Interview with the Spinto Band

The Spinto band is a wonderful 6 piece from Wilmington, Delaware. They just released their second album, Moonwink, on Park the Van Records. The band is made up of Thomas and Sam Hughes, Jon Eaton, Nick Krill, and Joey and Jeff Hobson. The new album is a follow up to their 2005 major label debut Nice and Nicely Done, although they had previously self released many albums. I had been waiting for Moonwink for a while, and it definitely lives up to all of my expectations. All of the songs are so refreshing and really great, that I can’t pick a favorite, although I am addicted to “Summer Grof”.

I just got the chance to see the Spinto guys for the first time at a Grimey’s in store. They were really nice and their live show was very energetic and fun to watch. They mainly played songs from Moonwink, but also threw in some old favorites, like “Brown Boxes” and “Direct to Helmet”. It was also a great to see the legendary kazoos in action. Jon Eaton, guitarist, was nice enough to answer some questions for me. He talks about the story behind Roy Spinto, touring habits, and recording Moonwink.





What was the recording process like for Moonwink?

Well, it’s a funny coincidence that the album was recorded in a converted sweatshop as we all worked pretty long hours putting the album together. We set deadlines, knew what we wanted and wore sweatpants every now and again. We also gained a fine appreciation for Ms. Pac Man and LA truck burritos. Dave Trumfio (producer) told us many a late night tale of past record industry fiascos to help inspire the process and once or twice we joked about whether veggie burritos were real burritos.

Can you explain the story behind Roy Spinto?

Roy is the inspiration of the band. He blessed us with some song inspiration early in the formation of the band. His face graces many a logo of the band nowadays and sometimes I wonder if he were alive today if he wouldn't anchor a band of his own and we could have a trademark battle for the rights to The Spinto Band name.

What have you guys been listening to lately?

Well.... excellent question. I have been enjoying a few albums of late. Dr. Dog's new album, Fate, is great. I enjoyed the Thao Nguyen album that came out this summer. The new Silver Jews is pretty cool, but I have to admit, I don't really get the new TV on The Radio. We had a discussion the other day that most people say that record is awesome because they are scared to admit that they don't get it. I am not scared, here me now, I don't get that new TV on the Radio album. I think it sounds like an unwound wool scarf.

Where is your favorite place to tour?

Aww shux... I'm no good at picking favorites. Here is a list of cities I've been building that, if I were offered a well paying job there, I would move there... you know, if I were in a career path that created exciting life changing options like that: Madison, Austin, Norfolk VA, New Orleans (despite the potential for disaster), Glasgow, Paris, San Francisco, Portland Maine. Sometimes I want to live in Phoenix, but other times I think otherwise.

What is your favorite song to play live?

See above... Although some of our favorite shows have been in Glasgow Scotland. People are always game for a conga line and once everyone gets drunk you can't understand a single word anyone is saying- and people love to get drunk there, so you pretty much listen to people speak in a foreign tongue, but that tongue is really just drunken Scot.

Any funny stories from tour?
Oh are you kidding me? We are straight business in the Spinto band, the only funny thing ever to happen on tour for us was we misorganized our tax documents and had to refile, but we accidentally refiled using forenames instead of surnames and the files were all screwed up. Crazy story, I'd elaborate, but you kind of had to be there.

Who are your musical influences?

My influences are constantly changing. Today I was listening to a bunch of Ween songs and realized they shaped a large part of my musical upbringing. They helped explain an important point in music and all around existence: anything goes, try new things, do your own thing.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Seal and meerkats

Do you have any hidden talents?

Hustling suite upgrades at hotels

How would you describe the Spinto Band's sound?

What can I write that doesn't sound self-obsessed? The Spinto band sound can be described as the final words you write on a postcard before you run out of space. Jam-packed, poignant, and usually overshadowed by the flip-side.

Check out their website:

www.spintoband.com/

And make sure to go out and buy a copy of Moonwink!

An Interview with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, from Springfield, Missouri, is definitely one of the best pop bands around. If you know me, then you know that they are my favorite band. Broom, their debut album, stole my heart and is one of my favorite albums. It was so well received by the public, and the guys can even call Chris Walla, of Death Cab for Cutie, a fan. Yet, with their release of Pershing this past April, Broom had some major competition. Pershing is so insanely catchy and the perfect pop album with substance. Every single track on Pershing stands out. It is the best driving album, for driving with the windows down on the back roads. My personal favorites are “Glue Girls”, the first track, which has the greatest ending and “Oceanographer” which is so amazing performed live. “The Beach Song” is another personal favorite. Both albums are so different, yet both are phenomenal.

One of the main reasons that Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin are my favorite though, is that the members, John, Will, Phil, and Jonathan, are such great guys. They are so friendly, and always make an extra effort to connect with the fans.

I saw them play in Covington, KY at the Madhatter in July and they were amazing. They were everything I expected and more. John, the lead singer, had lost his voice, so Phil, who also sings, took over the singing for the entire night. They played a shorter set than they normally do, but it was a very special set list. It included songs from Broom and Pershing, which included “Yr Broom”, “Dead Right”, and “Modern Mystery”. Also, they did an Arrested Development cover of “Mr. Wendell” in which Phil rapped, and they played b-sides, like “Let’s Get Tired”. I got the chance to meet the band, and they were all so funny and incredibly kind. I can’t wait to see them perform again soon. They are leaving for a European tour starting September 10th.
I got the chance to interview Phil Dickey, the drummer/guitarist/singer/songwriter of the band. He talks about the differences between Broom and Pershing, adventures in touring, influences, and his guilty pleasures.

Also, please check out their website, http://www.sslyby.com/ and buy their albums.

(Photo credit to my friend Katelyn, who took the photo at their Covington show)

Sarah: So, how is Pershing, the latest album, different from Broom?

Phil: There were so many different circumstances when we made Broom and Pershing, and that's why they sound different. I think Broom is more introverted...I think it sounds like starring at your ceiling in your bedroom. We recorded it in Will's bedroom, so it was easy to make it sound like that. Making Pershing was more complicated. We wanted to make something personal, but we also wanted to make a record that sounded more like our live show...which is much louder, and more upbeat than Broom. We borrowed nicer microphones to record Pershing, so it sounds more professional...but I don't think that's what makes it good. I think Pershing is more of a party record, or for riding your bike.

Sarah: Who have been your biggest musical influences?

Phil: Music that I listened to when I was younger, before I could really play an instrument. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with contemporary Christian music because that's all my parents listened to. Then I got obsessed with the Beatles and Nirvana because I really thought I would get beat up or ridiculed for listening to Michael W. Smith in junior high. Anyway, the Beatles and Nirvana were like magic to me. They're our biggest influences, even though we don't sound much like them.

Sarah: What was the last album that you bought?

Phil: Wildflowers by Tom Petty. It's okay. I wish I liked it more.

Sarah: Where has been your favorite place to tour? Why?

Phil: Beloit, Wisconsin. We play at Beloit College in a really small basement. It's always packed and the kids always freak out and get really into the music. After the show we always hang out with them and sleep on the floor in a random dorm room. We'd much rather play Beloit than a huge club somewhere else.

Sarah: How is it on the road, traveling so much?

Phil: It's all about action, adventure, friendship, and loyalty. Sometimes we're friends and sometimes we want to kill each other.

Sarah: What is your favorite song to perform live? Why?

Phil: Heers. Because it's quiet and loud and it's fun to sing.

Sarah: What do you like to do when you are not touring?

Phil: Just normal stuff like walking a dog, hanging out with friends, and riding bikes. My biggest thing is that I always like to have an art project going on and working on it everyday until it's done and I have a new one. Sometimes it's writing a song. But lately I've been making skateboard videos with my little brother. Will, our guitarist, makes a lot of art, too. We all have normal jobs when we're not touring.

Sarah: Who has been your favorite group to tour with?

Phil: Probably Harry and The Potters because the shows were all ages and totally unpredictable. The first five rows in the crowd were always little kids who had never seen a rock show before.

Sarah: Has anything funny or strange happened on tour recently?

Phil: I got jumped by 3 guys in Asbury Park, New Jersey. They wanted my money and I said no, so one of them punched me in the face. A security car pulled up and they ran off. My face was bleeding and then we played a show. I always wanted to get punched in the eye. So I'm glad it happened without serious injury.

Sarah: What are your plans for the next few months?

Phil: Go on tour and write new songs. Then record new songs for a new album.

Sarah: What is your biggest guilty pleasure (whether it’s food, movies, music, or television show)?

Phil: Right now it's the movie Home Alone. I got the special edition DVD and it has so many awesome extra scenes, and I usually don't watch those. We played a show in Chicago two days ago. While the other guys were eating, Will and I found the Home Alone house with a couple friends.