Cannonball Statman and Caroline Cotto stopped by Street Wannabes Radio at KPISS. We talked to them about touring/living in Europe, their upcoming tour of the South and Cannonball Statman’s new EP “Cackles” via German Shepherd Records! They both played live sets at the end.
Jake and Michael of El Silver Cabs stopped by Street Wannabes Radio at KPISS! Speak Into My Good Eye is premiering El Silver Cabs new album / cassette on King Pizza Records, it’s our “Album of the Summer!”
Valerie of Sojii stopped by KPISS to talk about their new album, the music scene in Michigan and tour life!
Sally of “S the Supplicant” stopped by Street Wannabes Radio at KPISS. We talked about recording a demo at Mozart Studios, playing music in New England and she performed a couple songs live!
Street Wannabes Radio Presents: Are We There Yet Summer Mixtape recorded at KPISS
Hey, Zach congrats on the premiere of your new single “Take Me Away.” Can you tell us a little bit about this song?
Thanks man, very happy to premiere it with you.
The tune is mostly about escapism. I went on a surfing trip to Costa Rica last winter and came down with a nasty stomach bug. When I returned to Brooklyn I was sick for almost a year. It really sucked, and I was feeling pretty down about it. So for me, “Take Me Away” discusses the complete removal from your current space.
That was a big theme of 2016 for me.
How did you choose “Take Me Away” as the single?
I think “Take Me Away” really expresses what the rest of the album is about and it’s a good representation of what you’ll hear on Coco Bengali. It’s melody driven, the chords are mostly 7ths with jazz voicings, and it’s quiet.
This is something I have been experimenting with recently — and enjoying. I love being quiet. I love the idea of being the artist in the corner. Subtly providing ambiance to an environment is cool to me.
How about your album “Coco Bengali” that’s coming out in 2017?
Yes I am very excited about Coco. These are all tunes that I wrote over the course of one year, in one room — while living in Brooklyn. I moved to Philadelphia last year, and once my studio was set up I immediately tracked the songs.
When I had the main structure of the songs recorded, I worked with my Producer, Sam Nobles on arrangements.
I really like the idea of mixing analog, organic sounds with digital and synthesized sounds. It’s funny because the songs were written on the guitar, but once you listen to the final masters they become very keys driven.
Songs can do that sometimes. Completely take on their own identity. They are like a child in that way.
There’s a connection between you and the listener that draws them in on “Take Me Away.” Was that the feeling when you recorded it?
So far as a connection to a listener, I sometimes hate saying what a song is about because I think many songs can be about different things to different people.
There is an aspect of romance in the lyrics, and that’s on purpose as well. I’d like to think that “Take Me Away” can be understood through an optimistic lens or as a love song.
Where were you when you wrote this song and what helps with the writing process?
Writing is weird for me. Rarely do I ever sit down and say, “I’m gonna write a song now.”
I wrote “Take Me Away” one night while my girlfriend was on the phone with her mother. Her family lives in Seattle, and I started thinking about how it’d be cool to go to the west coast.
How it’d be cool to be pretty much anywhere but New York in the middle of the winter.
I really liked the 3/4 feel and the turn-around chords — so the melody came easily.
Your voice really carries the song, have you always had the ability to sing like this?
My perspective on how to sing has changed a lot as I’ve grown as a musician. More recently I have enjoyed singers that confidently hit notes on a melody line.
Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole — those dudes from back in the day really went all in on the notation.
I also listen to a lot Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. I feel like those singers use their voices similarly. I guess that’s why Frank Sinatra was so big in Brazil.
This style can sound almost cheesy at times, but it also makes for pretty stand-out melodies. Melodies that really get stuck in your head.
This is my favorite way to sing.
Are there certain types of music you can relate to or are influenced by?
I really like obscure music from around the world. 1960’s funk from Ghana, Brazilian Tropicália, Salsa, the like.
But I also really like contemporary stuff. Tame Impala, The Strokes, Bon Iver, and Rodrigo Amarante.
You’ve traveled and lived all over the world, how has your music grown from that?
The traveling and music have a symbiotic relationship.
I like music that sets a scene.
I like to make music that is descriptive and biographical — so naturally my environment always plays a large role in my music.
When I first started, I recorded my albums in a mobile studio of sorts. I had one set up in Tunisia and one in Thailand.
Those sessions were similar to the Coco recordings in the way that I would track the main tune and Sam would add accompaniment.
In a lot of ways the newest album is a slight departure from the others — but in that way, it’s the same.
You’ve already recorded five albums, right?
Yea, one solo. Three with Sam. Also one with the full band. That’s what I really enjoy about the music I’m making now. Sometimes it’s played solo in a cafe, and sometimes as a quartet. The songs kind of are what they are and take on the color of whichever musicians are around to play them.
There’s another side to Travel Songs, The Travel Songs Foundation. Would you mind telling us about that?
Sure, The Travel Songs Foundation is the non-profit branch of what we do.
I travel with a production team to countries around the world and film documentaries about the music and culture of the region.
Also, we launch charity projects in the countries where we film. For example, we filmed in Peru a few years back, and now we are building an instrument-making school there.
It can get confusing, but I often think of Travel Songs as having two purposes — the music that is recorded and performed, and the non profit work we do.
What can we expect from you in the upcoming months?
Well, Coco Bengali will be released in January, so that is pretty exciting. Also, I will be headed to Cusco mid-January to oversee the launch of the school project we have there — so I’d anticipate many photos and videos documenting that trip.
Any advice to people that want to travel, make music, help charitable projects and film documentaries?
Patience is pretty helpful. A lot of that stuff is very fun but takes a while to wrap your head around. So patient is key.
Links:
What up Tiny Farm! Can you tell us about you guys?
Hey Wathap!? Well we are a three piece berry indie rock band from Gainesville, FL. Were made up of brothers Zach and Jarred Randall, and our best bud Tim Robson. When were not writing goofy pop songs, Jarred is a student/namaste soul rider, Zach works at the Natural History Museum, and Tim runs his own business making custom amp’s called Organ Donor Amps.
Congrats on the single “Berry Neurotic Tinder”, what was it like writing the song and recording at Black Bear Studios?
Thanks, we are berry stoked on it! We wrote the song after I (Jarred) moved back to Gainesville. My brother and I started playing music again after many years so there was a lot of good energy. Writing the song was allot of fun! It’s a really open and creative process, one of us will bring in an idea and we will all try to expand on it. Getting to record at Black Bear was pretty next level. it was a super chill experience getting to work with Ryan and Black Bear studios. they have built a really incredible studio with really mellow and inviting vibes. We had an awesome time and really appreciate all his input and attention to detail. We couldn’t be happier with the recordings.
How long have you been together?
Around 9 months
When is the “Tiny Demo” album due out?
May 15th
What number album is this?
It’s the First one! And we are really stoked!
It seems like people are still alone even with dating apps, is it harder or easier to write music when you’re not in a relationship?
For us it’s a bit easier, I mean it’s easier to write goofy songs about tinder if you’re single.
What should people do to find each other/love?
Probably shop at wholefoods more? Were still trying to figure it out, Ya know? Were still trying different supermarkets.
What’s the music scene like in Gainesville and is it part of the southern scene or does it have its own vibe?
The music scene here is super rad! So many awesome bands that were really lucky to get to play shows with. I think Gainesville def has its own vibe, and has a place for everyone.
How does “Berry Neurotic Tinder” go along with the other three tracks?
I think it pairs nicely, all the songs on Tiny Demo have a unique character, but there still berry goofy.
Have you ever thought about touring/playing NYC/BK?
All The Time! Were doing a Tiny Florida tour in June and then hope to make it up to New York in the fall.
We saw “First Magnitude Brewing Company” did a music and beer pairing, where they paired your new single “Berry Neurotic Tinder” with “Saltwater Intrusion/Cool Pond.” That’s really rad, how did that unfold and if there was a beer you could make what would it be?
Well we got asked to play a Brewlympics event, and they paired each band with a beer. So they paired the goofiest band with the goofiest beer and lemme tell ya… it was a match made in heaven. If we could make a beer it would have to taste exactly like Budweiser but have a sunflower on the label, it would be called budflower.
Any advice to bands playing in Florida and anywhere else?
The babes are at whole foods and drink lots of water.
Last Words?
were super stoked on the single/Demo and getting to chat with ya! We’ve got another single coming soon, make sure to be on the look out. Hoping to play in New York soon!
Links:
“Berry Neurotic Tinder ” Single
FB
Hey, congrats on the new record “Kitty Magick”! How does it feel to have it out?
Louis: Feels great. Most of those tracks were recorded in 2011…so it feels awesome for them to see the light of day.
“Kitty Magick” is so many things, a punk rock aggressive full blown stereo shredder! What was it like putting this album together?
Louis: So much fun. We were all pretty green to the studio so it was great fiddling around and seeing what was possible.
Where did “Kitty Magick” come from?
Louis: I originally heard that title as a possible name for Sonic Youth’s Sister album. Since they never used it I nicked it. I added the K cause the women in the band are pretty Crowleyan musically. Pure magic….with a K!
It feels like every track on this album could be a single, like “The Electronic Sonic Hate Machine” plays and then “Ted” plays right after, leaving the listener in rock shock! Was this the feeling that every song was going to be the best on the album?
Louis: Some of those songs I wrote before the band even existed. “Electric Sonic” was two years old before the group got going. Everyone just added their magic to it.
Now that you have a new album out, what would you like to do this spring/summer?
Louis: Who knows? We’re all mad busy doing other shit. So we might do one or two shows. Soledad and I have a new band, Nova’s working on a solo album. Kaleen is playing in the brilliant Mannequin Pussy. I’m also working on a solo album.
Any advice to bands that want to release a new album or play in NYC/BK?
Louis: Chill! It’s only rock n roll.
What’s something people don’t know about The Amputees?
Louis: Kaleen loves the NBA…Geena loves CCR…I love the UFC…Nova loves the EPA…
Words to live/die by?
Louis: Anything can happen in the octagon…remember that!
Links:
