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SDP: You guys put Panoramic out last winter. How has the response been so far? Spencer (Guitar/Vocals): People have responded well. We've gotten a lot of attention from local media, such as SDMusicMatters.com, 91X and 94/9. And of course, SanDiegoPunk.com. |
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Spencer: It's melodic indie rock, in the same vein as Death Cab For Cutie, No Knife, Minus The Bear, the Dismemberment Plan, and Copeland. The songs are vocal-driven, with Kerrie and myself playing a game of back and forth for who gets the spotlight.
How is Panoramic different from your last release?
Kerrie (Keys/Guitar/Vocals): Musically,
it's more mature. We've grown a lot as a band since The End of Now
- I've become a more active participant in the songwriting process, and Kevin
joined the band only weeks before we recorded Panoramic. The evolution
of our lineup has allowed us to try new things, and I think it's been really
successful.
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On your Music For America bio you've written: "We pride ourselves on being politically educated and socially conscious, and we try to use music as a space to share that with others." Could you expand on what you believe to be the relationship between music, politics, and social change? Brandon (Drums): Particularly
when it comes to young people, they can be more receptive when difficult
issues are addressed by someone they see as a peer. Hearing about social
change from musicians that they consider relevant makes them more likely
to accept new ideas. |
Spencer: Since social change only works when a majority of people agree with it, we try to address our personal politics through music in ways that aren't overly abrasive. That way the message reaches the largest number possible. Those songs address issues like American exploitation of developing countries, war under the pretext of democracy and freedom, national division along political lines - all through the filter of melody and refrain.
What role does the internet play in the life of Straight No Chaser? Does the internet fundamentally change goals/publicity paths of the band? (For example, the proliferation of MP3s and the internet seem to make some bands focus more on recording a few good songs for their myspace profile rather than releasing an actual album).
Kevin (Bass): It definitely exposes us
to a larger audience. We have kids on the east coast who are into us who probably
wouldn't give a rat's ass if it weren't for the internet. However, it doesn't
necessarily take the place of typical publicity techniques. We still make
flyers and rely upon word of mouth more than our "friends" on myspace.
We aren't a "myspace band" and it's frankly sad that some bands
use myspace as their main medium of communicating with fans. But it is convenient.
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You've been getting some radio play on 94/9's local show lately. Have you noticed an increase in your mp3 downloads or show attendance that may be a result of this? Spencer: Both the LOCAL 94/9 and 91X Loudspeaker have been gracious enough to share some of their airtime with us. We're always really grateful to get |
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How many band members are UCSD students or alumni? Your website links to a few reviews in UCSD publications. In what ways were you able to use your status as UCSD students to help out the band?
Kevin: Spencer and I attended UCSD. Being involved in the student culture of the campus made a huge difference for us as a band because it gave us the opportunity to play with bands like Pinback, Sugarcult, Rx Bandits, New End Original (ex-Far and One Line Drawing) and Thrice. Our connections with the school have continued to provide us with shows, such as this April at Porter's Pub and the beginning of May with our friends Visceroy.
What's your take on the current San Diego
music community? From a band's perspective, are there aspects that need to
be improved? Is anything working exceptionally well?
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Brandon: It seems like there has been a good amount of bands that we have played with recently that we also enjoy musically, which is encouraging. I think the main area that I would like to see improved is the lack of quality all ages venues. There are a few clubs that aren't terribly band friendly, and that seems very counteractive to growing a solid local music community. |
What's the future hold for the band?
Spencer: It's one step at a time with us. We put out Panoramic, we're just about to release an EP/single for "Kids In Korea" with four new tracks, and we've got some great shows coming up the next couple months. We've started looking toward things like management and touring, but it seems like every time we plan too far ahead we get sidetracked by something. We'd love to keep things going - in whatever capacity - for as long as we can. Whatever happens, you haven't heard the last from us.
Check out Straight No Chaser Live:
4/09/2006 @ The Zombie Lounge
3519 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
w/ Constant (Boston)
Doors 8:30pm, Show 10:00pm, 21+, $3.00
4/27/06 @ UCSD's Porter's Pub (in the Student
Center)
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093
w/ Dios Malos, others TBA
8:00pm, All Ages, Free Cover
5/05/2006 @ UCSD's Library Walk
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093
w/ Visceroy, others TBA
Event starts at 7:00pm, Show 7:30pm, All Ages, Free Cover!
Interview with Straight No Chaser, conducted via
e-mail March, 2006, by Joel
Scheingross.|
Photos from:
http://www.straightnochasermusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/straightnochaser
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