GAUNTLET HAIR INTERVIEW

That new Gauntlet Hair album is so bloody hot, I've just dropped it.
Here's a chat with Andy for our November issue about Intimacy. 

For someone who says he's no social butterfly, Andy of Denver Rocky Mountain avant-pop duo Gauntlet Hair is pretty outspoken. The BFF's (him and Craig on drums) have an amazing new (self-titled) album out on Dead Oceans, which we can't seem to 'unplay'. You can just hear the two of them having the best of times with each other. Read about Craig's irresistibility, Home Improvement's Tim Allen and drowning your lyrics in reverb.

Hi Andy, let's do this?
Yes, ma'am.

So, what is gauntlet hair?
It was actually a clerk at a vintage shop who dropped that bomb. I was about to buy this Johnny Winters album for a buck and the guy behind the counter said it looked like he had gauntlet hair. It's really weird hair, like a helmet.

Will it get more into fashion than a Ponytail or Braids? 
Hopefully not, haha.

What kind of hairdo do you prefer on girls? 
Short hair.

That's refreshing. So no long American Apparel hair hanging loosely around bare shoulders accompanied by a seductive stare?
Gauntlet Hair likes it's girls to be boys. But wait, that would work as well, I suppose.

What's great about Denver?
You tell me.

Well, it's also known as 'The Mile-High City'. I guess The Byrds named their famous song 'Eight Miles High' after it, but they were seven miles off, due to, well, you know...drugs. And Tim Allen is from Denver! But that doesn't have to mean anything. 
Haha, but that DOES mean something, Brenda! I grew up on that show.

Do you use his famous Signature Tools? Did you use them for the song 'Mop it Up'? 
Haha, what? Are they on the market?

He has his own line of tools. And a midlife crisis.
Hun, his tools don't work. Seriously, I thought that that was the humor of it...that he knows nothing about tools.

Yep, now he has lots of tools he can't seem to sell.
I'm not buying them anyway. Actually Tim is a perfect example of what Denver does to people. They come out here to unwind and go into the chill mode. And look what it did to Tim's career! All ruined. He got caught up in the chill.

Yeah, and fucked up a gazebo or thousand along the way.
Hahaha, I love this so far. I have no idea of what's going on. Hit me again.

I've read you two don't work well with other parties, but for live shows you have an extra guitarist. Do I sense some intimacy issues there? 
Craig and I have become very intimate yes. It's been ten years now. We've developed that sort of telepathic ability. Trying to involve another person in the writing just seems to slow us down. I suppose we're very protective of our work, you know? It has taken us so long to get to this point and we really just don't want to share it with anyone else.


Does he automatically answer your (singing-)cries with a smashing (drum-)whip? That kind of telepathic vibe? 
Well, on the topic of intimacy: Craig's rough in a real sexy I-want-to-make-music-with-you-kind of way.

You have studied sound engineering, but didn't mix your own album. That must feel like leaving your baby, or your own leg, on someone else's doorstep. To be eaten by their dog. But maybe afterwards you respect the concept of walking a bit more? 
Ha, I did the first mix of it. Then passed it on to Brian Marcus. I tend to mix for myself, not others, so what sounds good to me may sound like hell to the audience and our mothers. But I put my baby in good hands. I've learned my favourite tool is EQ.


Okay, haha. What about reverb? 
Thought you might go to that. I do love me some reverb. To resemble being near the Rocky Mountains, or is that echo? Honestly, nothing that we write has to do with the mountains. It's more personal. Intimate even.

Bingo! 
Exactly, we are perfect for this issue. We have all the juicy details.


Yes, spill them please, or mop it up. What for instance is 'You Can't Feel It' about? 
The song actually is called 'My Christ' now. It's about masochism in a way, but more so in the emotional sense. I'm trying to leave out any lyrics here.

Why? 
Uh, wanna find out, Brenda?

Haha, let's focus on what intimacy is to you? Is it what Baby Spice sings about in the song '2 become 1'?
O man, intimacy for me comes on so many levels.

How many? 
Like 46 or something.

Can you cut it down to one?
I'll try. Not to cheese this out, but I think that writing music has become the most intimate of all. I'm not what you would call a social butterfly, I'm sort of shy and reserved. So writing has become my main form of expression. This has everything to do with why I don't share my lyrics and such. The use of reverb is similar to that voice they put on those silhouetted people on TV who don't want their identities to be reveiled. It's sort of the same kind of shit. I can say whatever the fuck I want, and no one will ever understand anything about it."

I see, you drown the lyrics in reverb, so no one gets to hear about the Christ.
Basically.

But what if you're quite the poet? Your mom will never know.
Haha, she knows.

You whisper in her ear?
“Was that poetry just now?”


Or was it the wind?
But I'm not a big fan of poetry. I'm a big plain speaking guy.

Literally sayin' it like it is.
You know it.

That's the new intimate maybe. No beating around the bush, but smacking it on the head. Do not use a Tim Allen hammer though.

YACHT INTERVIEW

PARADISE STATE OF MIND

Claire Evans from YACHT is the ultimate beach babe who loves pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Moreover, she definitely has more than half a brain. Admittedly, we didn’t exactly make love at midnight on the dunes of the cape, but we had a nice chat instead about holidays, utopia and their new album Shangri La.

Hi Claire, how are you?

I'm well, thank you.

Since this issue of Subbacultcha magazine is the Beach Issue, first things first, do you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain?

Yes, and we're into yoga, too.

Can you remember any particularly good or bad summer holidays?

Every moment of existence should be treated with the same reverence we treat summer holidays. Remaking our understanding of "holiday" means rejecting the image of ourselves we inherit from dominator culture — that of a worker, someone whose leisure must be compartmentalized into units, and somehow deserving of exclusion from paradise. Paradise -- summer holiday -- is a state of mind that can be claimed by any one of us.

How do you feel slightly over a week before your album release? Do you have plans for the big day?

It verges on the anticlimactic. We finished Shangri-La almost six months ago, and we have been living with its ideas for much longer. We feel as though it already exists and has presence, but in reality its life has only begun. Once it's released out into the world, it will no longer be ours -- it will belong to everybody, and we anticipate that moment with trepidation and anticipation.

In what way is Shangri La different to what you have created until now?

We think of our albums as manifestations of our philosophies, aesthetic interests, and ideas. See Mystery Lights was the purest document of the time during which we made it; it reflects our obsessions, at the time, with ritual and mystery. After traveling around the world and discussing our ideas with people for several years, the philosophy, the ideas began to feel out of date. Our music needs to exist in the Now. Shangri-La, then is the document of now. It is a very specific representation of our current dreams, fears, and desires.

Can you explain to our readers what Utopia and Dystopia mean to YACHT?

The idea of Utopia is a great equalizer: all cultures throughout history have had their own Utopia. Some call it Shangri-La, others call it Eden, Valhalla, Arcadia, Paradise. It's the representation of our desire for perfection, our innate dream for order and peace. In a sense, it's ideology made physical -- Utopia is what happens when some entity attempts to turn ideas into a place. Unfortunately, it's not something that can be done, because ideology is singular and people are multifarious. Hence, Dystopia is the inevitable result of any concerted effort to impose ideas on place. These extremes are natural to the human race, and one cannot exist without the other. Our idea for Utopia, our contribution to this historical dialogue, is that the place can never be built -- but it can exist in our minds.

Which is closer to your heart, surfing waves or surfing the web? How has the great WWW influenced the way you work as YACHT? How has it influenced your belief system?

YACHT would be impossible without the internet. Access to an infinite image bank, access to both established and paranoid conceptions of the world, and direct access to people -- these are all things which define our work. The inherent anarchism, populism, and underlying complex order of the Internet is a source of great awe. It is as impressive (and spiritual) to us as the universe itself.

Do you have any exciting performances up your sleeve for your European tour this summer?

No two YACHT performances are the same. We can only tell you that there will be both analog and digital sound production, five human bodies, visual stimulus, and physical contact.

Apart from touring, creating and interacting, do you actually get a break this summer?

We consider ourselves to be deeply privileged to be able to travel around the world, perform, disseminate ideas, and have discussions with people of all nationalities and backgrounds. There is no time for a holiday when you don't know when that door of opportunity will close -- we want to take advantage of it while we can.

If there were only three things you could take to an eternal desert island beach holiday what would they be?

Eternal? A long and difficult book, like Manly P. Hall's "The Secret Teachings of All Ages," comfortable clothes made of natural materials, and perhaps a cyanide capsule, should living forever become too much of a burden on our spirits.

Do you have any good sunburn remedies for our readers? Any sandcastle building tips or swimwear recommendations?

Although you should avoid long-term sun exposure without SPF protection, never forget that the sun feeds us happiness directly into the tops of our heads by spilling Vitamin D onto the world.

By Zofia Ciechowska

DIRTY BEACHES INTERVIEW

Listening to Badlands (Zoo Music, 2011) will teleport you to the front seat of a brand-new Chevy cruising a lost highway. There's no lovely Betty Draper right beside you though, nor an ice cream parlour anywhere near in sight. Badlands evokes a much more darker image, one drenched in angst and noir. Taiwan-born via Honululu-Toronto-Montreal and now Vancouver based drifter Alex Zhang Hungtai aka Dirty Beaches sprinkled his new album with “minimalist rockabilly”. We asked him about it in this little questionaire. He answered every question with 'c'. For cherry of course.

1. Your most recent release 'Badlands' was made as an homage to your father's youth. Listening to the record I came up with certain impressions of your dad. Which one is the most accurate?

a He was not the most upbeat person, even though he owned a superfast motorcycle.

b He met your mother in the lobby of a hotel when she was 17 wearing nothing but black nylon.

c Other, namely: My dad was a trouble maker in his youth. Even though he mellowed out in his later years, he's someone you don't fuck with. I'm a pretty big guy (6' 2" 170lbs) and remember feeling scared once when he stared at me after I called him an old man.That stare is in the album.

2. How did you come up with Dirty Beaches as a moniker?

a I woke up one day on a deserted beach with seaweed wrapped around my legs.

b I watched a lot of Baywatch as a kid and developed a thing for little red bathing suits.

c Other, namely: I awoke on a beach with Baywatch babes running around, but their voices were dubbed in French -“dirty bitches” was pronounced “dirty beaches” in their accountable accent.

3. Your approach to making music is very similar to the working process of a filmmaker; you've said to start out with an idea or character. While experimenting with sounds this results in a certain persona and atmosphere. What's your favorite movie character and why?

a Audrey from Twin Peaks for the cherry part.

b The silent girl in Wong Kar Wai's film '2046'.

c Other, namely: I love Willem Dafoe in almost every film I've ever seen him in. This is a hard one. Bobby Peru in 'Wild at Heart', and Dafoe as a cross dressing gay FBI homicide detective in 'Boondocks Saints' (I didn't like the movie but Dafoe was amazing).

4. Should David Lynch keep making music or stick solely to directing?

a. Yes.

b. No.

c. Other, namely: David Lynch can do whatever the fuck he wants.

5. What do you think of the comparison with Chris Isaak?

a It's more accurate than being compared to Brian Setzer.

b Except for the Helena Christensen video and his Twin Peaks appearance I think he should get back to his blue motel (sic) and never come out again – I absolutely hate the comparison.

c Other, namely: Hahahahah, answer B is very accurate but it's mean, so let's take out the-staying-in- the-blue-motel-and-never-come-out part. Chris Isaak can do whatever the fuck he wants.

6. 'Badlands' is also the sensational debut by filmmaker Terence Malick who recently won the Palme d'Or for the Tree of Life.

a That's no accident, the way the film depicts two outcast lovers on the run is spot on.

b Lars von Trier should have won.

c Other, namely: It's none of my business who wins what. I don't like criticizing other artists. I work on my own shit and mind my own business.

7. What's your take on lo-fi sound as an aesthetic?

a It has great enunciative powers.

b If the label would hand me more money I'd definitely leave home budget recording behind and go highest-fi.

c Other, namely: I think it'll be a gradual upgrade as in that each record improves fidelity-wise with the improved budget.

8. What's the best about being nostalgic?

a Not thinking about the future.

b It ain't what it used to be.

c Other, namely: I don't know. I hear people use to drill holes in peoples skulls in Europe when they have nostalgia, 'cuz they didn't know how to treat it. It was in between clinical depression and other mental illnesses that occurred at the time.

9. You've lived in various cities. If you were to move again what's the one thing you would not leave behind?

a My comb.

b Box full of VHS tapes I stole as a videostore employee.

c Other, namely: I leave behind almost everything.

10. I read you were offended once by a journalist who was rude with you. Are you offended by this questionaire?

a Yes, it makes me feel like being in high school again.

b No, I'd rather answer these questions than spending quality time playing beach volleyball with my friends.

c Other, namely: I'd rather be spending quality time playing beach volleyball with handsome black men.

By Brenda Bosma

TAO LIN + SPILT MILK

We just went ahead and emailed New York-based lit boy, TAO LIN. We were curious about his facial expression. Amsterdam-based band Spilt Milk went ahead and made a song from the first page of his latest novel, ‘Richard Yates’. Read the book! It's fantastic.

 

Subject:   a few questions for tao
From:   brenda(at)subbacultcha.nl
Date:   Sat, September 25, 2010 12:05 am
To:   binky.tabby(at)gmail.com

Dear Tao Lin,

Would you mind replying to the questions stated below? It would be much

appreciated. I enjoyed, or rather, felt less depressed or maybe less aware

of my depressed state reading your latest novel 'Richard Yates'. It also stirred up memories
of me feeding my baby sister's russian dwarf hamster a pine nut, after which it got a severe
case of liquid faeces and died. Not kidding for once. They, the russian dwarf hamsters, are

sensitive creatures. Like cancers. Or pisces for that matter. It was cathartic. The stirring of
the memory, I mean. So, thank you for that, I guess. To keep this introduction short: I think
the readers of our little blog (who are all into Pitchfork and American Apparel tights)

would really relate to your input. Let's do this for the kids. Thank you!

Subject:   Re: a few questions for tao
From:   "Tao Lin" <binky.tabby@gmail.com>

Date:   Thu, September 30, 2010 1:39 am
To:   brenda@subbacultcha.nl

*Are you wearing something you stole from American Apparel.*

 – Underwear.

*Could you share with us a vegan recepy you which includes marrow and/or soy whip?*

 – I thought marrow was not vegan, isn't it inside bones? I've never

made anything with soy whip. Maybe soy whip, cucumber juice, and

bananas for a smoothie.

*What's your favourite Naked Gun scene?*

 – I don't remember that movie well. Maybe whenever it shows him making

a strange facial expression.

*Are you more a Gunther or a Chandler?*

 – I don't know who Gunther is and haven't read any Chandler.

*Did you ever use the zipcode 90210 for an online registration?*

 – No.

*Do you have an opinion about the new No Age album?*

 – I have never heard "No Age," I honestly don't know what that is.

Happy hamster 'unwittingly' leaving his hamster friend in a state of 'severe depression' by Tao Lin

Spilt Milk - North American Hamsters by subbacultcha

Lyrics:

I've only had the opportunity to hold a hamster once
It's paws were so tiny
I think I cried a little

I saw a hamster eating its babies
I wanted to give it a high five
But it didn't know what a high five was

I have a neutral facial expression

I would eat my babies if I had some
But I don't have any babies
How old are you
16
It's probably good I don't have babies
You are not 16 you are like 29
No I am 16
I drew a hamster on a piece of paper today
Then I threw it on top of a recycling bin full of paper
So whenever anybody recycles paper
The hamster will look at them
And be cute for them
That's cute

I have a neutral facial expression

hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi

I feel bored of life
Or wait I don't know
Nevermind
I'm giving up on life
Even more
Wait I already did
Even more I am

I have a neutral facial expression

PHOSPHORESCENT LIVE ON THE SUBBACULTCHA ROOFTOP

On May 21st Phosphorescent's Matthew Houck played an accoustic session of the roof of our office in Amsterdam. Loes made cocktails & Prins Productions made this video. Enjoy! And yeah, don't miss their show in Bitterzoet on June 6th!

Subbacultcha! Rooftop Session Phosphorescent from Subbacultcha! on Vimeo.

SUBBACULTCHA! INTERVIEW

THE ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS SPEAK UP

"I really like to think of them as an alternative boy band" A certain girly at our office giggled, refferring to The Almighty Defenders. An alternative garage, soul, gospel grinding, gargling, jangling and rocking boy band we would say. And they even wear dresses (OK, Gospel robes). Now, what else do you want. But it gets even better; The Almighty Defenders will play the Melkweg on 14 May. They will dress up and make sure to blow you away.

Gearing up to the show, Jared "Hondo" Swilley took the time time to answer some silly Subbacultcha questions.

- Just to give me a sense of being in the same space with you…. What happens if you stretch your arm to the left, hard and fast (almost like a punch) at this moment?
I fist-punch the air.

- What do you see when you look on your right.
Piano and a record player that no longer works.

- Is there any art on the walls?
No, I just moved into a new place and haven't had time to decorate.

- Can you describe the smell that surrounds you?
Fresh spring air. All of my windows are open

- What did you have for breakfast?
A grilled cheese sandwich.

- These email interviews always are a bit silly to me. How do you feel about it so far?
I'm glad you haven't asked me about my influences and what other bands i'm digging at the moment.

- Where are your robes at the moment and what state are they in?
They are at our friend Larry's house in LA. They probably don't smell great.

- How do you transport your robes? I mean, in what kind of suitcase? Did you buy items just for that matter?
We keep them in a big trash bag.

- Do you carry an iron and ironing board around?
That would be silly.

- If not… did the fact that there is a tour coming up make you think about whether or not you SHOULD carry an iron and ironing board?
I can count the number of times i've used an ironing board on one hand. I don't see it in our future.

- Did you ever lose a robe?
Somehow we lost our entire first set of robes.

- I believe that the truth is in the details. The perception of a band is generally through their music or a great show. But what really matters is what you have for dinner at night, the nice light coming through the window, the sticker on your dashboard or the pretty girl with mismatching socks… so, why don't you share some details with us.
Motivation and wind swept looks are key tools for success.

- I read a great quote once… A band (I think it was Pocahaunted) got interrupted by a cop during their rehearsal. The man said "I don't know which god you are praying to…but you sure as hell are praying too loud." Which god are you praying to?
Marduk. The great magician of the gods.

- You probably doubt sometimes about what you are doing as a band or person. Please complete the line… "Maybe we should do/have more..." (The answer can't be 'drugs'.)
More reps. We need to feel the burn.

- And this line: "Maybe we should do/have less..." (The answer can be drugs)
Bullcrap.

- And finally… How do you feel about America?
Greatest country in the universe.


By: Bas Morsch

SUBBACULTCHA! NEWS: PANCAKES WITH LIARS

Three lovely Subbacultcha! ladies recently had pancakes with Liars! One of them (Charlotte Raffo) made this video. Read all about their little date in the upcoming Subbacultcha! Magazine. Extra News Flash: Liars are playing Trouw on May 25th , buy tickets HERE.