How long have you been in your current space?
Daphne: 3 and a half years in the building, I think? Gosh. Less than that in the room we have now, because the first one was overrun with weird dust from the walls.
Joseph: We lease our space with three other bands. It's kind of like owing a small apartment with friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about your space?
Daphne: We had a choice between several different rooms, and I was adamant that there be windows (even though we usually practice at night). I think it has kind of a sunny feel to it, especially since Joseph and some of the other guys we share the space with recently rearranged things.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about your space?
Daphne: We had a choice between several different rooms, and I was adamant that there be windows (even though we usually practice at night). I think it has kind of a sunny feel to it, especially since Joseph and some of the other guys we share the space with recently rearranged things.
Joseph: For me, the the empty space is the best part of our space. I hate being pigeoned into standing in one spot when there's too much gear about. I want to be able to jump, feel carpet under my toes (summer only), and stumble awkwardly when my mind is being lazy at deciding where all my limbs are going. It really makes practicing far more enjoyable.
When writing new songs, which element do you tend to start with first
(guitar, lyrics, bass, melody etc?)?
Daphne: I've maintained a fairly busy schedule the last couple of years, so lately a lot of my songs have had their genesis just as scraps of lyrics and melody that I refine when I'm riding my bike around town. I don't know if that's the most successful tactic, though, and I think things tend to come out better when I can sit down with my guitar and let that lead me in interesting directions. When I write songs and send them to the band I often only have vocals and basic guitar done, and let the other members work out their own parts to be reshaped in practice together.
When writing new songs, which element do you tend to start with first
(guitar, lyrics, bass, melody etc?)?
Daphne: I've maintained a fairly busy schedule the last couple of years, so lately a lot of my songs have had their genesis just as scraps of lyrics and melody that I refine when I'm riding my bike around town. I don't know if that's the most successful tactic, though, and I think things tend to come out better when I can sit down with my guitar and let that lead me in interesting directions. When I write songs and send them to the band I often only have vocals and basic guitar done, and let the other members work out their own parts to be reshaped in practice together.
Joseph: Like Daphne, a crucial part of song writing involves riding my bike. The morning sunlight during my commute and the idea that a new day is unfolding gets me singing and humming both in my head or out loud (sorry, fellow bikers). I often use the recorder on my cell phone to catch snippets of lyrics and melody and then come home and try to work music to them on the bass (my strongest instrument) or guitar. But having a new song idea in my head all day that is the best part, like keeping a gold coin in your pocket.
I tend to like my songs less as I move them toward demoing and arranging, especially because my gear and home recording knowledge/capabilities are limited. The audio work station is the place beautiful ideas go to die. Everything feels so exactly what it is, bare and plain. Life doesn't return until the band starts breathing in their own elements. If my faith gets restored, I know it's a good song.
Do you ever suffer from performance anxiety? How do you get through it?
Joseph: When we were first starting out I did. Whole parts of songs would blank out in my mind. But I'm a more competent musician now and I hardly worry about playing well. I worry more for my other bandmates, about how cohesive we are going to sound, and that, if you are watching us, you are going to feel we have a spark together, that we really believe in and care about what we are showing you. Even if our music isn't your thing, I want you to see that. I also worry we are boring people. Attention-holding seems so difficult and precious these days.
Do you ever suffer from performance anxiety? How do you get through it?
Joseph: When we were first starting out I did. Whole parts of songs would blank out in my mind. But I'm a more competent musician now and I hardly worry about playing well. I worry more for my other bandmates, about how cohesive we are going to sound, and that, if you are watching us, you are going to feel we have a spark together, that we really believe in and care about what we are showing you. Even if our music isn't your thing, I want you to see that. I also worry we are boring people. Attention-holding seems so difficult and precious these days.
Daphne: I'm generally serene as can be until the moment I hit the stage, at which point I feel like I'm about to stop breathing and fall over. It's usually only about halfway through the set that I can start to feel at ease. I get through it by faking all the confidence I can and remembering that I don't have time to stop and correct any mistakes even if I wanted to. As a band we've tossed around the idea of the One Beer Theory, which is that having one beer before performance may make for a better show; further studies need to be conducted to confirm this. I actually try to avoid alcohol before singing, since it's dehydrating, but it does calm me down a little bit.
Do you have any creative outlets beyond making music?
Do you have any creative outlets beyond making music?
Joseph: I write, as well. i have several long-term projects and still love creating poetry and the occasional short story. I've wanted to start a poetry/flash fiction zine for forever, but need contributions! Sometimes I take videos, do interviews, and write reviews for loudlooppress.com. Like Daphne, I pour most of myself into the band and song writing. When I come home from work, it usually dominates those few spare hours between dinner and sleep. It's really hurting my book and television consumption.
Daphne: For a long time I thought of myself primarily as a writer, and that is my day job, though right now most of my creative energy is devoted to music. I still make poems every so often, and I write longish essays for my rather sporadically updated blog (poorworkethic.blogspot.com). I enjoy drawing, but that's usually for a very tiny audience -- making posters for our shows, or letter-comics to send to friends.
If you could instantly play one instrument (other than your own) like
one artist, what/who would you pick?
Daphne: Drums, Janet Weiss.
Joseph: Drums for me, too. This guy I used to play with, John Ostler, is amazing at using rudiments to add texture to his playing. I think that sort of skill is something missing in this age of cut up samples and polyrhythms. I'd really love to play like him.
What should I ask the next person to be interviewed for By Measure?
Daphne: I always want to know what bands have found to be the best tactic for
self-promotion -- something I'm very bad at.
Daphne's favorite songs:
(listen over here)
1. In a foreign language: Chantal Goya, "Dans la Nuit"
2. To dance to: Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke"
3. To make you reassess The Monkees: The Monkees, "Randy Scouse Git"
4. To make you nostalgic: The Third Sex, "Lights Out"
5. With a weirdly Ren Fairey vibe that somehow is still good: Mary Timony, "Fire Myself"
6. By a lesser-known artist: Agent Ribbons, "Birds and Bees"
7. That we've covered at a riot grrrl cover band show: Excuse 17, "Watchmaker"
8. That we've covered at a regular show: Velvet Underground, "Stephanie Says"
Joseph's favorite songs:
(listen over here)
1. The Sun a Small Star - The Servants
2. Out of Tune - Real Estate
3. Peripheral Vision - Sea Pinks
4. Wipe Away the Tears - The Hit Parade
5. I Could Be Happy - Altered Images
6. Dear John - Taylor Swift
7. True - Spandau Ballet
8. Pulses - Steve Reich
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