With the release of her debut album, Ultraviolet, last month, Kid Sister has slapped the blogosphere silly with her right hand held high. Packing a powerful punch over twelve fun and unique tracks anchored by her first single, we wanted to get into the mind of Melisa Young.


Want to know some secrets about the Chicago chica? Read on where you can find out what's on tap for upcoming singles, where to get a rad meal and what hidden talents she posseses.

SB: Melisa! How are you?

KS: I'm good...wait, were you the one at my album release party, with the glasses? We met and I saw you in the video from it!

SB: [laughs] Yeah, that was me! I had such a blast that night. Congratulations are in order though, because your debut album, Ultraviolet, is so solid and I can't stop playing it.

KS: Aww, thank you so much. That makes me feel all nice and fuzzy inside!

SB: You're on a roll too! You just had a great show here in New York City last Friday, and recently, you were over in London to play Annie Mac's Koko Night.

KS: Yeah, let me tell you. Annie has been a really big supporter from the beginning, so now that the album is out, it just seemed fitting to go over and do a show with her.

SB: That's so rad! Well let's talk about the album then. I'm wondering if you had any fears or worries about including some of the songs, since some of them, namely your first single, Control, came out well over two and half years ago.

KS: Oh my god, no! Control is like THE song. I was like, "I need to use this to close out the album, because it's such a strong song!" So, we never had any questions about that.

SB: It is the perfect song to end on! Some of the other tracks, we hear you in a different light it seems. Namely Daydreaming and You Ain't Really Down...I mean, you are really belting it out on those ones! How did you move from the style of you being a true rapper into the realm of singing?

KS: Well it's something I've always loved doing, so I never really questioned myself with the singing. You know, as long as it feels right and it sounds good, then hey, whatever!

SB: Honestly, I think You Ain't Really Down might be my favorite cut on the album. How did you decide you wanted to do a cover of that Status 4 classic?

KS: Thanks! Um, well I've been listening to that track probably since I was about 11. So I think that it just came naturally. I've really been so much in love with Chicago house music ever since I first heard it. It just made sense for me to include it on the album, because it's SUCH a favorite of that scene. Like you can't really go out to a club here and NOT hear it. You know, pay homage to the house...and everything that came before me!

SB: Well that leads me right into the next question then. There's a definite feel to the album that you're pulling on major influences. Want to chat about who you find inspiration from?

KS: Honestly, I listened to nothing but classical until I was 11 years old! And then, I discovered house, pop and hip-hop, and basically just fused them all together. And of course, most of the music I listen to now is that mid to late 90s r&b sound. So I put them all together in one big pail and that's what I classify myself as...just a mix of so many things.

SB: Your first single on the album, Right Hand Hi, has been all over and loved by so many people. It's an absolute smash. I don't know if you could tell, but at your NYC show here, the crowd went completely bananas for it!

KS: Oh my god! [laughs] I know, they were going CRAZY!

SB: It was so awesome to witness. After a hit like that, how do you follow up? Are there plans for what the next single will be?

KS: I believe it's going to be Daydreaming.

SB: Oh, killer! I love that one so much. So aside from performing and putting the album out, I wanted to ask you about the episode of Dinner With the Band that you filmed recently.

KS: Ohhhh, yeah. Well let me break it down. It was actually filmed in August. Let me tell you, I love those boys so much, but there was no air conditioning in the house. It was soooo hot in there! So then you start cooking, and it gets even hotter. I was like "Greeeeg...it's too hot in here!" [laughs] I do love those guys and Sam, the chef, was cool too, although he's a bit of a control freak and wouldn't let me help! But I guess you kind of have to be when you have so many people in the kitchen.

SB: No doubt! Alright, just to finish up, I'm going to spout off some quick questions, and if you want to just give a quick response, we're good to go.

KS: Let's do it!

SB: Favorite spot in Chicago?

KS: Kuma's Corner. BEST hamburger place in America. Please come and visit and we'll go!

SB: [laughs] Ok! Favorite city you've ever had a show in?

KS: Well, if it's a city that's not my own, New York is always great. Oh, and LA. And I like San Francisco, and of course Austin. There's too many!

SB: If you weren't doing music, what would you be doing?

KS: I'd probably be a dog whisperer.

SB: Wait, did you just say dog whisperer? Hold on, I know we were going for short answers here, but you HAVE to explain this.

KS: Ok, well if music didn't work out, I'd probably first go back to school, get my masters, and be a social worker. BUT on the weekends, I would absolutely be a dog whisperer. I'm telling you, I can tame ANY dog. So, my dog used to be such an asshole, and she was the world's most annoying animal, and I broke her. [laughs]

SB: [laughs] I guess I don't have to ask my next question then. I was going to check to see if you had any hidden talents, but I suppose that pretty much covers it.

KS: [laughs] Oh yes. I am a dog whisperer. And also, ok, this is going to sound pretty crazy. But, I'm a little bit psychic. I get these strong hunches about things and then they come true.

SB: [laughs] You have some amazing mind control going on!

KS: [laughs] Yeah well, the psychic stuff is never anything practical though! It's like never enough to do anything cool with. Get this, I was in line for security at the airport. And there was a man standing a ways in front of me. Perfectly normal looking guy. And I got this strong feeling that he was going to have bad body odor. So, I ended up standing closer to him, and he definitely did! See...it's like useless psychic powers, it's not for anything practical! [laughs]

SB: Ok, one last question. If you had a dream duet with any artist, who would it be and why?

KS: Extreme! I want to sing More Than Words with them. [laughs] Mostly because I really want to ask them if that song is about fellatio!

SB: [laughs] Hahaha! That's the rumor!

KS: Seriously, isn't that what everyone says it's about? I need to know!

SB: Well, maybe this is where your psychic powers come into play. Try to get into the minds of Extreme and see what's up!

KS: [laughs] Oh my god, that's hilarious!

SB: On that note, I'll leave you with that task, but thanks for having a chat with me!

KS: Hey, no problem...have a good one my baby!

SB: You too!

Kid Sister's Ultraviolet is out now via Downtown. Buy it here.

mp3: Kid Sister - Big N Bad
mp3: Kid Sister vs Walter Meego - Pro Nails Forever (The Hood Internet Mash)

**EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW**
To genuinely get to know Peaches the individual, as opposed to the radically raunchy and ever so righteous on-stage persona, is to smash through the supposed "4th wall" between artist and audience. So when presented with a number of barriers and blockades, we chose to break on through and get down to the good stuff.


Long having been a fan and admirer of both the music and the woman behind her electronically fueled efforts, having the opportunity to talk with the dynamic artist was, to put it lightly, the highlight of both my blogging and adult lives.

Below, you're treated to what is lovingly dubbed, Peaches vs Sheena Beaston, a video diary of my time spent with the queen of electroclash.


Here's to hoping you've all gained a bit of insider info on Peaches. At the very least, I hope you were entertained by my slightly rudimentary editing skills.

A huge mega major rad thank you goes to Peaches for taking the time to make a little Beast's dreams come true.

mp3: Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Flaming Lips Eat Peaches Remix)

Thanks are also in order to Anthony for videotaping. God knows I was too sweaty and nervous to go it alone!

It's 11:30pm, and Maluca has just finished her set at The Fader's One Step Beyond Party at the Natural History Museum. If you think there would be any signs that the New York native was tired after a dynamic set, you'd be sorely mistaken. Known for her uniquely fast musical delivery, the Bronx cumbia songstress is a ball of energy, talking quickly about everything from jobs cutting limes to where her music is headed.


With a nod on the recent URB: 25 NOW! Artists to Watch list, Maluca is one to keep on your radar through the rest of the year and into 2010. So what's the gal have to say about her past year and rise to the top? Read on!

SB: Maluca! How are you?

MM: I'm good. Oh my god, I love your earrings!

SB: [laughs] Aw thanks! But we're not here to talk about me. Let's chat you! Were you around music growing up?

MM: Well, yeah, like I came from a really musical family. They weren't all necessarily musicians, but there was ALWAYS music in the house. When you're cleaning, in the shower, or when you're cooking. My dad actually ended up working for Best Promotions which is a music marketing company, so I remember being 7 years old and having a birthday party, and it was punk! Or at least what we though punk was!

SB: [laughs] How so?

MM: Probably cause he worked with Delicious Vinyl and that was what we were used to hearing. Then when my mother remarried, my stepfather was much into mambo and rumba and a lot of world music. I was exposed to a lot.

SB: Did you, or do you still, play any instruments?

MM: [laughs] Ok, so I would like, sing in bathrooms of restaurants, and my mother would be like "Get OUT of there muchacha!" But then I started with, you know, piano, and I think there was a flute, and then the conga. I always had my hand on something. If it wasn't a drum, it might've been a pot. And then later on when I was in college, I was actually in a group for a hot minute called the Commie Mamis. We were like the political r-and-b rap group.

SB: Music with a message?

MM: [laughs] Exactly! We were like "He's gonna get you...the system's gonna get you!"

SB: [laughs] I NEED to hear those recordings! Well how did you go from that style and sound to now, being picked up by Mad Decent?

MM: It was so random! I was working at a karaoke bar, and I was actually really shy and I didn't show anybody my music for such a long time. And my friends would be like "Yo, Maluca, you gotta do this! We're sending your stuff to Mad Decent." One day, I got inspired by Gang Gang Dance, and I thought, "Oh my god, they are fucking amazing!" So I was actually at the bar, paid my tab, went home and literally made this mambo rock beat. So we sent it over and they were like "You are so fucking weird!"

SB: [laughs] I'd take that a compliment!

MM: Right?! So they were like "Give us more!" And so then I did El Tigeraso. It was just for fun, nothing serious. I had actually never finished a song from beginning to end before. And I remember, one night when I was working at the bar, chopping lemons and limes, and someone from MD was like "Yo, do you want to perform at Fader? And by the way, we want to sign you and El Tigeraso." And all I could think was "I'm cutting LIMES, what do you want me to say? I'm doing my job!"

SB: [laughs] At that point, I think you have to say, just put down the fruit!

MM: [laughs] It was so cute, so I was like, fine! So we go to Fader, and I'm like "I need a conga, I need whistles, etc..." And my friend was like, are you crazy? This is your first show and you're already making these demands? And I thought, I am NOT just going to go out there with a DJ, that's not me and it's never been me. I love live instruments and dancing, so if I was going to do it, I had to do it right.

SB: Well you definitely have a unique sound and performance style, but what would you classify your style as?

MM: Oh, tropical punk. And punk meaning just, on the outside. Not particularly punk rock, but it's weird. Sometimes people are like "Um, we don't get it...it's not real", and I say "Well, ok, look at all the people who follow me, THEY think it's real, and you just missing out!"

SB: Precisely! So what happens next for you now? You;ve got all of ONE song out there, which caught so much fire, but when we can expect more music?

MM: Well the next song I'm going to put out is called Posers. And it's a track I did with Nguzunguzu, and they're from LA. So we're just trying to finish that up...speaking of which, there's my dad. [calls out] Hey Dad...come say hi!

SB: Say hi, Dad!

DAD: Hi dad!

ALL: [laughs]

MM: My dad inspires me and gives a lot of advice with my music. Like who I should work with and all that.

SB: So what does dad think about what you've got going on now?

DAD: I think it's awesome. Her live performances actually sound a lot better than anything else. Big Bad Bangs...THAT'S the hit.

SB: Oh really? When can we hear that one?

MM: It should be soon actually! We're just finshing up mastering it and it'll be ready before the end of the year. I think once the new year hits, I'm going to come out with a couple more new songs.

SB: Awesome! And will you continue doing more live shows to support the new material coming out?

MM: Yeah! I'm going to Australia in a week or so. Then I'll come back home for a bit before going out to LA to do a few shows out there. I like LA...they show me so much love. I actually just got done doing a ton of shows during CMJ. I performed at Santos and a ton of other places. And what's cool with that is, someone called me the "Dora the Explorer" of music, because I expose so many different people to this new and weird, eclectic sound. People will be like, "I don't know what a merengue is, but I like it!" And all these new people just get into it. I think my stuff goes well beyond the Latin community or the urban community. It's very universal. I reference hip-hop, and drum and bass, rock...it's just all accessible.

SB: From what I've heard so far, it definitely is. I can't wait to hear more new stuff from you! And thanks so much for taking the time to talk!

You can watch a video of Maluca performing Culebra here, from her recent trip to the Dominican Republic. Also, the official video for El Tigeraso will be out soon, and you can be sure we'll have it as soon as it's available.

mp3: Maluca - El Tigeraso (Nguzunguzu Remix)

Ever since bursting into the international spotlight with their megasmash, Move Ya Body, Nina Sky have been easily associated with club bumping bangers and dancefloor fillers. It's now been 5 years since the girls first jumped onto the scene, and there's a certian maturity that stands the test of time. I recently chatted with Nicole and Natalie about growing up in New York City, writing and recoring their upcoming album and how hustling is a vital part of their success.


SB: Hey Nicole and Natalie! Are you guys in New York right now?

Nicole: Yeah, we are. We both still live in New York too.

SB: Born and raised in Queens though, right?

Natalie: Yeah we grew up in Astoria.

SB: That's actually where I live!

Nicole: Oh nice! Where are you at?

SB: I'm on [xxx] Street and [xxx] Avenue.

Nicole: That's cool. I actually live in Brooklyn now, but Natalie still lives in Queens.

SB: Growing up in Queens, you were raised with music all around you. When did you know that you wanted to do music as a career, or rather, when did you see that as the path that you were going to take?

Nicole: Well our mom started bringing us on auditions when we were 14, but we've been singing since we were like, um, 7? But yeah, probably 14 was when we decided we wanted to devote time to this and really take it serious.

SB: Did you also play instruments growing up, or was it primarily just singing?

Nicole: Well I mean, we never really played instruments early on, but when I was 13, I started dj'ing. And then when I was 16, I was like "Yeah, I wasnt to learn how to play the guitar and conga." So it's kind of been self-taught.


SB: Did you look to any artists as influences coming up? Growing up in such a culturally diverse borough just outside of Manhattan, I'm sure you were exposed to so many different styles of music.

Nicole: Well, growing up in New York City, it's like, no matter where you're at, you're hearing music...all different genres of music. So much good freestyle and a lot of old school. Like anything from Madonna to Bob Marley and The Police. Like everything was in our household, but being in the city, every street corner had a different vibe. Someone we were really influenced by was our stepfather, because he was a DJ and introduced us to a lot of music.

SB: That's so awesome. Your first album, it came out 5 years, I think, right?

Natalie: Yeah, it was a while ago.

SB: So what's been going on in that time span? It's like yeah, we've heard some bits and pieces of new stuff floating around, and it's easy to pinpoint some of the side projects you've done, but what have you been focusing on during that time?

Natalie: Well, we're always recording, on top of traveling the world. And Nicole also DJ's. So she'll do a night where she DJ's and I host. I mean, we've definitely been recording a lot. We spent a lot of time finishing the new album.

SB: Have you set an official release date for it yet?

Nicole: Well...we don't exactly have the offical date down yet, but we're at a point where we finally feel like we love all the music. We've been recording it for so long. In the beginning, we used to be signed to Universal Records, and everyone had their own opinion of what we should sound like, you know. And after the success of Move Your Body, everyone was quick to say, "Oh you have to do another song like that!" But why would we want to re-create something that was already a hit? And that wasn't what we wanted to do. So we were just going back and forth with the label, and finally we just got in the studio after a few months of not recording at all, and it was like, "Yo, we're just going to do what we want to do, and just make music we love. Whatever inspires us, that's what we're going to do." And finally, we've had all these songs, and we worked with all these ill producers. And now we have this album that we feel is ready. We're finally ready to release this. Like, On Some Bullshit was the first song we released on our own. We shot the video on our own, like seriously, paid for it all ourselves. So now it's just about getting the label push, and making it happen. But yeah, we're really excited about it.

SB: That's awesome!

Nicole: Sorry to be so long winded!

SB: Oh man, no worries! It definitely proves that you are so passionately behind everything you do and there's that dedication to what you want people to see and hear and how you're viewed along with it.

Nicole: A lot of people forget how important it is to grind from the bottom up! Like that, for Nina Sky, is like if you sit back and believe that everyone is going to do something for you, you might as well just choose another career. Everything in this industry starts from the bottom...

"If you're not grinding down below, you're gonna be lost, because everyone is still grinding at the top too."

Everything that we do, we're so hands on. You know, when the album does get released, we're going to be so proud of it, because we put so much time and not just work, but fucking, money and everything...it's like it really is a "Nina Sky project".

SB: I seriously can't wait to hear all the new material. Hearing a few songs here and there has been so rad, but when the new stuff drops, I'm going to be so psyched!

Natalie: Cool! Yeah, we can't wait.

SB: Aside from your own material, I guess the thing that most people might currently associate you with is the Major Lazer project. How did you end up getting together with Diplo and Switch?

Natalie: You know what, I got an email from a friend of mine who knew Diplo. And they were like, "Listen, Diplo's doing this new album, and he's actually going to be in his studio in the city. Do you guys have time to go into the studio and meet with him?" And of course, we were like, yeah dope! We think he's mad ill, so we went in and we just vibed out. He was just like, "I'm working on this new album, and we want to do some dance shit with you guys". We got in there and the vibe was really dope, and that's just what came out of it. We recorded Keep It Goin' Louder...actually we did so many different versions of it, and he's released another version of it, that actually has a couple extra parts that aren't on the original. The energy was just so good and the vibe was there. Just to spend those 2 days with him, the energy was so ill. He's so talented.

SB: Yeah, I was going to mention his own remix of the song, because I actually heard it playing on the runway during, I think, one of the Louis Vuitton shows during fashion week in France!

Natalie: [laughs] Yeah, we were so super excited by that!

SB: Did you guys know that was going to be used?

Nicole: No! I guess they just have someone that picks the songs and it's so ill that they used that!

SB: You've been doing some of the live shows with Major Lazer...and they're all headed out to LA for a Halloween show. Are you going to be traveling with them to perform out there too?

Natalie: No, we have a couple more dates with them, but we actually won't be out in LA for that one.


SB: Aside from working with other producers and writers, what's it like during your songwriting process? Do you find that either of you tends to dominate or take the lead when it comes to how songs are arranged or translated from the earliest ideas?

Natalie / Nicole: Well, we...no, you go...[laughs]

Nicole: We usually take opposite sides of the room and just write and then we come together and decide, you know, which parts are better. Or what we're going to use for a verse, or which lyrics work better for a chorus. We definitely put our egos aside. It's not about who's going to write it, it's more about what is going to sound better. [laughs] I think by now, we make a pretty good team.

SB: You've got so much going on with writing, recording and performing. What's one thing you like to do to just take some time and step away from it all?

Natalie: Our spot, I mean, we have a favorite restaurant we go to, but we're not the ones that you'll find out in the clubs every night. I wouldn't say that like, there's a specific party we always go to. You know, we're not those girls. When we're not recording, you know, usually we're just at home, and spending time with our family. I mean, we do host a monthly party, but aside from that, we don't really go out that much.

Nicole: BO-O-O-RING!

SB: [laughs] That's understandable though. For someone in your position, to constantly be seen out every night must be a hassle.

Nicole: Honestly, there was a time about a year ago, where we were everywhere. But we've definitely calmed down over the last year. Everything with the album and just focusing on our next big move is more important than "Oh, where are we gonna be seen, and who's going to see us?"

SB: So from here on out then, what's next? Obviously the album is the main thing, but what about other performances...

Natalie / Nicole: We...I think.../In the next...[laughs]

Nicole: Sometimes it's hard when we're not in the same room. [laughs]

Natalie: [laughs] In the next week, we have a Seventeen Style Mix tour that we're on...so we're headed down to a mall in Maryland coming up on Saturday. Then we've got a show at a college in Jersey with Sean Kingston the following week.

SB: Always on the grind!

Natalie / Nicole: [laughs] Yeah, always.

SB: Well, I just want to thank you for taking the time to talk. I know you're busy with the album coming up and everything else you're involved with, so it's super appreciated!

mp3: Nina Sky - Beautiful People (Stevie P Remix)

Sydney native, Via Tania, is a self-described outsider, but she's quick to note, "I've always been quite comfortable with it, though." Tania's quiet confidence is best on display with new album, Moon Sweet Moon, a collection songs ranging from whispered melodics to theatrically placed intonations.


We wanted to get to know the woman behind the mysteriously intriguing music, so we had a little chat with Tania to talk about her early musical career through this latest release.

SB: You've been playing music since an early age, more so rooted in the underground noise pop scene. What were your earliest musical inspirations to get you started?

VT: There were some bands I enjoyed going to see play live, that were based in Sydney ,and I was able to see them play throughout the 90s. The Hummingbirds, Ratcat, The Falling Joys to name a few. It was a good scene when I started to see live bands, I was underage but that didn't stop me, I really loved it. I loved seeing the women in these bands rock out too, but still be totally feminine about it. It really was great because up until then Australia suffered from a very macho pub rock scene and there were women here and there like Lindy Morrison (Go Betweens) before that but for the most part I wasn't aware of too many indie rock ladies. The other inspiration was my sister Kim who was older and just spent time working out cool songs on the guitar. She taught me to play by ear.

SB: After playing in the band SPDFGH (which was a facet of that early 90s postpunk scene), your style changed when you began working on solo efforts that focused more on an ethereally based sound. How and what sparked the transition from one genre to this, which is so drastically different?

VT: After a few years of playing this kind of garagey pop music I began to feel the need to balance it out with my own songs that didn't really suit the band format. I often only listened to music when it was late out and getting ready to fall asleep so naturally folky stuff was what I was listening to. I can't say I was ever hell bent on making it ethereal. It just sort of went that way. But the timing was also right, just at the end of SPDFGH days I met Tony Dupé who was beginning to make records in an old beach house on the coast of NSW, a great location and there was no pressure, no money and no one really knew we were making stuff. It was a perfect first experience to do some solo songs.

SB: Your solo debut came out in 2004. Now, 5 years later, the sophomore album, Moon Sweet Moon, is ready for release. Was this album all of the 5 years in the making and what was the process like in getting this album to where you wanted it to be?

VT: It indeed took a long time to make but it was more stopping the project, starting it again that stretched it out...

I'd record, run out of money, think about what to do next. Relocate, start that all again.

The project only really started shaping up to be it's own little record when Craig agreed to mix it. Before then it was a collection of songs and tracks that went in every which way and direction. A lot changes in 5 years! But, mixing and editing I think is where the real magic happens, that transforms songs and ideas into a record.

SB: Speaking of Craig [Ross] (who's done projects with Emmylou Harris and Spoon) on this album. Can you talk a little about the process of collaborating with him?

VT: He has a studio in Austin TX he built with friends, which has a great vibe. Collaborating with him was like working with a musician that I could trust. He has a melodic ear but he also had a great sense of who I was and what I wanted to say with that record. Also, he pushed me to cut stuff and start again which I enjoyed.


SB: Self-described as "moon pop", can you elaborate on why this is a fitting descriptor of your music?

VT: I love phrases with "moon" in them. I like the idea of the moon. I like moon imagery. I make pop music.

SB: You've played bass, along with singing, in your previous works. Do you play anything on this album?

VT: I think bass on a song, ukulele on most. And some guitar and keyboards.

SB: When was the last time you were in NYC? You're getting ready to head here for CMJ next week!

VT: I was in NYC to play last June I think. I do come to New York a few times a year for various things. I have Thanksgiving there too! I'm looking forward to a new experience with CMJ. I'm kind of curious about it.

Well, we're also itching to catch Via Tania during her stretch here next week. And if you want to see what a live moon pop experience is, check her out at the following spots.

October 22 - Le Poisson Rouge
October 23 - Norwood Showcase
October 24 - Joe’s Pub

mp3: Via Tania - Wonder Stranger

Any typical evening at the stroke of midnight, the American Museum of Natural History simply houses ancient artifacts and a hush of quiet within it's gated entry. Last Friday night/Saturday morning, however, the iconic building held a throbbing crowd of eager kids, in attendance for Amanda Blank's set at One Step Beyond.


This summer has belonged to Blank, with the release of her debut album, I Love You, causing a wave of fanaticism through a teaming sea of blogs. She's hit NYC 3 prior times since early June, but tonight, she proved that she's "something bigger and something better" with an always energetic set, that easily eclipsed prior powerful performances.


I had the pleasure to talk with "litle girl Amanda" after her set. Known for her lightning quick rapping style, her conversational flow is just as fast, speaking on everything from her days as a "gothic gangstress" to a recent trip to the doctor. Let's roll!

SB: Amanda! How are you?

AB: Sheena! Or well Han...wait...you're not...hold on, your hair! It's so different from when we first met up earlier this summer. It looks so fucking cool!

SB: [laughs] What's left of it on the one side anyway. [laughs] Yeah, it was a recent decision, but it's still me!

AB: [laughs] Oh my god, it looks so good.

SB: [laughs] Aw, well thanks. But we're here to talk about you not me! It's so evident that you're majorly on the rise. You're like the proverbial "woman of the hour".

AB: Oh, you're so sweet...thanks. Tonight was cra-a-a-zy! My label is here and so many of my New York friends came out to celebrate too.

SB: I promise I won't keep you long then. Let's start by talking about your style of music. For so many years, you were known as a featured guest on other artists' records, but you've been creating and defining your own sound since back to the days when you were performing with Sweatheart, which was such a rad collaboration.

AB: OH, if you saw us now, there are SEVEN of us. And the music is just growing and growing.

SB: That's awesome. Now, as a solo artist, your signature style is on display without anyone else for people to point fingers at. Was this the path you saw your music taking?

AB: Well see, I was always this party chick who was like "half goth" and "half hip-hop", so you'd see me at the club with my dark hair and clothes while rocking a set of Timbs. ALWAYS with the Timberlands. I think that ever since I did my first performance when I was 18 that I knew this was how it would be...how I wanted it to sound.

SB: It translates well; the album is so solid! In support of it [I Love You], you're doing a ton of touring. What's it like to constantly be performing your debut material?

It's a really cool pain in the ass!

AB: Honestly [laughs] in the best way possible, it's a pain in the ass! [laughs] No, no let me explain cause that sounds awful. Yeah, I have been performing night after night, and I love doing it. But it does wear on you physically. So much so, that I lost my voice yesterday and had to get a steroid shot in my butt! See, NOW it doesn't sound so terrible. [laughs] But I love being on stage. It's a really cool pain in the ass. [laughs]

SB: I can imagine it's all worth it though...especially now that you're going to be jumping on tour with Peaches!

AB: Oh my god, I know! Can you believe it?

SB: Dude, you have no idea how stoked I was when I heard that announced. How in the world did you get hooked up with her?

AB: Well like anyone within the genre, or hell, in music in general, for us, she's such a legendary icon. And I had the opportunity to meet her. We talked about my music and she said she was a fan.

SB: What a compliment!

AB: I know, right? So she goes "Oh, I'm going to bring you on tour with me...", and naturally you'll have your doubts. Like "OK, yeah right, whatever. People say things like that all the time. There's no way she can be serious." So when she called a few weeks later and was actually set on having me come along, it's like...

"HELLO, it's Peaches. You can't say yes fast enough!"

SB: I can imagine that would be the case. Such an honor!

AB: It is! I think that the first date is, wait..yeah, I start with her back here in New York in November. You better be there!

SB: Duh, of course! I wouldn't miss it.

AB: [laughs] Good, we'll all kick it next month!

SB: Rad! I'll let you get back to your crew now, but thanks for letting me steal you away for a bit. It's totally appreciated!

AB: No problem...remember, next month!

SB: I'm on it! [laughs]



mp3: Amanda Blank vs The Twelves - Night Like You Better (REMIX86 Mash)

As the title of their sophomore album suggests, Dragonette are equipped to excite fans on their North American tour this fall. Fixin to Thrill ranges from the uniquely introspective to the fearsome and fiery fistpumpers that listeners have come to know and love from the London-cum-Canada quartet.


Earlier this year, I sat with Martina and Dan prior to both their New York City show as well as their album being released. Now with the offering available for purchase, it was time to chat about post-album news, touring the world, and talking turkey and shower secrets.

SB: Hey Martina, it’s Hannah with Sheena Beaston, how are you!

MS: I’m good, how are you?

SB: All good here as well. It’s been some time since we talked back in June when you were here in NYC.

MS: I knoooow. It’s been a while!

SB: How’s the band doing?

MS: Swimmingly.

SB: [laughs] I love that word as a descriptor! Where are you guys at right now…in Canada, if I’m not mistaken, right?

MS: Yeah, I’m in Toronto. I’m actually in the club we played at last night, because I think [long pause] I lost my cellphone!

SB: Oh no, that’s such a bummer! Where did you play last night?

MS: We played at this place called The Mod Club. Thankfully, we don’t have a show tonight though, because it’s actually Canadian Thanksgiving!

SB: Oh no way! How does that differ from the American holiday?

MS: It’s basically the same, with I think, less shopping. Maybe more eating in that case! Yeah, I don’t think there’s the emphasis on shopping like there is down there.

SB: Yeah, the day after Thanksgiving is complete madness and mayhem. They call it “Black Friday”!

MS: Yeah, we do NOT do that. It’s much more calm. Definitely JUST about eating.

SB: I’m so all about that. Looks like I’m coming up there for Thanksgiving next year. [laughs] Anyway, let’s chat about the album now. It just came out last week and it’s a really solid listen. Most noticeably, there are a few songs where you’ve stepped outside of your typical sound, for example, with “Easy”. Can you talk about that for a bit?

MS: Yeah, I’m glad you mentioned that one. I guess…well…it’s the one song that is the most deeply emotional thing that we’ve written together. It was just…it was written at a hard time in our relationship.

SB: It definitely shows in the way that the song is laid out. Actually, everyone I’ve talked to that’s already listened to it [Fixin to Thrill] is quick to bring that song up as an album highlight.

MS: Oh, I’m so excited! I hope it becomes a single or something, because I feel like the imagery that could go along with it is so easily cinematic.


SB: So do you have plans for the next single or what might be released from the album next?

MS: I honestly don’t know. I haven’t really talked to anyone else about it yet, and it’s more of us doing the performing right now. I don’t like to press those things for some reason, because I feel like it makes me stress out! If I want to focus on the performances, and then get all tied up with the business side of it immediately, it’s too much.

SB: Totally understandable. Well then speaking of performances…when you played Mercury Lounge earlier this summer, one song stuck out and was immediately dubbed a hit by myself and other tastemakers at the show...

MS: I know what you’re going to say.

SB: ...think it was called “Get Your Titties Off My Things”…

MS: [laughs] Yeah, that’s the one!

SB: What happened to that song? I couldn’t help but be bummed out that it didn’t make the final album cut!

MS: I know, I know! [laughs] We played around with it a little bit, and with a whole bunch of different, y’know, collections of the songs that we had. And at that time, it just seemed that the way we had the album arranged was just right, so maybe we’ll just use those other songs in other ways. Yeah, I don’t know, like you just make a decision and stick by it. You don’t know whats right or wrong. There’s actually another song called “Our Summer of Sex” and I really really like that one and I love performing it, but that’s another one that didn’t make it on the record either. But, it doesn’t mean that we wont do anything with them…oh, they’ll come out.

SB: You should put them out as B-Sides!

MS: Yeah, I was thinking we could even put it out as a bonus track on one of the releases in another territory!

SB: Oh please do! I kept raving about this “amazing song” we heard at the show and I have no proof or anything to show for it!

MS: Well maybe we’ll do a Sheena Beaston exclusive and get you the track!

SB: Dude! You have no idea how rad that would be.

MS: Ok, well I’ll figure that out then.

SB: You just made my day! [laughs] In support of the album, you’re on a huge tour right now. And you’ve got Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees with you for the Canada leg, right?

MS: I think it was a 2 years ago...no wait, like a year ago-ish in Halifax. We played a free show there and they, she, opened up for us. And, uh, I don't know, we just had a really good time with them. What happened was our agent gave us a list of options for support acts and I was like "Oh yeah, these people were fun!" They're just really great people to hang out with too.

SB: Are you bringing anyone with you on the US leg of the tour?

MS: Wait, are we? I don't know. Hold on. Dan's here now too. [to Dan] What's happening with the US tour again...

DK: No, we don't have anyone with us for the US.

MS: Oh! We don't have any!

SB: So its all about Dragonette then.

MS: I guess it is. Dan says hi!

SB: [laughs] Back at him! After you kick it "solo style" in the States, you're headed right out of the country again...

MS: Yep, first we hit "western Europa". We're actually hitting Berlin for the first time ever, which is so amazing. Then we go to Madrid and Barcelona and a bunch of other cities before moving on to Australia.


SB: Sounds rad! Ok, before I leave you, I have to drop this last bit in. I actually sent a message out to my twitter followers earlier today, asking if anyone had a question that they'd like to be answered by you.

MS: Oh you did? That's so cool!

SB: Yep! First question comes from Jeremiah in Omaha, NE. I know that we kind of touched on this already, but he wants to know if there is any one song on the album that you feel a special connection with.

MS: I guess I like different songs for different reasons. I think "Gone Too Far" is special to me. I always go for the songs that surprise me, kind of like the ones that have had the least amount of "trying and trying and trying"; the ones that kind of surprise you and are like "HEY, I'm your new song!", and that was "Gone Too Far" for me. It was exciting and wacky and a little bit country, [laughs], a little bit of a hoedown. I don't know, I just love playing that one live. I love hearing it, and I'm super proud of it. And then I really like the song "Come On Be Good". It's just really mellow and just kind of different from anything else on the album.

SB: Very cool. The second and last question through twitter is a bit "out there" but here we go. Slaughterbrains wants to know what your favorite kind of shampoo is!

MS: [laughs] Oh really? [laughs]

SB: I told him I would ask you!

MS: [laughs] You know what? I hate shampoos that smell like girls, and so I've just discovered Doctor Bronner's Magic Everything Soap! You can wash your hair, your armpits and your punani. It's all in one, and it's minty and it tingles EVERYWHERE. It makes your hair look like you just got out of the ocean which is ideal.

SB: Oh, beach hair is my favorite!

MS: Yeah, Doctor Bronner's. We're giving him some good publicity right now, aren't we?

SB: We totally are. Well thanks for taking the time to talk. Good luck on the tour and I'll see you in November at Santos here in New York.

MS: Great! Make sure you pack the house for us!

SB: Will do. [laughs]

It's always a pleasure to have a chat with Tina. We get to know a little more about her and the band every time we talk. Until next time, we'll wait for the invite to Canadian Thanksgiving next year. We can even swap gifts. I'll bring the magic soap and they can hit us up with the exclusive track we talked about...ha!

In all seriousness, many thanks yet again.

mp3: Dragonette - Fixin to Thrill (Chris Fraser Remix)
mp3: Dragonette - Gone Too Far

"It's a false colored world...now where do you fit in?" wonders Juliette Lewis on the song, Suicide Dive Bombers, from her recently released album, Terra Incognita. Given the opportunity to sit and chat with this dynamo, lends an abundance of answers to thoughts and wonderings on everything from her music to her independent spirit, on and off the stage.


With a charismatic propensity for adventure and passion, Juliette Lewis enters the green room with an addicting presence, a large smile, and an even bigger set of red feathered shoulderwings.

SB: Let me just start by saying I'm beyond excited to be sitting down with you so some "superfan" tendencies will come out and you might have to ignore any involuntary outbursts or freak outs.

JL: [laughs] That's ok, I'm a little that way too.

SB: Oh good, so we can spaz out together! In lieu of that notion, I'll start with a most random question first. Who was the last person you high-fived?

JL: Oh...hmm. Actually it was today, and it was Shirley. We sometimes high-five each other, well, A LOT in my band.

SB: It's such a simple gesture but it's like a universal "Hell yeah, you're accepted!" maneuver.

JL: And it's a giving of energy. It's like this quick thing but it takes you this special energy to do it and that's why I love it.

SB: Rad! So if a high-five is a favorable action, on the flipside, what would be something, say like "the most embarrassing thing that's happened while you were on stage"?

JL: Well, here's one of my perverse pleas...I guess it's BECOME my perverse pleasure. I wonder if I coined that phrase? But um, what's the word, um, the more uncomfortable something is, I relish in it, no matter how odd it is. So I don't think it becomes embarrassing for me. But one time, only one time, and knock on wood, I fell. So I tripped, cause I usually wobble on my feet, like look at these boots. They're taped! I need to buy some new ones. And you know, I cannot have heels bigger than this. So yeah, I tripped before. OH! You know, sometimes I just make up stuff when I'm talking. Especially when I'm jetlagged. Like my mind and my words can't catch up with my thoughts. And...

...I'll be mid-song and say,
"YEAH! You came out here and...rock, let's go do, and what!"
Then I blank and stutter...

SB: I know what you mean! I'm the self-described "champion of making up my own words and phrases." Even the way I compose reviews, etc...people have become accustomed to my own slang and lingo.

JL: I love that! I make up my own words too...all the time!

SB: So what's the best word you've made up then?

JL: I think I made up "romanticist", but you know, no, I think it actually came from a Sam Shepherd play. He said "romanticist", but wait, then that is a real word, right?

SB: I think it might be legit, BUT, it's also the first time I think I've ever heard it used.

JL: We'll let that one slide then. Well wait...so what's your word then?

SB: [laughs] I don't know that it's the best, but I used the word "plethoricality" in a piece I wrote last week, to describe how someone had this essence of always giving more than is necessary.

JL: Oooh...I LIKE that!

SB: You know, sometimes it just makes sense given the context, and if people can follow along with that sentiment, then great!

JL: It's like an "over abundance of plethora". I really like that. Plethoricality. Yeah!


SB: I'm glad we're on the same page with that one! Now that we've discussed linguistics, I guess we can talk about the new album now...

JL: Oh no wait! I HAVE to tell you my one word, that's real, but that I've been using a lot. I tell people that I'm an "emotionalist". Cause they're like "Are you an actor, are you a singer..." and I just say, "I am an emotionalist". One that plays and deals with emotions, and molds it, and expresses it. That's the through line. Rather than being one way or the other...you're always going to have to deal with emotions.

"I am an emotionalist. One that plays and deals with emotions, and molds it, and expresses it."

SB: Speaking of emotions then, with this new album, there's a very different tone to it, in relation to your early material. Was this a result of working with Omar [Rodriguez-Lopez], from The Mars Volta? If you could just talk about how that relationship came about...

JL: We met in Japan, at a festival called Fuji Rock. And naturally, I was totally intimidated by him, cause he's a virtuoso guitar player, and, as I've come to learn, a great composer. He sees and hears music in a kind of "connected to the gods" way. And so my tour manager says, "Why don't you ask him to produce your record?" And I knew I needed a producer who could help translate "me" and all of my facets. Not someone who would just go "Yeah, you're a rock chick, we'll do rock with you!" That's not what it is. So for like 2 months, I didn't call him, cause I thought "oh, he's going think he's too good for me"...but when we talked on the phone, it was like 2 kindred spirits. We bonded over Fellini movies. We actually see music in a similar way; where he sometimes sees music he makes as characters, in a real visual sense. And people have been telling me, that this record is the most cinematic. Like you listen to a song called Romeo, and for me, the guitars make me think of being underwater, and these sounds ricocheting, and it supports the lyric in the song, "Across the sea...where the night dances...you follow me", and he created music that surrounds that story.

SB: It's definitely a noticeable feature with this album. From my perspective, the Licks' albums were more associated with that "rock'n'roll party all the time" mentality, and not to say there's a disconnect to this point, but there's an obvious maturation in every aspect of it. There's so much of this living, breathing, dark and brooding soul to it [Terra Incognita].

JL: You're dead on! I think the ultimate goal was really to express these colors of myself. I wanted to relay this duality of myself that I didn't know how to do before. I'm an incredibly joyful person to others, but that's uh, um, undercurrent. There's melancholy and longing and fucking pain that's deep...it runs really deep. So you have these contrasts. Like at the end of the year [last year], my band was breaking up and I broke up with a love. I was feeling alienated and displaced. Also, our government was changing. All of these things played a part into where I was going and I said to myself, "Do I HAVE a future?"; as an artist, you have to create your own future all the time. You have to push it, and say "What am I going to do today to generate creativity?", especially in music. This thing doesn’t run if I don't have some sort of occasion for it. And because I'm not a pop artist, and am so independent to the core, I was like "Well, I don't want to get lazy", and the truth is, the Licks, when I started, THOSE were my tastes!

SB: You can't deny what you need to communicate...if that's what needs to come through at the moment.

JL: Honestly, I actually wanted to be a keyboard band initially! [laughs] But then I found my heart, as this sort of real gritty, uh, uh, rhythm rocker, cause my partner, Todd, came from punk with this real hooky driven music. And then I started writing on piano...and it was TERRIFYING. When I was a kid, I was so critical of my voice. So a lot of these new songs have this space that allows that voice just to sing; and it's really exposing. But I wanted to do that. I wanted to feel that vulnerability, and sort of uncover that pain, and it doing that, it became my strength.

SB: I'm glad you mentioned muscialities at a young age, because as well known as you are as an actress, and having been seen in that light for so many years...it almost begs the question if there was one "aha!" moment when you knew you had to be doing music.

JL: It did come, because I was writing with my friend, Jimmy, when I was 22. We were writing songs. And then I had a drug problem that I had to really nip in the bud, if I wanted to live. [laughs] So 22, quit drugs! [laughs] I hate when a journalist gets it wrong, like "Yeah, she just quit drugs 5 years ago!", and I'm like no, that's not how it happened.

SB: Don't worry, I got it. Quit drugs when you were 22. I'll print it exactly!

JL: [laughs] Yeah yeah! It was a long time ago! It's been over a decade. Anyway, so I was just writing, and writing ALL the time. Even Suicide Dive Bombers [from the new album] stemmed from a lyric that I wrote when I was 23, that says "they were selling tickets to your funeral". Yeah, that was the lyric, and I'd always remembered it. And that's what's so funny about your mind, you'll remember, and you'll just sort of store it...so anyway long story short...I was writing songs with a bunch of different friends. I got with Linda Perry, and that was my first time having a mentor, where someone who is as wonderful as she is (a great vocalist and songwriter herself), just brought me out a little bit more. So I wrote a few songs that were on the EP, and it was right before I turned 30, I was like "Wow, I'm going to look back at 50 and go, wait WHY wasn't I writing and singing...WHY didn't I do that? Cause I didn't know how? Well, fuck that! Find out how and make it happen!"

SB: Exactly...what's the worst that could happen? You can say you tried, rather than not having thrown yourself into it at all.

JL: That's the truth. Simply put.


SB: In mentioning [Linda] Perry as a mentor, I'd love to get your reaction to being asked to open for Cat Power and The Pretenders on tour this summer. I actually caught you at SummerStage. I think it was literally [temperature-wise] the hottest day this year!

JL: [laughs] Well, let me tell you. First off, there were many stages to that, because this was my first main tour with the name change, a new sound, a new band...so when Chrissie Hynde, you know, The Pretenders took me on, I was just like...honestly, it was tears. And then secondly, to watch her, we bonded the first day. We were actually talking about our t-shirts, and we traded! She was like "I love the bull!" [on the JL t-shirts]. But I would watch her on the side of the stage, and just think, "Wow, I could have a future here", because witnessing her, someone who is so ageless, this artist who is so full of power...her songs are not dated, and they are still amazing. So that tour was just a dream. Cat Power, Chan, was just incredible and lovely, to the point where you just want to snuggle with her. She's so sweet and talks really soft.

SB: I know! There's no way anyone could ever have a bad word to say about her.

JL: No not at all! But it was a great tour. And I'm still really really inspired by it. We need to get on something like that again. Like I said, it was a dream.

SB: On that note, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to sit and talk with me, because honestly, this has been a dream of MINE for quite some time.

JL: You're so sweet...I feel like I need to give you something.

SB: Not necessary at all. This has been my pleasure.

JL: Well, at least I can give YOU a high five to bring it full circle.

::high-fives::

A very special thank you to Juliette for tkaing time out of her hectic schedule to grant this wish of mine. It's truly appreciated and will be a cherished and honored memory. Juliette Lewis' Terra Incognita is available now through iTunes, along with other major outlets.

mp3: Juliette Lewis - All Is For Good
mp3: Juliette and The Licks - You're Speaking My Language

Last night, Frankmusik entered New York City with a fistful of dancepop, ready to be thrown onto an eager crowd. This being the Londoner's first show in this grand town, he was eager, he was dynamic, and he put on a show that wowed this initially hesitant blogger.


After hearing Frankmusik's self-titled debut album, it's easy to praise the tight production and slinky arrangements. So yes, I was curious as to how that would transform into a live stage show.

I never should have had such doubts, because Frankmusik's performance last night at The Fillmore, part of the Perez Hilton Presents...tour, was a 20 minute ball of firepowered energy and charisma. Beginning with a beatboxed intro (yes, he was a former mc magician, known as Mr. Mouth), FM aka Vincent Turner made the kiddos dance with hits 3 Little Words, Better Off As Two and Confusion Girl, before ending with his rousing rendition of Rihanna's Please Don't Stop the Music.

After his set, I caught up with Turner to have a brief ol' chat.


SB: Congrats on your first New York City performance! Your set was so energetic, that even the kids up in the balcony wouldn't stop dancing!

FM: Thank you. This is actually my first time ever being in New York.

SB: Oh, so you've never even visited here before?

FM: No! First performance and first time here. It's great. I love this place.

SB: What did you think of the crowd tonight?

FM: They were on. Very good.

SB: This is your last night on the Perez Tour, and then you hit California to finish up September. What's set to happen once you head back home?

FM: Recording. Will be done with the new album in 3 months time.

SB: New album? Amazing! Are you doing all the recording in London?

FM: Actually, what I'm planning is to come back to the States and record it all over here in various cities. And then I'm moving to New York.

SB: I'll be sure to tell the city to take good care of you. Thanks for your time!


So yep, there it is. New musik of the Frank variety will be coming soon, and he's also jumping the pond to bring up residency right here! Get your dancing shoes ready.

mp3: Dead Disco - Youre Out (Frankmusik Remix)

If ever there was a sign of a socially networkable opportunity in which to interact with an artist, then Imogen Heap has locked down the formula for success. Using a variety of platforms, most notably with twitter, Heap has secured an outlet in which to communicate with fans, ultimately giving this lucky blogger a chance to spend an intimate evening with the eccentrically gifted English singer and songwriter.


With the release of her beautifully constructed album, Ellipse, on August 24, Heap took to her twitter account to announce that she had 3 spots left for her Letterman appearance that night. Impulsively, I replied, and a swift response followed that I was in. Not only for said television taping, but also for a private listening party, in which Heap also streamed and chatted live with fans, as she took questions, eDanced and played songs both old and new.

SB: Thank you so much for the invitation through twitter to join you tonight! I was so excited to get such a quick reply from you. I left work in a mad dash to run over to the theater for your taped performance on Letterman.

IH: Oh, well you're very welcome. So you were at the show then, right? I messed up the second line in the song, but I don't think anyone could really notice, did you?

SB: No, I didn't! Haha.

IH: Good on you then. We won't tell anyone else.

SB: First off, Ellipse is such a masterfully crafted album. I simply keep playing it on repeat. You received such praise for Speak For Yourself and iMegaphone, so was it hard to follow up with something that might need to live up to your past works?

IH: I think because I put so much time and effort into this release that I didn't really care what anyone would say. I kept going back over and over these songs and my own perfectionism and pressures are what made the recording process a bit longer than normal.

SB: Were there any specific themes or central ideas that you based this album around?

IH: Well, the biggest thing for this was...the other albums, I was always dating someone when I was writing and recording them. For this one, I was single. And it's an entirely diffferent experience when all you have is yourself and your feelings.

"At night you crawl into bed alone, and well, who do you give those emotions to when you're not with someone?"

SB: What do you have planned now that the album is out? Any tours in the works?

IH: No, no tours as of yet. I feel as though I just finished the album, so a proper break is in order, so there will be sleep. Lots and lots of sleep. Obviously by myself...haha.

Many thanks to Imogen Heap for being completely gracious in hosting us, and also for the chat! You can watch her performance of First Train Home from Letterman here.

mp3: Imogen Heap - The Song That Never Was (BitchSLAPhappy Remix)

When recently asked for my opinion on which artist has "defined my summer", the answer was quick to come to mind. Undoubtedly, it's belonged to Peaches, her "album of the year" contender with I Feel Cream, and her extensive supporting tour that has since been extended throughout the remainder of 2009. While the dutchess of dirty electroclash is a force in and of herself, no leading lady can wow the crowds without the aid of a solid backing band. Enter Sweet Machine.


Back in June, Peaches came through NYC for a second stop [the first in May...review here], and I decided that it was time to feature the dynamic trio who have been raging behind, alongside and on the forefront of this massive tour.

Berlin, Germany's Sweet Machine is Saskia Hahn (backing vocals, keytar, guitar, keyboard), Conner Rapp (backing vocals, keytar, bass, keyboard) and Mathias Brendel (drums). Playing together since 2005, this rock/punk outfit released an unofficial EP in 2007, and to date still remain unsigned.


So how does a nearly unknown troupe like this get hooked up with a most rad opportunity to work with Ms. Merrill Nisker?

Bassist Conner Rapp met Peaches back during the Father Fucker era, ended up on the tour and solidified a friendship with her. At a party one night, Rapp met Saskia Hahn, and, finding a common bond in the fact they there were both sound engineers and skilled musicians, began to combine talents. Drummer Mathias Brendel joined the pair shortly thereafter, and Sweet Machine was revved and ready to rock.

During production and mastering of Peaches' album, I Feel Cream, plans for a worldwide tour began to emerge. For this circuit, she decided to go with a live backing band, and reached out to Rapp. While the band was currently focusing on their own album and touring efforts, the only logical thought was voiced...

"Ok, I'll put it on ice for Peaches..."
Being that the album heavily relies on skillfully intricate electronic productions, the question of "how do you transform that into a live show" was an obvious point of concern. The now-merged foursome spent 2 months prior to the tour learning who would play what instruments, examining each midi controller, and perfecting the sound that has emerged as seamless from record to stage.


Sweet Machine has now been on tour with Peaches' since early summer 2007, when they were asked by Peaches to join her as her backing band for one show at the Berlin Festival. After this successful collaboration, Sweet Machine became her new full-time backing band, continuing to shred through the entire catalogue of riffheavy fist pumpers, while aiding in the transformation of a most theatrically wowing stage show.

The I Feel Cream Tour continues to roll on through the end of 2009. You can find tour dates here.

Many thanks to Saskia, Conner and Mathias for taking the time to chat!

mp3: Peaches - Mud