Q&A With Loquat's Kylee Swenson
By: Music Staff |
Tuesday May 31, 2005 |
| On the worst show she ever played, Swenson replied: "There was one show that technically should have been the worst, but because it was so ridiculous, it was actually pretty funny in hindsight." |
| What's the last song that flat-out scared you?
Kylee Swenson: Wow. Can't say that happens very often. But Adult's "Glue Your Eyelids Together" scared me. I was like, "Why in the hell would you glue your eyelids shut!" It actually made me angry for some reason. What was the worst show you ever played, and why? There was one show that technically should have been the worst, but because it was so ridiculous, it was actually pretty funny in hindsight. It was at this club in San Francisco called Edinburgh Castle. Cool place, but there was no sound guy on duty, 'cause it was a little room. Also, there were too many bands slated to play, so we didn't get to put our gear onstage until midnight. Unfortunately, my amp and my mic where powered by two different sides of the room, which is a big no-no. It meant that the second I touched my guitar strings and the mic at the same time, I got shocked. So I got shocked...a lot. But much worse, Anthony, the bass player, went to change a level on the mixing board, and before getting to itïhe doesn't have the best depth perceptionïhe reached down to pick up a piece of glass. Instead, he sort of shoved his hand into it and started bleeding everywhere. It was so bad that when he got to the bathroom, he was cupping his hands together, full of blood, and he kicked in the bathroom door (toilet and sink were in the stall, for some reason) to find a very scared Indian guy pulling up his pants. So he wrapped up his hand in a paper towel and played the whole show bleeding everywhere while I was constantly going, "Ow!" every time I got shocked in the face. But we got through it, so we can probably handle most things thrown at us. What will you do immediately after completing this interview? Funny thing is I'll be transcribing an interview I did with Goldie Lookin' Chain for the magazine I work for, Remix. I hope I understand the Welsh accent enough. Coke or Pepsi? Coke, but I have a sentimental love for Pepsi because my grandparents always had it around for me. I never told them I didn't like it because I thought it was sweet that they got it for me. And then I learned to like it. What song are you most proud of on this album? Why? Hmmm, that's tough. I'm proud that I wrote all of the parts for "Need Air" in about ten minutes. The song just sort of threw itself up on my computer really quickly. And I like playing dueling guitar parts with Earl. But honestly, I like them all for different reasons. I wish we could have gotten "Swingset Chain" just right, but that's a holy grail I don't think we'll ever find. We had some weird problems with the bass and drums, but after spending 40 hours trying to fix them, I gave up (and I know Earl spent a lot of time on that, too). I feel like I have to apologize to that song, like, "Sorry, we tried our best." What artists have you discovered in the last 6-12 months and how has their work influenced yours? I can only say something influences me indirectly, because I don't try to go after other people's ideas. However, speaking of "Need Air," that song started out as an experiment to get the bass sounds of that French band Air. So I called it "Need Air." Then I wrote the chorus, scrapped everything else, and the rest of the song spilled out. And it sounded nothing like Air at all, but I kept the title because the lyrics were literally about needing air and feeling claustrophobic. It's a song about house hunting. Kind of a weird topic. Also, we're working on this remix for a band in SF called From Monument to Masses, so their parts directly influenced our version, obviously. We'd never done a remix before, especially where there were no vocals. It left it totally open for us to write our own take on what they did. But I haven't really answered your question totally. New albums and bands I've discovered are Röyskopp's new one, The Understanding; Feist, and The Knife. The girl in The Knife sings on Röyskopp's new album. They're weird, and I like them. Also, Kaskade's "Steppin' Out" inspired me. What can fans expect to get at one of your concerts that they couldn't necessarily get on your album? Onstage, we're a bit more animated and dynamic. Christopher (the drummer) also sings, and so we have a little banter back and forth in between songs. He tells really funny farfetched stories, and I just kind of go with them. But dynamics is something we hope to bring moreso to our next album. We want to be able to have moments where we get really quiet and moments where we run up to you and punch you in the face. I think we just need some guidance to pull that off in the studio. Who/what were some motivators for getting you into the industry? My old friend Greg Rule, who used to be the editor at Keyboard magazine, kind of brought me up as a writer and as a fledgling musician/producer. He just convinced me to keep going. So thanks, Greg. And my old friend Keith Krate (who the album is dedicated to) taught me how to play guitar and made me get up onstage and play songs with him. What direction do you feel you're headed in artistically? What's next? I guess because people have said that we're somewhat mellow with "It's Yours to Keep," I'd like to see what it would take to make people dance. I have a fever for more cowbell! Just kidding. Probably no cowbell, but more dynamics and beats that kick you in the ass. Christopher is getting really good at that lately. Ass-kicking beats! I don't want to be thought of as demure, so the next one will probably be less polite. Maybe I'll write a song like that rapper Jean Grae did that just goes, "Fuck you fuck you fuck you!" What other creative mediums would you ever care to dabble in? Why? My mom is the visual artist in the family. Any art I try to do is kind of stupid. I'd like to learn how to build stuff, like furniture. Michael Jackson - pedophile or misunderstood eccentric? I just can't say. I want so badly for him to be just a misunderstood eccentric that I don't think I'm a good judge. I definitely would hate being on that jury. What would you like to come back as in a later life? A socialite who dashes from fabulous vacation to vacation? I haven't been on a vacation in a really long time. What was your first live performance like? With Loquat? Well, that first performance is the reason we're still here, actually. We got up there, and I was really scared. Our friends in the band the Junior Panthers hooked us up with a show with them. When we finished our first song, people reacted by screaming, and I almost fell over. I don't think anyone expected us to be any good. So I think we were surprised, and the audience was surprised, and we'll never capture that moment again. Have you ever stolen anything? I was raised Catholic, and Catholic guilt runs deep, so no. However, I almost stole Christmas ornaments when I was three. But I didn't think I actually had to pay for them, 'cause I didn't understand the concept of money at the time. What's your favorite sandwich? Roast beef with avocado. As a kid, like 5-12 years old, what music did you listen to? Michael Jackson, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Hall & Oates. And my parents played Gerry Rafferty, Barbara Streisand, Astrid and Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, Anita Baker, Curtis Mayfield, etc., so I listened to that stuff, too. Who influenced (or dictated) what music you listened to when you were growing up (DJ, parents, siblings, classmates, captors, etc)? I want my MTV. MTV started in 1980, and so I literally grew up watching it. I loved Post Modern MTV and 120 Minutes. Those shows were the reason I found Love & Rockets, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Cure, The Pixies, etc. Name something non-musical (e.g. book, person, building, animal) that has inspired or influenced you. Haruki Murakami's "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" Do you download music without paying for it? Nope. I can honestly say that. Can you read music? If yes, do you write your songs using musical notation? Yes, but I learned how to read music on the saxophone and a little on the piano. So when I learn songs on guitar, I use tablature. And sometimes, I do write down tabs for something I'm writing so I won't forget. Do you read music criticism? Who are some of your preferred critics, if any? There are writers I like, but I have a hard time getting into music criticism. Music is so subjective, so if I don't like something, I'd rather keep it to myself. There is music that is not my cup of tea, but other people love it, so let those people speak up about it, not me. What one thing must you have on tour with you...? Some sort of energy drink. I do a lot of driving 'cause only three of us have our licenses at the moment. Favorite beverage...? Dr. Pepper. Favorite recreational tour stop...? In-N-Out Burger. Is that a recreational tour stop? Got any pets...? An eight-year old cat named Scuzzlebutt, or SCSI for short. I know, it's a horrible name, and the short version of it is incredibly nerdy, but I swear, she doesn't mind. Half of SCSI's face is grey, and the other half is sort of gold or maybe apricot-colored. She has a dividing line right down her nose. She cries every morning when I go to work. I love her. What other artists are you currently listening to...? Royksopp, Feist, Goldie Lookin' Chain ("Guns don't kill people, rappers do!"), Kool Keith, Bahamadia, Bjork, The Cardigans, Roy Orbison and a bunch of other stuff. Who would you like a chance to collaborate / tour with...? There are a ton of bands we'd like to tour with. We're dying to tour, but it costs money to get out there (although, it's happening this summer). Anyway, I like too many different bands to even know where to start here. What's the best thing about being a musician...? Sitting in the studio and being excited about something you just did. When Earl (the other guitarist in Loquat) high-fives you, you know you've done good because he definitely lets you know when you suck. In fact, we all say, "You suck!" to each other regularly to keep ourselves humbled so that if anyone else says it, we have a thick skin already. Favorite fast food menu item...? Taco Bell super steak soft taco If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing...? Dream job, etc. Hmmm, architect? That's just how I'm feeling today, though. If you could go back in time and give Elvis Presley one piece of advice, what would it be? Dude, go play some tennis or something. Get out of this dark room and get some exercise, and stop loading up on the drugs and sandwiches! I'm of the tough love variety. Frank Sinatra: toupee or no toupee? Really? He had one? I had no idea. What was the first song you learned to play? I learned the bass line for the Stone Roses' "I Wanna Be Adored." But I was playing "Marriage of Figaro" on saxophone before that. What was your first rock and roll record? Duran Duran's debut. I was pretty sure I was going to marry Nick Rhodes. I would tell my stuffed animals that. How much did luck have to do with your success? Not really sure. I'm starting to believe there is no such thing as luck. What happens is what you make happen. But having said that, I count my blessings for all the people who have supported us over the years. There are a lot of people who have helped us get to this point. I think the harder you work and the more you put yourself out there, the more those people pop up. In what country are your albums selling very well that might surprise the average American listener? Well, we were released in Spain first. So those are the first people who heard it. Do you have a day job? If so, what is it? Yep. Editor of Remix magazine. Prior to becoming a full-time musician, what did you do for a living? Oh boy, I hope I can one day say I'm a full-time musician. Who is the best rock group/rap group/pop group/musical artist in the world right now (excluding yourself/your band)? Shit. I can't just narrow it down to one group. I can't! People know how I feel about Bjork, though. She's inspired me since I was in 8th grade. |
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