Aliegh & Steve, from electronic rock music group Ugly Kids Club.
Ugly Kids Club Interview
1. Could you tell me where the ideas came from for Ugly Kids Club EP Rain & Bones?
We had both songs wrapping up at about the same time and thought it was cool how different they were. We thought because of our love of contrasting elements and juxtapositions, it would be cool to pair them together.
2. In writing music where do you mostly get your inspirations from?
We like to pull from what is going on in our own lives first. Sometimes we find concepts and feelings we like in films, art, or other music that can also germinate new ideas.
3. How is the life in the studio for Ugly Kids Club?
Well, it is a very piece by piece process. Sometimes we just throw songs away if they’re not making sense to us. Maybe we’ll come back, but the newest ideas always tend to sound the best :). We build pretty much everything together from the ground up and play all our own instruments/parts. Even the drums. Though neither of us are actually a drummer. We are rehearsing now with a live drummer for upcoming shows, so it will be interesting to see if/how we allow that to bleed into our future recordings….
4. Any tours lined up soon for Ugly Kids Club?
We have a show in Nashville on Feb 23rd. No tours as of now. We’re bootstapping right now to put the best show we can together before we take it on the road.
5. Where did the name for the band originate from Ugly Kids Club?
(Aliegh) It came from a joke actually. A friend and I were going back and forth making up the worst band names possible. I threw Ugly Kids Club out and actually kind of liked it for what Steve and I are were starting to do with our music. It’s like the ugly kids in school who were ignored a bit but go on to blossom later and do great things.
6. Would you say that Social Media is a great way to attract attention towards bringing in new crowds to concerts?
Absolutely.
7. What do you think of promo videos and its importance now?
I don’t think most kids today can sit still without at least 2 forms of entertainment/mind stimulation going on. Because music videos are technically two art forms married together, I think they can be way more engaging than just a simple audio track to listen to. I think any band who is not making all the videos they can think of is missing out on a ton of engagement opportunities with fans and potential fans.
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Isn’t it all on Spotify? Kidding. I (Steve) do collect vinyl. Got some old stuff, The Cars, Midlake, M83, John Denver (hahaha, thanks mom), Blackstrap, Beethoven, Zeppelin.
(Aliegh) The Unicorn by the Irish Rovers.
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
I (Steve) wake up regretting how late I was up. Make coffee. Strum a guitar, play the piano, drink more coffee. Write something down. Question if it’s any good. Question if I should quit. Keep believing anyway. Plug something into the computer. Make beats. Think about a video idea. Remember to eat something right before dinner, meet Aliegh. Show her what I’ve done. Start all over. Repeat.
(Aliegh) Wake up. Listen to XM radio on the way to work. Drink 5 cups of coffee so I’m too hyper to seriously think about the fact that I still have to have a part time job that’s not music. Spend way too much time on reddit.com and stalking my favorite music sites. Get off work. Practice bass. Go to Steve’s. See what he’s done. Critique. Drink wine. Write more or work on videos.
10. How is the Music scene in your area today?
Best in the country! At least according to Rolling Stone. We have Jack White, Jeff the Brotherhood, Ke$ha, AND the best honky-tonk bars in the world. What else could you want? Seriously though, it is pretty great. Our nickname, Music City, is apt and well deserved. We have a ton of great small to mid-size venues and incredible live music pretty much every night of the year. We are looking forward to playing out a lot more once our show is baller and we’re ready to kick some ass.
11. What’s your vision on the Internet as a way to releasing Music Online now days?
It’s hands down the best way to connect with people in the most efficient and economical way possible. It’s amazing that we can have a mastered song in our hands and we can release it to iTunes, Spotify, etc. and people can have it and hear it within a matter of hours.
Extra questions for Ugly Kids Club
Life without music would be – A cruel, cruel world.
Favorite movie – Empire Strikes Back
Favorite sport – What are the options again? (Steve) Hockey (Aliegh)
Favorite food – Beer (Steve) Bacon, egg and cheese biscuits (Aliegh)
Favorite drink – Same question? (Steve) Anything with rum (Aliegh)
Favorite saying – (Aliegh) If I’d not existed, I hope that someone would have written me: Hemmingway
Favorite car – Ferrari Testarossa. (Steve)
Favorite book – Catcher in the Rye (Steve) Mr Norrell and Jonathan Strange by Susanna Clarke (Aliegh)
Favorite band – The Beatles (Steve) Brandy or Toni Braxton. Don’t care that they’re not bands! (Aliegh)
Star Wars or Star Trek – Wars, duh. (Steve) Both (Aliegh)
PC or Mac – Mac without a doubt.