-Introduce Yourself:
We are John Barber (guitar/vocals), Natalie Lowe (keys, vocals), Jonathan Granoff (bass, sampler), and Alex Major (drums, sampler)
-How did you get your start?
It was kind of like a snowball effect. John and Alex started playing music at a very young age, then picked up Jonathan early in college, and then Natalie later in college. We’ve had other members come and go over the years, but this group has remained intact for a while and is growing bigger, faster, and stronger every day.
-Who are some of your influences?
Prince, Rush, Bowie, Genesis, Floyd, Zappa, Eno, Phish, Tom Waits, Yes, King Crimson, The Police, Talking Heads, Bad Brains, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, Parliament, Harry Nilsson, Tool, Can, Radiohead…
-How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Psychedelic, exploratory rock. Dark funk. Jazzy wisps here and there. Music for curious ears.
-Do you have any music available for purchase, & if so where can people go to buy it?
We have three albums available on iTunes and other major online retailers via download or CD. You can also get our latest release, Meridia, on double vinyl.
-You’re getting ready to hit the road in November, what cities will you be hitting and what can everyone expect from your live show?
DC, Philly, Cleveland, Nashville, Atlanta, Knoxville, Memphis, Chicago, Bowling Green (OH), and Ithaca. I’m not sure that we even know what to expect yet, so we can’t answer for the people who come out to see us. It will probably be like tasting a wild, exotic meal for the first time and finding it to be quite delicious.
-Fav. song to perform?
It changes all the time. There is always a moment when you call out a song and you just know it is exactly what the audience needs. That song. We are always finding new ways of approaching our material and that’s always exciting. The best feeling is when something new comes out naturally during a live performance and catches you by surprise. It takes a good amount of letting go yet also staying in the moment to make these things happen. And that takes practice just like everything else.
-What is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you while performing?
The power went out twice during our CD release in 2008 in Brooklyn. It’s the craziest change to take all the powered instruments away and just hear drums blasting and dead strings and keys clicking.
-Who is someone you would like to work with or play a show with in the future?
Beck, Eno, James Blake, Chris Cornell, Battles, Radiohead, Portishead, Bill Laswell.
-Fav. band/artist of all time:
Prince, Bach, Frank Zappa, Soundgarden, Herbie Hancock, James Brown.
-What is something people may be surprised to find out about you?
None of us have any tattoos
-What is 1 thing you would really like to see or do in your lifetime?
Meditate on a mountain top
-Since it was recently Halloween, growing up what was your best Halloween costume?
Alice and Wonderland
-First concert you ever attended?
New Kids on the Block
-What was your fav. cartoon or tv show while growing up?
Batman, Duck Tails, Rescue Rangers, and Fraggle Rock
-Any last words/message to your fans?
www.facebook.com/ellisashbrook
www.myspace.com/ellisashbrook
www.youtube.com/ellisashbrook
www.vimeo.com/ellisashbrook
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