Brightest Young Things

Introduction by Svetlana

Amazing Baby happened when Will Roan and Simon O'Connor decided that their daytime jobs as ringtone composers depressed the beejeebus out of them and ventured boldly where no other Brooklyn-based, Wesleyan-educated kids ventured before (not): bandland. And it just so happened they were really, really good at it.

Couple of years later, they have an album, "Rewild," that we cannot get enough of, have opened for everyone from Phoenix to Black Lips to those other Wesleyan boys and are about to become so (indie) big you should definitely go see them at DC9 tonight so next time they're selling out Black Cat's mainstage (or something bigger), you can tell everyone "you saw them back when..."

Pre-show, here are a few words from singer Will Roan.

How’s the tour going?
Tour is going awesome. We have a new drummer Ryan, and I don't think we've ever sounded better. Also, our tour mates are The Entrance Band. Those dudes are incredible. Some of the best musicians I've ever met. Good people too. Melting every rock on this long trip.

What city are you looking forward to playing?
LA, New York - those are our hometowns. I probably couldn't get arrested anywhere in obetween - but those towns are excellent. Lots of warm friends. Young and Old. plus the venues Troubador, and Bowery respectfully, are awesome.

Any weird/humorous tour moments you’d like to share?
Yeah, I laugh a lot every day. But in general I have to plead the 5th on most of it. Sorry. I guess I didn't realize how many strip clubs were located in Portland, though. Had i known I probably wouldn't have asked for an advance on my per diems when we rolled into town.

What are your favorite foods to eat on the road?
Mexican food is always a must. Tried and true, the best food on the planet.

Everyone loves a burrito. Who were your musical influences when you were kids?
We all liked a ton of different things. I was very influenced by Blur and David Bowie. Simon was a GnR and Pantera fiend.

Who have you been listening to lately?
I really like the new Girls album. New Au Revoir Simone and any Robert Wyatt and Arthur Russell.

Arthur Russell Forever. There was so much buzz about you long before you even had a record deal. How was this an advantage/disadvantage?
Well, it's been a roller coaster. There's really know way to tell how buzz can affect the larger scheme of a band. All I can say is that there have been some ups and downs since the initial attention. All we can do is work hard and make excellent music. We are all liferz in this band. So we are going to give it our all. Buzz or not.

How does it feel to have a record out?
Incredible, nothing like it in the world. Elements of fear as well. Like when you finally get to kiss the person of your dreams.

What was the recording process like making Rewild?
It was fractured, do to a steady amount of touring. We wrote and recorded it in bits, sometimes at length and sometimes just a few hours a day.

Who made that amazing record cover?
This was a collaborative process. Mr. Cameron Michel made the collage, he is an incredible artist and musician. He is in the band 'Golden Triangle' you can see more of his work at Cameronmichel.com. I basically came up with the layout in collaboration with RVNG. An incredible label based out of Brooklyn - run by Matt Werth.

How do you feel about being labeled by some as “psychedelic-rockers”?
Fine. There are so many elements to our band, that I find it silly to settle on one phrase or title. But if that is what people call us, I'm alright with it.

What’s next, after this tour?
More tour and recording our new album. I'm very excited to lay down the new songs we have been working on.

Have you been to D.C. before?
Yes! Always have a blast in D.C.! I have had some wild times there. My old band opened for the Black Lips there, at the Black Cat.

Planning to visit anything while you’re here?
Hopefully catch up with some old friends. Besides that, see where the night takes me.

Anything you’d like to say to your D.C. fans?
We love you.

Want more:

Amazing Baby plays at 9 p.m. tonight at DC9.