My sister and I fell in love with the Everly Brothers' song All I Have To Do Is Dream back in the 90's-- And perhaps you might have too! I don't think anyone who has seen the movie Ladybugs with Jonathan Brandis and Rodney Dangerfield could ever forget that scene where Jonathan's love interest runs across a soccer field, in slow motion, with the track playing in the background. While now comedic, for our ages at the time, the song couldn't sound any more epic. Every boy wanted her and every girl wanted to BE her.
And so, the song holds a pretty funny-- yet also nostalgic-- place in our hearts.
About a year ago, re-fell in love with the song after stumbling upon the Los Angles based band, Tashaki Miyaki's, cover. Set at a slower tempo, and with a beachy lo-fi feel, the eerie female vocals gave the song an entirely new twist; something mysteriously fresh and memorable. The song was released on their bandcamp site along with a song they called "Somethin' Is Better Than Nothing--" a sweet song which for me, proved to be almost like a lullaby. People caught on to the two songs, which led them to be featured on quite a few music blogs over the next few months-- and even on NME.
Enamored by their mystery (the duo, Lucy and Rocky, have never revealed their last names), I have followed the band ever since, and of course have always been excited at their musical development and the release of all their new material. But what perhaps made me most excited was the release of their music videos, all which I discovered were directed by a friend of theirs, Juan Iglesias. My personal favorite, "Get It Right," features the shadows of horses (my favorite animal) and cloud dusted and snow covered mountains. The recently released video for "Best Friend," went along with a quote by Ezra Morris-- that "all you need is a girl, a gun, and a dog." Both are beautifully shot and provide an excellent contrast against the sounds and stories that their songs tell.
The band has recorded a handful of new songs since, which were put onto several EPs on their bandcamp site.
I always wondered about the band and its members-- and so of course jumped on the opportunity to ask the band a few questions about themselves, their musical past, and songwriting process!
Enamored by their mystery (the duo, Lucy and Rocky, have never revealed their last names), I have followed the band ever since, and of course have always been excited at their musical development and the release of all their new material. But what perhaps made me most excited was the release of their music videos, all which I discovered were directed by a friend of theirs, Juan Iglesias. My personal favorite, "Get It Right," features the shadows of horses (my favorite animal) and cloud dusted and snow covered mountains. The recently released video for "Best Friend," went along with a quote by Ezra Morris-- that "all you need is a girl, a gun, and a dog." Both are beautifully shot and provide an excellent contrast against the sounds and stories that their songs tell.
The band has recorded a handful of new songs since, which were put onto several EPs on their bandcamp site.
I always wondered about the band and its members-- and so of course jumped on the opportunity to ask the band a few questions about themselves, their musical past, and songwriting process!
---
MF
Where are you from?
Lucy
I am second generation California girl
Rocky
Palo Alto CA by way of Bellingham WA.
*
MF
What instruments do you play?
Lucy
Piano, guitar, voice, and drums.
Rocky
Guitar.
*
MF
Your earliest memory with a musical instrument?
Lucy
When I was about 7 or 8 I wanted to play the violin. So my parents got me a teacher. I remember she would put lifesavers on the bow... and if they didn't fall off, I would get to eat them. I have always been motivated by food.
Rocky
I used to sleep inside the bass drum when my Dad's band would practice. Its actually quiet. I was maybe 2.
*
MF
How did you start writing music?
Lucy
I started writing music as a child... but I didn't know what I was doing! I just always would make up songs and walk around singing them.
Rocky
I got a ukelele for xmas when I was four... and then I tuned it like a bass. I came up with a song called "hittin the ground" when I was 6! It was about falling off my bike.
*
MF
Can you talk a little about your songwriting process? Do you write the lyrics before or after you write the music?
Lucy
I generally write on acoustic guitar or piano. The songs come so fast, and it feels like I am just trying to catch them and find the chords before I forget the melody that just showed up in my head. But then, some songs have come out of just jamming... And sometimes Rocky sends me riffs and I write melodies...this is probably the most challenging for me, but I also really like it. I think about the hip hop guys...that's what they are always doing.
Rocky
*
MF
What sorts of things do you draw inspiration from in your work (could be anything - from other musicians to themes, objects, relationships, etc..)
Lucy
I draw inspiration from everything. Just being alive living in this wild city, meeting people all the time, and living this bizarre life where I get to travel and do the things I love. It would be hard not to be inspired.
Rocky
As is write this I'm watching Almodovar's The Skin I Live In. Pretty wild flick.
*
MF
I am a huge fan of 60's music, so your cover of the Everly Brothers' song All I Have To Do is Dream was how I originally discovered your music! Does this era of music have a particular significance to you?
Lucy
I love music from all eras, but have always had an affinity for 50's and 60's pop. I think it came from hearing a lot of it as a kid. My mom was always listening to KRTH 101 and the Beatles, she didn't really listen to anything else and I was in her car a lot. It's just something that's very familiar to me.
Rocky
The 60's. Its just sounds right.
*
MF
I believe I read that you have an upcoming album in the process of being released. Can you talk about the process of putting this together, any underlying themes?
Lucy
We are indeed putting a full length record together. We will probably do 1 or 2 more limited release 7"s first because we love vinyl and we love being able to make something so compact.
*
MF
The video for Get It Right was awesome-- I ride horses and thought the cinematography and presentation was amazing. How involved were you with the filming process? Can you talk about the process? And also, why horses?
Lucy
We work with our friend Juan Iglesias-- he really makes the major calls in terms of the creative vision. We just give him the songs and approve of whatever ideas he has as we go along. At this point we pretty much just trust him...for our next video there will just be full trust in Juan, although it's mostly been that way all along.
*
MF
Three albums that impacted your life?
Lucy
Velvet Underground- Loaded
John Lennon- Plastic Ono band
Nirvana- Unplugged
Snoop Dogg- Doggystyle
Mazzy Star- Among My Swan
Waylon Jennings- Dreaming My Dreams
Rocky
Guns and Roses- Appetite For Destruction
Pretty Things- Parachutte
Sparklehorse- It's A Wonderful Life
*
MF
Three songs you couldn't live without?
Lucy
Anything Otis Redding or Sam Cooke!
Rocky
*
MF
Favorite city to tour?
Lucy
Paris
Rocky
San Francisco
*
MF
Can you talk a little about everyone involved with your band, its development, etc?
Lucy
That would take forever. Basically we accidentally became a band and all of our creative friends like Juan Iglesias and Lauren Ward and Joel Jerome have been involved. It's awesome has felt very organic.
*
MF
Favorite place in the whole world?
Lucy
New York or Paris in the spring.
*
MF
Style/Fashion inspiration? Designers?
Lucy
Girls in Goddard movies, women Mick Jagger dated in the 60's and 70's, Emmylou Harris, I also get inspired by my friends' style. Designers? Marc Jacobs, Chloe, YSL, and I love thirfting....there's a goodwill in my neighborhood and I always find great stuff there.
*
MF
Favorite spots?
Lucy
I am going to name L.A. spots. I love the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Chateau Marmot for burgers and people watching. I love hiking in Griffith Park with my dogs, I love having a drink at Musso and Franks, movies at the Vista Theatre.
*
MF
Favorite object of yours (and maybe a picture)
Lucy
At the moment probably my new C&C kit. I just got it before SXSW and I'm in love with it.
No comments:
Post a Comment