an end of 2009 interview w/ Joseph of Cymbals Eat Guitars
by Bill Pearis
Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Sound Fix Records (more by Leia Jospe)
Musically speaking, 2009 was probably the biggest year for Staten Island since the heyday of the Wu-Tang Clan. In addition to The Antlers, we also got Cymbals Eat Guitars‘ Why There Are Mountains which got them a lot of comparisons to Built to Spill and Modest Mouse. It also garnered them Best New Music on Pitchfork back in March. Not bad for a self-released album. Look for CEG on tour next spring with Bear in Heaven — tour dates are also below.
Front man Joseph D’Agostino answered our year-end questionnaire…
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You released a record in 2009. How’d that go?
Great! We feel very fortunate to have released our debut record to such a big response and it has certainly led to some never in our wildest dreams moments for us.
What was your most memorable musical moment of 2009?
Opening for the Flaming Lips in London.
What about non-musical moment?
We had paella in Barcelona a few days ago that was out of this world.
Favorite place to play in NYC?
Music Hall of Williamsburg
Best new NYC-area band?
Gordon Voidwell
What’s the best and worst thing about being in a band in NYC in 2009?
Best: Not living in NYC.
Worst: Not living in NYC.
What were your favorite albums of 2009?
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Wilco – Wilco (the Album)
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – s/t
Sonic Youth – The Eternal
Favorite Singles/Songs?
Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks” & “While You Wait For The Others”
Sonic Youth – “Antenna” & “Sacred Trickster”
Phoenix – “Lasso”
Bat For Lashes – “Daniel”
Atlas Sound – “Walkabout”
What was the best show you saw in 2009?
We had a chance to watch Wilco from backstage in Germany at the Rolling Stone Weekender festival in November. It was probably not the most off-the-wall, amazing Wilco show but being right up close was special. Pat Sansone is a human encyclopedia of rock moves.
Favorite Michael Jackson song?
“Will You Be There.” There are like four ascending key changes!
What is the proper way to incorporate “Meh” into your band name?
Cymbals Eat Mehtars
Shitgaze, Glo-fi or Dark Wave?
Tropical Drone
Plans/predictions for 2010?
Lots and lots of touring. Were going back to Europe in February, then a March/April US tour with Bear in Heaven that were particularly excited about. And hopefully a new record in the can by this time next year.
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Cymbals Eat Guitars – 2010 Tour Dates
Mar 5 Johnny Brenda’s – Johnny Brenda’s w/ Bear In Heaven Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mar 6 Rock And Roll Hotel – Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Bear In Heaven Washington, Washington DC
Mar 7 Local 506 – Local 506 w/ Bear In Heaven Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mar 9 The End – The End w/ Bear In Heaven Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 10 Pilot Light – Pilot Light w/ Bear In Heaven Knoxville, Tennessee
Mar 11 Earl – The Earl w/ Bear In Heaven East Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 13 Will’s Pub – Will’s Pub w/ Bear In Heaven Orlando, Florida
Mar 16 Mango’s – Mango’s w/ Bear In Heaven Houston, Texas
Mar 22 The Rhythm Room – Rhythm Room w/ Bear In Heaven Phoenix, Arizona
Mar 23 Casbah San Diego – Casbah w/ Bear In Heaven San Diego, California
Mar 24 Echo – The Echo w/ Bear In Heaven Los Angeles, California
Mar 25 Bottom Of The Hill – Bottom of The Hill w/ Bear In Heaven San Francisco, California
Mar 27 Berbati’s Pan – Berbati’s Pan w/ Bear In Heaven Portland, Oregon
Mar 29 The Biltmore Cabaret – The Biltmore Cabaret w/ Bear In Heaven Vancouver, British Columbia
Mar 31 Kilby Court – Kilby Court w/ Bear In Heaven Salt Lake City, Utah
Apr 1 Hi Dive – Hi Dive w/ Bear In Heaven Denver, Colorado
Apr 2 Replay Lounge – Replay Lounge w/ Bear In Heaven Lawrence, Kansas
Apr 3 Turf Club – Turf Club w/ Bear In Heaven Saint Paul, Minnesota
Apr 4 Schubas Tavern – Schubes w/ Bear In Heaven Chicago, Illinois
Apr 6 El Mocambo – El Mocambo w/ Bear In Heaven Toronto, Ontario
Apr 7 Il Motore – Il Motore w/ Bear In Heaven Montreal, Quebec
Apr 8 Middle East Downstairs – Middle East Downstairs w/ Bear In Heaven Cambridge, Massachusetts
Apr 9 Music Hall Of Williamsburg – Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Bear In Heaven Brooklyn, New York
