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 Sarabeth Tucek, is an American singer-songwriter with a voice often described as ‘utterly gorgeous’ and amazing.
She has been requested to provide backing vocals for artists such as Bill Callahan and Brian Bell but you probably became aware of Sarabeth’s talent due to her association with Anton Newcombe and his Brian Jonestown Massacre. Featured, in now infamous documentary/film ‘Dig!’, as being part of Anton’s ever growing group of cohorts, Miss Tucek also worked on BJM’s last release, Ep ‘We Are The Radio’. Unfortunately turning out to be a rather bittersweet experience/ collaboration for all parties involved, but that’s all I will say on the matter.
Starting a new phase in her career, Sarabeth is in the UK to promote a soon to be released Ep and is also preparing the launch of a debut album.
Tonight is her last show in England and she is playing in trendy Hoxton, East London, opening for ‘band du jour’, The Black Angels.
I catch up with Sarabeth and producer/partner in crime Luther Russell, at the end of the night.
Sarabeth is extremely tired if not inebriated but still very interested in celebrating the last night of her tour whilst I am proud to have prepared an interview that will completely avoid mentioning Anton Newcombe or BJM.
Sore subjects I have been told, that are best left alone.
Alas my carefully choreographed plans lasted all of thirty seconds...
Florence: Hey Sarabeth!
Tonight was a beautiful show, thank you!
I’ve just flown back from a week in Los Angeles, where there is a very cool music scene right now.
That being right on your doorstep can we have your personal opinion on the subject?
Sarabeth: I think that the whole LA music scene has been influenced by Anton and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
You have The Warlocks and Spindrift, The Quarter After....you have a lot of bands who are kinda doing that ‘thing’ and I think that it was Anton’s kind of goal. He wanted to start a revolution and all these bands are getting out there and doing something.
The Black Angels are a perfect example of a band being influenced by Anton, but I think that they’ve taken it to a different level and I want to be so bold as to say, surpassed it, but I can’t, Anton won’t let me!
There is a really great scene right now that kinda shoots off Brian Jonestown and Anton should be proud of that.
Proud that he’s influenced so many bands.
Florence: Anton is also very good at promoting up and coming bands and the last time I spoke to him The Black Angels were top of his list.
Sarabeth: He is very supportive and very good at calling forth the bands that he thinks are good or that he’s listening to.
He’s always been very supportive of me and The Black Angels and I think that Alex [BA’s singer] is the kind of person that Anton would want to pass the torch to, in a way.
Florence: You’ve just spent a few days touring the UK for the first time.
How did the shows go. Did they live up to your expectations?
Sarabeth: It’s just Luther Russell and myself as I couldn’t afford to bring a band over. I think that the shows went well but you know in LA you can’t smoke in the venues but here as you’re getting ready I find it more difficult, but otherwise it was great!
I’m thinking of moving out here.
Florence: This trip was all about presenting people with material from your forthcoming album. Do you have a release date yet?
Sarabeth: First I recorded an Ep with producers Ethan Johns and Russell, to be released in the UK soon on vinyl.
As far as the album is concerned, we are starting to look for a label now so I don’t know when it will be released but I would imagine this year.
Florence: You are well known for your collaborations with various artists but this project is all your own.
Did that make it easier or more difficult, more or less stressful?
Sarabeth: It is much easier for me to do things alone.
I have only written alone really, except for The BJM thing but working with Anton is... well, I’ll be nice and shut up!
Florence: Have you been writing specifically for this album or is it a collection of songs that you have put together?
Sarabeth: I’ve been writing for a while and people started responding pretty quickly to the lyrics but these are the first songs I have ever written.
Florence: “Something For You” was released in 2005 on BJM’s Ep ‘We Are The Radio” under the name ‘Seer’.
Why did you decide to re-release this track?
Sarabeth: That song was always called ‘Something For You’. If you look at the credits of the movie ‘Dig!’ it is credited as such.
Anton asked to cover it and I sang (badly) with him on it, and then he changed the title. We did not collaborate on that song.
Florence: Having worked with artists like Bill Callahan, Brian Bell and Anton, do you feel that you have learnt something from them?
Being influenced maybe?
Sarabeth: It was interesting to work with Bill because I had been a fan of his and I was flattered to be asked to provide background vocals to those songs that were truly beautiful to me, but I was really nervous the whole time so I didn’t absorb much, which is a shame.
I am influenced by his music but I didn’t learn anything from Brian Bell and Anton and I were always drunk in the studio so I don’t remember much!
Florence: Anymore interesting collaborations on the horizon we should know about?
Sarabeth: The Black Angels and myself are trying to work out some time when we can write a song together and record it. Maybe for a single. We’ve just played a show together and had a great time. I think they’re swell.
Florence: A message to the world maybe?
Sarabeth: Manners, manners, manners.
Words: Florence ACHERY
www.myspace.com/sarabethtucek |
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