This week, our Editor Juan J. Cruz had
the opportunity to interview Isaiah Mitchell, guitarist and vocalist of San
Diego instrumental rock band EARTHLESS.
Earthless is been active since 2001 and
their members have been simultaneously involved in a number projects. The drum
player, Mario Rubalcaba is a founding member of L.A. hard-core punk band ‘Off!’. Isaiah also
plays in ‘Howlin’ Rain’, whose last album was produced by Rick Rubin (Columbia
Records, Epic Records) who has also produced albums for the Mars Volta, Red Hot
Chilli Peppers, Metallica, Weezer and the Beastie Boys.
Read below to see what he has to say about his band and his current Australian tour.
Read below to see what he has to say about his band and his current Australian tour.
JC.- What´s
Earthless all about?
IM.- Earthless
is about being free and enjoying our time making music with each other.
JC.- So, for
those that don't know your band, how did you get started?
IM.- We’ve all
known each other before the band started. I was visiting San Diego for the
holidays and Mike asked if I wanted to jam with him and Mario. This was in
2002. We jammed at Mike’s house and enjoyed ourselves. Then we set up a show.
Then we kept on doing it.
JC.- Tell us
more about your latest release Sonic Prayer Jam.
IM.- Sonic
Prayer Jam was recorded live at our favorite San Diego club, The Casbah. We
previously released the partial concert on a 10”. Someone thought it was a good
idea to release the whole concert, and we did. I’m very happy that this
recording exists because we were really good that night.
JC.- For those
who aren´t familiar with Earthless, could you cite a few albums to listen
before jumping straight into your sound?
IM.- Listen to
Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Flower Travelling Band, That should
paint a clear enough idea to any listener. I could go deeper and more obscure
but no need J
JC.- What’s the
creative process like in the band?
IM.- We often
record our practices and we’ll improve for quite some time. If we feel like there
were some magic moments we’ll listen back to the recording and use what we
liked. Also we’ll bring riffs or ideas to the practice space and work on a song
that way. It’s a pretty free and easy environment to create in.
JC.- How did
joining Howlin´Rain after playing with Earthless affect your playing style and
what did you bring to your new band?
IM.- I guess I
brought to Howllin Rain the ability and capability to jam and improve to any
length needed J. I was also able to bring in the ability to sing harmonies
with Ethan and Joel. It’s a totally different animal than Earthless and is a
different type of creative fulfillment.
JC.- Is your
collaboration with Howlin´Rain a love affair or it feels more like a long term
relationship?
IM.- As long as
I’m happy and able to do it I’ll do it.
JC.- What
should we expect of one of your live shows?
IM.- A 45
minute sonic attack to your senses.
JC.- ‘Liveinphotos’
is a about documenting a part of Melbourne life. Is there anything in
particular that you are looking forward to doing in Melbs?
IM.- I’m
looking forward to relaxing and eating delicious food and taking lots of walks
and exploring.
JC.- What´s the
most critical situation you have ever had while on tour with Earthless?
IM.- A was
being a jack ass and broke my finger after a show. I had to go to the hospital
to get stiches. I was able to make our festival show the following day and
perform well, I think. Outside of that are well behaved men.
JC.- If you had
to pick a band to go on a road tour with -and to see every day for weeks-, that
would be…
IM.- There are
so many…..Joy, Assemble Head, Witch, Dinosaur Jr, Lecherous Gaze, Danava,
Graveyard, way too many to name
JC.- Any
Australian band that you would recommend to a fan in back in the motherland?
IM.- Tame Impala, Gotye, The Hard-On’s, Nunchuka
Superfly, Kim Salmon. Great people and amazing bands.
Thanks and good luck.
Earthless
have just played in Meredith Festival and they are currently on Tour in
Australia. They will play on the following dates in Sydney and Melbourne:
For
more info, just check the Heathen Skulls Touring website.
No comments:
Post a comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.