Christy Costello
So many Fest articles these days talk up the family reunion element. While some of the other interviews in this larger piece have repeat performers who don't even recall how many times they've been to Fest at this point, fresh perspective is vital.
Forget all those "family reunion" Fest stories. Not everybody has been to Fest, or even Florida, to play. Christy Costello is making her first trip to The Sunshine State (as a performer, anyway) at FEST 24 and we discussed her expectations for the event.
More importantly, we discussed her recent battle with breast cancer and the toll that takes on the body and psyche. Catch her set, with The CC Club, at The Backyard @ Boca Fiesta & Palomino on Sunday.
Scene Point Blank: It's been almost two years since From The Dark. How has the response been and how has touring for the album gone?
Christy Costello: The response to From The Dark was surprisingly good. I really didn't know what it would be. It has a range of songs in it that fall into different subgenres of punk, indie and even country, so I really wondered how it would go over without falling into a niche. I guess that's why I started a solo adventure. I like to write all kinds of stuff.
Scene Point Blank: I'm going to circle back to genre later, but I feel like "Campbell's Soup Kids" is almost the perfect opening statement for the album. When you wrote the song, was there a moment where you could feel it "click"?
Christy Costello: Yeah, that was the stomp beat song. It was perfect for setting the tone. Just slamming it home about how growing up without all the tech we have now is something to miss.
Scene Point Blank: You performed simply as Christy Costello for a while, before solidifying The CC Club name. When did the lineup feel like it gelled and how did you land on adding the backing band name (and is that the right term)?
Christy Costello: The band has had some moving members but Austin Cecil (drums) and Orion Treon (guitar) have been with me the whole time. Tim Kingstrom (sax, keys) came next followed by Mike Schierman (bass and trumpet) and finally Stevie Jo Murck (guitar and vocals). They are a pretty solid group of good people and I always keep my fingers crossed that they'll stay with me because training in folks is a constant move backwards. And I feel a band should have a name. We landed on The CC Club just out of my initials but we've joked on what it means at almost every show on tour. The C's have meant many things. And then, of course, there is the Minneapolis dive bar with the same name. But we didn't name it after the bar like some people have guessed. It just rings right, I guess.
Scene Point Blank: Congrats on the clear diagnosis after a mastectomy. First, how has recovery been and how hard was it to have some of those discussions with your family and loved ones?
Christy Costello: Yes. It all started about a year ago with an abnormal mammogram. Lack of insurance kept me from really digging into health stuff but this was a game changer. I ended up learning a whole bunch about services that help uninsured industry/artist folks like myself get through health issues like this. I let everyone in my family and close friends know right away. I came out to the public about 6 weeks after my diagnosis as I had to cancel a few months of scheduled shows. Also, I have a platform and I know if I say things it can help people.
I caught it early and, because of that, I saved myself a world of treatments and possibly my life. I feel if I can share my journey then I may just encourage/inspire others to do the same. Also, sharing my experience lets folks know why waiting isn't the best idea.
Since I've shared my diagnosis I've had so many folks reach out about theirs. It can feel isolating so it's nice to be able to chat with folks going through the same thing. There are a lot of people with cancer that choose to not go public. I totally understand why. It fuses into your identity and some just don't want it to be "the be all end all" of who they are. I am in that club now for life. I don't mind talking about it, I guess.
Scene Point Blank: You cancelled some tour plans. How has it been to recapture momentum with the band? Has your perspective changed on stage?
Christy Costello: I played a show for my birthday. It was scheduled before I found out about my breast cancer. I did the timeline and discussed it with the doctors and they all said I should be good for a handful of shows around then and into the fall. I am going through reconstruction at the moment so I get really sore by the end of the day. I have staples attached to me throughout my chest where the expanders were placed. They can be very uncomfortable if I move the wrong way and after playing guitar for a while. The strap rubs right up against the treated area. So I end up taking a day off for every day I use my energy. For example, if I practice, play a show or drive more than an hour I'm dead the next day. At this point I just listen to what my body needs and go with it. I look at it all as a small price to pay and a blip in time for the end result of being cancer free.
Playing that birthday show in late August was a blast and it did solidify that this is what I love to do. It truly lifted my spirits. The audience, bands and venue were so incredibly loving and supportive.
Scene Point Blank: When and how did you decide to take the solo-ish approach? After doing it for a while, does it feel different than with a band that doesn't bear your actual name?
Christy Costello: I decided to do the solo run because I have range as a songwriter. I've been in bands for so long that I just wanted to create what's within without boundaries. There's more politics in bands on how the songs should sound and what represents everyone as a whole. I don't mind this when I'm in a band, but I just wanted to write for myself and not hold back by genre or artistic indifference for once. I do love being in a band, though, and hope to have another someday. I've got a lot of songs I want to get out for my solo project first. So maybe I'll do that after another record or two.
Scene Point Blank: Dating back 25 years even, I feel like a lot of your bands straddle that gray line between new wave, '80s pop, and punk. A lot of musicians who keep at it this long change directions at some point. What about this style speaks to you today? Is it the same appeal it had for you in your youth?
Christy Costello: I think that sums me up pretty well. I definitely love all of that and still write in those genres. They seem timeless to me. I also love heavy music and hardcore so I dabble there once and a while. And again, I think that's why I love the solo project as I don't have to play in the same vein constantly. I can do a little bit of everything and make it mesh.
Scene Point Blank: How did the No Kings show near the capitol (an event that drew national attention, including Springsteen) happen?
Christy Costello: I was contacted by a pal who does a lot of organizing for No Kings if I wanted to perform. It would be solo at first but, as it grew, it ended up being the full band. I've been pretty vocal about what's been happening politically. And when ICE hit our city, both myself and my husband Paddy didn't sit around. We had to help. I was organizing for mutual aid and put together a benefit show. He was running supplies and groceries by the truckloads to families. I was very active and I believe this is what lead me to being asked to play that No Kings rally.
Scene Point Blank: How are you preparing for your FEST 24 set?
Christy Costello: I'm thinking it'll be mostly the punk stuff. Fast, fun and full of energy. I know what shows I can sprinkle the more psych/indie stuff into but, for Fest, I'm thinking about just blazing the punk.
Scene Point Blank: This is your first time at Fest. What have you heard about it from peers?
Christy Costello: I've heard they don't remember a lot of it😆. So many told me it's their favorite and it's a blast. And then I've had some folks tell me it's past it's heyday like SXSW. As in, it used to be fun and if you don't play the right spot or get the right time, it's not worth the cost of going. I guess I'll see for myself.
Paddy's in Dillinger Four so they've headlined the big stage. I've just gotten back into touring after taking a decade off to raise our kid, pretty much. So I'm coming in as a newbie, kind of nobody. Our experiences are almost always completely different. But in the end, I'm really looking forward to the show we're playing and getting to experience Fest for myself. I know a lot of the bands on the line-up personally and just getting to play with friends for a day in Florida is worth it. Shortly after we return, I go back in for another surgery and recovery. So this is a little treat before all of that.
Scene Point Blank: Have you played Gainesville in previous bands or is this your first time?
Christy Costello: I have never played Florida. This is a first.
Scene Point Blank: Name a few bands you'll make a point to see perform at Fest.
Christy Costello: Hmm...there are so many. Homefront, War On Women, Evening Standards, Middle-Aged Queers, Toys That Kill, Underground Railroad to Candyland, FYP, Canadian Rifle, The Bouncing Souls, The Bollweevils, Tiltwheel, Jumpstart Plowhards. I have to go look at the list and take a deep dive.
Scene Point Blank: Are you bringing a crew and full gear, or borrowing from friends? Are you touring before/after?
Christy Costello: We'll be traveling with most of our gear and one road person. He's our band spirit animal, aka Super Dave. And we will be playing a show here in Minneapolis at Pilllar Forum on Saturday October 17th and playing three on the way down right after that: Milwaukee at MKE Ultra on Tuesday Oct. 20, Cincinnati at The Northside Tavern Wednesday Oct. 22, and Nashville at The Basement Friday Oct. 23. We are DJing a dive bar called Dukes in Nashville the night before our show there on Thursday Oct. 22. I'm looking forward to a nice hang in Nashville and getting to meet some folks there.
We'll be getting to Fest on Saturday the 24th. So, sadly we'll miss one day of the event but we gotta play where and when we can to make the trip worthwhile.
