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Giddy-Up, Helicopter!: Interview with J. Conner
from volume 02 issue 01 // Holly Robertson
Giddy-Up Helicopter!
Interview with J. Conner
Words: Holly Robertson
Photos: Amber Tincher
Appearing:
June 1, 2007
Crowbar, Ybor City
Giddy-Up Helicopter! is a Tampa-based band that merges Ani Difranco’s fuck-you mentality with Jay Mascis-esque vocals and instrumentation that does not derive any inspiration from Celine Dion, despite what they may say. Instead, their first full-length album, I Am Secretary is one that is as sonically diverse as their musical tastes, which range from bluegrass to calculator sounds. Imagine Emmylou Harris on a lap steel playing to a fusion band of The Jesus and Mary Chain meets Fugazi.
J. Conner, Nikki Navarro, Ryann Slauson, Sandi Streppone and Nicole Schleif have already established themselves as major players in the local independent music scene. With their CD release set to kick off on June 1st at the Crowbar, Giddy-Up Helicopter! have plenty to talk about, including a whirlwind recording session, luring band members with dinosaurs, and how questions that are sexually biased aren’t acceptable.
REAX: How was opening for Silversun Pickups and how did you get that show hooked up?
J. Conner: Nicole pestered Jack (from AES) until he fell in love with her and gave us the show. We owe it all to him, and it is probably the best show we've ever had.
REAX: Tell me a little about how Giddy-Up Helicopter! formed.
Conner: Nicole and I met online and later met Sandi (in person this time). In 2005, we met Nikki and Tracey, the former drummer, at the Hub, and started a band soon after. Tracey left in 2007, we then lured our current drummer, Ryann, in with toy dinosaurs and Swedish Fish.
REAX: Is this your first full-length?
Conner: We released a five song EP, "It's Not a Monster," in 2006. After it sold out, we used the money to record "I Am Secretary” twice, once with each drummer, causing us to run out of money. We started recording in early 2006, so we're very ready to release it and move the fuck on. We’re already planning to record an EP this summer.
REAX: Is the album released under a label?
Conner: Self-releasing our records has worked out so far, but we love Kill Rock Stars and Matador Records and hope to be friends with them soon. Very soon. Right now!
REAX: How was your recording experience?
Conner: It was very rushed. We recorded, mixed, and mastered eleven songs in two days at Audiolab. We learned that two days isn't enough time to put down a record that we're completely satisfied with. We're not unhappy with the final product, we're just going to do it differently next time.
REAX: How do you like the studio versus playing live?
Conner: We all prefer playing live; we sound better and don't have to worry about playing to a click track. We lose our minds in the studio and end up drinking too much or doing math problems.
REAX: I know you've mentioned Fugazi as an influence. What are some other influences for this album?
Conner: Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, The Arcade Fire, Pinback, My Bloody Valentine, The Modern Lovers, Smashing Pumpkins, Celine Dion, Wolf Parade and alcohol.
REAX: What do you like most and least about the local music scene?
Conner: The bands are all really supportive and work together so that everyone benefits. Yet, we don't like that it's a boys club. It's hard to earn respect as musicians when the first questions we are asked are about whom we have slept with and if we've dated each other. It's only because we are mostly women. These questions wouldn’t be considered when interviewing male dominated bands.
REAX: Where do you plan to promote the album?
Conner: We are planning a Midwest/East Coast Freedom Tour around June/July. We're planning on hitting most major cities, like NYC, Chicago, and Boston.
REAX: Are any of you in school or working? Is it difficult to fit recording and practicing with your daily obligations?
Conner: Ryann, Nicole, and I all go to school. I haven’t decided on a major yet, Ryann is an art major and Nicole is studying Meteorology/Engineering. Nikki has one semester of school left but took a break to focus on the band. Sandi teaches high school math. Almost all of us have part-time jobs. Nikki and I both work at restaurants and Nicole makes copies at a title agency. It's not hard to fit the band into our schedules-- we just skip class and call out of work. We are just kidding, if you're one of our bosses please don't fire us.
Interview with J. Conner
Words: Holly Robertson
Photos: Amber Tincher
Appearing:
June 1, 2007
Crowbar, Ybor City
Giddy-Up Helicopter! is a Tampa-based band that merges Ani Difranco’s fuck-you mentality with Jay Mascis-esque vocals and instrumentation that does not derive any inspiration from Celine Dion, despite what they may say. Instead, their first full-length album, I Am Secretary is one that is as sonically diverse as their musical tastes, which range from bluegrass to calculator sounds. Imagine Emmylou Harris on a lap steel playing to a fusion band of The Jesus and Mary Chain meets Fugazi.
J. Conner, Nikki Navarro, Ryann Slauson, Sandi Streppone and Nicole Schleif have already established themselves as major players in the local independent music scene. With their CD release set to kick off on June 1st at the Crowbar, Giddy-Up Helicopter! have plenty to talk about, including a whirlwind recording session, luring band members with dinosaurs, and how questions that are sexually biased aren’t acceptable.
REAX: How was opening for Silversun Pickups and how did you get that show hooked up?
J. Conner: Nicole pestered Jack (from AES) until he fell in love with her and gave us the show. We owe it all to him, and it is probably the best show we've ever had.
REAX: Tell me a little about how Giddy-Up Helicopter! formed.
Conner: Nicole and I met online and later met Sandi (in person this time). In 2005, we met Nikki and Tracey, the former drummer, at the Hub, and started a band soon after. Tracey left in 2007, we then lured our current drummer, Ryann, in with toy dinosaurs and Swedish Fish.
REAX: Is this your first full-length?
Conner: We released a five song EP, "It's Not a Monster," in 2006. After it sold out, we used the money to record "I Am Secretary” twice, once with each drummer, causing us to run out of money. We started recording in early 2006, so we're very ready to release it and move the fuck on. We’re already planning to record an EP this summer.
REAX: Is the album released under a label?Conner: Self-releasing our records has worked out so far, but we love Kill Rock Stars and Matador Records and hope to be friends with them soon. Very soon. Right now!
REAX: How was your recording experience?
Conner: It was very rushed. We recorded, mixed, and mastered eleven songs in two days at Audiolab. We learned that two days isn't enough time to put down a record that we're completely satisfied with. We're not unhappy with the final product, we're just going to do it differently next time.
REAX: How do you like the studio versus playing live?
Conner: We all prefer playing live; we sound better and don't have to worry about playing to a click track. We lose our minds in the studio and end up drinking too much or doing math problems.
REAX: I know you've mentioned Fugazi as an influence. What are some other influences for this album?
Conner: Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, The Arcade Fire, Pinback, My Bloody Valentine, The Modern Lovers, Smashing Pumpkins, Celine Dion, Wolf Parade and alcohol.
REAX: What do you like most and least about the local music scene?
Conner: The bands are all really supportive and work together so that everyone benefits. Yet, we don't like that it's a boys club. It's hard to earn respect as musicians when the first questions we are asked are about whom we have slept with and if we've dated each other. It's only because we are mostly women. These questions wouldn’t be considered when interviewing male dominated bands.
REAX: Where do you plan to promote the album?
Conner: We are planning a Midwest/East Coast Freedom Tour around June/July. We're planning on hitting most major cities, like NYC, Chicago, and Boston.
REAX: Are any of you in school or working? Is it difficult to fit recording and practicing with your daily obligations?
Conner: Ryann, Nicole, and I all go to school. I haven’t decided on a major yet, Ryann is an art major and Nicole is studying Meteorology/Engineering. Nikki has one semester of school left but took a break to focus on the band. Sandi teaches high school math. Almost all of us have part-time jobs. Nikki and I both work at restaurants and Nicole makes copies at a title agency. It's not hard to fit the band into our schedules-- we just skip class and call out of work. We are just kidding, if you're one of our bosses please don't fire us.
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