We had the opportunity to interview alternative Brooklyn-based duo Parrot Dream! Their sound has such a fantastic indie ambiance that is sure to get you moving. Check out our interview with them below!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
Gonzalo: "I started playing music at the age of 13, playing drums in a Nirvana cover band with classmates, and continued to play in various bands, switching to guitar when I was 17 and starting to compose melodies. Before Parrot Dream, I played in The Wolters, which was a grunge project with childhood friends. Music has always been important to me, but I never really took it that seriously until coming to NY".
Kiki: "The lovely Mrs. Tanenbaum taught me classical piano when I was 14, and the only singing I did was in my bedroom sola. When Gonzalo and I started to write music together, I was playing on a melodica and then just tried out singing. It’s been really cool to learn about breathing techniques and other approaches, ie. chewing gum while singing - Dave Grohl does it apparently".
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"There’s a couple of patterns that appear, but mostly what happens is that after coming up with a riff on the guitar or a progression on the keys, we work on developing the structure, sounds and arrangements. We also start thinking about the overall sound style we want for the song. Then Kiki starts writing the lyrics, and then it’s all fleshed out with the full band. Sometimes the lyrics come very last, like a frame that holds the song in place".
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"Blonde Redhead, Lower Dens, Autolux, Broadcast, Christine and the Queens, Savages & Cocteau Twins".
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
Gonzalo: "I really like the combo Proco rat, Boss chorus, and the Cathedral stereo reverb with my telecaster; they form the base of our sound".
Kiki: "The Roland RS 09 I play we bought online and shipped over from Japan; it’s compact and packs in really cool organ sounds. And we are starting to use some analog polyphonic synths and will hopefully incorporate into our set soon. Training on how to use a new synth is like entering a tiny universe of sound".
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"Our live sound is definitely dirtier and louder than our recordings; it’s fun getting sweaty in the dimly lit dark. In terms of venues, we appreciate those at which the folks working / organizing the show are open and approachable, and venues that we know are trying to create a safer space that welcomes all".
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"Releasing songs into the world feels like freeing memories both good and painful, so we appreciate anyone taking the time to listen to these floating pieces of ourselves".
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"We will be touring with our friends Big Bliss down to SXSW this year, releasing some singles, and hopefully in the spring we’ll be recording some new music".