SOUND Team are the “underground, indie-rock, blog darlings” on a major record label. Just about everyone loves them, except Pitchfork (the online music publication specializing in pretentiousness), and even then I don’t think Pitchfork can honestly deny how catchy and engaging SOUND Team tracks like “Born to Please,” “No More Birthdays,” and especially “Your Eyes Are Liars” truly are.
SOUND Team released their full-length record, Movie Monster, in June on Capitol Records and are currently touring to support the album. They’re an Austin, Texas based sextet composed of Matt Oliver (vocals, guitar, piano), Bill Baird (bass), Michael Baird (moog synthesizer), Sam Sanford (cave guitar), Gabe Pearlman (keys), and Jordan R. Johns (drums). They mix a lot of cinematic themes into their music and showcase the impact music can have as an art form. Personally, I love their sound. You should too.
Gabe, from the band, was nice enough to talk about his favorite song to play live, indie success, and why the band no longer drinks amaretto sours.
So, first question: what is your favorite alcoholic drink when touring?
Gabe Pearlman: Sound Team drinks only the finest malted barley fizz available. Jordan likes sodka.
Is there any alcohol you refuse to touch?
GP: Amaretto. We used to all drink amaretto sours all the time, but then one time we all had the same nightmare about evil clowns riding miniature dinosaurs. That was pretty much that.
What is your favorite bar in your hometown, Austin?
GP: Red’s Scoot Inn.
There are six of you in the band and I assume touring can be stressful. What do you guys do to keep everything together?
GP: We like to sings Irish sea shanties and Hank Williams songs. Usually if everyone eats enough food things are pretty good.
What’s the craziest thing a band member has done while drunk?
GP: [I beat] a three hundred fifty pound college football player in arm wrestling.
You guys did a short film, a lot of captured live moments, for “The Fastest Man Alive” off the Work EP; the full-length album is called Movie Monster. How important is it for you to incorporate cinematic elements into your music and can we plan on seeing any new short films/film projects with elements from Movie Monster?
GP: I think we all like the idea of music that opens up an alternate space or atmosphere, which I guess could be “cinematic”. And yes.
“Born to Please” is probably my favorite song off Movie Monster. What is your favorite song to play live and which one do you think the crowd reacts to the most?
GP: I would say “TV Torso” seems to be the band favorite, at least for the past six months or so. Also the new songs that are going to be on the next record, that you can only hear at shows for the time being. Basically newness.
What is the craziest thing a fan has done at a show?
GP: Willis* once did pushups as a dance move throughout “Fastest Man Alive”.
What is your ultimate hangover remedy?
GP: Intravenous B12 shot. Also wheatgrass, kombucha, or everybody’s favorite, yet another iced coffee.
The new website is massively interactive and in depth. I especially enjoyed the recital portion. Who conceptualized the new website?
GP: Bill did the lion’s share of conceptualizing. PROD is the firm that actually built the damn thing. Be on the lookout for many zany hidden surprises.
SOUND Team has had a lot of support from indie-rock blogs; how much do you think that has played into your success as a band?
GP: Hard to say. I don’t know if we feel particularly “successful” yet, and it still seems really hard to get people out to shows outside of major markets. But we’ve been encouraged that people out on the interweb seem to generally like us.
And finally, which are better: ninjas, pirates, or Vikings?
GP: Clearly the answer is B.) Pirates.
*Willis is an old friend who went to high school with Michael and Jordan from the band. Gabe wasn’t referring to Todd Bridges.
Purchase Movie Monster today wherever albums are sold. For tour dates, free MP3s, and more on the band click on any of the links:
Sound Team Official Site
Sound Team on MySpace
Posted: August 22nd, 2006 | Author: Chris Walker | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Here’s the Cliff Notes (or Spark Notes, as the kids are calling them these days) version of how Ambulette came to be: Uber-hot siren Maura Davis was in a band called Denali. Denali played ethereal, atmospheric, indie-pop-rock (or however you define it) and they were good. Just as Denali was gaining momentum with their second full-length LP, The Instinct (they even had a video for “Hold Your Breath” on MTV) the band broke up. Maura took a break and wrote new songs. Then she got together with several talented musicians from other bands like Pinebender (Stephen Howard and Matt Clark), and Heroic Doses (Ryan Rapsys) and formed Bella Lea. Bella Lea changed their name to Ambulette, signed with Astralwerks, and released an EP called The Lottery. Ambulette has toured with bands like Ours and Rainer Maria. They are gearing up to release a full studio album. You will all listen to it and I will say I told you so.
To kick off Bands and Booze Week (or weeks, as it’s turning into) I got a little Q&A session with bassist Stephen Howard from Ambulette and asked him everything from what’s his favorite bar to what fans can expect from the new album. Although Stephen doesn’t drink he gave some great answers and shed a fair amount of light on his band mates.
All right, as I mentioned this is for Chris Walker Versus: a site dedicated to out-of-bounds humor and drunken shenanigans so I’ll start with an essential question: what are your favorite drinks when you’re on the road? Or drinks in general?
Stephen Howard: Two members of the band don’t drink. Ryan drinks whatever you put in front of him. Maura drinks whisky when she sings.
You guys are all over the map regarding where you’re from so I’ll just keep it simple and ask what’s the best bar in Chicago and Richmond, respectively?
SH: Everybody in Richmond hangs out at a place called Ipanema. At least everyone I know. I can’t say what the best bar in Chicago is but the one where you’re most likely to run into us is a place called The Rainbow.
Who, out of the four of you, is the wildest drunk?
SH: Maura just laughs a lot and then throws up. Ryan acts like he’s not drunk but then ends up in Indiana while the rest of the band’s in Tennessee.
I know Maura’s gathered quite a bit of an obsessed fan base over the years, what’s the most outlandish thing a fan has done at a show?
SH: Once somebody actually paid her to punch him. It was strange. He really liked it and he did pay up. She didn’t hold back either, she really punched him.
Which city have you enjoyed the most on tour?
SH: They all start to seem the same. I like Seattle ‘cause I think it’s beautiful. New York is fun ‘cause kids come out to shows in larger numbers than other cities. San Francisco is great ‘cause of the food.
Which has been the rowdiest/craziest/drunkest band you’ve toured with, thus far?
SH: Piebald were pretty drunk. Goodlife were really drunk. They were a wonderful kind of drunk though. Lots of fun. Dredg was fun because they had a bus so there was always an afterparty. We weren’t out with them for very long. I could see trouble happening with booze, a bus, and six weeks of touring.
Touring can definitely take its toll, what are the some of the essentials you guys need in order to keep sane on the road?
SH: Brown rice, your own bed at least some of the time, and most important good shows. Good shows make all the difference.
Your band has had a crazy couple years – from name changes, signing with Astralwerks, to having your gear stolen. You’ve also had the opportunity to play with some great bands. I’m sure you’ve all grown and learned quite a bit. Do you think experiences from the road or influences from bands you’ve been with have affected the new album you’re recording?
SH: I think all the delays have actually made it a better record. We wanted to make it so long ago but nothing ever went right and things just [kept] getting pushed back. In the end though, we had time to become a better band, write more songs, get with a better producer, etc. It really worked out for the best but it was such a pain in the ass while it was going on.
I remember it was briefly mentioned on your MySpace blog a while ago but what prompted the band’s name change from Bella Lea to Ambulette?
SH: A band with a similar name forced us into the change legally.
For The Lottery you recorded an epic, slow-burning version of “If You Go Away” a French song in origin, previously performed by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones. Should fans expect any other interesting covers on your full-length LP? Furthermore, are there any covers you enjoy performing live?
SH: No more covers right now. It’s always a possibility but we’ve just been focusing on our own stuff right now. The EP was the first thing we’ve ever done. This record we’re doing right now is in our eyes such a huge leap forward. We can’t wait for it to come out.
And finally, which are better: ninjas, pirates, or Vikings?
SH: Ninjas.
The Lottery is available now on Amazon.com and iTunes. For more Ambulette follow the links:
Ambulette Official Site
Ambulette on MySpace
Posted: August 21st, 2006 | Author: Chris Walker | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Bands and Booze Week thing I’ve been working on and talking about the last two weeks is officially out of control. I might as well call it Bands and Booze Month, that’s how receptive all these bands I love have been.
I can’t thank them enough. It’s seriously overwhelming.
Regardless of how many leads and developments are going on I’m not pushing it back any more. Bands and Booze starts next Monday, as promised, with the up-and-coming rock band: Ambulette.
If they sound unfamiliar that’s okay. Ambulette is the band Maura Davis formed after her band Denali broke up. Don’t know who Maura Davis or Denali is? Don’t worry about it. Ambulette recently released their first EP, The Lottery, with a full-length album coming soon. They’re signed to Astralwerks, the home of Beth Orton, Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and Sondre Lerche, among others. They’re going to be big and they sound great. You heard it here first.
Band member Stephen Howard answered my questions and provided some cool insight on the band. If you want to get more familiar with Ambulette’s music before Monday you can find The Lottery on iTunes.
Of course, the names only get bigger after Monday. Think of it as a rock concert. It’s going to be awesome.
Posted: August 17th, 2006 | Author: Chris Walker | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »
SOUND Team are the “underground, indie-rock, blog darlings” on a major record label. Just about everyone loves them, except Pitchfork (the online music publication specializing in pretentiousness), and even then I don’t think Pitchfork can honestly deny how catchy and engaging SOUND Team tracks like “Born to Please,” “No More Birthdays,” and especially “Your Eyes Are Liars” truly are.
“Born to Please” is probably my favorite song off Movie Monster. What is your favorite song to play live and which one do you think the crowd reacts to the most? 
