The night Sonic Youth changed my life.
Posted Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
I was lucky enough to be granted a V.I.P pass to a Sonic Youth gig last year and what happened that night, changed my life forever. I almost did a number 2 in my pants when the smoking hot mumma ( literally ) known as Kim Gordon walks up to me for a chat.
I was in the middle of a conversation about ruining the lives of my foster parents, when Kim comes in mid conversation. Actually, It’s better if i explain the story to you first. So I’m 12 years old when my band crush Blink 182 roll into town. Shiny new album with the hit ” all the small things “, the band were playing a concert in Melbourne. I’d never been to a gig unless you count my mum slurring into the microphone at the pub saturday night a gig? So I really really want to go to this show, and all the cool kids are going and I’ll pretty much DIE if I can’t go. Unfortunately my foster parents don’t quite understand it is a life and death situation and they tell me I can’t go. So I tell my case worker, the foster mum pulled my hair and stole my shoes and pushed me off my bed. After a meeting a unanimous decision was made that this just wasn’t working. In the end, I didn’t get to tell Tom DeLonge how much I was in love with him, and I was off to live with a new family. So I tell Kim this horrible story of me telling some little white lies, and she responds ” I can’t believe they wouldn’t let you go to a Blink one – eighty two concert?”. Kim, If you were my mum I would think I’d died and gone to heaven.
So that’s my story. It may not seem to interesting but to meet an idol and see for yourself that they aren’t a douchebag is just such a rewarding experience. She’s accomplished so much at 50 years old. Being a Musician, Artist, Record Producer, Video Director, Actress, Runs a clothing line and heck…..she was on The Simpsons!
Wooza Wednesday with Jennifer Fraser of ZAZA
Posted Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
ZAZA = Cool shit from Brooklyn. When the whole indie/surf/lo fi scene is pumping in Brooklyn, you always appreciate those who go against the grain. With an album to be released later on in the year, this is one band you should be keeping an eye on.
Do you think clothes are relevant or do you tend to think ‘who cares’?
Of course clothes are relevant- they are any other silent art form that is communicating your preferences and your aestetic of beauty. Im old fashioned in the way that I enjoy a sharp dresser. My current favorite designers:
Camilla Staerk (she doesn’t even belong in this world!)
Caycee Black (she is like having cake with everything.)
Lindsey Thornburg (like speaking a dark girl’s language.)
What are you listening too these days?
ZAZA has been writing the full length record, so I try not to listen much music, so I’ve been mainly listening to audiobooks- they are friends that ask questions without desiring a reply. It’s wonderful, really. But if I am listening to music: Autolux, The Black Ryder, Diane Birch, Serena Maneesh.
Ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?
OH, there have been few in good humor— however, accidentally kicking my boot off on the big screen during Lollapalooza was charming.
Does social networking piss you off or is it a godsend for staying in touch while you’re on tour?
Like anything else, it has its divide. The forum acts as a way to communicate with my family and friends about what I’m engaged in, but I primarily use it as a platform for the band.
Have a crush on anyone living or dead?
I have a crush on ZAZA, it’s hard not to. (insert wink here.)
Are you reading a good book at the moment?
I’m reading “The Warhol Economy”- which is a brilliant account of the lineage of art in NYC and I’m always listening to Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power Of Now.” Both integral.
Have you seen any bands local recently that we should look out for?
YES! My Best Fiend (gorgeous band from Brooklyn, they’ll make you cry into your bible) and Electric Umbilical Cord (they’re the love child of Robert Smith and Anne Rice.)- EUC also does this amazing post punk goth night that we vampires just LOVE.
To date, what has been the highlight/lowlight of your career?
Highlight has been the extraordinary people I’ve met, Paris, and just knowing Danny Taylor. I don’t believe in low lights, unless it’s for romantic purposes.
If you could choose to collaborate with any other artists who would it be?
I’d like to use Lauren Seiden’s detailing, as a visual artist she is tremendous. As for produces or collaborators musically- could you get me Bobby Gillispie’s contact, or maybe Badalamenti if he’s free.
It seems almost everybody is downloading music these days, Whats your stance on this subject?
If you can’t beat em, join em. Or something like that.
Your a Multi instrumentalist, what brought you to play bass for ZaZa?
Bass is my first love. It’s truly my only fluidity in music. Other instruments are merely alternative avenues for expressing my melody, but it always comes down to the sex of the bass.
Photo Credit : Angel Ceballos
Wooza Wednesday with Best Coast.
Posted Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
Best Coast is a rad band. This is Bethany Cosentino. She’s a hot Wooza and Popsikill gives her two thumbs up. If you know what’s good for you, check out their album Crazy for you STAT!
It seems almost everybody is downloading music these days, Whats your stance on this topic?
I don’t really have a stance. I mean, I download music too–everyone is guilty of doing it. I almost always buy every record I download anyways, I like to own the entire album–the packaging and everything, that’s all a part of it. I think sometimes people download a record and then they’re like “oh hey I really like this, I’m going to go buy it.”
You have a lot of shows coming up all across the U.S, how does your band handle the pressures of touring?
We all sort of deal with it in our own way. I just try not to think about it too much. I try to take it one day at a time, but it’s hard when your life is basically mapped out on a calender in front of your face everyday, you know? I’m on my phone about 99.9% of the time when we’re on tour, texting my friends, and trying to keep in touch with whats going on at home always. That’s really the way I deal with it. That and weed, I guess.
We all sort of deal with it in our own way. I just try not to think about it too much. I try to take it one day at a time, but it’s hard when your life is basically mapped out on a calender in front of your face everyday, you know? I’m on my phone about 99.9% of the time when we’re on tour, texting my friends, and trying to keep in touch with whats going on at home always. That’s really the way I deal with it. That and weed, I guess.
There is definitely a big Music scene in Brooklyn, especially in the indie/surf genre, Does the West Coast have the same thing going on?
I think that sort of music is popping up everywhere, I really don’t know why, but it’s something a lot of people are really into these days–the west coast has a ton of rad bands coming out of it–so yeah, it’s happening all over, and it’s definitely happening on the west coast.
I think that sort of music is popping up everywhere, I really don’t know why, but it’s something a lot of people are really into these days–the west coast has a ton of rad bands coming out of it–so yeah, it’s happening all over, and it’s definitely happening on the west coast.
Ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?
I’m like a walking embarrassment, I’m pretty much always doing something to embarrass myself.
What are you listening too these days?
Drake, beach house, hole.
Are you reading a good book at the moment?
I just read the Wu Tang manual, by RZA pretty much the best book ever.
I noticed you don’t have a lot of prostitutes commenting on your Myspace - like a lot of bands do these days - So that’s a good thing! How do you feel about the whole social networking craze.
It’s pretty annoying. i just deleted my facebook, I feel like a weight has been lifted.
Did any one thing inspire you to start a band?
My re-appreciation for California.
Have you seen any bands local recently that we should look out for?
dunes, abe vigoda, spectrals, wild nothing.
To date, what has been the highlight/lowlight of your career?
Rivers Cuomo from Weezer tweeted at me that Weezer has been listening to best coast. I seriously screamed at the top of my lungs. hands down the coolest moment ever.
If you could choose to collaborate with any other artists who would it be?
Stevie Nicks, Drake.
You recently played with The Grates, one of Australia’s exports. Is it on the cards to come play some shows in Australia? I promise we’re friendly.
Yeah we are going to be in Australia over summer.
