On a Thursday in December, I decided on a whim to attend a concert with
my friend. At any venue two sixteen year olds were allowed to attend.
There was only one additional requirement: it must be a band we had
never heard of. And thus, at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, is how I discovered The Growlers.
From the juxtaposition of each band members' colorful outfits and
the opening explosive chords, I knew we were in for a fantastic show.
The lead singer's voice was very nasal and slightly irritating, but
somehow turned euphonic when melded into the vivacious sounds of the
instruments. The combination of ebullient, rapid riffs and vintage
equipment sound straight out of a 60's surf flick. Some would label
their music "surf rock". The Growlers refer to it affectionately as
"beach goth".
The Southern California-based musicians released a music video for "Someday" last week off their most recent album, Hung At Heart. Check it out below.
Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, the Grammy winning hip-hop artist and one-half the mastermind behind Shabazz Palaces and one-third of Digable Planets, shed some wisdom with me about his experiences first dipping his toe into art over email.
How did you being creating art?
I began creating at birth. My first sounds, I'm told, were sounds of singing. My first creations were in kindergarten, finger painting and dressing myself and trying to get girls I liked to see what I was about. Why did you choose music as your medium?
Music chose me.
What was your high school experience like?
All basketball and jazz band. It was singularly fun and the pressure of adulthood was held at by the freedom of those days and that irresponsibility was a memorable comfort and space.
What inspires you?
Rhythm, color, dynamic, sound, color and warmth, travel, and of course the one true divine, sweet ladies and the romance therein.
What makes you admire a work of art?
Courage.
What do you consider a great performance?
When an artist transcends physical laws and achieves an ethereal performance.
Do you have any advice for young artists?
Instinct is the path to originality.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Truth Seekers radio podcasts and Part Time Punks podcasts. They are truly the shit. What are your current projects?
I don't talk about what I'm about to do.
Hello.
My name is Lyris. I am a grrrl from New York City, still stuck in The Establishment of public high school. I am attempting to make the experience a touch more enjoyable by interviewing artists for my school's newspaper.
Here is the place where I will post said interviews along with music suggestions and other tidbits.
Enjoy.
