Basic Bitches are our favourite New York duo, and they are playing LOUD WOMEN this Saturday night as the London date of their UK tour! We asked them 10 questions …
1. Who would you most like to cover one of your songs?
Nick: Nicole Atkins
Naomi: Marianne Faithful
2. If you could add one member to your band – any person, living or dead, musical or otherwise – who would it be, and what would they play?
Nick: Betsy from Ex Hex
Naomi: Yeah same, as long as she managed to do it without looking so cool I looked like a massive dork in comparison…
3. What was the last song you wrote, where were you when you came up with the idea, what inspired it, and how did it turn out?
Naomi: The most recent Basic Bitches song is one we’ve been playing live, called ‘Tear Me Apart’. I wanted to write something like ‘Because The Night’, I think it came out more filthy than that to be honest. It’s essentially about two people fucking at the end of the world.
In stark constrast, the actual last song I wrote is this one:
4. Which was your favourite gig you’ve a) played and b) watched?
Nick: A) Played: opening for Lee Baines III at Monty Hall in Jersey City, NJ; B) Watched: Ty Segall, 2015, Bowery Ballroom, NYC
Naomi: A) Played: The Band Cramps compilation launch – 10 bands played 15 minute sets. It ended up being the day after Trump got elected so it’s fair to say some issues were being musically dealt with. B) Watched: Tina Turner’s farewell tour at the O2. I went with my dad. Don’t pretend you aren’t jealous.
5. Recommend a record and a book that you think our readers might not have heard of.
Nick: Record: Candace—New Ruins. Really great dreampop out of Portland, Oregon.; there’s a weird hypnotic push & pull to their rhythms. Super nice people, too.
Book: An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. Discusses in harrowing and heartbreaking detail how the genocide of and theft from the American Indian is inextricably interwined with American history, continuing into this century, and with the very nature of “American-ness.” Not at all uplifting.
6. What’s your best piece of advice for young musicians?
Nick: Be sure that you love playing for the pure joy and fun of it. Trying to advance your band on the DIY level takes a ton of hard work and not all of it pays off, so make sure that playing remains, above all, FUN.
Naomi: Yeah I’d say the same thing – don’t pin all your hopes on some label person coming along and transforming your life.
7. Your top 3 most beloved albums ever – go.
Nick:
Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (greatest album recorded by human beings ever in the history of time.)
John Coltrane — Giant Steps
Joni Mitchell — Court & Spark
Naomi:
Perfume Genius – No Shape
Bjork – Homogenic
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
8. What are your musical goals?
Nick: To get to a level where people we don’t know just come to our shows without us having to beg. 😀
Naomi: Wow. Emo.
9. What’s the most important thing we need to know about your band right now?
Nick: Naomi is writing killer tunes at a rapid clip. I sense we’ll have to record again soon!
10. Give your top 5 contemporary bands/musicians.
Nick: Candace is getting a lot play on my Bandcamp app currently. My other band played with them in Austin and their songs are just beautiful and a little strange. Also dig their first-Rush-record font.
Desert Sharks, out of Brooklyn NY, is a band we’ve played with who bring a killer big rock vibe to a scene dominated by punk rock. They’re one of my favorites around.
The Anderson Council, out my home state of New Jersey, have been around a long time, but still consistently write my new favorite songs. Lead dude Pete’s gift of melody and songwriting is unparalleled.
Night Raids, out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are an incredible 2-piece grind/death metal band that incorporates insane free-jazz and noise elements. A must-see live.
Sean Kiely, from Jersey City, NJ, is a beautifully talented guitarist/singer/songwriter who writes incredibly thoughtful folk-indie tunes. He’s a great guitar player with a great and distincitive voice, singing some insightful and brilliant lyrics. He has a new record coming out May 11 on his own label. Worth checking out!
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
