QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – der gig-blog-Fragenkatalog 180 mit APOLLO GHOSTS
Aus einem DIY-Projekt mit 4-Track-Recorder haben sich Apollo Ghosts aus Vancouver in eine solide Live-Band gewandelt. Ihr Sound? Irgendwo zwischen Art Rock und College Rock – und erinnert dabei an Indie-Größen wie Yo La Tengo oder Pavement. (Sie selbst nennen es „Jangle Punk“) Live ist die Band schon ganz schön herumgekommen, von Support-Shows für Stereolab bis zu Festival-Highlights in Großbritannien. Jetzt kommen sie erstmals nach Deutschland. Das Kulturzentrum Dieselstraße präsentiert die kanadische Band am 20. März in Esslingen, in einer Kooperation mit dem Verein InDieWohnzimmer. Support gibt’s von Stuttgarts Soft-Pop-Lieblingen Flora. Wir stellen Apollo Ghosts mit unserem Fragebogen vor.
No band without a founding myth. What is yours?
Apollo Ghosts started as a 4-track recording project and then turned into a wild live experience pretty soon after in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t listened to it yet?
Art rock? College rock? People have compared us to Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Jonathan Richman, Violent Femmes…we can be very quiet or very loud, depending on the situation. We do not play commercial music and we’re not interested in that world. We’re interested in local scenes and the DIY spirit.
What was the most wonderful gig you ever played?
There have been so many. A few years ago we played in front of 2,000 people at the End of the Road festival in the UK, which was insane. We opened for Stereolab at a legendary Vancouver venue called The Commodore Ballroom, which was cool. We’ve played so many sweaty, crazy punk shows in houses. We also love playing Sappyfest out in Sackville, New Brunswick, the best festival in Canada.
Where would you absolutely love to play?
We’ve heard lots of good things about playing in Germany so we’re excited to play there for the first time.
What’s your best memory of seeing live music?
Most recently it was seeing Built to Spill and Yo La Tengo in Portland, Oregon at an outdoor venue downtown. Very chill.
Describe the perfect stage outfit.
Jeans, black t-shirt, trucker hat, comfortable shoes. Amanda (our bass player) sews all her own clothes and makes comfortable dresses specifically for tours.
What do you look forward to at the beginning of a tour? And what at the end?
Meeting new people and establishing lifelong friendships through music. Having a break from day-to-day life we all live. Hitting the road with great friends in a van and making lots of jokes.
Eating new food. At the end of the tour? It’s like running a marathon–just sleep.
Which things must always be in your tour bag?
Fresh pairs of underwear and socks, one book to read and a tour journal.
If your music was food, what would it taste like?
Bowl of noodles with lots of veggies. We’re hippie flower punks.
With which detail on the hospitality rider do you nag the promoters?
European show promoters provide so much more than North American show promoters so we’re always genuinely surprised at how well we’re treated!
Which song never fails to make you sing, hum or whistle along?
Anything by ABBA.
What was the first song you fell in love with and why?
„Tall Cool One“ by the Fabulous Wailers. My dad played their vinyl record all the time and I loved that song and would dance around to it when I was four years old. They were a cool proto-garage band from the Pacific Northwest who heavily influenced bands like The Sonics – another very influential band.
The greatest musical genius (dead or alive)?
Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone…
What song gets you on the dance floor right away?
Anything by the Bee Gees.
What audience behaviour motivates you to give your best?
When people come to the front of the stage. When proper care and love has been put into a show.
What question do you miss on every band questionnaire? And what is the answer?
Questions specifically about songwriting or how the music world is changing for independent musicians. Questions about music and humanistic activism. Those are always fun to talk about.