9+1 Q&A with Sallies

What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

We are a rock group from New York formed in 2018 by songwriter/guitarist Dang Anohen, drummer Lip Molina, guitarist/singer Grace Bergere, rhythm guitarist Jesse James and Mike Coe on the bass. We all entered the music world when we were kids. We’ve all been part of different projects in the past, and we kind of congregated around some songs Dang had written and kept going from there until we had enough songs to record an album.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

Our debut album, ‘More of the Same.’ Got 11 tracks out of which we chose 3 promotional ones to release before the album to lure the unsuspecting populace. From a pseudo early rock n roll sounding ‘Ain’t My Speed’ –– To grinding heavy alternative rock songs like ‘Touching’ and ‘Sunny-Side up’. After playing a bunch of gigs all over New York and working out the songs while saving up for the record. It has taken us almost another year counting three different studios, recording, mixing, mastering, and promoting until finally releasing it on May the 13th.

“Like the city it came out of it’s raw and doesn’t let up, I think you can almost hear the subway trains screaming in some of those leads.” – Jerry Garcia.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

We come from different contexts, so our influences vary depending on the band-member, but we all agree on Dead Boys, Nirvana, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Cher.

Non-musical, we could say Federico Garcia Lorca, anything that’s in a 25oz can and Post Malone. But again, it really changes depending on which “Sallie” you’re talking to.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

We play Rock music not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything, but it’s ours, and it’s honest. We believe music is a very personal thing something you shove in your ears to drown out the screams –– you either jive with it or you don’t. But Sallies is Sallies, it’s for the children.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

Albums: Loaded (Velvet Underground), Rocket to Russia (Ramones) Teenage Hate / Fuck Elvis Here’s The Reatards (the Reatards)

Books: James Joyce’s “Ulysses” cause it’ll take us forever to read that.
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
A dictionary to help us read Ulysses

Movies: Wild at Heart, Home Alone, and a boxset of Tom and Jerry to keep Jesse from scratching himself to death.

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

We love working in the studio and getting to shape and perfect the songs. But we love the adrenaline and energy of a live show where you’re connecting with the audience. It’s a very primal human experience that’s unparalleled to us. If we had to choose one, it would be live.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

Once a promoter booked us to play this Friday night show at a venue in midtown, but when we got there, it was a jazz night. People there seemed interested at first in seeing people who were –– more rocker looking –– playing jazz. So it took them half a song to realize we were actually a rock band and abandon the venue. Meanwhile, the sound guy, great guy, was angry and way drunk. He kept yelling to us in near Gaelic to turn it down throughout the whole set, then we all had a reconciliatory pint with him.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

Maybe Driftwood, because of the natural and cascading way it came out with the chord progressions, the lyrics, and the pudding. Though it might be Touching. It falls into a groove rather than following a familiar song structure as well as the delirious theme of the song –– surfing on the crest of severe mental deficiency and degradation.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

We definitely hope to play some shows and have a big release show once this sickness subsides. Maybe do a tour of the coast… Right now, we’re focused on promoting the album and working on new songs as well. But most importantly, T-Shirts!

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Q. Do you believe in love after love?

A. Shut up, you’re not my real dad!

Photo credits: Fanny Nordmark (1st one), Sam Sumpter (2nd one)

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

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