100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Forty-One: Pleasant

instigated by dave heaton

The North Carolina-based band Pleasant's debut album Awkward as a Beehive (Pox World Empire) has only grown on me since I first heard it. They're carrying on some kind of blessed tradition of smart, passionate indie-rock music while having their own unique style: tight, sleek, ragged yet smooth and unified. Their music is above all eminently playable – easy on the ears and 100% enjoyable to blast out of speakers in any location or situation. Check out their website and MySpace to find out for yourself.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Mario Gonzalez: Writing new stuff and recording is always fun. We are also excited about how technology is (and has been) changing the "industry." The internet and digital media has made band life so much easier in terms of corresponding with other bands and clubs as well as getting your music out to people all over the world. We are also excited about the recent deal between CD Baby and Super D which allows for bands to get "brick and mortar" distribution to the independent record stores. Now people in other cities can go into their local independent store and order our cds.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

Mario Gonzalez: Although technology has helped immensely, it has also "flooded the market". There is so much music (good and bad) out there now that you have to work hard to stand out. College Radio, print and internet press receive so much material on a daily basis that you have to work extra hard to keep your name on people's minds.

It is also discouraging to think about all the great bands that will go unnoticed. Bands that are truly doing something amazing, may never get the recognition they deserve.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

Mario Gonzalez: Working on new songs for the next record. Playing more out of town shows, especially in the South East region. We've got a show lined up at the Cat's Cradle on August 10 th with Deerhoof, that we are pretty excited about. We're also working on getting professional publicity and distribution for Pox World Empire, our label.

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

Maria Albani: In 2000, we played our very first show behind CD Alley in Chapel Hill. It took place in a gravel parking lot, not far from the dumpster used by University Massage (a seedy/adult massage parlor). Aside from the various smells and dust, it was weird playing as random people passed by on the street. It was also really early on a Saturday afternoon, in broad daylight. The whole thing was very uncomfortable.

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

Mario Gonzalez: Chapel Hill / Durham / Raleigh / Greensboro area has a vibrant community of bands & musicians. There are a large number of venues to play and lots of great bands to play with. The local communities are by and large supportive of local and independent music. Chapel Hill in particular is a popular stop for larger touring acts, which allows for the opportunity to open for national acts once in a while. This is great because you can expose people, especially students at the university, to your music. Many of these people may not have ever thought much about "local music" because maybe they are from somewhere that doesn't really have a scene.

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

Maria Albani: We started working on something new this past week. We came up with a part, and played it for a while. Once we all agreed that we liked it, we recorded it. We try to do this regularly so we don't forget about these moments. It's nice to be able to go back and listen to parts when constructing a new song. Listening to it the next day may expose certain things that aren't right. It also provides a base to work from, making it easy to try different things.

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

Maria Albani: I am constantly exposed to new music working at a record store, so things tend to fall in my lap. I give everything a chance, and if I like it, I tell everyone about it. I'm fortunate for sure. I don't know how people who don't work in a music field can keep up with all of the new bands these days. That is a job in itself.

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

Maria Albani: For the most part I am drawn to music that is energetic and fanciful. This pertains to older stuff like the 3ds & The Kinks, as well as to more recent releases by the Evangelicals & Home .

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

Maria Albani: Presently I would have to say Folkloric Feel by Apostle of Hustle and So Gone by Evangelicals .

Mario Gonzalez: You Are The Sames by The Sames and Downer Trio by Joel RL Phelps .

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

Mario Gonzalez: "Now You Are Found" by Joel RL Phelps

Maria Albani: "Me and Little Andy" by Dolly Parton .

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.