Interview Tar Tar: Sons of Hippies unedited

Photo by Phillip Wilson

Katherine Kelly, lead vocals, guitars and keyboards; and Jonas Canales, percussion, synthesizers and vocals. The Sarasota band’s sound is a nice combo of ’70s authenticity, ’80s weirdoness and modern-day eclecticism. Earthy beats bring you down to earth while soaring guitars and synths take you elsewhere. Kelly mesmerizes crowds with that certain smoky, slightly spooky sexiness of Patti Smith and other famous female singers who can pull off strength and mystery without excess.

1. How did your collaboration with Jonas come about? Was he ever in Nous Rapport? If not, how do you know each other and how did you bond?

 

Jonas was never in Nous Rapport, he was and is currently in a band called Third Society. We met at a show a few years ago playing in separate bands. He pretty much begged me from that point on to start a side project, which I wasn’t ready for. A long time passed, I started playing solo, then realized I wanted a drummer to accompany my music. Jonas was my first and only choice. It started that way, with him accompanying my music, and quickly turned into a collaboration and we began writing music together – something I’ve never done with anyone else. Bonding moments include: attending Bonnaroo ‘08 together, dressing up in eachother’s clothes, and drinking eachother under the table.

 

 

2. Why the name “Sons of Hippies”? Has the name brought about incorrect assumptions about your sound?

 

Jonas’ first language is Portuguese. His second is Spanish. In both of these languages, there is not a direct word for “children,” one simply uses the plural form of the word for “son,” keeping the masculine-gendered noun. From the very beginning, Jonas would always call us “sons of hippies” instead of “children of hippies” because of this language issue. I always found it endearing. Not until we were taking drugs at Bonnaroo did this become so apparent, and that’s where we decided on the name.

The name hasn’t brought incorrect assumptions about the sound yet, primarily because most people comprehend that the name is suggestive of a state of mind rather than a musical style.

 

3. Could you briefly tell people about your previous band and why you broke up?

 

I broke the band apart because it was obvious to me that we were going in four divergent creative directions.

 

4. Are you going to keep active with your solo material and performances? If so, how often (the best you can anticipate) will you be playing out and writing songs?

 

I’m going to definitely keep playing solo. After The Sons finish touring this fall, I’d guess I’ll have one to two solo performances per month.

 

5. Though you have your own sound that’s not derivative of any one thing, there’s a quality to your vocal delivery and the tone that reminds me of certain things I listened to as a teenager — like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Echo and the Bunnymen and Kate Bush. Did/do you listen to any of that underground-type stuff from back then?

Yes. I love all of the bands you listed. I’ve also gotten comparisons to Grace Slick and Kristen Hersh (Throwing Muses).

 

6. Is there a personal song in your solo or band set list that you’d like to talk about?

I wonder if this is a trick question. Only because I reveal little emotionally in my songs… All I can tell you you is that I’m working hard on solo material that addresses more personal things, which I rarely write about. My songs are more literary and didactic, but I understand that for others to relate with them, I need to give more of myself.  

 

7. Did your parents play a role in your musical upbringing?

Definitely. My grandmother was married to the folkie, Eric vonSchmidt, and they traveled every summer with their children to the Newport Folk festival and Cambridge, MA (where folk music and culture was exploding). Her daughter (my mother) went to Woodstock and trained me at a young age with Hendrix, The Stones, and The Beatles. My father was a poet. Although he had a debilitating addiction to 80s music, he taught me everything I know about words.      

 

8. I like how you guys pull off the dark and moody overtones without sounding too goth or pretentious. Can you think of any ways you brighten and balance out your sound? (Like the vocal harmonies “ba da ba bas” in “Don’t Forget”?)

This all has to do with the collaboration concept of the songs. Jonas, for the most part, comes up with the more rhythmic backing tones of the songs, while I seem to write the more apocalyptic lyrics. The lyrics of Don’t Forget were written completely on-the-fly, by me, honing concepts of transient-ness and transcendentalism. We’ll always pull it off because Jonas is a professional optimist while I’m a consistent pessimist.

 

 

9. Are there any female singers who annoy the hell out of you? Who are they and why?

 

I am annoyed by any singer, male or female, without integrity, vision, and heart.

 

10. What’s your guitar-playing background? What guitars/equipment do you especially like to play with?

 

I have no classical training nor any professional background. My opinion: if you hear it you hear it. That said, I’m a Fender girl through and through. I can’t play anything else. I bought my first American Standard Stratocaster when I was 15 and now I play a Jaguar. Other than guitars, I’m really into my Digitech JamMan Loop pedal that allows me to play guitar on top of my spontanoeusly recorded live guitar. And my ElectroHarmonics Big Muff Pi distortion pedal. 

11. Recording news?

Soon. Very soon. Hoping to contribute to WMNF’s Tale’s of Lust comp, but other thatn that, give me/us another 2 months.

 

 

12. (Just for shits and giggles) do you like the smell of patchouli?

Ha! Good question… I wore patchouli oil every day in 8th grade. I don’t mind it – bit for the record I enjoy the #2 hippie smell… Nag Champa.  

 

Future superstar Ella Jet awaits takeoff

Many of you might be familiar with guitar super-duo Experimental Pilot, Stephen and Robert Vessenmeyer, former members of Men From Earth. They harmonize like nobody’s business and have a an extra-special combo of grit and twang.

Elder bro Stephen has a thing for flying things, hence the name of his act and the middle name of his pretty daughter Ella Jet Vessenmeyer.

Ella Jet is a precocious, spirited and talented performer in her own right. She’s gotten more accomplished in her first decade than most musicians in their 20s.

She appeared on Amy Snider’s Sonic Detour show on WMNF Community Radio on Sept. 16. You can click on the show in the archives at http://wmnf.org/programs/show/357.

Here’s what her dad said about her in a recent e-mail:

“ELLA JET is 10 yrs old
she has been playing guitar for about 8 months now
she has been writing new songs at a furious pace
she has opened for Rebecca Pulley and Tailgunner Joe
and can often be seen playing at Experimental Pilot shows
she loves Taylor Swift and just learned her most recent single Love Story
she recently appeared on WMNF 88.5 Sonic Detours
with DJ Amy Snider, Uncle Rob, Dad and her
her brother Noah who also plays guitar
she enjoys acting and choir at church
looking for frogs n stuff
she runs around the yard barefoot with her Jack Russell Terrier HANK
because Dad can’t get her to keep a pair of shoes on.

she’s a firecracker Jules.”

Sigh …

The band mentioned in the previous post has made nice. All’s right with the world again …

A first time for everything …

I don’t take myself or little gig so seriously, but when a band is too self-conscious to answer questions directly, when certain members unload a vat of unimaginative rock cliche dung all over me, I think I’m entitled to be a little put off. 

Is it really that much of a coup to get one over on a modestly paid freelance writer?

Is it really a good idea to attempt a John Lennon-A Hard Day’s Night verbal tango with as much style and finesse as Rosie O’Donnell cutting a rug on Dancing with the Stars?

I’m not saying who, nor will if you ask me, but one of the area’s newest bands might be canceled post-interview for the first time in Meet the Band history.

I might just politely inform them that their column will not run as scheduled.

Not the message I had originally written.

The first message was written angrily and hastily after a second round of questions, asking them to clarify a few points. 

It was in response to a second onslaught of jibberish and evasions, in addition to an ”I’m too hungover to be bothered with this - sorry” lamentation.

In my response I said, “I suggest you recover from your hangover and take another stab at these questions. Try next time not to come off so much like a spoiled little bitch and jackass caricature of an irreverent rock star.”

Sorry for the spotty bloggage! There’s a good reason for it …

 

My boyfriend, Kevin, and his adorable 3-year-old son, Oliver, moved in this past week and I was caught up in all the settling in and domesticity of this big transition. I’m very happy and boy oh boy the maternal urges didn’t take long to surface. I’m making juice bottles, singing songs, watching Yo Gabba Gabba, teaching Ollie words — and it’s all effortless because he’s so damn cute!

St. Pete’s super DJ: Mega

Photo: James Zambon

Name: Neal Stoll

Age: 30

How you got started and how long you’ve been DJing? I got into DJingwhen I realized that the only way I could stay current with the type of music I liked (hip-hop at the time) was to buy vinyl records. That was about 1995 and Ive been DJing since 1997 so coming up on 12 years. Wow, that makes me feel old.

 

Where you DJ? I DJ all over. Lots of stuff in Tampa and Orlando and of course the motherland St Pete. I travel out of town pretty frequently to DJ for exposure and a change of scenery. I also keep a hand in proving soundtracks for the blossoming art and fashion scene here in Central Florida. I’ve also been picked up this season as a DJ for the Tampa Bay Rays and that’s been an amazing opportunity. I like to think that I’m the reason for the winning streak. In addition to that,  I have a monthly party I’m doing on the First Friday of every month at Tamiami bar on First Avenue South in downtown called Retox. I’ll be featuring different DJs pretty much every month and I have to tell you, it’s one of the best dance parties I’ve ever thrown. This month’s will be on Sept the 5^th and featuring Young Deacon. Come say “Hi”. I’ll buy you a shot.

 

Do you try to attract a mix of musical tastes? If so, how?  I’ve found success in playing exactly what Id want to hear if I was out buying $12.00 vodka cranberries all night. I also try and appeal to a fun side of DJing that involves a sense of irony, 80s music is a great example of this. But just to be clear I play ALL genres of club music from hip-hop to house. I’ve never been one for play lists and am a firm believer in the school of thought that says: Get the girls on the floor and everything else falls into place. That’s been my mantra for almost a decade so “helloooooo ladies”.

 

Do you feel like a big fish in a little pond? Do you ever think about relocating? Yeah, I get that Big Fish feeling from time to time. There’s pros and cons. I have a great family of friends here that I network with and we create an artistic party atmosphere for the Bay and that makes me feel like I have a job to do here. But who knows what the future holds? I just got engaged to my dream girl for crying out loud! My future is wide open.

 

What does our area have over other metropolitan areas as far as your DJing, professional and personal lives go?We are able to have a big city feel with some little city love sprinkled on top. The Sunshine city is an amazing place with a great history and its coming back in a big way, especially the downtown area that I call home. You want the St Pete nickel tour? I’m your man.

 

What type of stuff surprises people about your playlist?  I play a lot of original samples to current songs. Say for instance that an old Public Enemy song sampled an even older James Brown song. I’ll mix the two together and give you a little history lesson and you wont even realize it. Also for the past few years I’ve been introducing Baltimore Club music to the area, and with B-more Club you have faster beats with really raw rap lyrics and people have been getting familiar.

 

What impresses other DJs when they check out your set?  Far and away what turns heads of other DJs is my ability to scratch and beat juggle. I started as a turntablist first and a DJ second. Many DJs today are doing very little besides mixing two songs on CD’s together and that’s it. I manipulate every record I play and I do much much more than just play records.

 

Briefly describe your equipment setup: 2 technic 1200 turntables. 2 Shure M447 needles, a Raine or Vestax Mixer and a program called Seratothat makes Mp3s play on an actual vinyl control record. Most importantly though are the crates of wax I’ve collected over the years. They are my archives and any DJ worth his salt has deep crates. Period.

 

Daytime job? I wish I could think of a snappy answer to this question but I cant. I’m an optician at Innovision on Fourth Street. It’s a great job and it’s a vocation I like. But I’d be lying if I said DJing isn’t the very best job in the history of mankind.

 

Favorite ice cream: Anything from the gelato place on Beach Drive. The dark chocolate there is the jump off.

Interview Tar Tar: full serving of Dish unedited

Dish's Nathanial and Roberto Aguilar moved to Deland from Maryland. They're playing New World this weekend.

1. Did Stetson University bring you to Florida from Maryland? If not, what did?
Yes, stetson was the reason I came to Florida, I convinced Nathaniel to come down a year later.

2. What inspired Nathanial in creating his homemade drum kit?
We were all in a four piece band called Sine with our best friends growing up in Maryland. One of the guys, Pat Ruffner, went to Boston to
look at schools. He saw a guy playing buckets on the side of the street. When Pat got back home, he made a little make shift bucket kit
and I did the same thing. We both would go out on the street and “buscket” all around D.C. and Maryland.
When we brought our band Sine down to Florida and things didn’t work out, Roberto and I decided to try and put music to my bucket kit.
Later in College, a maintenance worker who was also a musician, loved what I was doing and would find old equipment from science labs and helped me
develop my kit even more. “nathaniel”

3. Roberto, you have an expressive and immediate style of singing. Were you influenced by any artists in addition to trying to find your own unique way of singing?
I’ve always loves singers who were expressive and used dynamics. I heard a lot of that in Soul music as well classical and rock and roll.
There are really so many artists to name that have inspired me, but Jeff Buckley would have to be one of the artists that have really influenced me lately. His album live at S’ine is really what moved me to push my limits on what I could do with my vocal cords. I’m also really influenced by M. Ward. He has a quietness to him that’s really draws you in.

4. How and when did you go about forming Dish — and why the name?
When our father moved from D.C to west palm beach, we convinced him to let our band sine move down too. Our plans were to finish our record and start a record label. The two other members moved back to Maryland leaving Nathaniel and I to put together Dish. We really just wanted to play out, we’ve always enjoyed doing that. The name is really not all of that interesting. At the time, Nathaniel’s kit was just a few pots and pans, a gutter tube and a bucket. It all fit on a dish rack, so I just thought Dish was simple enough. “roberto”

5. What is the dynamic between you two? Is one more quiet, one more outgoing, etc? Which one is older?
As brothers we really different from the outside looking in but we understand each other much better than it seems. I love being around people and meeting new ones, thats one of the great things about playing music and traveling. Nathaniel is more of a private person. He’s social, but there are times, especially after a show, that he just doesn’t want to be around people. I’m older. “roberto”

6. How did your parents influence your music, if at all?
My dad introduced us to rock n’ roll like Jimi Hendrix, the doors ect. I was really influenced by mitch mitchel from the hendrix experience.
Other than that we really ventured out on our own to be inspired. “nathaniel”

7. Does Roberto write all the lyrics? Choose a song and say what it’s about.
Yes, I write all of the lyrics. There are some times before we play a song that I want to explain it. One song I’ve been talking about lately is Death and Romance. It’s going to be on our next record. It’s about being hit with two very strong emotions at the same time and trying to make sense of it. I was driving towards Jacksonville one night and I was passing an exit that reminded me of girl I dated recently. She lived off of that exit and all of these memories would come flowing in every time I passed by. I was still heart broken over her so it was pretty intense. At the same moment I was feeling all of this, I looked to my left and I saw a man who had just died in an accident on the side of the road. He was mostly covered by the white sheet, but I could see that he had been bunt to a crisp. When those two emotions collided, it was really creepy and beautiful and that song just kind of shit itself out.

8. Have you had more love than friction — I hope — lately?
Well, it’s funny you should say that. Lately it’s been friction, but this is a great time time clarify something. In that song, a lot of people
think I’m saying “no love and friction”. But it’s actually “know love and friction”. I think the two are inseparable. Real love comes out when there’s conflict. It causes a person to make tough decisions and I think thats the catalyst for love, “Sorrow carves out the space for joy” – Kahlil Gibran

9. Roberto, what are all the instruments you play on stage and in the studio?
Acoustic and electric guitar, baritone guitar, mandolin, and whatever else I can get my hands on in the studio.

10. Are you recording any new material?
We are, we’ve been working on this record for almost 7 months, we are really excited about it. It’s going to be called “Ma Raison De Vivre Ton Amour”

11. What’s your favorite stop on the I-4 corridor?
I think we both collectively agree, The 2nd DeLand Exit is the best.

Hear them: 10 p.m. Saturday with the Wedding Party and the Tape Delay at New World Brewery in Ybor City $7. (813) 248-4969. myspace.com/dishtheband Photo by Brooke Pifer
From left, Nathanial and Roberto Aguilar

Ahh, newness …

Funky 49 laid down some fat, nerdalicious rhymes at the Orpheum Aug. 13.

I love fresh new music. There hasn’t been much of it lately, but that makes the discoveries when they happen oh so sweeter.

Last week I went to a hip-hop show at the Orpheum and caught some cool newish acts that skew to the underground, nerdcore tip. There was a little gangsta, Dirty South. You could say it was a buffet of rhyming styles.

Funky 49 is a Tampa-based performer who might appeal to people who enjoy MC Chris. He’s got a pretty good flow and clever rhymes. His songs touch on really badass street-tough topics, such as the role-playing game World of Warcraft and broadband vs. dial-up.

My favorite of the night was an artist who goes by Black King. He was fierce yet smooth. Sometimes rappers lose their fluidity with aggression, but King’s seemed to be fueled by it.

I have an e-mail to Lazy, inquiring about the line-up of the night, so I will update you on some more of the latest rappers to hit the scene once I talk to him.

Saturday I caught Rec Center (led by Susie Ulrey and Michael Waksman) and Sons of Hippies — two promising new pop/rock acts.

Rec Center is mellow and catchy (see profile in other entry).

Sons of Hippies, whose singer Katherine Kelly is probably the hottest new female vocalist to hit the scene now. She wins crowds over with the right mixture of toughness and feminine appeal. She’s not over-the-top in your face, screaming about blow jobs in theaters and whatnot.

The duo, featuring pal Jonas on drums, vocals, percussion and synthesizers, incorporates distinctly varied rocking and atmospheric influences — Radiohead, Metric, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Air and and Pearl Jam — so naturally the end result isn’t quite like anything else out there these days {thank god someone’s doing it }.

Sneak Peek: Sushi-grade rock this weekend

Sons of Hippies’ Katherine Kelly puts down the electric for an acoustic this weekend.

Fresh meat at In the Raw
By Julie Garisto

Get an earful of sushi-grade rock this Saturday at the State Theatre, when In the Raw returns in all its uncooked glory for one night only.

In the Raw, Tampa Bay’s version of MTV’s “Unplugged,” showcased acoustic music and art in a series presented by Southeast Music Alliance. Popular lead singers and members of local bands played to crowds seated at candle-lit tables.

Out-of-town headliners included Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root and Joe Popp.

The event enjoyed its heyday from 2003 to ’06. Hosted by SMA honcho Joran Slane Oppelt, the pleasantly intimate showcase won best-of awards from local magazines.

Logistical problems, such as venues going out of business or changing management, kept the series from starting up again.

This week’s revival, we’re happy to say, picks things up right where they left off with an impressive lineup of local performers.

Shawn Kyle, of Tampa rockers the Beauvilles, will perform tunes from his band’s eagerly anticipated new album, Whispering Sin.

Also performing will be Mikey Bostinto of Tres Bien – a 2007 tbt* Ultimate Band winner and top-10 Fox reality show contestant.

It’s tough to pick a favorite in this impressive roster, but be sure to catch up-and-comer Katherine Kelly, a tough-and-pretty-voiced brunette who’s wowing crowds north and south of the Skyway Bridge. She used to play in Bradenton’s Nous Rapport and has a new act called Sons of Hippies.

“I’ll be playing four songs,” Kelly says. “They’re about these things, in this order: accidental death, roadkill and hookers, false belief and forced joy.”

Swoony, atmospheric folk diva Geri X returns from her yearly hiatus in Wisconsin, and hard-rock prodigies Hat Trick Heroes tune down and turn on with their youth-belying talent.

Along with all the “raw” musical talent, photography will be on display, too. Past in the Raw photos by concert photographers Carrie Waite and Stacy Mathis can be viewed in the lobby and on screen projections in the theater.

Perhaps the success of Saturday’s show will catch on and be revived again at the State Theatre?

If not, one consolation is that music writer and musician Scott Harrell hosts a monthly acoustic event called Kinder, Gentler Sundays. His shows have the same feel-good vibe and unplugged awesomeness, just on the opposite side of the bay in Crowbar’s outside patio.

Acoustic shows are not only fun and a great way to see a favorite local act. The process of getting musicians together on an even-playing field, without the electricity, engenders a warmth and camaraderie you don’t get at typical rock shows.

Nobody expresses this better than the artists themselves.

“I’m honored to share the stage with Tampa and St. Pete’s song-writing elite,” shares Kelly, “as well as blessed to have made a friend who believes in me as much as Joran Slane.”

In the Raw, the premiere event in Creative Loafing’s upcoming concert series, begins at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the State Theatre in downtown St. Pete, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $8 at the door; $5 with voter ID; all ages.

Scott Harrell’s next Kinder, Gentler Sunday, is on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. at Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. Features Will Quinlan, Geri X, J. Schultz of Military Junior and Beachy Joe. $3. Following events will be Sept. 14 and 28.

For more information, visit smaflorida.com.

Off topic: The Rage In Placid Lake

Okay, due to my unrelenting ADD, I need to veer off course once in a while and babble about something other than Tampa Bay music acts. … I sorry.

An Australian sleeper indie comedy starring Ben Lee got by me until this weekend, and sweet Jesus is it ever good.

Rage In Placid Lake, from 2003, is the ideal, twisted coming of age story for fans of Harold and Maude and Rushmore.

As I’ve gotten older, my tolerance for aw-shucks movies has sunk lower than that of the average person. I sometimes sound like a cynical j-a but hey, to each her own.

A couple of heart-”worming” movies I hate: Forrest Gump and Running With Scissors (which is basically Forrest Gump poorly imagined as a John Waters movie).

That all said, when done right, coming of age movies rule. I love 400 Blows, My Life As a Dog, Breaking Away, My Bodyguard, the aforemented classics, plus a sweet Italian kidnapping caper called Io Non Ho Paura (or I am not afraid). I’m sure I’m leaving some out, but I can’t spend too long on this!

The Rage in Placid Lake, like the other coming-of-age flicks I love, dances around the formulaic pitfalls and doesn’t indulge in over-the-top histrionics too often — but sparingly enough to keep you on your toes and keep you amused.

It centers on Placid Lake, a sensitive young man raised by self-centered hippies (his mom is the kickass Miranda Richardson). After a horrible accident, he decides to lead what he considers a conventional life and gets a job at an insurance company. This move is seen as an act of rebellion. He’s just trying to save himself from himself.

The satire at play is clever as hell, with corporate life, young romance, angst and parental foibles showcased in poignant and hilarious ways.

You could say The Rage in Placid Lake has all the same elements at play as Running With Scissors, but with much more heart and likeable 3-dimensional characters and much fewer plot manipulations and broad strokes.

Most importantly, you really gotta love the lead character. Ben Lee is a truly likeable and lovable semi-tragic hero. His misfit Placid is charming, unique and razor sharp. He should go down as the next great nerdy archetype.