself in the next few months. We took some time to interview the band last week and have some music up so you can study up on this great band.

All the party details are below and we are giving away a pair of tickets to the party on Twitter tomorrow so go follow if you aren't already. Happy Anniversary Learning Secrets!!!!!!

Learning Secrets 7th Anniversary w/ Kisses, Tim Sweeney and more.

Saturday, January 29th at ND Studios!
Doors open at 9p.m. | $10 to get in, $12 under 21

RSVP Today For $8 Entry: http:www//learningsecretsmusic.com/rsvp
Email info@learningsecretsmusic.com to reserve $20 VIP tickets which gets you line jump and complimentary Dripping Springs Vodka all night! (VIP is 21+ ONLY)

Interview with Jesse Kivel of Kisses

You've listed Alec R. Costandinos, Grace Jones and Cerrone as influences. Are there any more contemporary artists who have influenced your sound?

I would say a lot of Swedish groups, the Sincerely Yours Crew...TTA, Air France, Jens, The Whitest Boy Alive...

In "Midnight Lover," you sing, "I want to take you out for a nice steak dinner." One can't help but smile at this line. Can you give us any insight as to why you decided to use it and how it's cohesive with the rest of the album?

I forget what compelled me to write it but I instantly enjoyed it. Not sure if it works with the rest of the album in that it is a very cool and confident line that i think is very much a character that only exists on that song or maybe one other. The album is kind of insecure lyrically if you look at it.

What are the most amazing things people can do?

Anything that a person finds difficult for them personally and they overcome to me classifies as amazing. It could be asking a girl out or performing a show...anything really

Can you give us some insight into the creative process behind Heart of the Nightlife?

Basically I wrote the tracks on nylon string guitar and wrote them all in a row over several months. After Princeton finished recording our first album I went into our garage and recorded it on my own.

Are you both originally from LA? How has LA influenced you as artists?

I was born in NYC and Z was born in Providence. I grew up in LA though... LA is just a place with no seasons so I think it developed my imagination, forcing me to get into a mood even if it didn't exist on the outside.

You've done some touring this year. What has that taught you about yourselves as a band? How has it influenced the music you will create in the future?

It taught me that we could do it! I dont think it will influence the recording of the next record at all. The live show is a way to express the recording but we are very much a recording project first!

8201 Interview - The Authors

This Thursday night we are proud to support The Authors as they release their debut LP "Get Haunted". This will be your first chance to purchase the album before it is officially available on 9/7. We've had a chance to get our hands on it before it's release and it is certainly one of the better debuts we have heard in a long time. We were able to get a few questions in with Justin from The Authors in advance of the big show on Thursday. Here we go..

Now that the album is done and ready for the world, tell us what was the recording process like?

The process was intense, but rewarding. We logged in 12 hour days for 8 days, cutting tracks live to tape and rarely leaving the studio, except to eat and sleep. It was a very focused monastic life, but it was what the situation required to make the dream happen.

We cut the album at Elmwood Recordings in Dallas with engineer Stuart Sikes (who also mixed the album). At first we were all a bit apprehensive of going away to record, but I think that really allowed all outside distractions to fall away and all of us had to focus on the task at hand. When it comes time to do album number two, I'd like us to get away again to get the same feeling.

Your style is a little different than from a lot of what is going on in Austin right now, how do you think people will respond to that?

Well, I hope that people will notice us and see that we really want to make an impact not only in Austin, but nationally as well. When we started this band I just wanted to make music that I was not hearing locally and mainstream as well. I think we managed to do that on this album, now we just have to see what everyone else thinks.

What and are who are your influences?

Personally I listen to everything. I've found influences in all the classic songwriters in rock over the years like Dylan, Petty, and Strummer. I really like old soul records, Factory Records type stuff, Sixties garage, and everything else in between. Right now, I'm really into the new Black Keys record, the Exile on Mainstreet reissue, and Springsteen's Darkness on the Edge of Town.

Tell us about the release party and what you have planned over the next few months.

The release party is going to be at The Mohawk this Thursday the 2nd at 9pm and we have fantastic support opening for us. Politics and Motel Aviv will be opening and The Happen-In's DJs will be spinning between sets and after the show. We also have a ton of local blog support and Alison Narro taking party pics during the event. This will also be the first opportunity to purchase a copy of the album before it hits stores on the 7th. This should be a really dope show and I can't wait to play the album in its entirety for folks!

As for the next few months, we play an in-store at End of an Ear on Friday the 10th at 6pm and then we play again in early October at The Ghost Room. We're looking also to do some regional touring in support of the album as we get into the fall. I am hoping folks take this album and spread the word. I know we have something special here and I want to make an impact here in Austin as well as the rest of the country. This band and this album are the culmination of my life's dream and I want to see it really shine.

What was the most interesting thing that happened during recording?

Besides the fact that I became borderline addicted to Dr. Pepper (thanks Stuart)? Actually the most interesting thing was how much work really goes into making an album. You truly live, breath, and eat the songs you are working on and it really is a do or die situation that you have to pull together for. I don't know how some bands can do it when members have issues with each other. It really has to be a family unit from the word go and the band really rose to the occasion to make it all click.

Why title the album "Get Haunted"? Tell us about the cover art. (above)

When I was writing the bulk of the songs for the album I kept finding myself writing about relationships and how a person remembers them after they have ended. "Get Haunted" is about those memories and how you remember a person you had so much invested in emotionally as time and distance separates you from them.

I knew when it came time to record the album that I wanted an image to really represent the songs and have something for us to refer to emotionally while we recorded. I am a huge fan of photography and I frequent many photo blogs. One day I came across this Sardinian photographer Valeria Cherchi's site and from the moment I saw the photo I knew it had to be the cover. To me it really ties the title and the feeling of the album together. It's kind of like a snippet of a memory you might have of a past love, but somehow her face, the most important element, is now missing. It's just like how some memories, no matter how poignant, start to fade over time.

Who are your ideal tour mates?

Politics for sure. Those guys are our type of people. We love playing together and they have the hunger and drive like we do to make it happen. It's a real mutual admiration society with those guys and us. Also, I feel like we make a great complement to each other live. Plus, we dig the same kind of shots! (Ed Note: It was tequila, I was there)

The Authors "Get Haunted" Album Release Party

Thursday September 2nd at The Mohawk

with MoTel Aviv and Politics

Doors at 9pm | $5 with RSVP/$7 w/o

8201 Interview - The Hood Internet

(photo cred: Clayton Hauck)

The Hood Internet descend on Austin tonight and if you have any sense you will get yourself down to Beauty Bar tonight and check them out. The Chicago based DJ's have made a name for themselves over the last couple of years for their mash ups of indie and hip hop. Even better they have given the tapes out for free via their website. After you read this go visit the site and spend the day downloading (The Hood Internet vs Lykke Li is a can't miss).

The Hood Internet w/ DJ Rusty Lazer and Sebastian Nebula

Tonight!!! (6.26) at Beauty Bar [More Info]

$5 | Doors at 9pm

And now the questions......

What happens when a mash up doesn't work?

When it doesn't work we simply let it die, or post it at the end of the year in our ongoing "The Year In Rejects" series.

When you are touring how much does each set vary? Does where you are factor in to that?

If we're in a particular city or state, it's likely we'll try to work in some hometown/homestate heroes.

Your Twitter profile pic is curly fries from Arbys. Why? And more importantly which is better, horseradish or Arby's sauce?

They're really the best fast food fries. I'm gonna go with Arby's Sauce, which of course is their BBQuivalent. I'm wondering if you meant to compare horseradish and Arby's Horsey Sauce?

That was a trick question and you passed the test. You know your Arby's.

Being in a duo is tough sometimes. What do you disagree on the most?

I'm currently trying to convince ABX that we should pass out 500 vuvuzelas at our next outdoor show, and he is not budging at all.

What's your favorite thing to do when you get to Austin?

TIE: Torchy's Tacos or Kebabalicious.

Great answer! Hopefully you will have time for both. Oh and this Usher/Sleigh Bells Mash up is awesome, Thanks. [Listen]
[The Hood Internet - Oh My Kids (Usher x Sleigh Bells) by hoodinternet]
[The Hood Internet]

8201 Interview - Brahms

Brahms opened up both Passion Pit shows last weekend and those lucky (and early) enough to get to Stubb's were treated to a unique blend of electro and instrumentation. The easily won the crowd over and you can expect to see them moving onto their own headlining shows really soon. The band is fairly new having just "formed" in January but have already played The Fader Fort during SXSW and shows with not only Passion Pit but Telepathe, Lemonade and Class Actress as well. We were able to get some questions in with Brahms' Cale Parks while they were in town. Check it out.

You played some really great shows during SXSW this year. What was your best experience during the conference?

Rolling up to our Fader Fort show and learning that the secret guest artist going on after us was Nas. Mind blowing.

What was the worst?

Wandering around in the cold weather that Sat. I think that threw everyone off a little bit.

Touring gives you a lot of free time between shows. What are you listening to right now?

Ludacris- My Chick Bad, Gyptian- Hold Yuh, Inner City- Good Life

If Passion Pit and Tokyo Police Club got into a brawl, who would win?

Passion Pit, no question, if their stage crew and techs are involved.

You are a fairly new band, when was your very first show? Describe the experience.

The first show was January 10, 2010, opening for Passion Pit in our home town, NYC. The entire experience was a surreal, nail biting, exhilarating, and inspiring evening.

What does the band have coming up after this tour?

A headlining show at Mercury Lounge in NYC this August followed by our first official release, a 7" single this fall! Very exciting times.

As a band do you use Twitter? And if so will you follow me on Twitter?

Yes we do ( @brahmsband ) and yes we will follow :)

(Note: they did)

8201 Interview - Love at 20

I was able to catch Clap! Clap! a handful of times during their run here in Austin. After seeing them by chance in San Marcos I was instantly hooked. I say by chance because looking back I have no idea why I was in San Marcos in the first place. They were an exciting band and it was cool to see them growing in popularity. Then suddenly they called it quits. The band splintered into to different groups that have been exciting the local scene over the last year. The latest project is Love at 20. We finally had a chance to get some questions in with Mike about the band, social networking and why it took me so long to get the interview done. I have apologize for taking over a month after setting up the interview to finally getting it done. On to the questions....

Was there ever a moment where you felt this interview would never happen?

Yes, every night before my head hit the pillow, I doubted myself and the legitimacy of Love at 20. I commit so many social faux pas’ that I was certain I had offended ultra8201 if not EVERY Austin blog. But as it turns out, you were just busy being an entrepreneur and successful social coordinator. I can respect that, but it won’t bring back the hours of lost sleep.

Explain the formation of Love at 20? After Clap! Clap! who left to do what? and how is your working relationship with Missions? We noticed they did a great remix of "So Bad".

Love at 20 was initially a studio project until I knew it could translate to a live setting. I sought out to write what could be classified as a “cliff notes” of my life. The record is my footprint in the cement. It’s something permanent and is very representative of my musical romances. In a sense, the songwriting stemmed from a deluge of indie dance riffs from the Clap!Clap! days. CC was an amazingly large project. There were so many voices, and so much participation that it was intrinsically too big for its britches. It was nice though, to be able to write specific types of songs. We may not have consciously written tracks that would appeal to the fans, but in some way they provided the thesis for our songwriting. CC wanted to write dance hits that would bring people to the shows. Problem is, from a creative perspective, we painted ourselves into a corner. I was more of a rock guy, Josh was more of an electronic guy, and Nick was a lo-fi indie devotee. In effect, much like how an iceberg splinters when it starts to melt, ClapClap was losing creative momentum as a whole, but gaining it on individual levels. So now here we are a few years later and people still know of CC. I would have never thought I could use the CC name to book shows or gain notoriety, but alas it’s still an Austin brand and I’m very thankful.

In a post CC world, Nick Whitfield has shifted his band “Haunting Oboe Music” into the “Lean Hounds”. They are certainly more in tune with his indie rock sensibilities. Louis Lemuz joined the now defunct, Always Already, before joining me in Love at 20. Josh Mills has formed “Missions” which is my favorite band in Austin. It’s funny actually; how Josh is able to capture the atmosphere of everything I love about listening to 80’s electro-pop at night. MISSIONS is an unbridled journey into the electronic landscapes of sex and dance floors. You can hear the intimacy Josh has with the music and I hope he’s successful with it. Suffice it to say, after hearing the initial tracks when I was mastering them, I really loved them. In effect, I felt Josh could shape a “Love at 20” remix in ways that other people couldn’t. I could tell from listening to the tracks that we shared the same perspective on the 80’s, which made him the perfect person to treat the song. The remix ended up really helping us both out in the blog community. I hope he can do another remix soon. I’ve even talked to him about doing a “Love at Missions” type of EP where we cover each other’s songs. It might rule, we’ll have to see.

You are using videos and giving away music for free in order to present this music breaking away from the "old" way of doing things. What challenges have you seen in doing this? What are the benefits?

If the four major record labels can’t make money on albums sales, how can I? They are sinking millions into an artist and still getting little to no return. First, I don’t have those kinds of resources. Second, if a “tried and true” process is no longer working, then why would I operate the same way? I think paying for recorded music should be a choice. I don’t necessarily condone illegal downloading, but I can understand the cause. Ultimately, I think that fan relationships are the biggest facet of being an artist. The concept of “celebrity” further distances a fan from an artist and I want to always ensure I’m accessible to fans. In effect, giving away a free record is a great conversation starter. People, on Twitter especially, have been really open to listening to new music since they don’t have to invest anything (besides time). Also, I can have that conversation with them directly and find out more about them. That connection with a product, whether it is art or electronics, creates loyalty. And in the long run, fans are the only thing that supports the career of a band. Giving the record away for free is a small price to pay.

There will always be challenges for new artists in this ever-saturated Internet era. I talk to a lot of people that really aren’t interested in listening to a new record. Or even better, they won’t respond to my email or twitter inquiries. Realistically, I’m the same way; bombarded with new bands, new singles, videos, movies, etc. This is the age of Internet media and I understand it becomes really difficult to sort it all out. But again, the whole process ties back to relationships. As long as I’m meeting people and exchanging feedback, good or bad, I’m really content with the way I’m “selling” this record.

In regard to videos, I am a huge film lover and relished the opportunity to create vignettes for tracks on the record. Likewise, I didn’t want the videos to be banal little skits or overly polished. They were a great opportunity to pay homage to the way films had impacted me. I have close friends that work in film, so I found this a perfect opportunity for collaboration. When I approached them to direct the videos, I only proposed one guideline- we had to pay tribute to one of favorite directors. A few months later, we had visual tributes to Warhol, Lang, and now in this post Miike. I feel the visual aesthetic remains consistent with the themes of the record and our fashion as well, so they make the perfect companion to the record.

Why Love at 20?

From the beginning, film has been a heavy impetus for the songwriting and image of the band. Love at 20 is literally a short film by Francois Truffaut in which he shares more lovelorn mishaps of his Antoine Doinel character. Symbolically, Love at 20 represents a very confounding era in my and most people’s life. I think that my definition of love at the age of 20 vastly differs from how I feel about it now. I don’t think there is any more idealistic perspective on love than that of a 20 year old. It’s that naivety and quixotic context that shapes how we interact with the world. Lastly, regardless of how cliché writing about love is, it is something that we can all relate and connect with. Love and music are inextricably linked. I hope Love at 20 is a phrase that is familiar but yet nostalgic….Enough about love, we should now discuss death metal…

You came right out with an LP and steered away from the usual step of putting up an EP. What was the motivation behind that?

EP’s can be a great thing. I can remember really enjoying the fact that despite having already released 3 amazing albums, Jimmy Eat World still found the right material to make a memorable and emotional EP (Stay On My Side Tonight). There’s a time and a place for everything. I think that this record contains almost too much material. “Time to Begin” has so many different types of songs that some people may think it’s too ambitious for a first album. And you know, I’m ok with that. I’d rather release a full length that goes into too many areas, than not enough. Also, it’s a way to make more money on iTunes. LP’s are priced higher.

We follow @Loveat20 on Twitter and I have to say I reading your "Tweets" is always fun, what are your thoughts on the site?

I really enjoy Twitter. I think it’s a challenging medium. It’s also a great indicator for how functionally illiterate many people are becoming. Personally, I consider Twitter a semantics game. You establish what you want to say with as much detail as possible in 140 or less characters. I mean from the start, you’re at a disadvantage (me especially since I can be described as verbose). You want to construct an eloquent and cogent sentence, but the clock is racing. Contractions are the new duct tape for social networking.

Also, Twitter is an amazing way to reach out to prospective listeners. In a sense, I consider Twitter the final frontier for promoting new music on a personal level. Myspace has become so wrought with band requests and junk posts that it has generated its own obsolescence. Facebook is so awkwardly arranged that it’s almost impossible to promote an event. (however, I do think with Facebook that they have intentionally designed the site to deter selfless promotion of the music kind) They probably will release their own unique way to inundate users with band requests.

All in all, Twitter is essentially a site to post “headlines” for your personality- “Today I went to the store, now I’m covered in chocolate”-from this, people can ask many questions, both comical and worrisome. You can develop your persona in such a unique way that Twitter has secured its relevance for years to come.

What shows do you have coming up?

Saturday 5/8 (flier above) at Emos, supporting Bright Light Social Hour. 5/29 at the Ghost Room at which I hope we’ll have our light rig fully operating. June booking is still in the works, but we hope it will be a great month for shows.

Love at 20

[MySpace]

[Twitter]

[Download the Album for FREE]

8201 Interview - The White White Lights

We have been down with The White White Lights since day one. After catching the band at a show at Beauty Bar in front of a modest crowd over a year ago and knowing we had they to have them play having them play our first sponsored show to all the success they have achieved since then. We have always had high hopes for this band and now they are on the eve of releasing their first E.P "Medium Head Boy" on February 27th. In celebration the band will be having their release party the same night at Emo's and we were able to get some questions in with the band about the upcoming release. First things first though, mark that calendar.

The White White Lights | EP Release Party

Medium Head Boy EP | [Stream and Purchase]

Saturday January 27th at Emo's

w/ Cowabunga Babes and The Happen-Ins

Onto the interview.....

So how did this whole thing start? It almost feels like TWWL came out of nowhere.

We did! We simply materialized out of the ether. (Actually, Jonas offered to record a Monster Girl album, and after a few months of playing together and a half-Lomita-half-Monster Girl show at Emo's, it became obvious that we should start something. The rest is glamorous rock and roll history.)

You have established yourselves over the last year with your live performances. What can someone who has seen you live expect from the EP? What songs made the cut?

The six songs on the EP are (in order): Space Invaders, Heresy, It's Cold Here In Japan, Doctor Doctor, Evangeline, and Devil's Son. We have a feeling our audience can expect to hear the same impactive sound we present live with a few extra embellishments here and there. We don't overdub any basics and try to stick to a one-take rule for every track, especially with vocals. It's very honest. What we've got coming out after this EP is even more stripped-down and live. We can't wait to share everything we've got.

Can you please explain what Medium Head Boy means? I sometimes think this can be a cliche interview question but I have to say I am curious.

He's a Medium Head Boy. Nothing too interesting, not too this or that, but he is fascinating nonetheless to someone or something somewhere. (It actually came from our unanimous love of The State.)

You are getting a lot of "Next Big Thing" and "Bands to Watch" mentions lately. What are your thoughts on that?

Our number one priority is making good music as a collective of different tastes, music that we enjoy and love playing. As long as we're digging it, we'll do it, regardless of how it's received -- so it's a fantastic bonus to have people actually like it. We've had such amazing support from this town.

You seem like such a visual band and we noticed the last time we saw you you had a little bit of that going on. What are your aspirations as far as how you present your live performance?

We assume you're referring to our trash-bag-of-feathers-and-glitter/leafblower combo? Haha. We like to put on a fun show and we're always into trying out crazy ideas. That was one of those. If we had unlimited funds, our shows would be crazy huge. We would blow lots of things up.

What are your plans for touring? Is that something you expect to start doing this year? And what can we expect during SXSW?

We want to tour, definitely, but as most of us (with the exception of Jenny) have spent many a hot summer cramped into a van living on 99-cent cheeseburgers and playing empty, dilapidated bars, we feel it might be better for our wallets, hearts and cholesterol levels to stick to places where we can play decent venues to a reasonable audience. So expect some random shows across the country soon. And SXSW is going to be crazy for us! Lots of opportunities to catch us, and as you can imagine, each set will probably be different.

What was the most memorable moment for you as a band last year?
Hard to say! It's all been fun... and it all was kinda blurry.

You do an amazing cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" during your live performances. With new material coming out do you think you will continue do covers during your live set?

Definitely. We love learning and playing covers. We like taking songs, hacking them up with chainsaws, and sewing them back together into our own design.

[Photo Credit: Daniel Perlaky]

8201 Interview - J.G Wilkes of Optimo

This Thursday J.G Wilkes of Optimo (Espacio) will make his way down to Beauty Bar for a very special set along with our good friends at Learning Secrets. We figured those not familiar with Wilkes should know a little bit more about him and we were able to get a few questions in before tomorrow nights show. Of course after that if you haven't yet go ahead and make sure you RSVP. Cover will only be $3 ($5 w/o) after that. Also Papst Tall Boys will be 2 bucks all night and Sailor Jerry will be serving complimentary rum while supplies last. So get there early. Onto the interview....

Tell us a little about the Club Optimo. What were your early aspirations for the club?

Optimo, the club, is our weekly Sunday night party at Sub Club, Jamaica Street, Glasgow. It’s a basement venue right downtown, holds about 500 people, low ceiling, simple lighting and a great Martin Audio soundsystem. It’s dark and hot. We took the name “Optimo” from a song by Liquid Liquid. Most people use simply “Optimo” although the full name of the party is “Optimo (Espacio)”. The party started in November 1997 and still runs weekly.

In ’97 both Keith (my partner JD Twitch) and I had been DJ-ing for about 10 years, playing techno parties in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Just at that time we really felt dance music was gong nowhere. It was monotonous, the clubs were populated mainly by males and there was an aggressive atmosphere in a lot of places. The whole experience of going out and playing in dance parties was getting grim.

Our early aspirations were nothing more than that we wanted to have a party was FUN to be at and somewhere we could play whatever we wanted – really literally, whatever we wanted. DJ-ing became really fun again and to our surprise people really connected with it. It had to be somewhere we could present live music too - mainly local bands at the start, then more widely known stuff. In the first year we booked a few dj’s (Ashley Beadle, Marshall Jefferson, IF, Harvey) but since ’98 we’ve only booked live artists.

The concept of Optimo is originally conceived as a club night which still remains to this day. When out on the road what are some of the elements you hope to see that differ from what you are used to back in Scotland?

Yes, our early aspirations for “Optimo” ie. those of throwing a party which is really fun to play at and where anything goes are still the way we think about dj-ing today and still why we continue looking for new music to play or show live. Touring as dj’s is full of surprises, especially if it’s a party or a city you haven’t played before. Not knowing what way it’s going to go until you show up at the club is part of the thrill but then you only have what you have in your box… so it’s a challenge too.

You have hosted bands like Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and The Presets over the years. What new bands are you excited about?

We’ve had some great new bands at the club in 2009. My favourite Glasgow band are called “Divorce” and have to be seen to be believed! “Health” from LA was awesome when they played a few months back. “Cold Cave” from Philly played (in a cave!!!) at our Halloween party and were really great. Joakim’s live project “Joakim and the Disco” gets better every time I see it and for that kind of “live dance music” thing it’s really cool.

When playing without (Optimo partner) JD Twitch what elements of your set tend to change? How do your styles differ?

When Keith and I play together (which is most of the time), we play 30 minutes about then toward the end we play together, record about. It’s really fun and gives the set a real energy – it really keep you on your toes! Playing alone is different in that any drastic changes in direction are up to you and not something you maybe only have a few seconds to respond to. I suppose there’s chance to think further down the line which is a different approach – not necessarily better but just different, I enjoy both. Keith uses Ableton Live about 50/50 with vinyl whereas I use only vinyl to mix.

As the year comes to an end what was your most memorable moment of 2009? Whether it be during a gig or other wise?

It’s a bummer, but truthfully, my most memorable moment of 2009 is a moment a few months back when my car collided at full speed with another car. I just can’t get it out of my head. I had my two kids with me, it was terrifying…. The kids were fine, thank God but the feeling just before the moment of impact – all the stuff that flashed through my mind and the feeling of the smash itself is something I’ll never forget as long as I live. It was the other driver’s fault btw!
That aside, it’s been an amazing year for gigs and for music. Looking forward to “Learning Secrets!”

8201 Interview - Zechs Marquise

Based out of El Paso, Texas comes Zechs Marquise. I was able to finally interview the band after a few false starts (sorry guys) and ask them about influences, comparisons and the hometown we share and the way that it has shaped the band. After releasing the "E.P" 34:26 recently and coming off their first tour the band is readying a full length, planning an upcoming tour and took time out of their schedule to answer a few questions. This is not your usual music fare, I highly suggest taking the time to watch the videos the band have posted on their MySpace page. It gives insight to the experience of their live performance and why they have been compared to bands like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. Chances are if you read this regularly you will dig this band. On to the interview....

Zechs Marquise
[Official]
[MySpace]

First of all give me a background on the band. Who are your influences?

The group started out, as you know, in El Paso, TX. The members include Marcos Smith (Guitar), Michael Farraro (Drums), Marfred Rodriguez-Lopez (Bass), Matthew Wilkson (Guitar), and Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez (Keys & Synths). Individually we all have different influences. However, as a band the most influential groups/artists are King Crimson, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Can, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa.

How did the band begin? What are the aspirations for the group?

The band began in the summer of 2004 as five friends just wanting to play music, but at the same time we all wanted something more out of it. So, we would meet in our own self-built studio in Michael's parent’s house whenever we could all get together. We would go over riffs that we had individually or write collectively as a group. As time went on we realized that the music that we were playing never left our instruments sounding the same. The main idea of the songs would stay much the same, providing a sort of skeletal structure for the group to bounce other ideas off of, almost like that of a motif or fugue. From that point the music as a whole would remain as something fluid and constantly changing on the surface, allowing the other instruments to weave in and out of the underlying structure. This approach has always kept the music fresh for us and evidently for many listeners as well, often forcing them to question us after the show about weather the music that we played on any given night was the same material from a previous night or not.

Once we started playing in clubs more regularly, and attracting more listeners each night and developing a modest following, we realized that we had something solid. To do this we have promoted ourselves by creating fliers and posters to pass out around town, talking to anyone with an open ear about the group, and by forming a network of contacts through the internet. The harder we work- the more results we see.

As for aspirations for the group, we hope to continue to write songs that others can appreciate while staying true to the music, and to build a larger fan base than we already have accumulated.

You recently completed you first tour, what are some of the most memorable experiences from the trip? Any cities that stood out in particular?

This was the first time we spent more than a week away from home as a touring band. This made for a very memorable experience in and of itself. As for the most memorable experience, it’s hard to pinpoint any one particular instance from the tour. When you are on the road for more than a month you are guaranteed to have many stories to share with others when you get back. Of course, because of the fact that many of the places that we performed at were bars, we have countless memories of belligerent, drunken show-goers acting in the according fashion. However, the best memories that we took from the road were the wonderful people that we met throughout the trip that took care of us, putting a roof over our heads, or a meal in our stomachs.

Other great experiences include the great shows in which we were privileged to perform. For example, in Los Angeles, CA we were invited to play alongside hip-hop artist Busdriver as well as electronic artist Daedelus at a club called The Airliner. The crowd was full of life and the groups that we performed with were extremely exciting.

Throughout the entire tour though, we were fortunate enough to play some really nice venues with great bands like Animatronics (Los Angeles, CA), Kill Kill Orchestra (Seattle, WA), and Tirantez (Sacramento, CA) just to name a few. They really made some of our most memorable experiences on the tour.

Being from El Paso, how has the city shaped your music? The city sometimes has a negative reputation, do you feel that way?

The only way being from El Paso has shaped our music is that it constantly pushes us to work harder. El Paso makes it far too easy to settle for mediocrity. It is a large city with a very small town mentality. EP is very laid back and easy going, without a lot of really exciting things happening here, but it is still home. Although El Paso does hold a negative reputation in other areas of the US, we don't feel that way*. The people make the city seem worse than it really is due to a lack of motivation to make the city more than what it is now.

* I am from El Paso and don't feel that way either by the way.

Your music has been compared to King Crimson, Pink Floyd, etc. It's obviously an honor, do you feel it's a fair representation?

It is an honor to be compared to two of our biggest influences among others, but as for representation we would hope to offer something new to the expanding world of music.

I always like to ask what bands are listening to, I feel it tells a lot and is always interesting. So on that note, what are some of the band members current listening?

Matthew- Fugazi, Mastadon, Weather Report: Sweetnighter, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters: Hard Again, Lava (Spain)

Michael- Captain Beefheart: Shiny Beast, This Heat: The John Peal Sessions, Tony Williams: Emergency

Marcos- Marvin Gaye, Dorothy Ashby, Frank Zappa

Marfred- Frank Zappa, Gong, Alice Coltrane, El Gran Combo, King Crimson

Marcel- The Persuaders, Sonora Poncenia, Bruno Spoerri

What are your plans for the next year? Can we expect a wide release? Another tour?

Yes, tour, tour, tour. We have plans on releasing a single of a song entitled ‘Pattern’, followed shortly there after by an EP. Then we will start recording the full length album, which will be distributed throughout the US.

Is it a challenge being an instrumental band? How does this carry over in your live show? And how much of the performance is improvised?

Actually, it’s not as challenging as one might think. Performing without a vocalist puts more of the focus on the music itself. Each show is different from the last, never playing a single song the same way twice. The idea is to keep it fresh and constantly evolving. About 40% of our set is improvised on an average night, but some nights we don’t feel like playing anything we have ever played before. In this case, we will improvise entire songs on stage and everything from the rhythm, to the beat, and the solos are all created in that moment. This is when the group really challenges itself with improvisation serving as a sort of testament to each member’s personal musicianship. These are the nights that we really have to be on our toes in order to keep the music from collapsing upon itself. Reacting at the right time, making eye contact to catch small signals from one another, patiently listening for the correct time to stand out or blend into the backbone of the song- these are all things we have to keep in mind in that moment to make the experience work well.

And last, tell us about the name? How did you decide on it?

Originally, we had chosen the name Monolith, but as it turned out, there are a handful of bands that go by that name. In the search for a new name, Marfred brought up the name ZECHS MARQUISE (taken from an anime called Gundam Wing) and the rest of us liked the way it sounded.

Photo courtesy of Elena Madrid (www.frontlineartist.com)

Interview with She,Sir

I have recently come across a very special band, Austin based She,Sir deliver a sonic sound that draws you in from the time you first hear their music. The attention to detail in the music is obvious, you get a sense that they almost obsess over every note. Which I for one am thankful. You can get a preview of an upcoming E.P "Who Can't Say Yes" via MySpace. Also the band was kind enough to let me preview upcoming tracks and the best is yet to come. I was able to interview the band so here goes:

Can you give a brief description of the band. Background, influences, etc..

Russell and I met while attending music composition classes in college. I think that we're influenced by a fairly wide range of music--everything from Webern and Varese to the Zombies to my Bloody Valentine and the Cocteau Twins. It's an interesting blend of sounds. We really try to invidually tailor every aspect of our songs, even down to the tuning of the drums. There's a lot of variety.

What is the origin of the name She, Sir?

We played for a while under different names, and this one stuck. It looks nice, and it doesn't seem to call anything else immediately to mind. We didn't want a name that would be distracting.

You met at Iowa State University, how did you end up in Austin?

We played around in a couple of different bands while we were at ISU. Eventually, I transferred to UI in Iowa City, and Russell moved to California for a year. When he came back, we decided to start writing and performing our own material exclusively. We mutually agreed to finish college before giving our music career a shot. I had made the 15 hour drive from Iowa City to Austin in four consecutive years just to buy a SXSW wristband. From the first time I visited, I had a feeling that Austin was home.

When can we expect the EP? Full Length?

We should have copies in our hand by the end of August. At this point, the only real barrier between us and a full-length is money. Finally having an EP to sell will help that. Any plans to start performing live? How do you feel about touring?We plan on performing live again in the very near future. We definitely feel that we are prepared for a tour as soon as the opportunity arises. Given that this is our first release, I expect that we'll have a better idea of our tour plans once we can gauge the response to the EP.

How do you feel about the music scene in Austin, any local bands that you are into?

We haven't been able to see nearly as many shows as we would have liked this year, but we really try to keep ourselves educated on the local scene. Our EP was recorded with the help of Rick and James Vehslage of For Those Who Know, whom we both really enjoy. Also Experimental Aircraft. The Black Angels. I've also found some fascinating Austin bands on the internet that seem to be starting out or not currently playing shows.

You can open for one band, who is it?

Assuming that the band has to be currently together, probably Echo & the Bunnymen. Or the Cocteau Twins, if that Coachella reunion had ever happened.

How was working with photographer Aubrey Edwards?

Aubrey is the first photographer we've ever worked with. The promo shots she took for us exceeded even our highest expectations. We definitely hope to work with her again in the future.

How is the internet, myspace working as far a promoting your music?

I think we're coming closer to finding out. We had been writing, recording, and playing music in utter and complete obscurity in Iowa for 3 years. The internet has been a great resource in helping us find our audience. We've been really overwhelmed with how positive the response has been to the preview tracks.

Considering your background, are you perfectionist?

We have made every attempt in making sure that this EP will be something that we can proudly claim as our own, whether it be six months or thirty years down the line. We decided a long time ago that we don't ever want to put out a release that we will feel the need to apologize for later. We sorted through many, many songs before we decided on these seven. It was very important to us that these songs work together as an organic whole. As a result, there are numerous themes that are interwoven between the songs. We have literally worn ourselves sick pouring over every tiny nuance of every single line. The most heated debate during the sessions focused on three notes in a third vocal harmony that's barely audible in the mix at all. We really hope that this is one of those recordings that people listen to in a very active sense. We are detail-oriented musicians seeking detail-oriented fans.

You can hear more of She, Sir by clicking these links [official][myspace]

Interview with SOUNDteam

I was able to get a few questions to Bill from SOUNDteam, maybe you have heard of the band I have mentioned them once or twice on this site. I also want to mention and thank the Austinist for the article. It mentions the whole Pitchfork video and has their response to the video, which by the way makes them seem like even more pretentious assholes, here are the links [Austinist][Pitchfork] Here is the mini interview:

I love the Pitchfork video, did it really bother you at all?

Reviews that harsh can sting, but you get over it. Probably best not to pay too much attention to reviews, either good or bad. Making a video like that is part of the "getting-over-it" process. As Twain said, "Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand." I'm pretty sure that quotes applies here.

What are your plans after Lollapalooza?

Album will be released in UK via Parlophone; we will go promote promote promote. Then back to the studio and start recording the next album.

How does being on a label like Capitol change things?

The creative processes we brought into this whole situation haven't changed too much. People's expectations of us have changed, which may in turn affect their listening experience. I might add... we now get asked about our label a lot.

Strangest thing to happen on tour?

Swimming in an irrigation ditch.

How do you feel about blogs?

A good way for people to find new music. A great vehicle for self-expression. The modern version of the zine!