Off-kilter indie pop meets millitant feminism
Break-ups can be really crappy. And awkward. And humiliating. When I was about 13, I rang up this girl that I had pulled at least four times across three different nights, politely explaining to her that “we couldn’t see each other anymore”. She seemed fairly nonplussed – mainly because she had no idea we were ‘going out’. Four times at 13?! I thought this was virtually marriage. Oh, and also “I was a rubbish pull anyway”. Bummer.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand: people deal with rejection in different ways. I might have grown up to be a miserable misanthrope with nothing better to do than carp on about Morrissey and whine about pop music, but there are other avenues. Take San Franciscan trio Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, for instance. Rather than let rubbish men ‘get her down’ (guffaw), instead singer/guitarist/songwriter Thao used her break-up experiences to form the basis of a brilliantly crafted record – mixing rapier-sharp lyrical jibes with some remarkably sunny and uplifting off-kilter indie-pop. I caught up her (and the Get Down Stay Down) as they prepare for a show at the Borderline next week.
I heard your guitar got stolen at a recent gig at the Barfly in Camden? What happened? Did you apprehend the culprit by shouting Get Down Stay Down?
Ha good one. Erm… yes the fellow stole the guitar and then took it to the pub down the street. He proceeded to get drunk and violent and arrested. So they confiscated the guitar and our friend who worked at the venue happened to be walking by and just asked off-hand if they had a guitar. Which they did, in their paddy wagon. Or do you all call that a meat wagon?
It’s fairly clear that ‘Know Better Learn Faster’ is something of a break-up record lyrically, but musically it’s really upbeat. How do you reconcile the two?
I think there's about three songs that could pass as straightforwardly sad. As for the others, I wanted them to convey the loss and frustration, but also hold the frantic energy and restlessness of an unexpected end to something important.
Considering the subject matter, is it tough to sing these songs live?
No, I'm far enough away from it at this point.
Do you want us to take the ex out for you? We know people.
Thank you for your concern but we are on good terms.
Your record label Kill Rock Stars has often been associated with a fairly militant feminist slant – is this something you feel strongly about? Did it make any difference to you signing for them?
Kill Rock Stars' politics, activism and advocacy are very important to me. I wish we all would be such militant feminists so there would no longer have to be such a thing as militant feminists.
You’ve had over 1.6 million plays on MySpace, Pitchfork loves you, even the marketing guys in our office had heard of you, yet this is the first time you’ve physically released a record in the UK. Why?
KRS released our last record, ‘We Brave Beestings and All’, in the UK in 2008. But I guess it didn't do that well huh.
Woops….aaanyway, moving on: you’re creating a Frankenstein hybrid of the ultimate band. Who gets what place (guitar, bass, drums, vocals, other)?
Guitar – the lead guitarist from Orchestra Baobob [Senegalese Afro-Cuban-Carribean fusion band]. Bass – James Jamerson [Motown records session bassist]. Drums – Willis’ favourite is Art Blakey [bebop jazz-man]. Vocals – Cesoria Evora [Cape Verdean ‘barefoot diva’].
And finally – your website says you’re holding out for a Mentos commercial. Any joy yet?
With bated breath we wait. We have been steadily rehearsing holding the fine candy rolls with sincere and enthusiastic smiles.
As previously mentioned, Thao and The Get Down Stay Down play The Borderline on the 16th of March.
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