The Priscillas interview

The Priscillas

The Priscillas are a London based punk/pop/rock band that we have been admiring from afar for sometime now. They have been making waves around the live music circuit here in England and have been turning heads with their latest release, “Superhero” […]

The Priscillas

The Priscillas are a London based punk/pop/rock band that we have been admiring from afar for sometime now. They’ve been making waves around the live music circuit here in England and have been turning heads with their latest release, “Superhero”.

Their colorful and quirky videos are also noteworthy, creating a late 70’s underground vibe. If The Priscillas are playing in a town near you, we highly recommend getting out to one of their shows for a great night of music and entertainment! – Jenny May

The Priscillas interview with Band Weblogs
Compiled by: Dave Tommo

Why the name The Priscillas?

Guri: Move over King of Rock and make space for the Queen(s)!

Your song Y.O.Y. was mysteriously placed on the B side of the Klaxons single release. Are the Klaxons your mates? If so, how did you meet?

Jen: Nope. All is still a mystery. Don’t know them.
Guri: We don’t know the boys – but they are very welcome to be our friends!
Hege: Have never met the lads before, apart from when I saw them at Hyde Park miles away. Would love to meet them though! Would be great to play a gig or seven with them!
Kate: We like their music. Weren’t we lucky to be on the flipside of their platter?

Who is your favourite superhero?

Guri: Bananaman
Jen: Catwoman (Julie Newmar) and Underdog.
Hege: Clark Kent, of course.
Kate: I have a crush on Batman.

Where is the best place to go clothes shopping?

Jen: I like Camden Stables Market because there are a lot of mom and pop shops. But stupidly, that’s being torn down to put up giant chain stores. Ick! Also, I like the malls in New York and New Jersey…where they have really good giant chain stores, haha!
Guri: Any TK Maxx.
Kate: The eBay.

We love your Christmas song “One Christmas Wish” here at BandWeblogs.com. What is the best Christmas song ever?

Guri: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).
Hege: Last Christmas, Wham, is a great tune and a pompous and sad video. Lovin’ it!
Kate: One Christmas Wish by The Priscillas, of course. Otherwise, all of the Phil Spector’s A Christmas Wish For You, Walking In The Air by the Snowman, and Oh Come All You Faithful (with descant harmonies).
Jen: One Christmas Wish. There are a lot of great Christmas songs. Bowie and Bing Crosbie doing Little Drummer Boy, The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s Fairytale of New York…

How do you write your songs?

Kate: Together.
Hege: It varies, but most of the times it comes like a shooting star and hits us in our heads, and there you go, we have a new song!
Jen: We channel all of our favourite composers and thoughts and sounds, mix them in a big bowl and lob it at a giant fan and watch it splatter.
Guri: By utilising three chords and the truth!

Your songs give me a late 70’s vibe. Who is your favourite band or artist from that era?

Hege: ABBA were a great glamorous band and are still alive and kicking!
Jen: Buzzcocks, Blondie, Kate Bush, Siouxsie, Pistols,
Guri: Burt Bacharach.
Kate: ELO, The Damned, Squeeze, Adam and his Ants, CRiME, Madness, The Rezillos, Blondie, Can, The Clash, Supertramp.

Where is your favourite place to play music?

Kate: On stage. Loudly and well.
Jen: A good sized stage where we can run around like idiots.
Guri: Loud and proud in a steaming, dark club with drunk and disorderly people dancing their rocks off.
Hege: Anywhere where we are treated well, where we are fed and given a nice little rider including hot men and cider.

What colour wellies did you wear at Glastonbury?

Guri: Not for me, I’m afraid! I had some sensible peep toe plastic shoes for the occasion. Glamour over comfort, people!
Jen: Ugh! Perish the thought! I had an array of PVC (that’s waterproof, people!) boots in various colours and heel sizes. Never substitute style for comfort. Sometimes you can have both.
Hege: Heavy trekking boots of leather
Kate: See through PVC with golden tassles and Swarovski crystal laces. With a little mice in silver crowns standing on each toe, waving.

How do you relax when not near music?

Hege: Relaxing at our castle by the sea in Italy.
Guri: Knitting and watching a B-horror or science fiction film.
Kate: Shouting loudly though a megaphone. Hatching eggs. Watching Midsummer Murders.
Jen: TV or just silence with my cats.

Do The Priscillas have a say in the making of your videos? Are they your ideas?

Guri: We have been very lucky to work with Paul McCloone and Clare Sparra for our videos. They are very competent, have great ideas and we have complete faith in their creativeness.
Hege: Yes we do have a say, and we are also very open for ideas from the directors. The last video was a blast! When our director, Claire Brookes, presented her idea, we realized that her idea was exactly the same as ours! What a coincidence…
Kate: We collaborate with very talented people.
Jen: For our next one, the director wants us in little bikinis with a rap video feel, but we’ve opted for a barrel with straps and blacked out teeth look. The next hottest trend!

Can you give us a good cocktail recipe?

Guri: 25ml Vodka
25ml Malibu
Crushed Ice
Squeeze half lime
fill to top with banana and Strawberry smoothie.
YUM!
Hege: 2/5 Vodka Smirnoff
2/5 Soda Water
Dash of lime and a squeezed lime
Served in a pint glass, and the day after you have absolutely no hangover! If you want it to look like a proper cocktail, why don’t you apply an umbrella and a big strawberry?
Kate: 1/2 pint of advocaat (Lidl do a good cheap one)
Lemonade to top
Splash of lime juice
Cherry on a stick and
Umbrella to garnish.
Mix it all in a pint glass. Serve with crisps. I call it a Snowman’s Revenge
Jen: Go to off-licence
Buy one very large bottle of cider
Chill
Twist off cap
Garnish with straw (and a sprig of mint optional)
And enjoy

Which of your songs would you get people to listen to first who have never heard you before?

Jen: We’ve just written a few gems. Fly In My Drink, Y.O.Y., The King Is Dead…
Guri: Brain surgeon, Y.O.Y., Holloway. To start with.
Hege: Y.O.Y and Fly In My Drink (which is not released yet).
Kate: Fly In My Drink. Y.O.Y. Brain Surgeon.

Is the X-Factor a good platform for new talent? How do you feel about the show?

Hege: Avoiding watching that kind of thing as it makes me absolutely incandescent. It generates a silly amount of wanna-be’s. The attendants have never had to climb the ladder like everybody else, and they have a short way to stardom. Thank god they are not alive in the picture for that long. I’d say NO!
Guri: I think it’s a waste of time and space.
Kate: I absolutely adore watching the early rounds, but it’s all a sham, isn’t it? I feel sorry for the deluded fools, and for the untalented kids not cushioned for the fall by their thick as a brick parents. But let them have their fun and let me watch their downfall. I’d love to be a judge.
Jen: I get them all mixed up. What’s the difference between that and Pop Idol? It’s all reality TV, isn’t it? Just another Big Brother.

Do you play any cover songs in your set? If so, which ones?

Jen: Monster Mash once or twice at Hallowe’en.
Guri: The Norwegian National anthem on Norway’s constitution day and once the wedding march “Here Comes the Bride” for a friend’s wedding.
Hege: It would be wonderful to do Surfin Bird!
Kate: We might one day do All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie.

For more information, go to The Priscillas Official Website
The Priscillas on Myspace

Aaron Schroeder interview

Aaron Schroeder

Aaron Schroeder is set to release his second album, ‘Black & Gold’, which features guest appearances by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Air, Ladytron), Ben Barnett from Kind Of Like Spitting (Barsuk Records, Hush Records), Jeremy Castillo from the Los Angeles based rock band Mighty Six Ninety, and Tyler Blake from the DJ-remix duo Young Americans. Instruments used on ‘Black & Gold’ include lap-steel guitars, cellos, accordions, violins, banjos, musical saws, clarinet, mandolins, tubas and bells […]

Aaron Schroeder

Aaron Schroeder is set to release his second album, ‘Black & Gold’, which features guest appearances by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Air, Ladytron), Ben Barnett from Kind Of Like Spitting (Barsuk Records, Hush Records), Jeremy Castillo from the Los Angeles based rock band Mighty Six Ninety, and Tyler Blake from the DJ-remix duo Young Americans. Instruments used on ‘Black & Gold’ include lap-steel guitars, cellos, accordions, violins, banjos, musical saws, clarinet, mandolins, tubas and bells.

Having spent time in Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon and Boston, the 20-something singer/songwriter is currently based in Kennewick, Washington. He seems to have settled into the music scene quite nicely, after living there for the last couple of years.

Aaron Schroeder - Black & GoldAfter listening to tracks on Aaron Schroeder’s Myspace page, we begged him – well not really, but we would have if it had come down to that – to let us play his single, “Call Out To Me” on the Band Weblogs Podcast Show. Luckily he said yes. The track is off of Aaron’s new album ‘Black & Gold’ and could easily become a classic for not only us and I’m sure his current fan base, but if put into the “right hands”, for many more people in the years to come.

Listen: “Call Out To Me” on the Band Weblogs Podcast Show

BandWeblogs.Com interview with Aaron Schroeder:

Band Weblogs: Who or what influenced you to want to become a musician?

Aaron Schroeder: Well, I was a young teenager in the midst of the grunge attack – so people like Kurt Cobain, I suppose. Truly, I really began writing music when I started getting involved in the punk rock scene. Bands like Bad Religion and Minor Threat were hugely influential on my ideology about music in general and how music should be played. Even though I don’t have the social-commentary-aspect to my music like those bands do, they always said SOMETHING. It was never just “page from your diary” type of sh*t. I still try to do that in my songs. I like telling stories, even if no one besides myself knows what the hell is going on to the characters within.

Is Washington a good place to be playing music?

Sh*t yes it is! I’ve been here only two years and I’ve released two full lengths and written about 5 albums worth of material. The scene itself is somewhat non existent, but I’ve hooked up with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met here. Talented, creative and just good people. You don’t have to party here every night to stay connected to your friends which works out well with me. I can stay in and write more music and hang with my girlfriend. Besides that, there’s a local brewery a few minutes away that makes the best beer I’ve ever tasted. Seriously. Nothing else even comes close. I’ve asked around.

What inspires you to write a song?

Usually the music end will come from very different musical places. I’ll listen to someone like David Bowie or New Order or Bob Dylan or whatever and I’ll think, “I should’ve written a song like this!” So then I’ll turn the record off and basically rip off whatever I was just listening to. The lyrics usually come from the various books I’m reading. Sometimes they are inspired by poetry or old Yiddish folk tales. Whatever seems challenging to me – that is usually what I try to take on through my own music.

What is your favorite sport?

Mini golf, I suppose. Or pinball. I did get pretty excited about baseball a few years back when I was living in Boston. That was when the Red Sox “reversed the curse” though, so I suppose it was a pretty common thing. I also like trying to keep up with my dog when we go walking around the park. She’s fast.

Do you prefer recording in the studio or playing live shows?

Aaron SchroederRecording and writing music absolutely. Shows are fun and nice, but there’s always, always some kind of awkwardness before that I’ve just filled up my chain smoking and pacing around. Now I’m trying to quit smoking. Playing shows would only fu** that up for me.

What is your favorite cocktail or smoothie?

Not much a fan of either. I like diet coke and whiskey while sitting on my back-porch watching the sunset. Everyday should be like a vacation.

What brand of guitar do you favor?

The only guitar I own is a $60 Hohner. It’s been pretty good to me. I use it on all my demos, and I beat it up pretty good. You know what, I really should name my guitar something. If anyone who is reading this has an interesting idea for what I should name my guitar, email me.

Is the internet a good thing for musicians?

For an artist like me, living on the fringes of a small city, the internet is amazing. I am able to get my music into the hands of people all around the world. I mean, I’ve got people buying my music in Japan and Australia because of iTunes or whatever. And the unfortunate truth is that while the band (myself included) has to work 40 hours to make the car payment, the only way to establish relationships is through digital communication. I’d love to tour one day, but for now the internet is my strongest musical life support.

Who, out of all the dead musicians, would you want to jam with?

That’s an interesting one. Not really dead but his moniker is – Cat Stevens. I’m a fan of most of his music. I won’t try to say I could keep up, but I’d like to hang out with Mississippi John Hurt, I guess. We could get a cup of coffee and talk lyrical inspiration.

Aaron Schroeder

What was your most inspired moment?

Man, I get inspired all the time. Usually when I’m having a conversation with someone; when I’m able to verbalize a thought or an idea that I’ve had swimming around in my head – that, for me is very inspiring. When I can connect something inside my head by talking to someone else about it. That’s important to me. Reading great literature is always inspiring, particularly Bernard Malamud.

What is your idea of a vacation?

Sitting on my bed and reading will usually constitute a relaxing time. Not having to open bills on a daily basis might be nice too.

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

Nah, but coffee can be.

What do you think is the best festival to be seen at?

I’m not too sure about that. Festivals seem like a silly idea to me – not sure I’d care too much about being seen at any of them. Growing up going to small, rat infested, thrift store couch-ed small shows in people’s living rooms – I can’t imagine having a genuinely personal experience at a festival. There’s no “heart” in those things.

Is Elvis really the king of rock and roll?

Can’t think of anyone better, except maybe Dino?

Out of the songs that you’ve written, which is your favorite?

I’m really proud of “Fake Crimes”. It’s a story about a pair of lovers who fake a kidnapping so they can get rich, but you don’t have to know that in order to enjoy the song. That’s what I like about it.

Aaron Schroeder will be performing tracks off of ‘Black & Gold’ at his CD Release Party, taking place on Saturday, September 8th, 2007 at The Red Room in Kennewick, Washington. Other bands scheduled to perform include Lions and Eagles and Gregg Belisle-Chi.

For more information about Aaron Schroeder, listen to music and to purchase ‘Black & Gold’, go to Aaron Schroeder Official Website.

Aaron Schroeder on Myspace

By: Jenny May and Dave Tommo – BandWeblogs.Com

Guillemots drummer Greig Stewart interview with BandWeblogs.com

Guillemots - Greig StewartGuillemots have made an impressive debut here in England since forming in 2004. Band members are Fyfe Dangerfield, Greig Stewart, MC Lord Magrao, and Aristazabal Hawkes and their first album, Through the Window Pane includes gems of songs like “Trains To Brazil”, “We’re Here”, “Made-Up Lovesong #43” and “Annie, Let’s Not Wait”.

It’s all been quite the whirlwind for Guillemots the last couple of years as they’ve been keeping busy with tours, festivals, radio interviews and UK TV appearances including Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Top of the Pops.

Their debut album Through the Windowpane was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize and the band was nominated for best British Live Act for the 2007 Brit Awards. Not only that, but they have a dedicated fan base that as far as they’re concerned, Guillemots can do no wrong.

Just back from touring in Europe, Scottish drummer Greig Stewart is one of the most unique and versatile drummers in music today. The times that I’ve watched him, his presence on stage was amazing and he is the kind of drummer that you “can’t take your eyes off of” when he’s playing.

Greig has been kind enough to answer a few questions that I wanted to ask him for readers of BandWeblogs.com.

Read Greig Stewart’s second exclusive interview with BandWeblogs.com

Jenny May: How and when did you become a drummer?

Greig Stewart: Loved music and drumming seemed natural to me. I came to it quite young. Made my own drums as a kid out of bits and bobs.

What kind of drum kit and gear do you use?

1960s Ludwig drums, 22″bass, 13″rack tom, 16″floor, Ludwig 400 snare. 1980s Premier Resonator, drums 22″ bass, 13″ rack tom, 20″ Ludwig floor, Premier resonator snare. Zildjian 19″ 16″ custom k crash/ride, 14″ new beat high hats, Paiste rude china. Roland Spds sampler. Apple mac, logic.

Oddly enough, you’ve been using Spandau Ballet’s old drum kit. How did that happen?

Well it’s either Spandau Ballet’s or Rod Morgenstein? Basically went into Andy’s Drum Center to buy a snare drum. The kit because of its unusual colour, shouted at me (its duck egg blue). I was told it was custom built for either of the above. Looks and sounds great.

Are you currently using it for live shows and in the studio?

Using the Premier for live at present. Am going to experiment for the new record. Haven’t used the Ludwig for a while.

When you’re not on tour do you practice regularly?

Should do more really. I tend to record onto my computer with new beats. But am now looking to find a teacher to push me more. The usual thing with drums noise is a bit of a problem.

What are your usual practice techniques and what do you use for practice?

Playing along with a metronome is important for me. Rudiments, sticking techniques. Some books on drumming. I’ve got drum practice pads, though find it quite difficult getting along with it as they don’t produce much sound.

Who has influenced you the most in music?

All my friends at school were mad into music (playing and listening). That’s where I heard and got into so much music.

Do you have a favorite drummer?

Toooo many to name! Well here’s some; Ringo, Elvin Jones, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Keith Moon, Steve Morris, Seb Roachford, Tony Allen.

What have Guillemots been up to lately? I know you were on tour in the UK and Europe recently, and have a few upcoming shows in the UK, but will you be recording again soon? Also, any upcoming TV or radio appearances that we should know about?

That’s it really for ‘Through the Window Pane’ record as far as touring. We are doing a few festivals this summer. But the main focus is writing/recording the new record in our new studio.

What is the new studio like?

The studio is based in the East End of London. It’s an old synagogue which has a really high roof and lots of different size rooms. Great space for recording and just hanging out.

Guillemots had a small tour across the US and Canada in 2006, including the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Do you have plans to tour the US again anytime soon?

Next year or maybe later this year. We have changed record company recently which made things complicated.

What is a typical day like for you when you’re on tour? From when you wake up to when you go to sleep?

I try and get into some kind of routine. For me; get up about 10, 11ish. Make porridge and cup of tea. Shower. The next thing depends on promotional things. If none, I go for a walk for a few hours. Then late lunch round 3’4 ish. Best not eat too late before the gig. Relax and start getting ready for the gig. Warm ups, practice on pad with sticks. After, I’ll go for a shower and watch a film on the bus. Not really rock and roll. If we have a day off the next day, I’ll partyyyy ooonn!!

What is your favorite song to play from Guillemots repertoire?

The new songs are fun to play “Big Dog”, “Standing on the Last Star”.

Who comes up with all of the ideas for what you wear on stage?

Everybody really. Mc usually though.

So far, where have you enjoyed playing the most? (country/venue) Why?

I enjoyed Barcelona. Love the city/food/people. Walk along the beach then had a seafood lunch. (Thing with Guillemots is often food orientated). The gig was cool with a great atmosphere and then the venue turns into a massive club till late. Sore heads all around.

Did you contribute to the artwork on the ‘Through The Windowpane’ album?

The whole band had drawings/paintings on the album. One of my paintings got on the inner sleeve.

How often do you paint and/or draw? What do you draw?

Got a sketch book which I take on tour. Don’t do enough paintings though. The band did a painting each for charity recently. I tend to draw what just comes out, faces, cartoons, weird objects and usually drivel.

If you were to buy an open minded music lover a new CD as a gift, what artist or band would you want to turn them on to?

Ali Farka Toure, Sandy Denny, Bonny Prince Billy, Bjork. Sorry can’t choose one!

Guillemots will be performing at the 2007 V Festival on the Channel 4 Stage. Also set to play the Channel 4 Stage are The Kooks, Manic Street Preachers, Lily Allen and Mika. The V festival takes place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, England on August 18th and 19th.

Guillemots on Myspace
Guillemots Official Website

By: Jenny May

Live at the 9:30 Club – Virginia Coalition

VIRGINIA COALITION
Andrew Poliakoff: lead vocals, guitar, percussion
Jarrett Nicolay: guitar, bass guitar, banjo, vocals
Paul Ottinger: guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, percussion, vocals
John Patrick: drums, vocals

Virginia Coalition

Listen to “That’s What You Said”

Listen to “Gates of Wisdom”

“Yes, we feel like gettin’ it on!”
— 1,300 VACO fans, chanting on Live at the 9:30 Club

It was the day after New Year’s, 2006, at the 9:30 Club. But it could have been anywhere.

That’s because the entertainment, Virginia Coalition (known to friends as VACO), has made it their habit to meet or beat the expectations of their fans, whether opening for the Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., and Counting Crows, or packing the House of Blues in Chicago and Irving Plaza in New York on their own.

No matter where they perform, whether close to home in D.C. or further away as they break nationwide, each appearance reflects the talent and motivation these guys have exhibited ever since they first surfaced on the Georgetown club circuit.
Continue reading “Live at the 9:30 Club – Virginia Coalition”

Hothouse Flowers Interviewed on KYOU Radio

I just listened to an excellent interview with Liam O’Maonlai & Fiachna O’Broainain from the Irish band Hothouse Flowers and Jon Russell over at KYOU radio.

The Hothouse Flowers have an interesting sound and hearing the diverse selections of songs that Jon played during the interview gave me more of an insight into their musical style. They also played live in the studio. Every now and then during certain songs I would think of Bob Dylan during his ‘Jokerman’ years also a bit of The Band. I highly recommend their latest album, “Into Your Heart” and if you can try to catch the interview go to the KYOU Radio website and watch the schedule for The Indie Pool: Hothouse Flowers.

I’ve always thought that if I was to throw a big party the one band that I would want there playing would be the Hothouse Flowers! It’s strange because I never knew too much about them and was really excited to hear the interview.

KYOU is the first real radio station to go ‘all podcast’ with podcasts streaming live on their website kyouradio.com as well as on 1550 AM in San Francisco. We’re proud to say that you can occasionally tune in to hear the Band Weblogs Podcast Show there as well as an interview that we did with Jon where he played music by our band The Babylon Cowboys!

By: Jenny May

Brian Rolland’s Dreams Of Brazil

Brian Rolland Dreams of Brazil
Brazilian music is as deep and as wide as the nation itself. The traditions and styles of their musical heritage include concert forms like choro, which features violins, woodwinds and piano; samba drumming, which is the melding of the European marching drum corps and African drumming; and jazz music that blends samba rhythms with the Afro-Portugese sounds of bossa nova. This is the music explored by guitarist extradordinare, Brian Rolland, whose clear love and affinity for that music is celebrated on his CD, Dreams Of Brazil. This record is a musical evocation and celebration of the country and its people.

Continue reading “Brian Rolland’s Dreams Of Brazil”