One of our newest features here at Scene Point Blank is our semi-daily quickie Q&A: One Question Interviews. Follow us at facebook or twitter and we'll post one interview every Monday-Thursday. Well, sometimes we miss a day, but it will be four each week regardless.
After our social media followers get the first word, we'll later post a wrap-up here at the site and archive 'em here. This week check out Q&As with The Julie Ruin, White Murder, Guitar Wolf and RJD2.
Sara Landeau (The Julie Ruin)
SPB: Did joining The Julie Ruin feel like a new band, or like you were joining one with an already-established identity?
Sara: It felt like a brand new band, which it was. In retrospect, we probably should've changed the name because it’s the same name as Kathleen's 1998 solo moniker (Julie Ruin), but then again I'm proud to be part of it. And it’s a good name! And we do songs from that early album in our live set. As far as joining an already established identity, well, of course Kathleen and Kathi are famous figureheads of a movement that so many of us have been involved in for the some 20 years. I had all-girl trashrock bands in the mid ‘90s, then started a business teaching girls and women music for the past 10 years. Kathleen's call to start a band brought me back to performing, which I didn't know I was going to do again! So we all bring different experiences to the table. We're not trying to rehash old ideas, reuse any slogans, or give a makeover to something that's been undressed. We are a completely different jumpsuit. We're a 5-piece aiming to create new ideas, start new revolutions, and shout new, louder slogans. But sometimes being in a girls-rock-camp bubble can make it hard to see outside the store window. For example, it wasn't until we started touring that I noticed the hardcore Kathleen fans, those audience facial profiles -- that is, from the stage all I see are heads in the first 6 rows forming a direct angle that points to Kathleen. Burning stares. I could be doing ANYTHING and those people wouldn't see me. She has fans that really love her! So although it is a new band, there will always be an element of already established politics in place.
Hannah Blumenfeld (White Murder)
SPB: What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
Hannah: Substitute teaching. I was way too young and it was just complete chaos all the time: all grades all categories. One day in the middle school I lost it and called a student a bitch. I was so freaked out, thinking I was going to get fired, and when I finally met with the principal at the end of the day, he kind of laughed and said, "That kid? He's going to juvie tomorrow. I wouldn't worry about it."
Seiji (Guitar Wolf)
SPB: How did your recent US tour with The Coathangers go?
Seiji: The girls are wonderful. Their songs are full of great ideas. They inspired us a great deal.
The way they raise the excitement in the later half of the show was simply great, like pink typhoon. I'd love to invite them to Japan.
RJD2
SPB: What do you like to do on a tour off date?
On an off date when I'm touring, two things dominate my day: food, and craigslist. That's pretty much it. So I'm on Yelp, asking on twitter, texting friends, etc to make sure I'm eating the must-have grub. And simultaneously, I'm trolling craigslist for finds on gear-synths, amps, mics-whatever. That's pretty much it. Might hit a flea market if it's a Saturday or Sunday, or a thrift store if it's convenient, but they are hit or miss. Sometimes I forego CL-ing for record digging. But it's one or the other, for sure.
