Interview: Slumber Party
Slumber Party, from the far away land of Motor City, has time and again shown their determination to fill the world to the brim with beautifully nostalgic rock n' roll. Their latest release /Musik/ continues the tradition with variations on the theme of energetic, dreamy, mysterious, and simultaneously lulling tunes. I wanted to hear what front-lady Aliccia Berg had to say about it, so here's her two cents.
The Slumber Party lineup has shifted a bit since "3," how, if at all, have those changes affected the record? Who's in the band now?
Alia Allen, Raquel Salaysay, Naomi Ruth, Me… Other ladies who we work with participate when they can, namely Frances Reade, Leah Retherford, but the band proper are the four named first… And they've forced plenty of changes on the sound of the band. With their proficiency and approach. Obvious change is the use of Synthesizers. Naomi plays synth. Before her I was the only one who played an occassional organ riff. Now I play guitar a lot less, and synths and keys more. Also, they encouraged me to write the songs (Naomi helped, too), as they were unfolding the way they did lyrically and stylistically – part of me knew this group could handle what I was presenting (it is more challenging than the material for the past records) and they eagerly without question took it on. Nice.
Where will your upcoming tour take you?
Oh, around the u.s., we are leaving soon to play cities in the northeast and north-midwest and in the next month or so, we'll be doing a trip to the west coast (we are flying to save ourselves some time so we unfortunately miss the west states like colo. And mont., it's just such a long drive, ref. Q. 12) and a stint in the middle and middle southeast states. To play all the cities we'd like may keep ourselves busy into spring though, we have to accommodate a trip to Australia that is being planned for winter.
How do you feel about Detroit? Is there magic in the air?
Yeah magic and pollution. Both. Both literally and figuratively.
Would you ever leave?
Sure, but no plans now. You have to understand that sometimes I can't help but feel I'm only visiting. Even though I've been in Detroit for about 8 years and live in my house. There's got to be a reason that it isn't the kind of city single women move to generally. And it has been a little rough at times trying to find my way here. I don't have family here. I'm really simple like that. I think it'd make me happier to know I had family nearby. Or better restaurants at least.
Are there any bands currently off the radar out there that we should keep an eye out for?
Way off the radar: Chinese Beatles, Spiderbite, Mountains and Rainbows, Tranzistors (those last two, they are probably considered on the radar now I suppose). Oh yeah, and pretty far off the radar, my solo project. I'm planning on getting around to making that record sooner than later.
If I need to get some good records there, where do I go?
Easy: Record Graveyard, Car City Records, Stormy Records
What if I'm hungry?
That's a little rough. Don't expect too much, but it'll be fun to go to Los Galanes in southwest Detroit I like it better than other mex rest. Considering both the table arrangement and service and the food for no meat is a little better here among them. I end up at Sala Thai couple times a month, I do generally like the spice combinations there, especially this basil thingy, though the tom yum soup isn't what I'd do but I like it. I almost forgot, great sushi and tables at Musabi.
What if I need a new shirt and/or pants because I've spilled some of that delicious food on it?
You can borrow something from me.
I hear they don't have much of a snow removal program there. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
I suppose it is saving a city that has no money, some money. Anyway, it typically all melts within a week of the snow.
Do you and the other members have day jobs? What are they?
Day jobs yes, yes. Alia advises university graduate students on their schooling matters, Naomi is a designer, and Raquel bakes and decorates cakes. I'm a biomedical (cancer) research scientist.
What's in the future?
Ummm. Well. Unrest in the Middle East. A new democratic president. Less reality T.V.
Tell us what we should go and listen to right now.
I'm not telling you that you have too, but if I could put something on right now something by…Laura Nyro, Alice Coltrane, The Godz (the ones on ESP).
In one word or phrase, describe what's happened to Slumber Party since your previous release.
More of the essentials and a lot less of everything else (and a hot live show on top of all that).
What advice do you have for all the little children out there?
Listen, evaluate, and don't care too much about too many things
- Paul Bredenberg | 2006-09-26
