WHITE MYSTERY INTERVIEW/PODCAST
Posted Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 at 4:20 am
White Mystery blew onto the Chicago garage rock scene a little over four and a half years ago and in that time, has become one of the most well known bands in the city. Through a tireless work ethic, a constant stream of singles and LP’s and a touring regiment that would make 90% of all other working bands faint, siblings Alex White and White Francis are models for the do it yourself ethos.
After wrapping up a recent tour with Shonen Knife, Alex took a few moments to give us some answers in correspondence with her guest stint on today’s episode of the Notes and Bolts Podcast. Read on!
Chicago Mixtape: You’ve been involved in the Chicago garage rock scene since yr teenage years, how have things changed over the past decade?
WM: MySpace blew our minds back in the day, it was the first time you could digitally post music and connect with friends all around the world. Then this lil website called YouTube came along, and tons of obscure music from the 1960s on became free and available. The internet connects Chicago rock’n’roll to global scenes!
CM: Musically, much of what you were doing before had a more complex sound in terms of instrumental elements (the horn section in Red Orchestra, etc) – with White Mystery being just you and Francis, is there something freeing about stripping things down to a guitar and a set of drums and just going?
WM: Being one half of a two-piece is more complex than a large band in this case. I’m responsible for creating more sound and dynamics, carrying the load; White Mystery is my third rock’n’roll duo…I played in the Red Lights, then Miss Alex White & Chris Playboy. Each time it’s been fun to develop a trust and partnership in music with drummers.
CM: You’ve mentioned that there’s a 10-year plan for White Mystery, explain a bit about that. Now, at almost the halfway point, how are the two of you in terms of timing?
WM: It’s a mystery, to tell you the truth.
CM: You’ve been a very vocal advocate of the DIY aesthetic – what would you say to encourage others who are starting up and trying to get themselves out there? There’s obviously not set formula, but what have you learned along the way by doing things almost completely on yr own as opposed to waiting for others to do them for you?
WM: It’s all about doing what feels right to you, at that moment. Some people like control, others need support. DIY isn’t for everyone, but if it’s what you want, retain control and be prepared to work hard!
CM: We talked a little bit in the podcast about some great Chicago groups you’ve been enjoying, care to shout them out in print and give us the names of a few more?
WM: Heavy Times, Zath, Oozing Wound, Slushy, Twin Peax, The Orwells, BBU, Get Up and the Get Downs…
CM: The anniversary of White Mystery’s formation is April 20th and with each year, the festivities get larger and larger – what’s the plan for 2013?
WM: New album, three singles, and a giant 4/20 Fest at location to be disclosed in December!
CM: Where are WM going in the next six months leading up to that five-year landmark? The two of you have been recording a lot lately, any chance of seeing some of that on wax, soon?
WM: The White Mystery Revenge Tour closes out 2012:
09/19/12 Happy Dog Cleveland, OH
09/20/12 Lager House Detroit, MI
09/21/12 The Union Athens, OH
09/22/12 The Summit Columbus, OH
09/24/12 The Comet Cincinnati, OH
09/25/12 Zanzabar Louisville, KY
09/26/12 CBGB St. Louis, MO
09/27/12 Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club Kansas City, MO
09/29/12 GONER FEST NINE! Murphy’s Memphis, TN
10/01/12 Circle Bar New Orleans, LA
10/04/12 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House Austin, TX
10/05/12 Beerland Austin, TX
10/06/12 OCTOBERFEST Bryan Street Tavern Dallas, TX
10/08/12 Black Market El Paso, TX
10/10/12 Bujwah Stranger’s Bar El Centro, CA
10/27/12 LONG BEACH ZOMBIE WALK Long Beach, CA
Danko Jones: Bounce
La Peste: Better Off Dead
The Standells: Dirty Water
The Gories: Nitroglycerine
The Testors: Stall
Redd Kross: Burn-Out
Le Shok: I Know You’re Ready
M.O.T.O.: Untitled
Crime: Piss On Your Dog
Sonic Youth: Kool Thing
Tubeway Army: Oh! Didn’t I Say
Mitch Hedberg: Minibar
Tommy James and The Shondells: Crimson and Clover
Link Wray: Ace of Spades
Patti Smith: Gloria
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