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.
Wooza Wednesday with Screaming Females.
Posted Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
I lived in Brooklyn for a year and there really is such a great music scene there. I stumbled across these guys as they are constantly playing shows in Brooklyn and a lot of Underage ones to! I got to talk with the lead wooza of this outfit, Marissa! I suggest you check out there album, Power move. ( It’s my favourite! )
You definitely have a connection with the underground scene, playing a lot of shows for underage people. How do these shows compare to an overage show where a lot of people can drink beer and get wasted?
It’s not hard to get wasted at an underage show! I think that 21+ shows often are stigmatized as watering holes for alcoholics. Logistically speaking, we know that’s just not the case. A lot of the attendees are honest-to-god music fans. Personally, I like all-ages shows because kids in their early teens are terribly fun and very excited about new music – they make for the best audience! I’m thankful to anyone of any age that has an enjoyable evening and likes our music, drunk or sober.
Do you think clothes are relevant or do you tend to think ‘who cares’?
Uhm, I’d say it’s a bit in-between for me. As far as my personal wardrobe is concerned, I don’t care much for fashion. However, when I see someone wearing something interesting or creative I get very excited and muster up all sorts of silly ideas of how I might be able to be more like that person. I think innovative fashion is remarkable and very cool, but it’s not something I could participate in -
Have a crush on anyone living or dead?
Edith Piaf, Dusty Springfield, and Fran Drescher.
Would you ever go onstage barefoot?
Absolutely not!
What are you listening too these days?
Lesley Gore. The new Masshysteri album is fantastic! “Rush to Relax” by Eddy Current Suppression Ring, and Low.
You have a lot of shows coming up including overseas how does your band handle the pressures of touring?
Touring is a difficult egg to crack. We’ve been touring extensively for quite a long time now and I’d like to think that we’ve all developed unique ways to enjoy ourselves and stay sane. Europe is something that we have yet to tackle so I’m not sure how that’ll turn out! You might have to get back to me on that one -
Does social networking piss you off or is it a godsend for staying in touch while you’re on tour?
I don’t use Facebook and the closest thing to a personal Myspace I have is for a solo project called NOUN. I know for a fact that if I had a Facebook of my own I’d get addicted to it – and I already spend way too much time on the internet.
When did you first start playing Guitar?
My father taught me a few chords when I was 14. I was listening to Nirvana (typical) in my room and he walked in and said, “Hey, I can teach you this song.”
Have you seen any bands local recently that we should look out for?
My home in New Brunswick serves as a headquarters for the band Mattress. They are very good, check them out: http://www.myspace.com/meattress
To date, what has been the highlight/lowlight of your career?
It has just been one big highlight…
If you could choose to collaborate with any other artists who would it be?
No one I know of – I have too many preconceived thoughts about my musical heroes – it’d be awkward -
It seems almost everybody is downloading music these days, Whats your stance on this subject?
I download music all the time. I buy records when I can – but I don’t have a lot of money because I’m a musician! The irony!!!
Photo Credit: Eddie Austin.
Wooza Wednesday with Patience Hodgson of The Grates.
Posted Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
It’s that time of the week again, WOOZA WEDNESDAY! It’s a time I like to reflect on amazing women. This week I got to have a chat to the lead wooza of The Grates. If you haven’t seen this band perform then get your but along to one of there shows A.S.A.P. Her energy on stage is electric and sends shivers down the spine to your hips which makes you want to thrust to the tunes.
Have a crush on anyone living or dead?
Yes. I have had a major crush on Chevy Chase ever since watching ‘Seems Like Old Times’, with Goldie Horn, and ‘Caddy Shack’. He was such a total babe back in the day. In the next few weeks I plan on indulging my Chevy Chase crush, watching classic titles such as, Vegas Vacation, Dirty Work, Funny Farm, Follow The Bird and Fletch. I suggest you all do the same.
Would you ever go onstage barefoot?
No. I have & I won’t again. Jumping on guitar leads bare foot really hurts! I saw Tame Impala last week & noticed they were all bare foot (bar one). They don’t really jump much so I can’t see bare feet being a problem for those guys.
Hair. Is it great, annoying or indifferent to you?
Ah. Annoying but I wouldn’t be without it. Actually, Popskill author Kristie, you’ll be pleased to know that today I ‘dip dyed’ my hair. It’s purple on the ends. Why I did this? Well, I overheard you talking about how cool it was.
What are you listening too these days?
I’m revisiting The Vines. I can’t stop listening to them. And Butt Hole Surfers. And the latest Flaming Lips. More than music, I’m loving podcasts – Tell Em Steve Dave is my favourite. I also really like Smodcast, which is Kevin Smith. Sound Opinions is a good music one. And This American Life is a super interesting, sometimes depressing, but always eye opening podcast. They’re all free on iTunes.
Are you touring at any stage soon?
We not really on tour, we’re working on album no.3, but we did just come back from Canada where we had a fun short run of shows. The bummer was our stupid, stupid mechanically challenged van. OUCH! We had lots of yummy food though. Including stoner cuisine POUTINE.
Are you reading a good book at the moment?
2 good books. I can’t remember what they are again. Oh, Fanny & Zooey is the first one. I just finished the comic Ghost World today. You can finish it in one sitting.
Does social networking piss you off or is it a godsend for staying in touch while you’re on tour?
I am no longer a facebook contributor. I’m also getting the idea that any day now I’ll give up twitter. Geez, I’m just so lazy. I also hate all the privacy issues around facebook. That was my main reason for leaving.
Have you seen any bands local recently that we should look out for?
I had a fantastic time watching a Danish band called The Blue Van. They were such rawk gods. Best shows I’ve seen in ages. So much sex on stage the room almost exploded into an orgy.
If you could choose to collaborate with any other artists who would it be?
John & I have been talking about this guy TV Carnage. He’s a video guy. We were fantasing about working with him on a film clip. Or the ‘new Spike Jonez’, Eric from the Tim & Eric show. I would like to write music with Luke Boredom from Violent Soho (go Brisbane) and the bass player from Viviene Girls. Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa. And and Jay Retard (tear).
It seems almost everybody is downloading music these days, Whats your stance on this subject?
Ugh. It’s so hard. Unfortunately there are too many things to spend money on these days & too many things that are easy to steal. Clothes are not easy to steal but music is. It’s a shame that things are moving more & more away from record stores & cool video shops. They used to be such great places! I wish more things were made in Australia too, not that that has anything to do with stealing music.
Photo Credit : Kristie Wilde.
