10/02/2008
Takka Takka Live @ MRoom: Interview, Review + Photos
Last Friday I had the pleasure of catching Brooklyn's Takka Takka play their mix of highly nuanced and textual indie-pop at Philly's MRoom. Indeed, the band sounded great (especially vocals, which were thankfully set high in the mix). After the show, I sat down with lead vocalist Gabe and guitarist Drew, had some beers, and attempted to find out what this band, with an unusual name, is all about.
So guys, great to meet you! How has your mini-tour been going so far?
Gabe: Awesome to meet you! Thanks for The Walrus shirts! It's been going really well.
Drew: Yep, it has definitely been a lot of fun.
Awesome! Have you guys ever played Philly before? What are your thoughts on the city? Tell me about your experiences, good and bad.
G: Yea this is our 4th show here I think. Someone asked me earlier what the differences are between Philly and New York audiences--and now I remember--the heckling! But it's heckling with good intentions. It's like "hey you are in our city now, we like you, but don't get too comfortable because we are still going to give you shit."
Ah, the casual heckling of Philadelphia...
G: Haha, yes.
D: Yea it's never demeaning or aggressive.
G: It's actually sort of nice, considering the fact that a live show is really a two-way street. I'd much rather have some reaction than none at all.
True, plus it keeps it fun. In regards to the new album, Migration, there is a meditative vibe going on, especially on songs like "Monkey Forest Road" and "(The Optimists Were Right)". Gabe, I recently read on the band's MySpace page that it stems from your mom's new religious conversion. Could you elaborate?
G: Well, there are several threads of meaning going on within the record. I'd definitely say that one of the narrative threads in the lyrics is about my mom becoming a holy person.
Yea I definitely picked up on that vibe while listening to it. On the other hand, "Homebreaker" has a real funky sound at the end of it. Were there any direct inspirations behind that?
D: That's our "Thriller" section!
G:Ha! That song was a total experiment. I didn't want any parts written before-hand. It basically started with percussion and bass parts, and then we recorded individual parts in secret hoping that, in the end, everything would come together. Until the end, it was really difficult to know what it would end up sounding like. But, in terms of influences, there is definitely some Talking Heads in there!
How about Peter Gabriel? I know you guys get that one a lot...
D: Yea we both like Peter Gabriel, but we weren't trying to mimic the "World Music" sound or anything. There are some specifics sounds in his music, like how he recorded toms, that we wanted to emulate, but that was it.
Gabe, you also wrote that sometimes this record is about where you came from and how you got there. Is that alluding to the musical process or just the feeling of it? Can you elaborate?
G: It's both. The thesis of the record is "moving from comfort to discomfort."
Interesting. I'm sure, like many bands, your recording process differs from your live show. Do you prefer one over the other or do they both have pros and cons?
G: I love recording. The live show is necessary though.
D: I love recording for what you can do, there are no limitations, but I definitely prefer the live show.
Cool. On that note, what was the worst show you ever played? The best?
G: Not sure about the worst...Best? Haha, you tell me. I used to know this guy when i was working, he was an India Stone Dealer and I would always say to him "Hey Rajah, how's it going?" and he would respond (in an Indian accent) "I don't know you tell me." The show at the Black Cat was definitely awesome.
D: Ummmm, the MRoom in Philly!?
Haha, yes, this was in fact your best show. I'm sure of it! Speaking of Philly, is there a musical connection between you guys and Alec Ounsworth/CYHSY? Or are you just friends and tour-mates? Are there plans to collaborate in the future?
D: We love those guys, they are our good friends...
G: (sarcastically) No. There will be nothing in the future at all. We are planning on distancing ourselves as much as possible!
Ha! Say guys, the name Takka Takka wasn't, by any chance, borrowed from a Lichenstein painting was it?
G: Yep! That's exactly where it comes from!
D: Haha, how did you know that?
Uh, a little birdie named Earfarm told me.
D: Ahhhh, yes!
I'm curious, who directed the video for "Silence" and where did all the toys come from?
G: Our good friend Amy Finkel directed it. She is awesome. Yes, those are all her toys! Unbelievably enough, she still makes mini models!
D: Yea! She is really awesome!
Remixes are really popular these days. Personally, I sometimes become sold on a remix of band's song before I ever hear the original. Have you guys considered doing some?
G: The idea that the remix can become more well known that the original song is really interesting to me. It's kind of Warhol-ian. We really like the whole Crystal Castles/HEALTH thing. HEALTH blows me away!
D: Yea we are working with some people that we really like on future remixes, but at the same time we aren't really sure why we are doing them...
Well, I think it helps bring in an audience that may not have necessarily known about you before...always a good thing! Ok. My last question is a fun one. What is the weirdest message you have ever received on MySpace?
G: Haha, Drew got one recently...
D: Umm, yea I played in a Guns 'N Roses tribute band recently and a girl linked me to Takka Takka. She sent me a weird haiku through MySpace, just letting me know that she existed. A little freaky, but harmless...
Or at least you think! Ok guys that's it for the questions. Thanks for taking the time to hang out. Great show!
G: Thanks, Michael!
D: Thanks, man!!
Check out photos from the show:
duuuuude
Chords Chords
My Bloody Takka?
And now, Gabe will play the keyboard with his mind!
Don't look away in anger
Thanks to Gabe, Drew and the rest of the band (as well as Gillian) for taking the time to hang out and do the interview and for putting on an awesome show!
You can grab a free download of their awesome track "Silence" here.
Takka Takka's new album, Migration, is highly recommended. Grab it now over at Ernest Jenning and on iTunes.
The band plays Chicago's Darkroom tonight and Brooklyn's Glasslands Gallery on the 10th. Catch 'em if you can!
Posted by Michael on 10/02/2008 9:32 AM in Indie-Pop, Post-Punk, Interview, Live Review, Events
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