How long have you been in your space and what is your favorite thing about it?
We’ve been here about 2 1/2 years. Every one in this building is either an artist or a weirdo, so everyone’s cool with us making lots of noise.
What's your process for writing music?
Basically, Brian comes up with the basics of the song: Guitar, Drum Machine. Rebecca then tells Brian if its cool or if it sucks, in which case we trash it and start over. Our drummer Jose listens to the drum machine parts and figures out some new stuff to add to it. He’s like the drum machine whisperer. Then we run through it in practice and it changes a bit more.
Basically, Brian comes up with the basics of the song: Guitar, Drum Machine. Rebecca then tells Brian if its cool or if it sucks, in which case we trash it and start over. Our drummer Jose listens to the drum machine parts and figures out some new stuff to add to it. He’s like the drum machine whisperer. Then we run through it in practice and it changes a bit more.
What is the most difficult part about finishing a song or recording?
Having the ability to record whenever you want is great, but it also means there’s no division between composition, recording and mixing. A whole song could be recorded and mixed but if we think something should be added, deleted or re-recorded we just do it. Most of the songs that actually get done are vastly different from how they started, to the point that maybe the only thing that has survived between the demo and the master is the song title.
Being in a band is a complex set of relationships. How does Panda Riot navigate writing songs together, touring, and the general ups and downs of staying together as a group?
Ha, we’re all good friends and really enjoy being around each other. Everything is pretty casual really.
Having the ability to record whenever you want is great, but it also means there’s no division between composition, recording and mixing. A whole song could be recorded and mixed but if we think something should be added, deleted or re-recorded we just do it. Most of the songs that actually get done are vastly different from how they started, to the point that maybe the only thing that has survived between the demo and the master is the song title.
Being in a band is a complex set of relationships. How does Panda Riot navigate writing songs together, touring, and the general ups and downs of staying together as a group?
Ha, we’re all good friends and really enjoy being around each other. Everything is pretty casual really.
Does Panda Riot have any rituals for either rehearsing or performing?
Not really, we sometimes wear warpaint for live shows, if we feel like it, and Jose insists on spray-painting all his drums gold.
Not really, we sometimes wear warpaint for live shows, if we feel like it, and Jose insists on spray-painting all his drums gold.
Do you have any other creative outlets or side projects?
Brian makes films sometimes. Jose records under SecretWars. Justin is also in a band called Names Divine. Rebecca is in architecture.
Brian makes films sometimes. Jose records under SecretWars. Justin is also in a band called Names Divine. Rebecca is in architecture.
1. for getting through a tough day at work: Good Vibrations - BeachBoys
2. that you were part of the recording: Camden Line off our new record
3. from before 1970: Dawn – I'm Afraid They're All Talking About Me
4. classical piece: Debussy - Arabesque 1
5. to listen to at high volume: School of Seven Bells - face to face on high places
6. in an odd time signature: Swirlies - San Cristobal de las Casas
7. by an mostly or all-female band: warpaint - Billie Holiday
8. from a lesser-known artist: Kissing Clouds by Sweet Bulbs
9. from an artist from your hometown of Philadelphia: Trouble Everyday - CodeWord
10. sung in a foreign language: daixiaole - ai ai ai
11. that makes you feel nostalgic: Boards of Canada -Farewell Fire
12. to dance to: Stereolab - One Wild Moment (pastels cover)
13. cover song: My Bloody Valentine – Map Ref 41°N 93°W (wire cover)
2. that you were part of the recording: Camden Line off our new record
3. from before 1970: Dawn – I'm Afraid They're All Talking About Me
4. classical piece: Debussy - Arabesque 1
5. to listen to at high volume: School of Seven Bells - face to face on high places
6. in an odd time signature: Swirlies - San Cristobal de las Casas
7. by an mostly or all-female band: warpaint - Billie Holiday
8. from a lesser-known artist: Kissing Clouds by Sweet Bulbs
9. from an artist from your hometown of Philadelphia: Trouble Everyday - CodeWord
10. sung in a foreign language: daixiaole - ai ai ai
11. that makes you feel nostalgic: Boards of Canada -Farewell Fire
12. to dance to: Stereolab - One Wild Moment (pastels cover)
13. cover song: My Bloody Valentine – Map Ref 41°N 93°W (wire cover)
1. for getting through a tough day at work: A Tribe Called Quest | Show Business
2. from before 1970: Dizzy Gillespie | Hot House
3. to listen to at high volume: Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band | Do Your Thing
4. best heard in live performance: The Octopus Project
5. from a lesser-known artist: Gray | Dan Asher
6. sung in a foreign language: Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina | Aguas de Marco
7. that makes you feel nostalgic: The Beach Boys | Vega-Tables
8. to dance to: Renegade Soundwave | Thunder
9. cover song: Why? | Good Friday (Boards of Canada Remix)
2. from before 1970: Dizzy Gillespie | Hot House
3. to listen to at high volume: Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band | Do Your Thing
4. best heard in live performance: The Octopus Project
5. from a lesser-known artist: Gray | Dan Asher
6. sung in a foreign language: Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina | Aguas de Marco
7. that makes you feel nostalgic: The Beach Boys | Vega-Tables
8. to dance to: Renegade Soundwave | Thunder
9. cover song: Why? | Good Friday (Boards of Canada Remix)
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