INTERVIEW with CHIARA ANGELICOLA
September 25th 2009 21:12
Q I noticed that you won Amoeba Records’ 'Home Grown' Artist of the Month earlier this year, what has been happening since then and what plans lie ahead?
A I'm grateful that the local SF community nominated me to be an artist of the month. I will say that Amoeba has always supported the survival of the independent musician. So, I definitely feel like they have pushed me a lot and have given me some rad exposure in the Bay Area. Now it's on to New York for hopefully some continued exposure in a more musically saturated and driven town.
Q How would you describe the sound of your music to someone who has never heard you?
A Music is always so hard to categorize. Who wants to categorize it, anyway? I will say that I've listened to some old soul and rock and roll records that really inspired the Masquerade album: A lot of Bob Dylan, Beatles (White Album), Aretha, and even some old jazz singers like Billie and Sarah Vaughn. I'd say it's a mix of all that and something else I can't put into words. You just have to come out to the shows.
Q I noticed John Lennon and Nick Cave in your Myspace list - what other well-known performers have inspired you?
A Like I said before, a lot of the oldies are some of my favorites. I am fond of some contemporary artists that do their own thing really well, like Fiona Apple, Jim James, Jolie Holland. They vary in style but all do something very different with their voices that really move me.
Q What about local bands - can you name a couple that you think people should check out?
A I like a lot of stuff that most people aren't into. Jolie Holland came out of San Francisco and now she's down in LA doing bigger things, but she is a great voice that came out of the Bay. People should check her out. I'm a big Deerhoof fan as well. They are freakishly good at what they do- really talented avante garde musicianship.
Q What would you say is the best thing about performing in San Francisco?
A I'd say that San Francisco is a great place to perform because you can pull people in any night of the week. There is a strong dedicated group of music lovers that will go see live local music any night of the week without even looking at the bill for the night. There are some real people in this town that are ready to be moved.
Q You play a variety of venues about town, which one would you say is the best for performers?
A It all depends. If you want a great sound system and a nice room you play Cafe Du Nord. If you wanna throw a party and have everyone running around you play Bottom of the Hill. Every spot is so unique and great in it's own way.
Q Where can people find your music if they are interested in hearing it and not in town?
A The internet is the most accessible way to get to my music, and not just an mp3. CD Baby is a great online store driven to promote the resale of hard-copy merchandise for independent artists. You can also find both the Bird Songs EP and Masquerade LP available for digital download from my website Really Long Link along with iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, etc.
A I'm grateful that the local SF community nominated me to be an artist of the month. I will say that Amoeba has always supported the survival of the independent musician. So, I definitely feel like they have pushed me a lot and have given me some rad exposure in the Bay Area. Now it's on to New York for hopefully some continued exposure in a more musically saturated and driven town.
Q How would you describe the sound of your music to someone who has never heard you?
Q I noticed John Lennon and Nick Cave in your Myspace list - what other well-known performers have inspired you?
A Like I said before, a lot of the oldies are some of my favorites. I am fond of some contemporary artists that do their own thing really well, like Fiona Apple, Jim James, Jolie Holland. They vary in style but all do something very different with their voices that really move me.
Q What about local bands - can you name a couple that you think people should check out?
A I like a lot of stuff that most people aren't into. Jolie Holland came out of San Francisco and now she's down in LA doing bigger things, but she is a great voice that came out of the Bay. People should check her out. I'm a big Deerhoof fan as well. They are freakishly good at what they do- really talented avante garde musicianship.
Q What would you say is the best thing about performing in San Francisco?
A I'd say that San Francisco is a great place to perform because you can pull people in any night of the week. There is a strong dedicated group of music lovers that will go see live local music any night of the week without even looking at the bill for the night. There are some real people in this town that are ready to be moved.
Q You play a variety of venues about town, which one would you say is the best for performers?
A It all depends. If you want a great sound system and a nice room you play Cafe Du Nord. If you wanna throw a party and have everyone running around you play Bottom of the Hill. Every spot is so unique and great in it's own way.
Q Where can people find your music if they are interested in hearing it and not in town?
A The internet is the most accessible way to get to my music, and not just an mp3. CD Baby is a great online store driven to promote the resale of hard-copy merchandise for independent artists. You can also find both the Bird Songs EP and Masquerade LP available for digital download from my website Really Long Link along with iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, etc.
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