Universe People interview with Jo Claxton, Kimberly Morrison and Min Yee
Pop, punk and garage all bleed together into an inkblot,
strange enigmatic imagery and broken melodies scattered across the landscape,
Claxton’s dystopian guitars riffs croon and drone along with Morrison’s
playfully bouncy, yet somehow menacingly unhinged and threatening bass lines,
all the while the music’s propelled and sustained by veteran rocker Min Yee’s
air tight drums to form a post-punk Voltron towering above the competition in
the form of Seattle, Washington’s Universe People. From the moment you drop the needle on their
debut album Go to the Sun there’s something, different… Something, something that transcends the
harrowing vocal crescendos, bravado and subtle harmonies that run through out
their music. While Universe People do
embody a lot of sounds that I recognize as being from Seattle, there’s
something fundamentally different about them that reminds me more of a
European, Aussie or UK band so when I found out lead singer, guitarist and
songwriter Jo Claxton originally hails from Sydney Australia things started to
fall into place. Dissonant tones and
harmonies filtered through an undeniable sense of grace and intelligence, all
the while blending the lines between punk, noise, psych and garage – Universe
People are busy carving out their own niche with their second full-length album
Are Coming To The Dance, available digitally now and out on vinyl in late
August or early September. Have a
listen, let me know what you think and as always, keep it Psychedelic Baby!
strange enigmatic imagery and broken melodies scattered across the landscape,
Claxton’s dystopian guitars riffs croon and drone along with Morrison’s
playfully bouncy, yet somehow menacingly unhinged and threatening bass lines,
all the while the music’s propelled and sustained by veteran rocker Min Yee’s
air tight drums to form a post-punk Voltron towering above the competition in
the form of Seattle, Washington’s Universe People. From the moment you drop the needle on their
debut album Go to the Sun there’s something, different… Something, something that transcends the
harrowing vocal crescendos, bravado and subtle harmonies that run through out
their music. While Universe People do
embody a lot of sounds that I recognize as being from Seattle, there’s
something fundamentally different about them that reminds me more of a
European, Aussie or UK band so when I found out lead singer, guitarist and
songwriter Jo Claxton originally hails from Sydney Australia things started to
fall into place. Dissonant tones and
harmonies filtered through an undeniable sense of grace and intelligence, all
the while blending the lines between punk, noise, psych and garage – Universe
People are busy carving out their own niche with their second full-length album
Are Coming To The Dance, available digitally now and out on vinyl in late
August or early September. Have a
listen, let me know what you think and as always, keep it Psychedelic Baby!
Listen while you read:
http://universepeople-bonjour.bandcamp.com/
http://universepeople-bonjour.bandcamp.com/
Now I’ve talked to
Min about one of his other bands not too long ago, Dreamsalon (Interview here),
but I don’t know a super lot about Universe People at this point outside of the
fact that Min’s your drummer and I dig your music! What’s the lineup in the Universe People at
this point? Is this your original lineup
or has there been any changes made since you started?
Min about one of his other bands not too long ago, Dreamsalon (Interview here),
but I don’t know a super lot about Universe People at this point outside of the
fact that Min’s your drummer and I dig your music! What’s the lineup in the Universe People at
this point? Is this your original lineup
or has there been any changes made since you started?
Jo: The lineup
currently is Min Yee on drums, Kimberly Morrison on bass/vocals and myself, Jo
Claxton, on guitar and vocals. The
original lineup was myself, Kellie Payne on bass and Dave Ramm on drums. They played on the first record. So yes, two thirds changes to the lineup!
currently is Min Yee on drums, Kimberly Morrison on bass/vocals and myself, Jo
Claxton, on guitar and vocals. The
original lineup was myself, Kellie Payne on bass and Dave Ramm on drums. They played on the first record. So yes, two thirds changes to the lineup!
Kimberly: Universe
People is Min on drums, songstress extraordinaire Jo Claxton singing and
playing guitar, and me, Kimberly Morrison, playing bass and singing. Jo has been the only constant, which makes
sense because she writes all the songs.
The original drummer was Dave Ramm who left to focus on grad school and
his other band, Wimps, the original bass player was Kellie Payne who was very
sad to go, but her husband was offered his dream job out-of-state.
People is Min on drums, songstress extraordinaire Jo Claxton singing and
playing guitar, and me, Kimberly Morrison, playing bass and singing. Jo has been the only constant, which makes
sense because she writes all the songs.
The original drummer was Dave Ramm who left to focus on grad school and
his other band, Wimps, the original bass player was Kellie Payne who was very
sad to go, but her husband was offered his dream job out-of-state.
As I mentioned
before I talked to Min about his musical background and I know he’s got several
things going on right now. Are any of
the rest of you involved in any other bands or do you have any side projects
going on right now? Have you released
any music with anyone in the past? If
so, can you tell us a little bit about this?
before I talked to Min about his musical background and I know he’s got several
things going on right now. Are any of
the rest of you involved in any other bands or do you have any side projects
going on right now? Have you released
any music with anyone in the past? If
so, can you tell us a little bit about this?
Jo: I’m not doing any
side projects, just Universe People at the moment. I used to play in a band called Welcome and
we put out a recording called Sirs several years ago, I love that record and
was so happy to play on it. Other bands
I’ve played in are the Heroic Trio, The Intelligence, actually all present
Universe People members are ex-Intelligence members, and a fun grindcore band
with only bass and pitch shifted vocals.
We sang about things like amputee fetishes and Countess Bathory, playing
to confused audiences in Seattle for a couple of years.
side projects, just Universe People at the moment. I used to play in a band called Welcome and
we put out a recording called Sirs several years ago, I love that record and
was so happy to play on it. Other bands
I’ve played in are the Heroic Trio, The Intelligence, actually all present
Universe People members are ex-Intelligence members, and a fun grindcore band
with only bass and pitch shifted vocals.
We sang about things like amputee fetishes and Countess Bathory, playing
to confused audiences in Seattle for a couple of years.
Kimberly: Not
really… An old band of mine The Dutchess
and the Duke just did a one-off reunion, but there’re no plans to make it a
real band again. Bands take a lot of
time and effort! I don’t know how I
pulled it off in my twenties when I played in four or five bands at a time.
really… An old band of mine The Dutchess
and the Duke just did a one-off reunion, but there’re no plans to make it a
real band again. Bands take a lot of
time and effort! I don’t know how I
pulled it off in my twenties when I played in four or five bands at a time.
I know Min’s
originally from Marin and then lived in Ft. Meyers. Where are the rest of your originally from
and how old are all of you?
originally from Marin and then lived in Ft. Meyers. Where are the rest of your originally from
and how old are all of you?
Jo: I’m originally
from Sydney Australia and a lady never reveals her age, except that by the
looks of some of your other questions, you may be able to figure it out.
from Sydney Australia and a lady never reveals her age, except that by the
looks of some of your other questions, you may be able to figure it out.
Kimberly: Old
enough! I was born and raised here in
Seattle and its suburbs.
enough! I was born and raised here in
Seattle and its suburbs.
How would you describe
the local scene where you grew up? Did
you see a lot of shows when you were growing up? Do you feel like that scene played a large
role in shaping your musical tastes or an important role in how you perform
today?
the local scene where you grew up? Did
you see a lot of shows when you were growing up? Do you feel like that scene played a large
role in shaping your musical tastes or an important role in how you perform
today?
Jo: The music scene
in Sydney that I grew up around was amazing.
I saw Lubricated Goat fairly regularly.
My friends’ band Matrimony was a big influence on me. There were lots of great bands when I was a
teenager, and touring bands from other cities; the Scientists from Perth, Venom
P Stinger from Melbourne. I think that
bands I saw back then are definitely part of my music consciousness and
influence me to a degree, but aren’t necessarily directly influencing this
current project.
in Sydney that I grew up around was amazing.
I saw Lubricated Goat fairly regularly.
My friends’ band Matrimony was a big influence on me. There were lots of great bands when I was a
teenager, and touring bands from other cities; the Scientists from Perth, Venom
P Stinger from Melbourne. I think that
bands I saw back then are definitely part of my music consciousness and
influence me to a degree, but aren’t necessarily directly influencing this
current project.
Kimberly: The local
scene was cool, but there was a real shortage of all-ages venues. The Redmond Firehouse had great shows, but
was hard to get to if you didn’t drive.
The Velvet Elvis closed and broke everyone’s hearts. When I was underage, I would’ve gladly paid
double or even triple the admission to see the music I loved and not drink, but
that wasn’t an option because of the Teen Dance Ordinance and Washington
State’s archaic liquor laws. In some
ways, I guess you could say that those hindrances only made us hungrier for the
stuff we were being denied. I mean, it
certainly encouraged me to get a fake ID, and when I finally was of age and
didn’t have to stress about whether or not I was going to be denied entry, I
saw live music three or four nights a week for years.
scene was cool, but there was a real shortage of all-ages venues. The Redmond Firehouse had great shows, but
was hard to get to if you didn’t drive.
The Velvet Elvis closed and broke everyone’s hearts. When I was underage, I would’ve gladly paid
double or even triple the admission to see the music I loved and not drink, but
that wasn’t an option because of the Teen Dance Ordinance and Washington
State’s archaic liquor laws. In some
ways, I guess you could say that those hindrances only made us hungrier for the
stuff we were being denied. I mean, it
certainly encouraged me to get a fake ID, and when I finally was of age and
didn’t have to stress about whether or not I was going to be denied entry, I
saw live music three or four nights a week for years.
What about your
home when you were a kid? Were either
your parents or any of your relatives musicians or extremely
involved/interested in music?
home when you were a kid? Were either
your parents or any of your relatives musicians or extremely
involved/interested in music?
Jo: My father was a
double bass player in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and my mother was a
clarinetist and ballet dancer. Lots of
music in my childhood!
double bass player in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and my mother was a
clarinetist and ballet dancer. Lots of
music in my childhood!
Kimberly: My mom
played the piano and sang often, much to the chagrin of my sister and I. My dad never played an instrument, but he
loved music and had/has a wonderful voice.
When I go hang out with him, we sit at the kitchen table with our chosen
libations and listen to oldies and talk and sing to each other; when Roy
Orbison or Bob Dylan comes on, the conversations cease and the stereo goes way
up.
played the piano and sang often, much to the chagrin of my sister and I. My dad never played an instrument, but he
loved music and had/has a wonderful voice.
When I go hang out with him, we sit at the kitchen table with our chosen
libations and listen to oldies and talk and sing to each other; when Roy
Orbison or Bob Dylan comes on, the conversations cease and the stereo goes way
up.
What do you
consider to be your first real exposure to music?
consider to be your first real exposure to music?
Jo: Besides being in
a baby bouncer while my dad played scales for hours on the double bass, I think
the kind of music that I thought I would want to play was what I was seeing and
hearing at shows I went to when I was in art school in Sydney. Seeing bands like Box the Jesuit and Thug and
meeting Zeb Olsen, who was in Matrimony and other bands, felt like my people
and I eventually felt like I could play music too.
a baby bouncer while my dad played scales for hours on the double bass, I think
the kind of music that I thought I would want to play was what I was seeing and
hearing at shows I went to when I was in art school in Sydney. Seeing bands like Box the Jesuit and Thug and
meeting Zeb Olsen, who was in Matrimony and other bands, felt like my people
and I eventually felt like I could play music too.
Kimberly: I guess
just the records my parents would play as a kid, lots of Beatles, Peter, Paul
& Mary, Roger Whittaker and a lot of classical music as well, which I still
enjoy. I was always whistling, singing,
tapping my fingers, making noise as a kid…
I was pretty hyperactive. My
sister and I would sit at the piano and make up “songs”. We’d use the minor keys when we wanted to
convey sadness or fear, and the major ones when things were happy. Then we got a Nintendo…
just the records my parents would play as a kid, lots of Beatles, Peter, Paul
& Mary, Roger Whittaker and a lot of classical music as well, which I still
enjoy. I was always whistling, singing,
tapping my fingers, making noise as a kid…
I was pretty hyperactive. My
sister and I would sit at the piano and make up “songs”. We’d use the minor keys when we wanted to
convey sadness or fear, and the major ones when things were happy. Then we got a Nintendo…
If you were to
pick a single moment, a moment that seemed to change everything for you and
opened your eyes to the infinite possibilities of music, what would it be? I know Min’s brother Tai sent him some
mixtapes when he was like fourteen or fifteen and that seemed to really change
everything for him.
pick a single moment, a moment that seemed to change everything for you and
opened your eyes to the infinite possibilities of music, what would it be? I know Min’s brother Tai sent him some
mixtapes when he was like fourteen or fifteen and that seemed to really change
everything for him.
Jo: Probably the
first time was when I played with my friends Zeb and Fiona. Fiona and I had written some bits of songs
and then just hearing Zeb play drums along to them was so cool and made them
actually sound like songs.
first time was when I played with my friends Zeb and Fiona. Fiona and I had written some bits of songs
and then just hearing Zeb play drums along to them was so cool and made them
actually sound like songs.
Kimberly: Probably as
a teenager when I got into Nirvana.
a teenager when I got into Nirvana.
When did you
decide that you wanted to start writing and performing your own music? What brought that decision about for you?
decide that you wanted to start writing and performing your own music? What brought that decision about for you?
Jo: When I was about
twenty-one, I was playing violin and cello duets with my friend Fiona in
Sydney, which was nice but I think we got bored and wanted to write songs and
decided we wanted to play guitars instead.
I had been playing bass a bit before that I think, but switched to
guitar to try something else.
twenty-one, I was playing violin and cello duets with my friend Fiona in
Sydney, which was nice but I think we got bored and wanted to write songs and
decided we wanted to play guitars instead.
I had been playing bass a bit before that I think, but switched to
guitar to try something else.
Kimberly: Ha-ha! It sounds so dorky now, but from a very young
age I always thought I would be a rock star.
age I always thought I would be a rock star.
What was your
first instrument? When and how did you
get that?
first instrument? When and how did you
get that?
Jo: I played violin
for several years as a kid, and I also learned the double bass a little from my
dad. But my first rock instrument was
bass guitar.
for several years as a kid, and I also learned the double bass a little from my
dad. But my first rock instrument was
bass guitar.
Kimberly: Well, I
guess the family piano. When I got into
fifth grade, we had school band, and I was so excited, thinking I was going to
play the trumpet, the violin, the drums and the flute! I was pretty bummed when they told me you had
to pick one. Some friend of mine had a
flute she wasn’t using, so that’s what I ended up playing. I really wanted to play the drums, though,
badly. You had to be a sixth grader for
that. I tooted away on that flute for a
year, and at the beginning of sixth grade, I excitedly brought home the form
for my parents to sign that would allow me to play drums. They put the kibosh on that one real
quick. I was crushed. The guy that got to play drums wasn’t exactly
a natural, so I’d go to the back of the room after class and try and help him
with his parts. He rode the same bus as
me, and sometimes he’d let me take his sticks home and I’d bang on stuff in my
room after school. Years ago, I was in
the car with my mom, and I told her she had done a good job helping me explore
my interests and talents, but that I was still sad she hadn’t signed the form,
because I really wanted to play the drums and I thought I’d be a pretty good
drummer by that time if she’d let me.
She responded that when I decided I wanted to be a drummer, she and my
dad were getting divorced. She was just
realizing that she was a lesbian, and if I’d had a drum set she’d have killed
herself, so she decided it was far more important that I had a mother. Couldn’t really argue with that! I had a crappy little acoustic guitar for a
while, then for my sixteenth birthday, I got my first electric guitar, woo
hoo! A Fernandes Strat copy. The guy at the shop I bought it from threw in
the tablature book for Alice In Chains Dirt for free because I loved them so
much. I would listen to the radio and my
cassette tapes, screwing around on the fretboard until I found the right notes
and could play along.
guess the family piano. When I got into
fifth grade, we had school band, and I was so excited, thinking I was going to
play the trumpet, the violin, the drums and the flute! I was pretty bummed when they told me you had
to pick one. Some friend of mine had a
flute she wasn’t using, so that’s what I ended up playing. I really wanted to play the drums, though,
badly. You had to be a sixth grader for
that. I tooted away on that flute for a
year, and at the beginning of sixth grade, I excitedly brought home the form
for my parents to sign that would allow me to play drums. They put the kibosh on that one real
quick. I was crushed. The guy that got to play drums wasn’t exactly
a natural, so I’d go to the back of the room after class and try and help him
with his parts. He rode the same bus as
me, and sometimes he’d let me take his sticks home and I’d bang on stuff in my
room after school. Years ago, I was in
the car with my mom, and I told her she had done a good job helping me explore
my interests and talents, but that I was still sad she hadn’t signed the form,
because I really wanted to play the drums and I thought I’d be a pretty good
drummer by that time if she’d let me.
She responded that when I decided I wanted to be a drummer, she and my
dad were getting divorced. She was just
realizing that she was a lesbian, and if I’d had a drum set she’d have killed
herself, so she decided it was far more important that I had a mother. Couldn’t really argue with that! I had a crappy little acoustic guitar for a
while, then for my sixteenth birthday, I got my first electric guitar, woo
hoo! A Fernandes Strat copy. The guy at the shop I bought it from threw in
the tablature book for Alice In Chains Dirt for free because I loved them so
much. I would listen to the radio and my
cassette tapes, screwing around on the fretboard until I found the right notes
and could play along.
How did the
Universe People all originally meet and when would that have been?
Universe People all originally meet and when would that have been?
Jo: I had known
Kellie for a long time and had played with her in two previous bands
before. And Dave I’d known for several
years too from around the scene.
Kellie for a long time and had played with her in two previous bands
before. And Dave I’d known for several
years too from around the scene.
Min: I met Jo in 1995
when her band Deep Traction were recording at my friend Josh’s place. I’d seen them play at the Rendezvous and was
really into what they were doing, it was sort of creepy and dark and sexy; just
what I wanted. When Deep Traction broke
up, my band at the time, Bend Sinister, stole their drummer Steve Kaplan. Jo and I have been friends ever since. Fast forward sixteen years, and we started
dating in 2011. Then I was able to sneak
into Universe People last year when Dave quit!
I first met Kimberly in maybe 2001.
She worked the door at the Breakroom and I met her through Lars because
they were dating. Kimberly and I were in
The Intelligence in 2003-2004, I think it was lineup number six.
when her band Deep Traction were recording at my friend Josh’s place. I’d seen them play at the Rendezvous and was
really into what they were doing, it was sort of creepy and dark and sexy; just
what I wanted. When Deep Traction broke
up, my band at the time, Bend Sinister, stole their drummer Steve Kaplan. Jo and I have been friends ever since. Fast forward sixteen years, and we started
dating in 2011. Then I was able to sneak
into Universe People last year when Dave quit!
I first met Kimberly in maybe 2001.
She worked the door at the Breakroom and I met her through Lars because
they were dating. Kimberly and I were in
The Intelligence in 2003-2004, I think it was lineup number six.
Kimberly: Hmmm… Min and I met many years ago when he was
playing bass in A-Frames. I was dating
their drummer, so we’d all just end up hanging out. The first time I saw Jo, she was playing with
Min in The Intelligence at a club I worked at.
I think I first met her when we sang on an A-Frames record
together. I always thought she was super
cool, but she didn’t really hang out or go to shows as much as other people I
knew, so we never became great friends, just acquaintances.
playing bass in A-Frames. I was dating
their drummer, so we’d all just end up hanging out. The first time I saw Jo, she was playing with
Min in The Intelligence at a club I worked at.
I think I first met her when we sang on an A-Frames record
together. I always thought she was super
cool, but she didn’t really hang out or go to shows as much as other people I
knew, so we never became great friends, just acquaintances.
When and what led
to the formation of Universe People?
to the formation of Universe People?
Kimberly: Jo?
Jo: We formed in
2011. I first asked Kellie if she’d like
to start a band with me. She had mostly
been playing drums in her recent bands, but I wanted her to play bass so that
she could sing with me. She can play
anything. I had some demos I played her
and she was into it. Then, I asked Dave
and sent him some demos as well and he was down and we went from there.
2011. I first asked Kellie if she’d like
to start a band with me. She had mostly
been playing drums in her recent bands, but I wanted her to play bass so that
she could sing with me. She can play
anything. I had some demos I played her
and she was into it. Then, I asked Dave
and sent him some demos as well and he was down and we went from there.
What does the name
Universe People mean or refer to? Who
came up with that and how did you all go about choosing it?
Universe People mean or refer to? Who
came up with that and how did you all go about choosing it?
Jo: Universe People
is from the name of a Czech space religion.
I spotted that name on the internet somewhere and said, “Bam! I’m grabbin’ that”. Kellie and Dave liked it, so we went with it.
is from the name of a Czech space religion.
I spotted that name on the internet somewhere and said, “Bam! I’m grabbin’ that”. Kellie and Dave liked it, so we went with it.
Is there any sort
of shared creed, code, ideal or mantra that the band shares or lives by?
of shared creed, code, ideal or mantra that the band shares or lives by?
Jo: Just stuff about
not wanting to play weeknights and that everyone should own at least one cat. It’s sort of like a band of grandmas.
not wanting to play weeknights and that everyone should own at least one cat. It’s sort of like a band of grandmas.
Kimberly: Not
really. Live slow, die old maybe?
really. Live slow, die old maybe?
Where are Universe
People located at these days?
People located at these days?
Kimberly: The mean
streets of Seattle, WA.
streets of Seattle, WA.
How would you
describe the local music scene where you all are at?
describe the local music scene where you all are at?
Jo: I kind of only
know about certain kinds of bands, and even then I don’t go to a lot of shows,
but there are some bands here I really like – Pony Time, Dreamsalon (Interviewhere), Stickers, the Lindseys, Zebrahunt.
I’m sure there are more I’m not thinking of right now.
know about certain kinds of bands, and even then I don’t go to a lot of shows,
but there are some bands here I really like – Pony Time, Dreamsalon (Interviewhere), Stickers, the Lindseys, Zebrahunt.
I’m sure there are more I’m not thinking of right now.
Do you feel like
you’ve very involved in the local scene there?
Do you book or attend a lot of local shows or anything?
you’ve very involved in the local scene there?
Do you book or attend a lot of local shows or anything?
Jo: Not too
involved. I’ve only occasionally sort of
booked shows at this one venue called the Rendezvous where it’s up to the band
to line up the show and do the door, etcetera.
involved. I’ve only occasionally sort of
booked shows at this one venue called the Rendezvous where it’s up to the band
to line up the show and do the door, etcetera.
Kimberly: Not
necessarily… I used to go to a lot more
shows, but the older I get, the more introverted I become. I still go to shows, but I don’t have the
“fear of missing out” that I did when I was younger.
necessarily… I used to go to a lot more
shows, but the older I get, the more introverted I become. I still go to shows, but I don’t have the
“fear of missing out” that I did when I was younger.
Are you involved
in recording or releasing any local music at all? If so, can you talk about that briefly?
in recording or releasing any local music at all? If so, can you talk about that briefly?
Jo: No, just my own
recordings.
recordings.
Do you feel like
the local scene’s played an important role in the history of Universe People or
in the formation of your sound? Or do
you all feel like you could be doing what you are and sound like you do
regardless of where you were at or what you were surrounded by?
the local scene’s played an important role in the history of Universe People or
in the formation of your sound? Or do
you all feel like you could be doing what you are and sound like you do
regardless of where you were at or what you were surrounded by?
Jo: I think maybe
not. I had pretty specific ideas of what
I wanted to do with this band, and I’ve stuck with those ideas. I don’t think the scene here has influenced
or changed it.
not. I had pretty specific ideas of what
I wanted to do with this band, and I’ve stuck with those ideas. I don’t think the scene here has influenced
or changed it.
How would you
describe Universe People’s sound in your own words to our readers who might not
have heard you before?
describe Universe People’s sound in your own words to our readers who might not
have heard you before?
Jo: Angular kind of
post-punk sort of sounding with weird girl harmonies. Lyrics about humiliation and vampires, that
sort of thing.
post-punk sort of sounding with weird girl harmonies. Lyrics about humiliation and vampires, that
sort of thing.
I seriously dig
the music and if I understand correctly you all draw inspirations from all over
the planet as you all come from all over the place. Can you tell us who some of your major
musical influences are? What about
influences on the band as a whole rather than just individually?
the music and if I understand correctly you all draw inspirations from all over
the planet as you all come from all over the place. Can you tell us who some of your major
musical influences are? What about
influences on the band as a whole rather than just individually?
Jo: I think there’re
bands that we all like but I’m not sure if there’s one source that we’re all
thinking of when it comes to Universe People, maybe The Raincoats, The Country
Teasers and Dolly Mixture?
bands that we all like but I’m not sure if there’s one source that we’re all
thinking of when it comes to Universe People, maybe The Raincoats, The Country
Teasers and Dolly Mixture?
What’s the
songwriting process with Universe People like, is there someone who comes in to
practice with basically a finished song to share with the rest of you? Or do you all work together more as a team to
compose and arrange stuff?
songwriting process with Universe People like, is there someone who comes in to
practice with basically a finished song to share with the rest of you? Or do you all work together more as a team to
compose and arrange stuff?
Jo: I write the songs
and demo them. Sometimes I have the
drums figured out, but sometimes I leave it up to Min ‘cause he has really good
taste in drumbeats and will come up with something great. Then once we all play them in the practice
space, everyone contributes to the final version of how the song sounds. Kimberly adds cool little stylings to the
bass lines that I never would have thought of.
and demo them. Sometimes I have the
drums figured out, but sometimes I leave it up to Min ‘cause he has really good
taste in drumbeats and will come up with something great. Then once we all play them in the practice
space, everyone contributes to the final version of how the song sounds. Kimberly adds cool little stylings to the
bass lines that I never would have thought of.
What about
recording? I think that most musicians
can definitely appreciate the end result of all the time, hard work and
effort. Holding that album in your hands
is an awesome thing indeed, getting to that point though, getting stuff
sounding the way that you want it to and do that as a band especially, can be
extremely difficult to say the least.
What’s it like recording for Universe People?
recording? I think that most musicians
can definitely appreciate the end result of all the time, hard work and
effort. Holding that album in your hands
is an awesome thing indeed, getting to that point though, getting stuff
sounding the way that you want it to and do that as a band especially, can be
extremely difficult to say the least.
What’s it like recording for Universe People?
Jo: I really like it
but it’s difficult. I have a hard time
with mixing drums, so I always rely on someone else who has a good ear for
drums to make those decisions. Min has a
good ear for drums in the mix. I think
communication is the hardest thing. It’s
great when you have an engineer that can understand all your weird descriptive
requests. I don’t describe things in
colors or anything lame like that, but I did ask for a vocal to be
“robot-y” once. And the engineer
was very patient with me and helped get my “robot-y” vocal.
but it’s difficult. I have a hard time
with mixing drums, so I always rely on someone else who has a good ear for
drums to make those decisions. Min has a
good ear for drums in the mix. I think
communication is the hardest thing. It’s
great when you have an engineer that can understand all your weird descriptive
requests. I don’t describe things in
colors or anything lame like that, but I did ask for a vocal to be
“robot-y” once. And the engineer
was very patient with me and helped get my “robot-y” vocal.
Kimberly: Fun! Relatively stress-free. The record we just made was absolutely the
most fun, low stress session I’ve ever participated in. I think it helps that we’ve all been playing
music for a long time, are all pretty laid back, and we really like each other
a lot. We laugh and hug all the time,
it’s pretty rad.
most fun, low stress session I’ve ever participated in. I think it helps that we’ve all been playing
music for a long time, are all pretty laid back, and we really like each other
a lot. We laugh and hug all the time,
it’s pretty rad.
Do you all take a
more DIY approach to recording where you like to handle that process of your
own or do Universe People head into the studio and let someone else worry about
that kind of thing so you can kind of kick back and concentrate on playing and
performing the music?
more DIY approach to recording where you like to handle that process of your
own or do Universe People head into the studio and let someone else worry about
that kind of thing so you can kind of kick back and concentrate on playing and
performing the music?
Jo: Studio for
sure. I’m fine making little demos on my
Zoom recorder, but even then I keep it very simple.
sure. I’m fine making little demos on my
Zoom recorder, but even then I keep it very simple.
Kimberly: I think
we’re pretty hands-on, all having been in bands for years and having a pretty
good idea of what we want things to sound like.
Sure, we have an engineer run the board and add some things, but we’re
constantly listening and reviewing, and making tweaks together.
we’re pretty hands-on, all having been in bands for years and having a pretty
good idea of what we want things to sound like.
Sure, we have an engineer run the board and add some things, but we’re
constantly listening and reviewing, and making tweaks together.
Is there a ton of
preparation that goes into a recording session for Universe People where you
all work out every nook and cranny of a song and figure out exactly how you
want it to sound, or do you all get a good idea of what a song should sound
like and then give it plenty of room to breathe and evolve during the recording
process?
preparation that goes into a recording session for Universe People where you
all work out every nook and cranny of a song and figure out exactly how you
want it to sound, or do you all get a good idea of what a song should sound
like and then give it plenty of room to breathe and evolve during the recording
process?
Kimberly: Nah. We’re not exactly a “jam band”. The songs are pretty straight-forward. I mean, we practice them and figure out what
we want them to sound like, but we don’t have the time or budget to work them
out in the studio.
we want them to sound like, but we don’t have the time or budget to work them
out in the studio.
Jo: Total preparation
equals less money in the studio. I have
all my overdubs demoed and figured out before I go in. There are some happy accidents in the
recording process, but mostly we like to have a very clear idea of what we’re
doing before we go in. I’m cautious
about editing too, not playing the crap out of some erhu on a track just
because they happen to have one at the studio.
equals less money in the studio. I have
all my overdubs demoed and figured out before I go in. There are some happy accidents in the
recording process, but mostly we like to have a very clear idea of what we’re
doing before we go in. I’m cautious
about editing too, not playing the crap out of some erhu on a track just
because they happen to have one at the studio.
In 2013 you all
released your first material that I know of, the killer Go To The Sun on Little
Black Cloud Records in a ridiculously limited run of only 250 copies! The lineup that recorded this material was
slightly different than the one that you’re performing with at this point if I
understand correctly. What was the
recording of the material for Go To The Sun like? When and where was that recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used? I did a little pocking around and couldn’t find
a lot of details about the release of the album. I know that Go To The Sun’s also available
digitally via your Bandcamp page and as I mentioned was released on 12” vinyl,
was it released on CD or cassette either one?
released your first material that I know of, the killer Go To The Sun on Little
Black Cloud Records in a ridiculously limited run of only 250 copies! The lineup that recorded this material was
slightly different than the one that you’re performing with at this point if I
understand correctly. What was the
recording of the material for Go To The Sun like? When and where was that recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used? I did a little pocking around and couldn’t find
a lot of details about the release of the album. I know that Go To The Sun’s also available
digitally via your Bandcamp page and as I mentioned was released on 12” vinyl,
was it released on CD or cassette either one?
Jo: We recorded Go to
the Sun at the Pool Recording studio in Portland, Oregon with Alex
Yusimov. His studio’s all analog but I’m
not sure I remember any specifics about the equipment used. It wasn’t released on CD or cassette, just
vinyl and digital.
the Sun at the Pool Recording studio in Portland, Oregon with Alex
Yusimov. His studio’s all analog but I’m
not sure I remember any specifics about the equipment used. It wasn’t released on CD or cassette, just
vinyl and digital.
You’re just
getting ready to drop your sophomore full-length Are Coming To The Dance and
there are even a couple of preview tracks up streaming on your Bandcamp page. What was the lineup for recording
this album and when was this material written and recorded? Where did you record the material for Are
Coming To The Dance?
getting ready to drop your sophomore full-length Are Coming To The Dance and
there are even a couple of preview tracks up streaming on your Bandcamp page. What was the lineup for recording
this album and when was this material written and recorded? Where did you record the material for Are
Coming To The Dance?
Jo: I think about
half of these songs were kicking around a year or more ago and then the other
half were written in the last few months of 2013. We recorded at MRX studio
with Matt Stegner.
half of these songs were kicking around a year or more ago and then the other
half were written in the last few months of 2013. We recorded at MRX studio
with Matt Stegner.
Kimberly: We recorded
with this very lineup.
with this very lineup.
Was the recording
of Are Coming To The Dance very different than the session(s) for Go To The
Sun? Did you all try anything radically
new or different when it came to the writing or recording of Are Coming To The
Dance? What can our readers expect from
the new album? When is that due for
release?
of Are Coming To The Dance very different than the session(s) for Go To The
Sun? Did you all try anything radically
new or different when it came to the writing or recording of Are Coming To The
Dance? What can our readers expect from
the new album? When is that due for
release?
Jo: The recording was
different in that we recorded on tape, but mixed digitally. I don’t think that it was radically different
from our first recording. I think the
songs are maybe a bit more cohesive and more developed than the songs on the
first one maybe. The songs are a bit
slower. Min didn’t consume the same
amount of sugar as our original drummer did on the first recording. Wednesday June 18th is our digital release
day on Bandcamp for the new record and we’ll be also debuting our video for
“The Modern Girl” on The Finest Kiss.
different in that we recorded on tape, but mixed digitally. I don’t think that it was radically different
from our first recording. I think the
songs are maybe a bit more cohesive and more developed than the songs on the
first one maybe. The songs are a bit
slower. Min didn’t consume the same
amount of sugar as our original drummer did on the first recording. Wednesday June 18th is our digital release
day on Bandcamp for the new record and we’ll be also debuting our video for
“The Modern Girl” on The Finest Kiss.
Does Universe
People have any other music that we haven’t talked about yet, maybe a single or
a song on a compilation that I might not know about?
People have any other music that we haven’t talked about yet, maybe a single or
a song on a compilation that I might not know about?
Jo: No, we
don’t. We were going to try recording a
Modettes cover with Kellie before she moved to Salt Lake City, but we didn’t
have time, unfortunately.
don’t. We were going to try recording a
Modettes cover with Kellie before she moved to Salt Lake City, but we didn’t
have time, unfortunately.
With the impending
release of Are Coming To The Dance do Universe People have any other releases
in the works or on the horizon at this point?
release of Are Coming To The Dance do Universe People have any other releases
in the works or on the horizon at this point?
Min: We did three
songs last year as part of a Devo tribute night, which was really fun but kind
of a lot of work. So we’ve been toying
with the idea of doing a home recording of those songs since it seems a shame
to have done all the work of learning them just to do them for that show. There’s also at least one video in the works,
maybe two.
songs last year as part of a Devo tribute night, which was really fun but kind
of a lot of work. So we’ve been toying
with the idea of doing a home recording of those songs since it seems a shame
to have done all the work of learning them just to do them for that show. There’s also at least one video in the works,
maybe two.
With the
completely insane postage rates these days I try and provide our readers with
as many possible options for picking up releases, especially imports and the
like. Where’s the best place for our US
readers to pick up copies of your stuff at?
completely insane postage rates these days I try and provide our readers with
as many possible options for picking up releases, especially imports and the
like. Where’s the best place for our US
readers to pick up copies of your stuff at?
Kimberly: The
internet!
internet!
Jo: In Seattle, Wall of Sound or Georgetown Records, in Portland, Mississipi Records. For other towns, they could maybe message
Little Black Cloud Records and ask about record stores in their town.
Little Black Cloud Records and ask about record stores in their town.
What about our
international and overseas readers?
international and overseas readers?
Kimberly: See above.
Jo: Probably need to
order from Little Black Cloud Records for the first record and when the new one
comes out, uhhmmm… I’m not sure.
order from Little Black Cloud Records for the first record and when the new one
comes out, uhhmmm… I’m not sure.
And where’s the
best place for interested readers to keep up with the latest news like upcoming
shows and album releases from Universe People at?
best place for interested readers to keep up with the latest news like upcoming
shows and album releases from Universe People at?
Are there any
major goals or plans that Universe People are looking to accomplish in 2014?
major goals or plans that Universe People are looking to accomplish in 2014?
Kimberly: We just
hope to get this record released and tour a little bit.
hope to get this record released and tour a little bit.
Jo: Music video is
next and then West coast tour in September.
next and then West coast tour in September.
Do you all spend a
lot of time out on the road touring? Do
you enjoy being out on the road? What’s
life like on the road for Universe People?
lot of time out on the road touring? Do
you enjoy being out on the road? What’s
life like on the road for Universe People?
Jo: I’ve hardly
toured at all. I like it okay for a
short stint, but I like getting sleep and eating relatively healthy food so
touring isn’t the best for that. This
September will be our first tour together, so I’ll let you know how it is when
we get back.
toured at all. I like it okay for a
short stint, but I like getting sleep and eating relatively healthy food so
touring isn’t the best for that. This
September will be our first tour together, so I’ll let you know how it is when
we get back.
Kimberly: While the
road can be fun and we’ve collectively wracked up more highway miles than most
people in all of our other bands over the years, the sad truth is that touring
at our small level is not exactly cost-effective… We all make way more money staying home and
working our normal jobs. Plus, we hate
being away from our cats!
road can be fun and we’ve collectively wracked up more highway miles than most
people in all of our other bands over the years, the sad truth is that touring
at our small level is not exactly cost-effective… We all make way more money staying home and
working our normal jobs. Plus, we hate
being away from our cats!
Do you remember
what the first song that Universe People ever played live was? Where and when would that have been?
what the first song that Universe People ever played live was? Where and when would that have been?
Jo: Not sure which
song was first in the set, it might have been “Bounce To Your
Party”. It was at a party at my
house in about June 2011. We played five
songs I think.
song was first in the set, it might have been “Bounce To Your
Party”. It was at a party at my
house in about June 2011. We played five
songs I think.
What, if anything,
do you all have planned as far as touring goes for 2014?
do you all have planned as far as touring goes for 2014?
Kimberly: We’re
working on a west coast trip for the fall, and I hope we can get over to NY one
of these days!
working on a west coast trip for the fall, and I hope we can get over to NY one
of these days!
Who are some of
your personal favorite bands that you’ve had a chance to play with in the past
few years?
your personal favorite bands that you’ve had a chance to play with in the past
few years?
Kimberly: Well, I’ve
been in the band for the least amount of time, so Min and Jo may have different
answers, but for me it was definitely playing with The Black Lips and The
Coathangers in March! The Black Lips are
old friends, so it was great to see them, and they always put on a great show. The Coathangers worked the crowd into an
absolute frenzy! Even though we played
really early, like 9pm, I think – there were people there, dancing and enjoying
themselves… There was just such a great
energy all night, when you looked around everyone was smiling and dancing and
having fun.
been in the band for the least amount of time, so Min and Jo may have different
answers, but for me it was definitely playing with The Black Lips and The
Coathangers in March! The Black Lips are
old friends, so it was great to see them, and they always put on a great show. The Coathangers worked the crowd into an
absolute frenzy! Even though we played
really early, like 9pm, I think – there were people there, dancing and enjoying
themselves… There was just such a great
energy all night, when you looked around everyone was smiling and dancing and
having fun.
Jo: We played with
The Black Lips and The Coathangers recently, both bands were great and it was a
really fun show. We opened for Mudhoney
a year ago or so. Of course, Mudhoney
are one of my favorite bands.
The Black Lips and The Coathangers recently, both bands were great and it was a
really fun show. We opened for Mudhoney
a year ago or so. Of course, Mudhoney
are one of my favorite bands.
Is there any kind
of meaning or message that you all try and convey with your artwork? Do you give a lot of thought to the visual
aspects that represent the band like flyers, posters, shirt designs, covers and
that kind of thing? Is there anyone that
you usually turn to in your time of need when it comes to that kind of
thing? If so, who is that and how did
you get hooked up with them?
of meaning or message that you all try and convey with your artwork? Do you give a lot of thought to the visual
aspects that represent the band like flyers, posters, shirt designs, covers and
that kind of thing? Is there anyone that
you usually turn to in your time of need when it comes to that kind of
thing? If so, who is that and how did
you get hooked up with them?
Jo: I work as a
production artist and animator, so I can take care of most of the art
needs. But for Go to the Sun we had an
artist friend of ours, Nick Gucker, design a poster as an insert for the
record. He specializes in horror
illustration, and we wanted a fake movie poster for our “Vampire Prison” video. He did such a beautiful job the record’s
worth buying just to get his poster!
production artist and animator, so I can take care of most of the art
needs. But for Go to the Sun we had an
artist friend of ours, Nick Gucker, design a poster as an insert for the
record. He specializes in horror
illustration, and we wanted a fake movie poster for our “Vampire Prison” video. He did such a beautiful job the record’s
worth buying just to get his poster!
With all of the
various mediums of release that are available to musicians today I’m always
curious why they choose and prefer the various methods that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release
when it comes to putting out your own stuff?
What about when you’re listening to and or purchasing music? If you do have a reference can you talk a
little bit about what that is and why?
various mediums of release that are available to musicians today I’m always
curious why they choose and prefer the various methods that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release
when it comes to putting out your own stuff?
What about when you’re listening to and or purchasing music? If you do have a reference can you talk a
little bit about what that is and why?
Jo: I tend to listen
to music on the computer mostly these days, but sometimes I like to have the
vinyl. I love that you get free digital
downloads with vinyl these days.
to music on the computer mostly these days, but sometimes I like to have the
vinyl. I love that you get free digital
downloads with vinyl these days.
I grew up around
my father’s enormous collection of vintage psych, classic garage and
traditional blues music, but beyond that I was really encouraged to dig in and
enjoy the collection from an early age.
I grew up in the local record shops and my dad encouraged me to listen
to just about anything that floated my boat when I was younger, pushing me to
expand my musical horizons and experiences.
He thought that physical media was an important way of becoming
introduced and subsequently getting to know a band, and I couldn’t agree
more. There’s something magical about
popping an album into the player, kicking back with a set of headphones,
reading the liner notes, staring at the cover artwork and letting the whole
experience just transport you off.
Having something to hold in my hands and experience along with the music
always made for a much more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released media?
my father’s enormous collection of vintage psych, classic garage and
traditional blues music, but beyond that I was really encouraged to dig in and
enjoy the collection from an early age.
I grew up in the local record shops and my dad encouraged me to listen
to just about anything that floated my boat when I was younger, pushing me to
expand my musical horizons and experiences.
He thought that physical media was an important way of becoming
introduced and subsequently getting to know a band, and I couldn’t agree
more. There’s something magical about
popping an album into the player, kicking back with a set of headphones,
reading the liner notes, staring at the cover artwork and letting the whole
experience just transport you off.
Having something to hold in my hands and experience along with the music
always made for a much more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released media?
Jo: I did as a kid,
but not so much these days. It might be
because I can just look up info on the internet about a band and/or recording,
so the info contained in the record sleeve, or cover, or whatever isn’t so
special anymore.
but not so much these days. It might be
because I can just look up info on the internet about a band and/or recording,
so the info contained in the record sleeve, or cover, or whatever isn’t so
special anymore.
As much as I love
my music collection, digital music has changed things for better or worse. It’s allowed me to really take my collection
with me on the go for the first time and it’s changed the way that I listen to
and enjoy my collection honestly. I find
myself getting around to listening to a lot more different stuff now that I
have more of my stuff readily available at my fingertips and enjoying a lot of
my stuff that I probably wouldn’t have given another thought if I had to dig
them out every time I wanted to listen to them.
That’s just the beginning though, when you team digital music with the
internet you have something really revolutionary on your hands. Together they’ve exposed people to the
expansive world of music that they’re surrounded by and allowed unparalleled
communication between the fans and the bands, eliminating a lot of the
limitations that arose from locational boundaries in the past almost
overnight. Nothing is every black and
white though and illegal downloading is running absolutely rampant right now,
and with everyone being given a somewhat “equal” voice online it’s harder and
harder to get noticed in the absolutely madcap digital scene out there right
now. As a musician during the reign of
the digital era, what’s your opinion on digital music and distribution?
my music collection, digital music has changed things for better or worse. It’s allowed me to really take my collection
with me on the go for the first time and it’s changed the way that I listen to
and enjoy my collection honestly. I find
myself getting around to listening to a lot more different stuff now that I
have more of my stuff readily available at my fingertips and enjoying a lot of
my stuff that I probably wouldn’t have given another thought if I had to dig
them out every time I wanted to listen to them.
That’s just the beginning though, when you team digital music with the
internet you have something really revolutionary on your hands. Together they’ve exposed people to the
expansive world of music that they’re surrounded by and allowed unparalleled
communication between the fans and the bands, eliminating a lot of the
limitations that arose from locational boundaries in the past almost
overnight. Nothing is every black and
white though and illegal downloading is running absolutely rampant right now,
and with everyone being given a somewhat “equal” voice online it’s harder and
harder to get noticed in the absolutely madcap digital scene out there right
now. As a musician during the reign of
the digital era, what’s your opinion on digital music and distribution?
Jo: I like that it
makes it easier for bands to make their music more available.
makes it easier for bands to make their music more available.
I try to keep up
with as much good music as I possibly can but there’s just not enough hours in
the day to listen to even one percent of the amazing stuff that’s out there
right now. As a result I rely on people
like you for tips on who I should be checking out. Is there anyone from your local scene or area
that I might not have heard of I should be listening to?
with as much good music as I possibly can but there’s just not enough hours in
the day to listen to even one percent of the amazing stuff that’s out there
right now. As a result I rely on people
like you for tips on who I should be checking out. Is there anyone from your local scene or area
that I might not have heard of I should be listening to?
Jo: Just the bands
that I mentioned earlier from the local scene.
that I mentioned earlier from the local scene.
What about
nationally and internationally?
nationally and internationally?
Jo: Just listened to
a band called Baus yesterday that Min has played with before, from Oakland I
think? Universe People get to play with
them on tour too in September.
a band called Baus yesterday that Min has played with before, from Oakland I
think? Universe People get to play with
them on tour too in September.
Kimberly: Fresh n’
Onlys.
Onlys.
DISCOGRAPHY
(2013) Universe
People – Go To The Sun – digital, 12” – Little Black Cloud Records (12” Limited
to 250 copies)
People – Go To The Sun – digital, 12” – Little Black Cloud Records (12” Limited
to 250 copies)
(2014) Universe
People – Are Coming To The Dance – digital, ? – ? Records (Limited to ? copies)
People – Are Coming To The Dance – digital, ? – ? Records (Limited to ? copies)
© Eva Piccininni
Interview made by Roman Rathert/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
Array
