June 16th, 2009
Fill In The Blanks: An Horse
The brilliant Australian fuzz-pop duo An Horse — singer/guitarist Kate Cooper and drummer Damon Cox — comes to Kung Fu Necktie tonight, bringing with them gritty-yet-bright indie-pop hooks and jangly, Flying Nun-worthy guitars that all together is sometimes reminiscent of the Spinanes or Blake Babies. The band’s recently released Rearrange Beds is easily one of my favorite albums of the year — it feels like listening to college radio in the late ’80s and early ’90s, but never sounds consciously retro or like a tired re-tread. We caught up with the friendly Cooper this morning for a “Fill in the Blanks” session:
The last time I was in Philadelphia I: Couldn’t find the Rocky statue, but found a cafe that sold Australian tim tams. I was Googling for somewhere to eat breakfast and this lady who’s Australian owns a cafe in Philly and she has tim tams and makes a kind of Australian breakfast. And it’s not that I missed being in Australia — I’m quite happy to be away — but it was nice because I had a craving and satisfied it in Philadelphia.
My favorite thing about Philadelphia is: See, I don’t want to say that Australian cafe because that’s not very cool. I would say, wow, when we go there the weather is always extreme — it’s either beautiful crazy hot amazing or beautiful crazy cold.
The thing I’m most looking forward to about Philadelphia is: Maybe finding the Rocky statue this time. This is the third or fourth time we’ve been to Philly and it’s just not where people tell me it is!
Our show is not a success unless: People are enjoying it, I guess.
People who have never seen us play live before can expect: To have their faces melted. Well, maybe. I feel like sometimes I’m in Fugazi or, like, Metallica when I’m playing and then people say, “So you’re in a twee-pop band?” and I’m like, “Really?” So in my mind I’m melting faces but I’m sure the reality is that people are just watching quietly.
The one thing that must be provided for us backstage is: You know, I want to say that we spend ages sending riders off, but often there’s nothing back there. I mean, maybe water. Me and Damon drink a lot of water. But if it was actually one thing that I wanted backstage, it would probably be some chocolate or a Jacuzzi or something. But could you imagine how filthy it would be? I don’t wanna think about it.
The strangest thing someone has shouted at me while I was performing was: I don’t even wanna say some of the things people have said, they’re horrifying! But you know, the usual “Take your pants off” and “Take your shirt off.” But it’s like, really? Really, you think that would be fun for everyone? Because I think if I took my shirt off while I was playing it would shock people. And it would make everyone really uncomfortable. Actually, one time in Brisbane we played a show and my mom came and there was a quiet part in the set and my mom yelled out really loudly, “Mama loves you!” And Damon heard it and lost his shit and every now and again he imitates my mother saying “Mama loves you!” and it’s really embarrassing. I’d probably prefer that someone had yelled out “Take your pants off.”
The best thing about being in a band is: Getting to play music every night with Damon.
The worst thing about being in a band is: Not having clean laundry every day.
The thing I’ll remember most about making Rearrange Beds is: Babysitting a three-year-old, the daughter of the producer, and desperately trying not to catch her conjunctivitis. It was like, if you babysit we’ll work for a couple more days, so I was like, all right…
My most treasured possession is: It’s probably this handkerchief that my mom gave me. It’s got little flowers. Sorry, that’s weird. She works in a nursing home and it’s probably a dead lady’s or something. But it’s just comforting. It’s always in my bag.
The best advice I ever got about making music was: Make music with the people you get along with, it doesn’t matter if they’re good or not. They’ll get better.I’m just lucky that I get along with Damon and he’s also an amazing drummer. So, win all around.
The one goal I have for my career is: Just to be happy and have fun.
The artist I most dislike being compared to is: Umm, it’s hard to say. I kinda get that everyone hears different stuff.
The artist I really don’t mind being compared to is: Neil Young. People say I sound like him, my friends do. They’re like, “Whoa, your voice. Whoa. It sounds like Neil Young.” But that’s great. Neil Young.
I first realized I was musically inclined when: I have yet to realize that. No…maybe when I was like three, dancing around the room clutching desperately Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
The first time I ever performed music in front of an audience I: Was probably wearing a dress and socks to my knee and it was a piano recital and I was like six. And I was petrified. And I sucked, too.
The oddest thing a fan has ever asked me is: Wow, see, I think that people ask me weird stuff all the time and I block it out. Oh wait, the oddest thing was some guy in Australia, he didn’t ask me, he told me he was going to take me to Utah and marry me. I felt like that was an odd thing.
The dumbest thing a journalist has ever asked me is: “Is it hard to drum and sing at the same time?” I’m like, “I’m sorry, is my voice that deep?” I feel like most people who we’ve spoken to are really awesome and on it, but occasionally it’s just like, really? You wanted to waste my time?
Ten years from now I hope to be: I hope to be making music and being happy. Yeah. Simple.
An Horse plays Kung Fu Necktie tonight at 8pm, opening for Telekinesis. $10.
[Photo by Amelia Shaw.]
