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NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2010
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SPOTLIGHT | THE COLOURIST By Ashley Eliot KUCI Promotions Director & Host of Press Pass Music Coming out of the shadows this past summer, Costa Mesa-based The Colourist made us ask, "Where the heck have they been hiding?!" There's no doubt you will fall in love with this indie rock group's poppy undertones and catchy lyrics. In July, the band released their first self-titled EP at the Yost Theater and since then it has been getting quite the buzz. The E! Network took notice and the band's music made a television debut with "Yes, Yes" on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians: The Wedding." The Colourist tends to spread out their shows and of course it's worth the wait to see them and they obviously pack the house. They actually just played with 100 Monkeys (featuring Jackson Rathbone from the film "Twilight") and the next show is happening at Chain Reaction (all ages and free) for the OC Music Awards "Best Live Band" showcase on Feb. 2. Named OC Weekly's Best New Band of 2009, The Colourist includes Justin Wagner (keys and vocals), Adam Castilla (guitar and vocals), Kollin Johannsen (bass and vocals) and Maya Tuttle (drums and vocals). Whether it's creating creepy yet fun video promos for their shows or bringing gorillas up on stage, Maya, the lovely drummer and singer for the band, gave us some insight into what the band is all about. 1) How did the band form? Adam and I were in another band together. When that fell through, we were eager to start a new project with a more expansive sound, so we swooped Justin and Kollin from other bands and started writing about sad things in happy ways. We convened in the after-hours at the production warehouse I work at and The Colourist began. 2) How long have you been playing drums and what inspired you take up drums? So when I was 12, I saw VH1's "Behind the Music: The Carpenters" and was blown away when I saw Karen Carpenter drumming. Totally awe-struck. It sounds silly, but until that point, I had no concept that drumming was something I could seriously pursue. Then when I saw her play, I had this explosive mixed feeling of awe and a sort of jealousy. I couldn't believe how cool she was. And just watching her, I was immediately convinced that drumming was in the realm of possibility for me. So I forced my parents to get me a drum set and then went on to do the whole high school marching band thing. So thank you, angelic Karen. And thank you, VH1. 3) What's something we wouldn't ever guess about each person in the band? Justin is a marathoner who once ran from his house to Disneyland...and back again. Kollin has a black belt in karate and dated Disney babe Demi Lovato. Adam is a champion fencer and has never lost an arm-wrestling match. I play saxophone but am banned from ever playing it at shows because of an awful saxophone prejudice that exists in the The Colourist. I will not name names. 4) What has been your favorite show to play this year and why? Our Troubadour show in September. The sound there is amazing and we got to play with my longtime favorite French ukulele songstress, Soko. It was surreal. Also, our EP release at the Yost Theater back in July was really fun. It was our first headlining show and we had a gorilla onstage. 5) The band's song "Yes, Yes" was on E! reality show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians: The Wedding." How did that all happen? And can we expect the band's music on any other shows? We found out just a few days before it aired. Our managers had introduced our stuff to them and they've been digging it. Expect more, yes. 6) Tell us about the band shirts being available at PacSun and how that came about? PacSun was planning an artist collaboration series of t-shirts featuring Southern California bands and we were lucky enough to be asked to participate. Kollin is a designer so it was a perfect fit. Fun fact: Kollin's art was inspired by listening to Phil Collins "Sussudio" on repeat. 7) What are a few artists (whether local or not) that you are currently listening to? Dinosaur Pileup, Now Now Every Children, Parade of Lights, Aushua, Breakbot, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. 8) Why is Orange County a great place to make music? In a few words, how would you describe the music scene here? I'm originally from the Bay Area, and it definitely seems a bit different in Orange County. I feel like there is a high frequency of unafraid, furiously creative people here .And I think that's possible because of the culture of appreciating independent music we have. Maybe that's the biggest thing: people down here don't just go to shows because they've already heard the band and are 100% sure they like it; people will venture outside of what they know and like. They go to shows because they just need to hear music. 9) What is the band's favorite local hangout? You'll frequently find us at Pavilions (the flavored water aisle). Or on a rooftop somewhere. We also have a weekly band-bonding night at California Beach Sushi, where we start off the week with Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" and the heartwarming joy of each other's company. And sake bombs. 10) What's next for the band? We'll be recording a new EP very soon! Then a short southwest tour in March and possibly some dates up and down the west coast in the summer. We also have aspirations of making a feature-length horror film. www.thecolouristmusic.com Recommended Tracks: "Oh Goodbye" and "Fair Weather Friends." Return to front page » |
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