For next few months we are going to be doing a few pieces for our new “Get to Know” segments on up and coming bands that we think you all should check out and/or at the very least, keep and eye out on so you can be cool and say you heard about them first. We want to focus mostly on local LA bands, but this isn’t always going to be the case as is with this first band Brothers and Sisters. Though the band is currently residing in Texas, I was fortunate enough to see them live a few times here in California. The most memorable was in Costa Mesa at the Detroit Bar where the The Parson Red Heads accompanied them for a great night of music.
Brothers and Sisters are one of those live bands that just get your attention. They aren’t theatrical and aren’t trying to be anything or anybody else, but simply grab your attention by being good musicians and playing good music. They are solid and genuinely look like they are having a lot of fun on stage, which I’ve been saying for years is one of the key factors to a great live show.
The band, formed by Will Courtney and his sister Lily, grew eventually an eight-piece band after/during the recording of their self-recorded self-titled debut. Since that 2006 release, they have toured extensively, playing with such bands as The Blood Brothers and Trail of the Dead. In addition to that, they recently finished recording an EP and will start recording another full length this fall. In the mean time, you can check out and buy their music here. Also, keep an eye for them playing in a city near you because they are definitely worth seeing and are probably some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
I was able to get a hold of brother Will Courtney and ask him a few questions about the band and what’s in store for them in the near future.
Indie Schmarm: You guys recently recorded an EP with Raymond Richards at his Red Rockets
Glare studio in Los Angeles, how was that experience and when can we expect
that to be released?
WC: Recording with Raymond is the way it should be all the time. BBQs, beer and recording in between. It’s the second time I’ve recorded at his place and it’s always so inspiring and fast. Because he’s such a good engineer, you feel free to just jump all over the studio as fast as you can and pick up a new instrument and start recording a different track. He’s always got his machine ready to roll. We’re still deciding what to do with the recordings. Maybe an EP. Maybe a single. Should be out this fall.
Indie Schmarm: Are you guys still planning to start recording the full length in the fall?
WC: Absolutely. We should begin in the next few weeks. We’re very excited to start recording again. I think these songs are so much better than the last record.
Indie Schmarm: What’s been the most inspiring music as of late for you guys? Any unknown bands in there worth mentioning?
WC: Its funny, most bands today don’t inspire me the way the old ones do. The coolest new band I’ve heard is Glasvegas from the UK. Normally, I find myself moving further from the times the more I hear a lot of these reissues or lost gems from the 60s and 70s. Right now, I’ve been listening to the one record by Euphoria, “A Gift From Euphoria”, daily. It is one of the coolest records I’ve ever heard. Just like a dream. This month its been a lot of Euphoria, Jimmy Webb and Bob Dylan’s “Saved” record.
Indie Schmarm: What was it like touring with Trail of the Dead and The Blood Brothers? Did you guys get a good response despite the musical differences?
WC: The Trail of Dead guys are all of our friends, so it was really great touring together. Lily and I sang with Trail almost every night and Conrad was playing piano with us during our set. The response was better than I thought it would be. Obviously we were the oddest addition to that tour, but often kids would come up after the show telling us how cool it was to have us playing such a different style. In the end, it’s all just rock n’ roll.
Indie Schmarm: What’s the plan for 2008?
WC: Touring, touring, touring.
End Scene,
Dan Tana
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