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Too big, too pop, not DIY anymore–punker-than-thou purists are entitled to their harsh opinions about FYF, not to mention long lines, crummy food trucks, and overextended lineups. I happen to think this year’s Los Angeles music festival really is the best weekend of summer (not counting Comic-Con) and don’t have to point any further than the long-awaited appearance of FLAG. Ever since their friends-and-family debut at the Elk’s Lodge, the ex-members of Black Flag had yet to play Los Angeles until this show. I was all over that, and a bunch of other great bands, too, for the bargain price of 99 bucks and a convenient location just 15 minutes away…
Last time I corresponded with Jason Chung a.k.a. Nosaj Thing was right before 2011′s FYF. I thought I’d get back in touch with the Los Angeles-based experimental electronic musician before he plays this weekend’s show alongside heavyweights like TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and My Bloody Valentine… Yes, he’s as cool as his music is heavy. MW: You mentioned to me that you moved from Pasadena to Downtown L.A. Has the different environment, architecture, and energy affected your outlook or approach to music? JC: I’ve always been sensitive to my environment. Downtown has brought out some of my old self somehow–I think in a good way. MW: I haven’t seen you since the Octopus/Drift days. Will I even recognize you or your music at FYF this time around? JC: Probably. I just got older and depressed! MW: How was your recent trip to Asia? JC: I actually just got back. Feeling inspired. I don’t know what it is but Tokyo woke me up. I need to move there sometime. Vibes… MW: I was stoked to find the Mary Anne Hobbes session on your site. I know that’s ancient history to you, but can you tell me about it? JC: She’s been a longtime supporter and I just thought I’d do a special mix to play some unreleased music from friends and myself. I’m working on a new mix now. MW: The recent Chance the Rapper project was really interesting. How did it happen and unfold? JC: The guys from Yours Truly reached out and thought it would be a good fit. I was already feeling Chance’s style and everything came together naturally… It’s a special track. MW: It’s rad that you’ve worked with members of Blonde Redhead and M83, as well. I love those bands. Anyone else on your wish list? Maybe someone at this weekend’s shows? JC: Karen O, please. Find out more about Jason and his music at nosajthing.com and then dig his set at FYF on Saturday, August 24. Shockingly, there are still some weekend passes available for the fest in beautiful Downtown Los Angeles.
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Last time I corresponded with Jason Chung a.k.a. Nosaj Thing was right before 2011′s FYF. I thought I’d get back in touch with the Los Angeles-based experimental electronic musician before he plays this weekend’s show alongside heavyweights like TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and My Bloody Valentine… Yes, he’s as cool as his music is heavy. MW: You mentioned to me that you moved from Pasadena to Downtown L.A. Has the different environment, architecture, and energy affected your outlook or approach to music? JC: I’ve always been sensitive to my environment. Downtown has brought out some of my old self somehow–I think in a good way. MW: I haven’t seen you since the Octopus/Drift days. Will I even recognize you or your music at FYF this time around? JC: Probably. I just got older and depressed! MW: How was your recent trip to Asia? JC: I actually just got back. Feeling inspired. I don’t know what it is but Tokyo woke me up. I need to move there sometime. Vibes… MW: I was stoked to find the Mary Anne Hobbes session on your site. I know that’s ancient history to you, but can you tell me about it? JC: She’s been a longtime supporter and I just thought I’d do a special mix to play some unreleased music from friends and myself. I’m working on a new mix now. MW: The recent Chance the Rapper project was really interesting. How did it happen and unfold? JC: The guys from Yours Truly reached out and thought it would be a good fit. I was already feeling Chance’s style and everything came together naturally… It’s a special track. MW: It’s rad that you’ve worked with members of Blonde Redhead and M83, as well. I love those bands. Anyone else on your wish list? Maybe someone at this weekend’s shows? JC: Karen O, please. Find out more about Jason and his music at nosajthing.com and then dig his set at FYF on Saturday, August 24. Shockingly, there are still some weekend passes available for the fest in beautiful Downtown Los Angeles.
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So many rad bands are playing this weekend at FYF. Since the set times were announced last Friday, I’ve been fine-tuning a schedule that includes FLAG, Metz, The Melvins, The Locust, Jonathan Richman, Nosaj Thing… The genres and bands are so all-encompassing that a dozen music lovers can attend the same festival, have the best show ever, and never cross paths. And that’s cool and I respect people’s differing tastes but no one should skip Les Savy Fav. This is a rare appearance by a Brooklyn band that dangerously and successfully balances art and punk, delivering concept, energy, and anarchy in spades, and hasn’t played for more two years. If you’re unfamiliar, check out the Les Savy Fav intro that Stereogum posted earlier this year. Fugazi, Enon, Gang of Four–those are the types of bands lazy journalists compare Les Savy Fav to, and this is a rare appearance not to be missed. To celebrate the group’s reactivation for FYF (and a House of Vans show in NYC) I sent over some questions. Les Savy Fav bassist, Frenchkiss Records honcho, and David Cross comedy collaborator Syd Butler responded. MW: What’s better, setting up an awesome festival like ATP or being invited to play one like FYF? SB: Curating ATP was a dream come true but it’s always exciting to play festivals like FYF, see our fans, and have a great time together. MW: Are you ready? How fast do the songs come back after a hiatus from music? How much of it is muscle memory? Vestigial memory? SB: We haven’t played or really practiced in almost two years. We recently began practicing and the first day was pretty rough. I was surprised by how much work it takes to get to show level. Certain songs came back as if it were yesterday, but some songs we play have so many parts–especially for Seth, who sometimes plays three or four different parts at a time. So to remember all the changes was a challenge for all of us. Some was straight-up work but some moments were easy. At one point, Harrison (drummer Harrison Haynes) looked at me with a smile and said, “I can’t believe how much muscle memory we have on these songs.” The hits were automatic. MW: Any secrets to going forth for nearly 20 years now?
SB: I think at the end of the day we like each other and what we all offer as friends and as artists. We are constantly learning from each other, through thick and thin. Honest communication has been key for us. MW: You’ve been way ahead of the curve in a lot of ways (like music) but comedy is one you don’t get enough credit for… Got any stories about making the DVD that came with Inches? SB: I’m glad you brought this up. We feel very connected to the comedians that were in NYC at the time (David Cross, Fred Armisen, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman). We had toured so often with bands...
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So many rad bands are playing this weekend at FYF. Since the set times were announced last Friday, I’ve been fine-tuning a schedule that includes FLAG, Metz, The Melvins, The Locust, Jonathan Richman, Nosaj Thing… The genres and bands are so all-encompassing that a dozen music lovers can attend the same festival, have the best show ever, and never cross paths. And that’s cool and I respect people’s differing tastes but no one should skip Les Savy Fav. This is a rare appearance by a Brooklyn band that dangerously and successfully balances art and punk, delivering concept, energy, and anarchy in spades, and hasn’t played for more two years. If you’re unfamiliar, check out the Les Savy Fav intro that Stereogum posted earlier this year. Fugazi, Enon, Gang of Four–those are the types of bands lazy journalists compare Les Savy Fav to, and this is a rare appearance not to be missed. To celebrate the group’s reactivation for FYF (and a House of Vans show in NYC) I sent over some questions. Les Savy Fav bassist, Frenchkiss Records honcho, and David Cross comedy collaborator Syd Butler responded. MW: What’s better, setting up an awesome festival like ATP or being invited to play one like FYF? SB: Curating ATP was a dream come true but it’s always exciting to play festivals like FYF, see our fans, and have a great time together. MW: Are you ready? How fast do the songs come back after a hiatus from music? How much of it is muscle memory? Vestigial memory? SB: We haven’t played or really practiced in almost two years. We recently began practicing and the first day was pretty rough. I was surprised by how much work it takes to get to show level. Certain songs came back as if it were yesterday, but some songs we play have so many parts–especially for Seth, who sometimes plays three or four different parts at a time. So to remember all the changes was a challenge for all of us. Some was straight-up work but some moments were easy. At one point, Harrison (drummer Harrison Haynes) looked at me with a smile and said, “I can’t believe how much muscle memory we have on these songs.” The hits were automatic. MW: Any secrets to going forth for nearly 20 years now?
SB: I think at the end of the day we like each other and what we all offer as friends and as artists. We are constantly learning from each other, through thick and thin. Honest communication has been key for us. MW: You’ve been way ahead of the curve in a lot of ways (like music) but comedy is one you don’t get enough credit for… Got any stories about making the DVD that came with Inches? SB: I’m glad you brought this up. We feel very connected to the comedians that were in NYC at the time (David Cross, Fred Armisen, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman). We had toured so often with bands...
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