The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Twelve - Soft Complex

Chris might write for this site, but he also plays guitar for a really good band. Soft Complex is a five-piece from Washington, DC. If you like 80's Brit pop, melodramatic vocals, chimy guitars, new wave synth, cello... this is the band for you. They recently released their debut and they have big things planned for 2007, so this is the time to become acquainted with them.

Band:
Soft Complex
Location:
Washington DC
Formed:
Current lineup solidified in February of 2005
Members:
Shane German – Vocals
Chris Connelly – Guitar, Keys
Rich Dejong – Drums
Mike Harbin – Bass, Keys
Alexia Kauffman – Cello, Keys
Label:
Silverthree Sound Recordings
Recordings:
Barcelona+ – 2006
Upcoming Live Dates:
January 6 @ Gullifty's in Harrisburg, PA
January 12 @ Starr Hill in Charlottesville, VA
January 19 @ V-Club in Huntington, WV
January 20 @ The Empty Glass in Charleston, WV
January 26 @ Alley Katz in Richmond, VA
January 27 @ Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington DC

How did the band form?
Shane formed the original band in 2002, down in Richmond. After some lineup changes, Shane moved up to Washington DC to reform the group with Mike Harbin. Mike and Shane had worked together in Richmond at Tower, and had always joked about starting a band together – but Harbin was always out touring with other bands. Shane basically brought him out of retirement; Harbin had intended to leave music behind after Burning Airlines split. Shane and Alexia were friends, and he knew about her experiences playing cello with Engine Down and some other Richmond bands, so he invited her to join. Rich was looking for a new group after leaving Phaser, and answered an ad Shane had placed in the Washington City Paper. Greg Svitil from the Antiques joined the band on guitar and helped them get started in writing material, but Greg wanted to leave to focus on Antiques material. I had moved to DC in 2004 and had been playing in a different group, but was looking for something new. I joined the band in February 2005, after leaving my first band in DC and answering Shane’s ad for a new guitar player.

How was '06 for you?
2006 was great; our first record came out, we were able to play some fantastic shows with some truly great bands, and we developed some great friends in the Washington DC music scene.

Highlight of the year?
The release of our first EP in October; it is great to finally have material out formally. It was a long time in the works, and we’re enormously proud to finally have it out there.

Oh, and for me personally (Chris), it was horribly cool to have James Iha in attendance at our show at Pianos in New York...I’m a diehard Smashing Pumpkins fan, and I could hardly contain myself.

What do you have in store for '07?
We plan to get back into the studio early in the year and record a full-length album to come out sometime later on in 2007. We’ll keep doing weekend shows, but we’re going to be focusing heavily on writing new material and recording.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
To keep writing the best songs that we can, and to keep having fun while we do it.

Barcelona+ (2006)
Barcelona
Beat the Chill (ACE Remix Featuring Raw Poetic)


CHRIS:
3 favorite songs of '06?
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
That’s a Lie by Middle Distance Runner
Blood by Editors (but this was technically released in the UK in 2005…so I’m picking a fourth)
Cheap Champagne by Georgie James

Favorite album of the year?
Plane in Flames – Middle Distance Runner

Best live show you saw this year?
Justin Timberlake at the 9:30 Club. Seriously.

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Christmas Time is Here (vocal) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

Best present you ever received?
My first electric guitar was a Christmas present.

Worst present you ever received?
My family and friends have always been great to me.


SHANE:
Favorite songs of '06?
1) Minimal by Pet Shop Boys
PSB are back in top form with this melancholic but insanely catchy dance cut from the Fundamental album. Spelling out a song title hasn't been this clever since O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A.
2) Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
The most soulful thing I've enjoyed since Al Green or Marvin Gaye.
3) Count Souvenirs by Junior Boys
A vocalist more melodramatic than me. Misery loves company. It's a great thing.
4) Zombie by The Trucks
Keep dancing, but watch your back.

Favorite album of the year?
I'm still not finished with my favorites from 2005, so I'm a little behind.

Best live shows you saw this year?
Morrissey w/ Goldfrapp
Sinead O'Connor w/ Sly and Robbie

Essential holiday songs?
December will be Magic Again by Kate Bush
Fairytale of New York by The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl
2000 Miles by The Pretenders
River by Joni Mitchell

Best present you ever received?
Something Nice.

Worst present you ever received?
Something Naughty.


ALEXIA
3 favorite songs of '06?
We share our mother’s health by The Knife
Reena by Sonic Youth
Dead Meat by Sean Lennon

Favorite album of the year?
Silent Shout – The Knife

Best live show you saw this year?
Morrissey/Goldfrapp @ SXSW
Runner up: Kraftwerk @ 930 club

Favorite holiday song and artist?
As far as holiday songs go, I like traditional- Hark the Herald Angel Sing.
I also love Chrismas Time Is Here (instrumental) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, from Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

Best present you ever received?
Um…I don’t have the best memory.

Worst present you ever received?
No answer.


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Eleven - Two If By Sea

Two if by Sea is a band from Baltimore, MD. They have been regulars on IA, but with good reason. Safety was one of the best cds released this year. They took all of the elements from their debut, stripped them down and added strings. It really worked. They are also known for tearing it up with their high energy live sets. This was a good year for the band. They took some time to reflect upon it and share some insight on how they will top it in 2007.

Band:
Two if by Sea
Location:
Bodymore, Murderland
Formed:
2002
Members:
Cris Cowan / ahhhh & treble
John Jorde / low-end rumble
Charles Cole / Boom Boom
David Hardy / whoosh & echo
Label:
SilverThree Sound Recordings
Recordings:
Translations (2004) Speedbump
Safety (2006) Silverthree
Upcoming Live Dates:
12/22/06 sonar, baltimore
12/30/06 rock and roll hotel, dc
1/22/07 fletchers, baltimore
2/3/07 black cat mainstage, dc

How did the band form?
surrepitious late night sessions at UMBC's on-campus television studio

How was '06 for you?
grrrreat. tiring too, because of the schedule we've managed to impose on ourselves

Highlight of the year?
three: our april residency at DC9, finishing the record in june, month-long US-Tour in october

What do you have in store for '07?
find a new rehearsal space, more touring in the spring, win some major $$$ from scratch-offs, continue writing for the next release !

Goal for '07 and beyond?
to maintain the current velocity while continuing to juggle jobs, careers, relationships & sanity

Safety (2006)
White Zin on-Ice
All The Reasons to Leave

Unreleased
The Affair, Act II


Favorites

DAVID
3 favorite songs of '06?
So many good ones… but here are a few from my current playlist:
ticket to immortality – the dears
tv - Headlights
cold world – electric soft parade

Favorite album of the year?
I love you but i've chosen darkness - fear is on our side

Best live show you saw this year?
Editors - at Sonar's Club Stage

Favorite holiday song and artist?
The waitresses - christmas wrapping

Best present you ever received?
I've received a few great design books… “the pantone guide to communicating with color” – by Latrice Eiseman was a very useful one

Worst present you ever received?
every year i receive white tube socks. i never wear white socks...ever.


JOHN
3 favorite songs of '06?
Computer World-Kraftwerk
Sugar and Whitebread-G/L/A/S/S/C/A/N/D/Y
You Reached For The Stars-Twink

Favorite album of the year?
anything by bright eyes… I adore him

Best live show you saw this year?
Joe Jack Talcum (of the dead milkmen)- at the Talking Head

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Chestnuts Roasting-Bing Crosby

Best present you ever received?
Joy Division Box Set

Worst present you ever received?
Beanbag frogs only to be topped by Rock’m Sock’m Robots-My parents were broke that year.


CHAZ
3 favorite songs of '06?
When You Were Young- the Killers
Oxygen- Willy Mason
Bullets- Editors

Favorite album of the year?
The Back Room- Editors

Best live show you saw this year?
The Mishaps, 7‰ release (I haven't gone to many shows this year)

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Father Christmas - the Kinks

Best present you ever received?
A hand knit Harry Potter scarf.

Worst present you ever received?
A package of drinking straws.


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Ten - Cedars

Cedars are a Washington, DC band known for their atmospheric music. They have been entertaining local fans for the past few years with their amazing live shows and have opened for bands like Editors, Lake Trout, Jeremy Enigk, Stellastarr* and The French Kicks. They are slowly building a following outside of the region. Early next year, they will return to the WOXY studios to record their second lounge act and hit places like New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. If you aren't familiar with this band, now is the time to acquaint yourself.

Band:
Cedars
Location:
Washington, DC
Formed:
January 2004
Members:
Ed Barnabas - Drums
Francisco Lazzaro - Bass
Brian Leatherman - Guitar, Vocals, Programming
Luke Mangels - Keys, Guitar
Label:
None
Recordings:
Safety in Numbers (2004)
Another Season (2006)
Upcoming Live Dates:
1/18/07 - Lava Lounge, Pittsburgh, PA
1/19/07 - WOXY Lounge Act
1/19/07 - Nite Owl, Columbus, OH
1/20/07 - Northside Tavern, Cincinnati, OH
1/26/07 - Alley Katz, Richmond, VA
1/27/07 - TBD, Norfolk, VA
2/03/07 - Black Cat, Washington DC
2/09/07 - Khyber, Philadelphia, PA
2/10/07 - TBD, NYC

Another Season (2006)
This Century
Great Escape

WOXY Lounge Act
May 20, 2005


How did the band form?
Through ads on Craigslist and the City Paper, and through a common love of atmospheric music.

How was '06 for you?
Excellent. Recorded Another Season with the folks at Silver Sonya, got on some great bills and progressed well as musicians though it was a bad year for our livers.

Highlight of the year?
Playing with Editors/Lake Trout at 930 Club.

What do you have in store for '07?
Touring here and there in early '07, possible recording, multiple remixes and new songs.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
Make quality music and see where it takes us.


Favorites

FICO
3 favorite songs of '06?
The Knife - Heartbeats
Elbow – Puncture Repair
Gonzalez – Para que no me olvides

Favorite album of the year?
Elbow – Leaders of the Free World

Best live show you saw this year?
Youth Group @ 9:30club

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Esta Navidad – Johnny Ventura

Best present you ever received?
Waking up tomorrow morning

Worst present you ever received?
A burger for my birthday.


ED
3 favorite songs of '06?
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness – According to Plan
Booka Shade – Night Falls
French Kicks – So Far We Are

Favorite album of the year?
Junior Boys – So This is Goodbye

Best live show you saw this year?
Massive Attack @ 9:30

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Christmas Time is Here (Charlie Brown Christmas) - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Best present you ever received?
Just happy to get anything.

Worst present you ever received?
April Wine's Greatest Hits.


BRIAN
3 favorite songs of '06?
Trentemoller - Take Me Into Your Skin
Band of Horses - The First Song
Film School - Like You Know

Favorite album of the year?
Trentemoller - The Last Resort

Best live show you saw this year?
Doves/Longwave @ Sonar

Favorite holiday song and artist?
R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas - C3PO

Best present you ever received?
The gift of life.

Worst present you ever received?
A soap dish.


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Nine - These United States

These United States are a lo-fi Americana group from Washington, DC. While it is impossible to determine who is going to be in the group from one day to the next, you always know that Jesse Elliott will be providing his haunting vocals. Since forming in 2005, the band has been building quite the reputation for their thrilling live shows. 2007 will see the release of their debut full length and the buzz is starting to become deafening. Jesse was nice enough to let us share a track, so go ahead and get acquainted while they are still just a regional secret.

Band:
These United States
Location:
Washington, DC
Formed:
August 2005
Members:
Jesse Elliott - Writing/Vox/Guitar
Tom Hnatow - Guitar/Lap Steel/Banjo/Keys/Etc
David Strackany - Production/Occasional Percussion
Many Many Others - Constant Instrumentating For Live Performance And Recording
Label:
Unsigned
Recordings:
The Holla Baloo EP (Demo EP - 2006)
The Forest and the Garden (LP - 2007)
Upcoming Live Dates:
December 21 @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel, DC
December 28 @ Mo Pitkin's NYC
December 29 @ Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
December 30 @ IOTA, Arlington, VA
December 31 @ IOTA, Arlington, VA
January 26 @ Black Cat, DC
February 2 @ Laila Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
February 3 @ Shippensburg University, PA
February 15 @ Millenium Music COnference, Harrisburg, PA

How did the band form?
From the Ashes of a Thousand Dead Oceans.

How was '06 for you?
Very Fine Indeed. Lots of Road and Studio Behind Us, More Around the Bend.

Highlight of the year?
Finishing Mixing of Upcoming Album at Silver Sonya Studios in Arlington.

What do you have in store for '07?
Finding a Label, Album Release, Continued Constant Touring, European Sojourn.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
Bask In The Beauty That Is The District's Booming Music Scene.


The Forest and the Garden (2007)
So High So Low So Wide So Long

Demo
The Business

Live Recordings
Kings and Aces


Jesse Elliott
3 favorite songs of '06?
Silence (Won't Work On Me No More) By Kitty Hawk
I Fill up the Time By Rose
This is the Life By Paleo

Favorite album of the year?
Adam Arcuragi By Adam Arcuragi

Best live show you saw this year?
Beauty Pill At The Black Cat

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Run Run Rudolph By Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem

Best present you ever received?
Time

Worst present you ever received?
A Clock


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Eight - Jette-Ives

When we were trying to figure out which bands to use for this feature, Chris threw out a few names that I no familiarity with. One of those groups was DC's Jette-Ives. After he mentioned them, I looked them up. It took about thirty seconds for me to say "yes, contact them." Their music is sultry female vocals over laid back beats. Their debut CD is hitting the shelves early next year and they will be hitting the road shortly after that. We caught up with Jette and got some insight on how they got here and where they are going. She was even kind enough to give us a preview of the new album.

Band:
Jette-Ives
Location:
Washington, DC
Formed:
January 2005
Members:
Jette Kelly - Lyrics & Vocals
Holmes Ives - Keys & Synths
Matt Lewis - Upright Bass
Scott Fogelgren - Piano & Violin
Rex Riddem - Congas
Danny Tait - Drums
Kim Rappaport - Manager, Maracas, Wriggles prettily next to Rex & the congas
Label:
OVA Records
Recordings:
In the Deep (February 2007)
Upcoming Live Dates:
January 27th, 2007 @ Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC *Album Release*

How did the band form?
Jette: Ives & I met at a party. Our buddy Derrick Miller pointed me out to Ives, said 'Every time she sings, I cry.' Which confused Ives, who managed to smile indulgently at Derrick while edging away. Regardless--I emailed Ives several weeks later, and he didn't remember who I was. The recall trigger: 'I'm the singer who brings Derrick to tears.' Matt came on board next--I waited until he was relatively & jovially drunk before I asked him to join J-I. Matt found Danny, but--alas--he was lost at sea on a cruise ship for six months. Rex... It took me a year to finally get up the nerve to call Rex and bravely beg: 'Please, darling... I know that, at the moment [last January], I've no money or shows or anything vaguely sparkly to offer you--aside from music, the occasional band breakfast (which Ives must cook because I don't do kitchens), and an endless supply of liquor--but: Would you please be in the band?' Then there's Scott, and he's involved in a myriad projects. Every time he shows up for rehearsal (and he's not yet missed one), we all briefly stare at him and wonder how the hell he found the time. Regarding Kim: She signed on to manage J-I because she thought we were endearingly eccentric, and we obviously needed her. We sweetened the deal by giving her maracas.

How was '06 for you?
Jette: Much busier than '05.

Highlight of the year?
Ives: Finishing the album.
Matt: Finishing the album.
Danny: Finishing the album.
Rex: Finishing the album.
Scott: Finishing the album.
Kim: They finished the album.
Jette: Watching Pancake Mountain while eating muffins and doing this interview. (The sheep puppet rocks, and Juliette Lewis just kissed him)

What do you have in store for '07?
Jette: I'll just give you the February - April plans: Our first album, 'In the Deep', releases in February '07. At which point we begin touring. What else... Our second single, 'Vexed'--accompanied by a music video--is due out in March, and I'm slated to write a tango with Dustin Budish of the New World Symphony.
Ives: I'm going to take one day off.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
Jette: To successfully tour the United States while taste-testing every city's locally famous chocolates.


In The Deep (2007)
Darker Than You
E~

Bonus Track
In the Presence Of... (Deepfreak Remix)


Favorites

3 favorite songs of '06?
Kim: Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Jette: One More Night by Stars.
Scott: du og meg by Of Montreal

Favorite album of the year?
Scott: 3D by Satoshitomiie
Rex: Thunderball - Cinescope, Volume 1

Best live show you saw this year?
Ives: Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo'
Kim: We Are Scientists at the Black Cat
Jette: Sharam Nazeri (Iran's Pavarotti) at the Lincoln Theatre
Rex: Mustafa Akbar & the Chosen at the Black Cat

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Jette: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Bing Crosby
Ives: I thought you'd say Santa Baby...
Scott: Linus & Lucy by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Best present you ever received?
Scott: Two new nephews.
Rex: An electronic grinder.
Jette: What does it grind?
Rex: No.
Jette: This is not a 'yes' or 'no' question.
Rex: No.

Worst present you ever received?
Jette: If I haven't anything nice to say...


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Seven - Exit Clov

Exit Clov is a five piece band from Washington DC that is fronted by twin sisters, Emily and Susan Hsu. Yes - twin sisters. Brilliant business model, if you ask me - not only will we have two beautiful women front an indie pop band, but we'll have two that have nearly identical voices that can harmonize with each other throughout most of their songs. Why haven't more bands thought of this?

I kid, I kid. But Exit Clov is a great band with a fantastic live show. Over the past two years, they have developed one of the most dedicated fan bases in Washington DC, while also traveling across the country in support of a series of EPs that they have put out themselves. This summer, they completed their first tour of the Western United States, and signed a deal with Livewire Recordings, who released their newest disc Respond Respond. While their music will be stuck in your head for days, there is something deeper at play, as their lyrics are quite timely and hit on a lot of today's social commentary. We caught up with them while they were in the middle of a promotions tour. They filled us in on the year that was and gave us some insight into their future.


Band:
Exit Clov

Location:
Washington DC

Formed:
Summer 2003

Members:
Emily Hsu
Susan Hsu
Aaron Leeder
Brett Niederman
John Thayer

Label:
Independent

Recordings:
Respond Respond EP (2006, released on Livewire Recordings)
Jolly Roget Sessions EP (2005)
Saskwatch EP (2005)
Starfish EP (2004)

Upcoming Live Dates:
December 21 @ Recher Theatre, Towson, MD
December 30 @ The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
December 31 @ Rock Cellar, West Orange, NJ
January 11 @ Mercury Lounge, NYC
January 12 @ Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
January 13 @ Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA
January 20 @ Black Cat, DC

How did the band form?
Susan and Emily met John and Brett at a house party. They kidnapped Aaron from a local adoption agency and the rest is history.

How was '06 for you?
2006 treated us well. We survived our first cross-country tour and released our first nationally distributed record.

What do you have in store for '07?
More touring and perhaps tracking our debut album.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
To happen upon a large burlap sack filled with gold and magic beans.


Respond Respond EP (2006)
Violent Berries
Moving Gaza

*more mp3s are available here*

Exit Clov - Violent Berries


3 favorite songs of '06?
Brett:
Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Hump de Bump - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Emily:
St. Augustine - Band of Horses
When Planes Collide - Viva Voce
The Greatest - Cat Power
Susan:
Chinaberry Tree - Mew
Stop/Start - Pretty & Nice
Hang Me Up to Dry - Cold War Kids
John:
My Love - Justin Timberlake
We're #1 - Renzo Sclamanna
Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost

Favorite album of the year?
Brett: Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Emily: a tie between Rabbit Fur Coat (Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins) and Bring it Back (Mates of State)
Susan: Bring it Back (Mates of State), Get Yer Blood Sucked Out (Viva Voce)
Aaron: Ballad of the Broken Seas (Isobelle Campbell and Marc Lanegan)
John: Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Broken Boy Soldiers (The Raconteurs)

Best live show you saw this year?
Brett: Jenny Lewis and the Watsons at the 9:30 club
Emily: The Go! Team @ Black Cat (March 2006)
Susan: Of Montreal @ State Theatre (March 2006) and Cold War Kids (October 2006)
Aaron: The Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Wachovia Center (October 2006)
John: The Red Hot Chili Peppers @Continental Airlines Arena, NJ (Oct 06)

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Brett: Happy Xmas (war is over) by john lennon
John: Happy Xmas (War is Over) Lennon

Best present you ever received?
Brett: tie between electronic chess and the complete rocky vhs
Emily: A Spaniard Cabbage Patch Kid.
Aaron: A Jeurass - small stringed greek instrument from my parents.
John: A Shawn Kemp Sonics Jersey

Worst present you ever received?
Brett: My mom bought me a part leather part fur bomber jacket...top gun style...this was last year, too...it was on sale at marshals.
Emily: A used M&M candy tube that my friend refilled with M&Ms before she gave it to me.
Aaron: One time a friend gave me her pocket mulch in hopes that I would start my own.
John: Ant Farm


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Six - Georgie James

Georgie James is a duo from Washington, DC. They have a mutual love for sounds of years past and it shows in their music. While they may be a relatively new group, they spent this past summer touring the United States with Camera Obscura. With a single dropping in January and a new album shortly after that, 2007 is shaping up to be a breakout year for the group, featuring solo artist Laura Burhenn and former Q & Not U drummer, John Davis. We decided to check in with them to revisit the year that was and see what they had in store for the new year.

Band:
Georgie James
Location:
Washington, D.C.
Formed:
Spring 2005
Members:
Laura Burhenn (pianos/voice)
John Davis (guitars/bass/drums/voice)
Label:
None
Recordings:
Need Your Needs single coming out January '07
Upcoming Live Dates:
January 11, 2007 @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
January 12, 2004 @ Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
January 13, 2004 @ Mercury Lounge, NYC
January 14, 2004 @ Middle East Upstairs, Cambridge, MA
January 19, 2004 @ James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

How did the band form?
Laura and I met through her then-boyfriend (now husband) in 2004. We didn't really see each other much, but a few months later I moved to within a few blocks of where she lived and we all met up. At dinner, we talked about getting together to play music at some point. We finally did in May of '05 and went over some of the songs we had in the works and got to seeing if we could write together. It really worked pretty quickly and we thought that this could wind up being pretty good. We spent the rest of '05 writing songs and recording demos.

How was '06 for you?
It was a good year. We really grew a lot, even though we didn't even have a proper release. But we played our first shows and finished our first record. This year has been a challenge, but it's one we'll look back on, I think, and be glad that we went through some of the uncertainties that we had, 'cause it set the foundation for what we'll hopefully go on to do.

Highlight of the year?
Hard to say. In some ways, it was the tour we did back in July with Camera Obscura. It was the first time GJ had gotten out and toured at length, which was really good for me. After seven years of touring with Q And Not U, it was nice to have a whole different experience. However, working on our album in the studio was also a highlight. Yes, we spent a lot of time on it. Almost three times as long as I'd ever worked on a record before. But, unlike before, it was almost constantly enjoyable. I couldn't wait to get back to the studio to get to work, which was a foreign feeling for me. So, the recording and the touring were really both great.

What do you have in store for '07?
The album should be coming out, though we're not sure when and on what label. But we hope to know that soon. We're releasing a single in January on Laura's label, Laboratory. It'll be two songs from the record and a non-album cover. We'll definitely tour a good bit next year. I'm really looking forward to playing all over the world again.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
Get the music to people and be able to play music for as long as we want to. Get to work on more new music and get that out there, too.

Demo Version
Need Your Needs


Favorites

John
3 favorite songs of '06?
Aloha - Mountain
Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill
Supersystem - Joys

Favorite album of the year?
Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country

Best live show you saw this year?
Aloha at the Black Cat in DC back in August. I've seen them play probably 40 or 50 times at this point and that was BY FAR the best set I've seen them perform.

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Wonderful Christmastime by my man, Macca. Those inappropriate analog synths at the beginning, the slapdash nature of the production, the inanity of the lyrics? It's all vintage "McCartney II" McCartney.

Best present you ever received?
The best present I ever received was my first guitar when I was 12, but that was a birthday present. If you're asking about a Christmas present, I may go with the Burt Bacharach boxset The Look of Love which I received in 1998. I realized around the time that I liked so many of the songs I knew he was involved with, so I thought I'd ask for the box set. It was a life changer.

Worst present you ever received?
Not sure about this one. There are a lot of bad sweaters and forgotten toys that have justly been removed from my memory. I also tend to feel bad when I get a present I don't like. I appreciate the thought of the giver, so I don't know if my mind would hold on to such a designation.


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Five - Thrushes

Thrushes are a band from Baltimore, MD. While they have only been together for about a year, they sound like a band that has been together much longer. They are preparing to release their debut album, which gives a hint a of their capabilities. In the meantime, they will be playing several one off dates in the area. Acquaint yourself with them now, before they become the next big Baltimore band. To give you an idea, they were nice enough to talk about their plans for 2007 and give a preview of the forthcoming release.

Band:
Thrushes
Location:
Baltimore
Formed:
Winter 2005-2006
Members:
Anna Conner- vocals, guitar
Casey Harvey- guitars
Matt Davis- drums, percussion
Rachel Tracy- bass
Label:
none
Recordings:
Sun Come Undone (2007)
Upcoming Live Dates:
12/22/06 @ Sonar, Baltimore, MD
12/31/06 @ Lo-Fi Social Club, Baltimore, MD

How did the band form?
casey bothered rachel for years about starting a band. rachel finally relented. they practiced. they thought "we need more people in this band..." they seemed to recall that anna played guitar. they recruited her at a sunday baseball game. they practiced together. they thought "we need more people in this band...". they seemed to recall that matt played the drums. rachel called his cell phone.

How was '06 for you?
Our first year together was awesome. Played a lot of great shows, met some cool bands, made some good friends. Ate reduced fat wheat thins and had good fun on road trips. Heard about oral thrush from at least one person at every show. Made a record.

Highlights of the year?
Playing Tonic in NYC. Rachel getting recognized on the street. Matt’s shaker exploding in a cloud of rock and roll fairy dust mid-song in Wilmington.

What do you have in store for '07?
Our debut album sun come undone should be out early spring 2007. summer vacation touring. Working on new songs and making another record next fall. Much better between songs banter and more reverb. bracing for the inevitable thrushes backlash.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
more out of town shows. getting signed to a label that can afford symphonic arrangements, castrati singers, and a van. Finding a patron. Are there any Medici in Baltimore?

sun come undone (2007)
Aidan Quinn
Loyalty


Favorites

Casey
3 favorite songs of '06?
Asobi Seksu – new years
Boris - farewell
Bruce Springsteen – Jesse James
Favorite album of the year?
Sonic Youth – rather ripped
Best live show you saw this year?
The Gritty Midi Gang – talking head club, 9/25/06
Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band – Nissan Pavilion, 5/28/06
***Late add – Ronnie Spector, NYC 12/9/06***
Favorite holiday song and artist?
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band – santa claus is coming to town
Best present you ever received?
tie:
1. Swiss Army knife circa 6th grade. Taken away two weeks later after perfecting knife throwing on my bedroom walls. Still sitting on my parents’ dresser, maybe this is the year??
2. Replica 1986 Mets World Championship ring circa 4th grade. Wore it to school every day till the following June, thumb turned green, fake diamond fell off, strawberry sucks.
Worst present you ever received?
3 years ago my brother gave me a tie and a belt that were MINE that I left at home PLUS the DVD Summer Catch. The belt and tie was unconscionable, but I think my little brother at least had good intent about the DVD. Quote Scott, “You can watch it with your girlfriend cause it’s got baseball for you and romance for her.”

Rachel
3 favorite songs of '06?
Stars by Celebration
I’ll Keep it With Mine by Rainer Maria,
Hips don't lie by Shakira
Favorite album of the year?
baltimore natives self titled record- celebration
Best live show you saw this year?
springsteen- seeger sessions band
Favorite holiday song and artist?
the christmas song- the raveonettes
Best present you ever received?
when i was in elementary school-my pink boom box with a white strap
Worst present you ever received?
my broken teddy ruxpin. tragic.

Matt
3 favorite songs of '06?
Celebration - holiday
Sonic Youth – neutral pink
Joseph Lamb – Ragtime Nightingale (I just heard it this year)
Favorite album of the year?
Sonic youth – rather ripped
Best live show you saw this year?
Gritty Midi Gang- Talking Head Club
Zydepunks – Talking Head Club
Favorite holiday song?
Little drummer boy

Anna
3 favorite songs of '06?
Turn into - yeah yeah yeahs
Ceremony - new order
Rebellion (Lies) - the arcade fire
*I realize that the bottom two aren’t from ’06, but I listened to them a lot.
Favorite album of the year?
Show your bones- yeah yeah yeahs
Best live show you saw this year?
The Motio reunion at the talking head club in Baltimore
Favorite holiday song and artist?
Christmas time is here- from the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” soundtrack
Best present you ever received?
goldfish
Worst present you ever received?
goldfish (they died two weeks later)


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Four - Middle Distance Runner

If you read IA with any kind of regularity, you are familiar with today's band. Middle Distance Runner has been here many time before and their craziness has always made them a site favorite. With that said, you really can't do a list of underground acts from the region and not include them. They really have been everywhere over the past few months and deserve to be a part of it. So we asked them back and like always, they brought something fresh. Is the insanity just an act or are they really certifiable? You may get an answer. They also brought along their brand new Holiday song and they are premiering a brand new remix of Out of Here.

Band:
Middle Distance Runner
Location:
Washington, DC, USA
Formed:
1998 or 2005, depending on who you ask...
Members:
Stephen Kilroy, 24, Crap Office Job -- Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Erik Dean, 23, Crap Office Job -- Drums
Allan Chappelear 23, Crap Office Job -- Guitars, Keyboards, Accordions
Jay Smith, 36, Crap Office Job -- Guitars
Ian Glinka, 23, Crap Office Job -- Basses
Label:
Single and looking
Recordings:
2006 - Plane in Flames (Self recorded/released)
Upcoming Live Dates :
December 16, 2006 @ The Black Cat, Washington DC, USA
January 17, 2007 @ Arlene's Grocery, NYC
February 2, 2007 @ Rocks, Richmond, VA
February 3, 2007 @ TBA, Newport News, VA
February 16, 2007 @ Millennium Music Conference, Harrisburg, PA
Febraury 18, 2007 @ Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY

How did the band form?
Our singer (Steve Kilroy), drummer (Erik Dean) and guitarist (Allan Chappelear) all went to the same high school and have been playing together for about 8 years now. Back in the day, they mainly played classic rock covers with the occasional Radiohead-inspired original tune peppered in for good measure.

Operating under the alias "Undefeated Astranoid," Middle Distance Runner started out in 1998 as just another typical high school band. Over the years, the name was changed to its current, more songs were written, and our second lead guitarist, Jay Smith, was added to the lineup in 2001. Having two distinctive lead guitars has proven to be very helpful for our sound. The way Jay and Allan play are very different, as they have much different backgrounds and influences, and it shows. Due to the nature of the effects Jay uses, people will often confuse his guitar for a keyboard when reviewing the album.

MDR never really got serious about gigging and getting their name out there until the summer of 2005, when I joined the lineup on bass guitar. They had toyed around with several bass guitar players before, but they never ended up working out long-term for various reasons. I originally moved here to start my own band with Allan, but once I heard MDR was practicing and needed someone to play bass for a while, I figured "what the hell." A couple of practices later and I didn't want to start my own band anymore.

Once all the pieces of the puzzle were together, we started playing shows and began recording what was intended to be our first EP. We got five songs recorded, and then thought ... "Let's do another one. We already have all the equipment set up. Why not?" Since we were doing the recordings on our own in Jay's basement (our practice space), time wasn't a restriction... and we were having fun, so we just kept going. We recorded another one, then another, then another, then another, and before we knew it, we had an album's worth of material. After getting the mastering, artwork and duplication taken care of, we released the album on our own accord earlier this year.

How was '06 for you?
Oh, you know ... pretty good, pretty good... We've been building up our regional fan base by gigging and making the music as available as possible. One strategy we've used a lot that has worked wonders has been standing outside the entrance of big shows and passing out home-made demo CDs to everyone as they walk out. It's not uncommon for us to hand out between 600-800 CDs in a single night. It's a horridly tedious task burning and labeling that many discs, and giving away that many CDs gets expensive, but at least people are listening to the music! Pretty much 100% (or more) of all the money we make at shows or on merch goes right back into promotion for the next show. We have a horrible business model.

It really sucks sometimes, because while a lot of our friends are out drinking on weekend nights, we're at the house making demo CDs and watching cartoons. I often ask myself "did The Strokes have to fucking do this shit?" I'm usually left with the answer "Probably not. They were rich as hell to begin with, so they (or their parents) probably just paid companies to do this crap for them. Jealous? Fuck yea, I'm jealous!" Oh well, if we bust our asses now, we can party later ... at least that's the thought process.

But yeah, we're so crazy about promoting this band, I even posted a message on my ex-girlfriend's wedding website advertising our album's availability for purchase on CD Baby. The best part is -- I haven't talked to her in years, and in fact, I still despise her quite a bit! She fooled around on me with the guy she ended up marrying. She's probably the least favorite person I've ever known. But whatever, I sure hope her family buys a CD!! At least they know where to get it now!

Anyway, as you are aware, we have also started reaching into the blogosphere for some assistance in getting our msuic out there. We're doing our best to reach out to as many blogs as possible, but there are SO FUCKING MANY of them! On top of that, ... sometimes it's hard to get the bigger blogs to listen to the album. I don't know how many emails/packages they're getting from bands like us, but I'm sure it's a lot to go through. It's tough to get on top of the pile sometimes.

Highlight of the year?
Releasing the album was the best thing we've ever been a part of musically. We're all proud of it, and happy to have something we can give to people and say "here ... take this and listen to it. we think you might actually like it! no, really take it... our gift to you. seriously, don't worry about it. dude ... what the fuck is wrong with you?? take the god damned album!"

What do you have in store for '07 (touring, albums, etc)?
We are looking to take things to the next stage ... touring more extensively, working with management and labels and all that fun (and frightening) stuff. We will most likely start recording some of our newer material at some point in '07, but the focus is definitely still on getting our debut album out there and making the biggest splash we can with what we already have.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
We would love to make enough money with the band to purchase our own island and set up an independent country. Can you still do that? Seriously, though ... we are contacting (and being contacted by) labels/PR/management companies ... so by the end of next year, we will probably have some kind of structure like that set up. No word yet on details, but we're working on it.

Plane in Flames (2006)
Naturally
Up In a Tree
Man of the People
That's a Lie
Out of Here

Bonus Tracks
XMAS Party (2006 holiday single)
Out of Here (ACE's Feverish Remix)


3 favorite songs of '06?
STEVE:
Glossy Eyed Sweetheart by The Hard Tomorrows
Balls to the Wall by Snake and the Troublemakers
Naturally by Middle Distance Runner
ALLAN:
Speaking in Tongues by Eagles of Death Metal
Patterns by The Hard Tomorrows
The Madness by Middle Distance Runner
IAN:
That's a Lie by Middle Distance Runner
Man of the People by Middle Distance Runner
Out of Here by Middle Distance Runner
JAY:
Hi Rise by Ladytron
Span the Universe by Soundpool
Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
ERIK:
Pussy by Brazilian Girls
Hips Don't Lie by Shakira

Favorite album of the year?
STEVE :
Sufjan Stevens -- Songs for Christmas (if only for the ridiculously thorough packaging)
ALLAN:
When did OK Computer come out?
IAN:
Middle Distance Runner - Plane in Flames
JAY:
Too may to choose.
ERIK:
Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black

Best live show you saw this year?
STEVE:
Beck at the Black Cat Backstage -- was one of about 200 people there in a tiny, sweaty room, about 15 feet from Beck.
ALLAN:
Death by Sexy at DC9
IAN:
Middle Distance Runner anywhere
JAY:
Echo and the Bunnymen.
ERIK:
Brazilian Girls - 9:30 club

Favorite holiday song and artist?
STEVE:
John Lennon - Happy Christmas (War is Over)
ALLAN:
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
IAN :
Middle Distance Runner - XMAS Party
JAY:
The entire Danny Mathis Christmas album.

Best present you ever received
STEVE:
Guitar, Christmas, 1995
ALLAN:
The Micro-Korg I get this year (Hopefully)
IAN:
LEGOS!
JAY:
Train Track
ERIK:
Sega Genesis

Worst present you ever received?
STEVE:
No such thing.
ALLAN:
The Clap! Thanks, Singapore.
IAN:
Non-legos.
JAY:
Chocolate covered cherries; every year.
ERIK:
Two dime-sized, plastic pigs that you tossed. It was supposed to be a game, but it was just depressing.


Check out their Choose Your Own Adventure post from November


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Three - The Hard Tomorrows

Another great band from DC is The Hard Tomorrows. This year saw the highly anticipated release of their first full length. While they are still relatively unknown outside of the region, they are starting to receive some love. This is likely to expand as word continues to get out about their energetic live shows and solid releases. As long as they can keep Jesus Crisis away from the zoo, the future looks bright for this band.

Band:
The Hard Tomorrows
Location:
Washington DC
Formed:
September 2003
Members:
Rob Pierangeli: vocals & guitar
Rishi Chakrabarty: guitars
Mike Tasevoli: drums
Jesus Crisis: keyboards & vocals
Charlie Flexon: bass
Label:
Death Row
Recordings:
5 Songs, May 2004
Lights Out, September 2006
Upcoming Live Dates:
January 11th, 2007 at the Wonderland Ballroom

How did the band form?
Over drinks at a bar.

How was '06 for you?
It was great. Lights Out is doing is well.

Highlight of the year?
Jesus Crisis getting arrested for verbally abusing Tai Shan the Panda.

***Local Musician Fined for Verbally Abusing Pandas at National Zoo***
WASHINGTON, DC
Nov. 21 2006
Twenty-four year old Jesus Crisis, keyboardist and conceptual disorganist for local pop band the Hard Tomorrows, was apprehended late Monday afternoon near the Panda habitat at DC's National Zoo after launching a furious verbal assault on the zoo's 16-month-old Panda cub, Tai Shan. The eccentric musician was caught on tape taunting the young cub: "Don't you see the deep evil surrounding your harem of sycophants and googley-eyed onlookers? You're one of trillions of life-forms on this filthy glittering globe. Shall I scale this divider and destroy you, or will you allow your keepers to do that gradually, pathetically, like candy left to rot in a vending machine?" Crisis was part of a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health in 1999, testing, "substances that may induce violent psychotic outbursts and proto-predatory bloodlust in mammals." "Saddle up to ride the comets into oblivion! You're lower than Koala shit, and they're not even real bears!" he was heard saying as he was led to a Park Police cruiser. In a telephone interview with one of NIH's chief clinicians, we learned, "We can't quite figure it out--Mr. Crisis was part of the placebo group."

What do you have in store for '07 (touring, albums, etc)?
We’re going to do some long weekends up north and down south in February or March. We’re also working on new material now and hope to have an EP out in mid 2007.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
To make music that is interesting to us.


Lights Out (2006)
Patterns
Darling
Lights Out

Bonus
Teenage Kicks (Undertones cover)

*Go here for more mp3s


3 favorite songs of '06?
Rob:
Pass the Hatchet, I think I’m Goodkind – Yo la tango
Everybody Daylight – Bright Black Morning Light
O the Deed – Nethers

Jesus :
Sexyback – His Majesty Timberlake
Paxilback – The Gray Kid
I’m So Close – Maiden Rider
The new weirdly produced Beatles album
That one good song on Thom Yorke’s record (title?)
Anything Jim O’Rourke is doing.

Favorite album of the year?
Rob: I haven’t been buying that much new music. Mostly older stuff because I have so many holes to fill. This is kind of sad - and shouldn’t even count because it came out almost 12 years ago - but it’s brand new to me: Get Lost, by the Magnetic Fields. I have a major crush on Stephin Merritt right now.

Rishi: I’ve been getting older stuff too. The only new record I can think of that I bought this year is Yo La Tengo “I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass” and it is great.

Charlie: Show Your Bones – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

JC: Pass the Hatchet – The Tomahawk Kids

Best live show you saw this year?
Rob: Bright Black Morning Light and Espers at DC9

Rishi: Jeremy Enigk at Rock Hotel. I kind of feel obligated to say Beck at the Backstage too.

Charlie: Massive Attack at 9:30 Club

JC: Vwar (the all-female Gwar tribute band)

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Rishi: A Durga Pooja to Remember by Ravi Khan and the Siva-lites

Charlie: Holidays in the Sun by The Sex Pistols

Rob: Frosty the Snowman by Billy Idol

JC: What Child is This when sung by my mom

Best present you ever received?
Rob: My first guitar from my parents when I was nine.

Rishi: A photo of an orangutan.

JC: A BJ in a movie theater while watching ‘Amelie”

Worst present you ever received?
Rob: A used hammer and a roll of duct tape from my brother, which really isn’t that bad of a present come to think of it.

JC: The shattered windshield of my friend’s car on my bed when I came home from work.



The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex

The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Two - AVEC

Today's band is arguably the loudest band that is participating in this feature. AVEC has been known to turn it up and put on a stellar live show. They can also turn it down a notch and be just as effective. No matter what they do, you will always go home satisfied. Ask around Baltimore and anybody who has seen them live, will tell you this. In fact, many of their biggest fans are other musicians.

The band is gearing up for a big 2007 that is sure to get them attention far beyond the confines of Charm City. So we decided to let you in on Baltimore's little secret, before they no longer are.

Band:
AVEC, sometimes AVECduet
Location:
Baltimore
Formed:
January 1, 2003
Members:
Shawna Potter – guitar, vocals
Brooks Harlan – guitar, keyboard, vocals
Adam Yeargin – bass
Scott Tiemann – drums
Label:
a few
Recordings:
AVECduet (Shawna and Brooks duet project) - Ambiguous City! Records / Big Crunch - 2006
if i breathe i fall asleep - Ambiguous City! Records - 2004
EP - ReStart Records / BIG crunch - 2003
Upcoming Live Dates:
January 13, 2007 @ Northsix, NYC
January 20, 2007 @ TBA, Baltimore, MD

How did the band form?
A very consolidated version told by Brooks – Scott, Adam and I played in a band called Sand Which Is that formed in 1996 at Texas Tech University. We moved to Baltimore in the summer of 2000 and had already been doing regional tours as much as we could. On the road, we became fans of a band from Nashville called Fair Verona. In 2001, I was booking a tour date in Nashville and I was trying to get Fair Verona on the bill. The promoter told me that they had broken up, but Shawna, one of the members, was going to play the show by herself. At the show, we all hung out a bit and saw an exciting potential for working together. Shawna ended up moving to Baltimore in the summer of 2002. We had a six month trial period as a four piece Sand Which Is. On New Years day of 2003 we officially became AVEC.

How was '06 for you?
It was a busy year for us all personally. So we didn’t do any big touring. We did have a really fun short summer tour with Karmella’s Game and some great one off shows around the area.

In the spring, we started talking to a record label called Civil Defense League about putting out our next full-length record. The label is run by Jim Ward who is the singer / guitarist for Sparta. His label is technically an imprint label for Doghouse Records. If all goes as planned, we should have a new record out in 2007! We head into the studio on December 15 with Producer / Engineer J Robbins. He is a real hero and music icon in our world of music, so we are honored to be working with him.

Also, this past year Shawna and I released a duet record, which basically captures material created for shows where the whole band couldn’t play.

Highlight of the year?
We had a great week in June where we told everybody we were going on tour, but we really just camped out at Scott’s house and wrote new songs all day for 6 days. The idea was to be isolated from jobs, etc. We called it band camp and we each had different duties everyday, like fixing dinner or teaching a master class. Without that week, I don’t think that we would be ready to go into the studio.

What do you have in store for '07 ?
The new record should be out and we hope to promote it with touring.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
Right now it is hard to see past the recording. We are focusing all of our energy on that. I think our goal in general is to write and play music that we are proud of and we hope that other people find it worth while to listen.

if i breathe i fall asleep(2004)
While You're Down There
Dejectile

AVECduet(2006)
Chase Adam


AVEC- While You're Down There


Favorites

Brooks
3 favorite songs of '06?
Salt and Syncope by Forget Cassettes
Half a Holiday by Fight Amputation
Unstitch Your Mouth by Sparta

Favorite album of the year?
Bad Dudes by Bad Dudes

Best live show you saw this year?
Make Believe at the Talking Head Club

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Zat You, Santa Claus by Louis Armstrong

Best present you ever received?
My daughter Eva

Worst present you ever received?
Nothing specific, in general I don’t like getting clothes as a present.


Shawna
3 favorite songs of '06?
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Salt and Syncope by Forget Cassettes
That's all I can think of. Most of the new music I listen to are radio hits I play at school dances and bat mitzvahs, so I"m tempted to say "Sexyback"...but I just can't!
How about "One Phone Call" by the local Karmella's Game.

Favorite album of the year?
Tides - From Silence

Best live show you saw this year?
Isis headlining at Ottobar, in October I believe.

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Anything Brenda Lee. Although in general, I really hate christmas music. I worked in retail way too long.

Best present you ever received?
For christmas 2003 most of my family and friends gave me money to help me pay for a two-week solo trip to Europe the following spring. I could not have afforded to go if it wasn't for their help... and I would not have been able to document all the memories I made had my father not given me a digital camera as well.

Worst present you ever received?
I can't say, because the giver is in my band!


Scott
3 favorite songs of '06?
Brace Your Face by Aloha
Between Wars by Butch Hancock
Dear Mr. Supercomputer by Sufjan Stevens

Favorite album of the year?
Some Echoes by Aloha

Best live show you saw this year?
McCoy Tyner at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

Best present you ever received?
A yo-yo. I laughed for about 1 hour because of it.

Worst present you ever received?
A yo-yo. I had asked for an original Nintedo System, but my parents thought a yo-yo would be more constructive. I was 11 or so.


Adam
3 favorite songs of '06?
Dr. C by Alias and Tarsier
Gettysburg by Ratatat
We Share Our Mother's Health by The Knife

Favorite album of the year?
Silent Shout by The Knife

Best live show you saw this year?
Why? and Cadence Weapon @ Ottobar

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Least favorite holiday song?
Paul McCartney - (Simply Having) A Wonderful Christmas Time

Best present you ever received?
Millennium Falcon

Worst present you ever received?
Hootie and the Blowfish CD



The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex