Slowdim, at what point in life do we find you?
Recovering from a very brutal winter, but we were born from its belly so to speak. We are a couple months old as a band. We feel very good at this point in time. Getting love from the UK is nice. We played our first show back in the beginning of March with Telekinesis and The Love Language. That was our platform for getting momentum.
How would describe your music to those uninformed readers of Mane Shakin' Folk?
It's very melodic. Hopefully it takes you somewhere emotionally. We are basically a pop band with some ambient elements. I feel like live it can be a bit more fuzzed out.
Who is behind Slowdim?
Myself, Paul Sentz on guitar/vocals, Karina DaCosta on bass/vocals, Ethan Cannon on drums, and a recent addition, Matt McKenna on guitar.
Wishing Well by Slowdim
I noticed that you only started making music at the beginning of the year. How did you go about writing and recording the songs on the EP so quickly?
Well we've all been playing in other bands over the years. I wanted a band really badly after my last band broke up. Back in January I just got a creative jolt and decided to write and record these songs on garageband. It was a very solitary process. I met Ethan through a mutual friend and we connected quickly. Karina and I go way back from elementary school in Virginia. We understand each other pretty well. Matt used to play in a band with Ethan so it's nice that there's a connection with us all.
I hear shades of The Shins, My Morning Jacket and many other great alternative American groups in your music, but you've still retained your own unique twist on the sound. From where do you actually draw your influences?
Thanks! That's nice of you. I think The Shins have some great songs. So many influences to draw from, but I would say our influences tend to be a feeling at the current moment in time. As far as music, I would say The Beatles are huge. I always liked bands with good melodies: Elliott Smith, The Cure, Beach Boys, Nirvana, Ben Folds Five, The Cars, The Smiths, REM, Talking Heads and so many more. The whole 90's grunge pop movement was a big influence on us here in the states.
What's the scene like in Boston? Are there any cool hangouts we should know about?
It's all over the place. There are so many little clicks so to speak. I feel like there isn't any particular genre that stands out. But this year feels like there's a strong sense of community with bands and especially the music blogs in Boston. Blogs are always keeping their eye and ears out. In terms of hangouts, I like a club called Great Scott. They have great bands in there. Their staff are really nice and involved with the scene. Karina likes to hang out at the TT's/Zuzu block in Cambridge (Massachusetts) for the dancing and hanging out.
Tallest Trees by Slowdim
What is your trustiest piece of gear?
Paul: my amp, 1970 fender pro reverb, has been so solid for many years
Karina: I have a 1984 Fender Jazz that gave me my start with the bass and I recently acquired a Rickenbacker tuxedo bass that I love a lot. They are really fun to play and they're pretty!
Ethan: 77' chrome ludwig supraphonic snare drum.
Matt: my strat - it plays so smooth and sounds great.
What's in Slowdim's 2011 diary? Can we expect an album?
Right now we are just trying to work on getting out and playing live. Connecting with people is our focus now. An album is likely to be in the works soon I would imagine. Not sure when, but probably in the near future.
Are there any particular records/artists/etc that you especially love at the moment?
Paul: I've been into Miniature Tigers' album "Tell It To The Volcano", Frightened Rabbit's "Midnight Organ Fight" and Beatles' "Revolver" has been spinning a lot.
Karina: I have been loving The Cars greatest hits and Talking Heads lately. But I love Wye Oak and The Asteroid # 4 and Brian Jonestown Massacre...... I love shoegaze.
Ethan: Doomstar -"Colors", Girlfriends, Cymbals Eat Guitars- "Why There Are Mountains", Telekinesis- "12 Desperate Straight Lines". Wolf Parade- "Expo 86", and some Heatmiser and Elliott Smith
Matt: been listening to The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger- great stuff. I also keep coming back to Modest Mouse's "Building Something From Nothing"
You can purchase 'Spirals' on bandcamp for $5.
