Can we start off by everyone introducing themselves?
Sarah: Hi, I’m Sarah, I play bass. I’m really excited for tonight, and here’s…
Maria: Hi, I’m Maria. I play guitar. I’m really excited for tonight, and here’s…
Will: …Will, and I also play guitar and I’m very excited for tonight…
M: And he’s the singer!
W: And I’m pretty nervous too.
Why are you nervous?
W: Just like, I kinda organized the show, and I just want it to go smoothly and I’m worried that the venue people might be stressed out or something.
M: Can I say something as well? So my parents are coming tonight and my mom is so mean to me all the time, but she also loves me a lot. But this venue is… she’s going to be afraid. She’s going to be scared. But I think it’s gonna be awesome. I love this venue. It’s gonna be awesome vibes.
I’ve never been to this venue before, what’s it like?
S: It’s a big room!
W: It’s just a room basically, it’s not scary. It’s just like four walls. It’s pretty punk rock.
O.K. now let’s just get into things… You guys were just at South by Southwest, how did that go?
W: I thought it was really fun. We had a blast. We played eight shows in three days. I thought it was fruitful.
Was it your first time there?
W: First time with this band, yeah.
S: It was my second time at South by and it was way better than my first time. It was one of the best times I’ve had in a while recently. Like, it was New York but in Texas.
What were your favorite bands that you saw perform there?–if you got to catch any shows.
W: [To Sarah] It sounds like you have an answer.
S: TAGABOW from Philly. They are gutting a body of water. Yup.
W: I hate to admit it but, she’s right.
M: They’re really good! Also Poison Ruïn was really good. Model/Actriz I thought was good. Shoutout to everyone that played–
W: Mary Jane was good.
M: Mary Jane was really good. She’s amazing.
S: Die Spitz. Also Frost Children tore it up. It was really awesome.
W: Yeah, I guess we can’t pick a favorite.
The show tonight is in celebration of the two newest songs that came out today, yeah?
W: Actually that was kind of like an afterthought, I just kinda made it seem that way. But, we just wanted to throw a big show, kind of a celebration of the turning of the weather and the season. Bib is from Omaha, so we kind of flew them out here for the show. We just wanted to throw a really cool, big all ages show. That was it.
Well, you have a new album coming soon, I believe?
W: I believe so, yes.
I was wondering if you could come up with three words to describe the new album.
W: Maybe let’s all do one word?
M: To describe what?
W: The new album!
Are you guys all playing on it?
W: They don’t play on it but they know it, they’ve heard it a lot.
M: We play the songs on it tonight!
W: Three words to describe it though… I know you have words… Three words to describe it…What did Jan say about it?
M: I can read you a text from my friend that I sent it to and see what she said… She said: “So sweet. Heartwarming. A banger-filled album. I love…”
W: That’s it! Leave it there.
M: “Zamn!”
What is your favorite song that you ever wrote? For any band, any context.
W: Hmmm… we all have solo projects. Do you want me to go first?
M: You go first!
W: My newest song is my favorite. It’s on this new CD, “If We Keep Hanging Out.”
I really liked that one!
W: Oh, thank you! I think you should always be in your favorite bands. That’s kind of my mantra. And every new album should be your favorite, hopefully. So, I’m going to stick with that for my answer.
S: I’m going to also say my newest song that I’m working on with Harrison Patrick Smith. Shoutout him! Yeah, just look out for that!
W: Is it a new one? Have we heard it?
S: It’s called ‘Pretend’.
[To Sarah] I know you are going to have more solo music soon…
S: I am! I’m really excited about it. I feel like it’s fucking about time that I do because I’ve been in this scene for so long and playing in so many bands but yeah, I’m working on it! I’ve got a busy life. I’m also still in school. But it’s coming, so, just wait.
I’m excited! Are you going to have any shows?
S: Definitely, definitely! We’re going to form a supergroup of a band.
M: I also have a solo project. I also would just like to make more music but I’m also in school right now and working. But, I like the song I made! I just want it to be as heavy and loud as possible.
W: Four song EP coming in…
M: Four song EP coming in July depending on what job I decide to do during the summer and how much time I have.
What’s the name of your solo project? Is it just your name?
M: I don’t know, I don’t know. I need to change the name! I had a name but we’re switching it.
S: I liked Piglett!
M: It was originally Piglett with two t’s but I don’t know, we’ll see!
What bands do you guys like right now that you think deserve more recognition?
S: I mean, I’ve probably said this in every interview where they’ve asked me this but MJ Lenderman, man, hits so different for me. I’d also say my best friend Scarlet Rae, she slays so hard and I’m a little pissed! I feel like she should be so huge, her music is so insane and she does it all by herself. I love her.
W: Thought you were going to say “feeble fucking little horse!”
S: Oh! feeble little horse, my best friends from Pittsburgh, oh my god! I can’t shut up about them!
They have a new album too coming soon!
S: Yes and it is so fucking good! I am the biggest fan of them. I feel so lucky that I get to see them and know them and I’ve been on tour with them before…I just love their liveset so much and they’re the sweetest people in the world. I’m so excited for them!
W: I’m gonna put on for this new band that I didn’t see, I heard about them at South by but I didn’t see them…but now I got an advance copy of their new album and I’m kind of hooked on it, it’s a band called Sword II. I’m hooked on Sword II… Jack, you were about to say? [motions to Jack] Jack’s in the band too.
What instrument do you play?
Jack: Guitar.
M: I think Poison Ruïn should be famous. Genny! He’s cool. His music is really good. I’ve been listening to it a lot. Pique… good screamo band. Couch Prince!
W: [To Jack] Favorite band right now?
J: Shoutout to Kraus!
W: Also one more to Deadharrie who we’re playing with on May 17th at Purgatory.
M: Bazooka! Shoutout Bazooka!
W: Bazooka. Love Bazooka. We could go on and on, we usually do.
Will, I have a question specifically for you…I know when you’re not doing music you’re a substitute teacher…
W: Who told you that?… Yeah, it’s true.
What’s your favorite or funniest moment you’ve had with a student?
W: Which one?
M: I mean I could even answer.
W: There’s a lot. I’ve had a lot of moments with students. [To Maria] What are you thinking of? I don’t know if you’ve heard this one. You might find this funny. I was subbing one day and it was maybe a bit of a rowdier school, not like crazy, but it was just kind of a quiet moment. The class was let out, he was in middle school and out of nowhere this kid was doing the Naruto run down the hallway and I just heard him say, “It’s giving!!” It was pretty funny. Stuff like that happens all the time. I’m kind of immune to it now.
M: I teach as well and something that always made me laugh was when my students would call me out for wearing Brandy Melville and call me “Brandy Girl” or “Vsco Girl”.
S: Wait, that is so funny.
M: Actually, I caught a student…actually no, nevermind nevermind.
W: Yeah, we’re an educational band.
M: There should be more teachers! And less of other things.
W: Yeah, Facts.
M: Less bands. Less musicians, more teachers.
S: More ping pong players!
I have a few random questions that I was just wondering, do any of you collect anything?
S: I definitely do, I mean I don’t actively but I used to collect a lot of things. I have like thirty-five ugly dolls in my childhood bedroom. Like I really was obsessed with those. I also used to collect those little Pokemon action figures and I had like a full army of them on my desk at home. But I’m not actively collecting. I don’t have space to collect in New York.
M: I think if I could, not collect, but, one of my goals one day is to have a sanctuary for chihuahuas, like older chihuahuas. That’s definitely not a collection, more so a sanctuary. I’d like to have like ten old chihuahuas.
W: I’m with you.
M: Like: “The Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary.”
W: That’s why I’m starting the animals and humans club.
M: Animals and humans club! We both have chihuahuas.
What are their names?
W: Josh.
M: and my chihuahua’s Alf.
O.K. Last question is one we thought of right before we came here. If you were a member of the Kong family what would your adjective be, for example “Lanky Kong, Cranky Kong, Funky Kong…”
W: Is there a reason you asked about Donkey Kong?
My friend was looking through your Instagram…
W: I was wondering… So I’m a huge Donkey Kong Country fan… I could go “Flippy Kong” but that’s not really an adjective…
M: Flippy’s cute!
It doesn’t have to be an adjective!
J: Chewie Kong.
W: Chewie Kong! That’s pretty good.
S: Sippy Kong?
W: Slim Kong? I guess? No… How would we describe ourselves?
M: I would be Sippy Kong…
W: Winky Kong!
M: Winky Kong!
W: Winky Kong, that’s good.
S: I’m Ping Kong.
W: Ping Kong! That’s good!
J: Sarah loves ping pong.
S: Yes I have a special interest in ping pong. I actually have my paddles on me right now.
Everyone: No way!
S: Will note that there’s a ping pong table behind us…
W: Oh my god!… I’m gonna be Slim? Flippy? Slim Kong?
S: Slim Kong is good!
W: O.K. Slim Kong. That’s it.