This is one of my favorite post from the past, and The Sweet Hurt just finished touring with A Fine Frenzy.
Ingredients:
The sigh of love at first sight captured in a mason jar
A thimble full of tears from a broken heart
A cup of petals from your favorite parks wild flowers
The scent of sugar cookies and their pillow
The air of a road trip through a long stretch of open road
A first kiss
Autumn leaves
Dash of hope
Pinch of whimsy
Stir in a large bowl with a wooden spoon
Roll out dough
Use cookie cutters with cute shapes
And bake at 375 F. for 25 minutes.
At the timers ring you have the delightful sweet treat of The Sweet Hurt.
This girl has more talent in her pinky finger than most popular musicians. It’s only a matter of time before her warm and earnest lyrics find its way to the masses ears and have their hearts swoon falling in love to her milk and honey voice. The Sweet Hurt could share a stage and open for Jenny Lewis and the crowd might forget who they were originally there to see. I’m itching to see where she goes in the next few years as I will be completely flabbergasted if I’m not seeing them play the Main Stage at Sunset Junction and be on the bill for yes dare I mention it, Coachella. These are mighty words I spew I know but I believe in this band just that much.
*This was originally written in 2010, funny how Sunset Junction is now bankrupt, time sure does fly.
Please listen to their amazing new LP as your heart might melt and mend all at the same time
Q1. What is the best show (music) you have ever been to?
A1. Hard question. I suppose it’s an off beat answer but I saw Jens Lekman play back in ’06 or ’07 and I was extremely impressed with his live show. He had a 6-7 piece, all female band backing him for that tour. He broke a string during a song and without hesitation sang an acapella song while he changed it. The second he was done, they seamlessly started right into the next tune. I’m always impressed with bands who put on flawless shows like My Morning Jacket just to name one. My first show I ever went to was The Beach Boys with my parents. I got on stage and danced because my cousin was too afraid to go alone. That may take the cake. hah.
NO WAIT. Everything, NOW! Album release show like five years back. Most amazing band ever.
Check them out.
Q2. If you could live in any time period or be anyone dead or alive, who would you be or where would you go?
A2. Any one of The Beatles.
Q3. What is something you hate doing, but must do anyways?
A3. It’s a love/hate relationship but I truly wish that I could be a bit more removed from business aspects of the music industry. It has always been more feasible for us thus far to keep as much in house as possible other than licensing and such. I feel that in many ways though it alters your goals for why you’re making music as with most careers.
I love to be very knowledgeable on all elements involved but I am very anxious to retire from doing all the booking and such.
I just want to make music.
Blah, that sounds so terribly “hippie-mentality” and makes me sound lazy but,.. I hope you don’t take it that way.
Q4. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which one would you abandon?
A4.Most likely my sense of smell. As a side effect of smoking I don’t have much of a sense of smell anymore already.
Q5. Most rewarding moment of your life thus far?
A5.Every time we pull away in our bus to go play a show.
Yes, there are definitely shows I’m more stoked to play than others but the moment that we depart, especially for a tour, I become enthralled with life. I suppose every amount of effort or hard work comes full circle in that moment and there is no where on Earth I would rather be.
Q6. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A6. This is the cheesiest answer ever but… “I love you.”
It is the one thing I wish my cat, Malachi, could say back to me.
Q7. How old were you the first time you got drunk? How was the experience?
A7. I was 18 years old and on my first tour I ever went on with my first “serious” band. We were playing at an art gallery in Brooklyn and they were serving wine during the event. I was under the impression that wine wasn’t as potent because my Mom always drank it as a kid and I seemed immune to noticing when it made her drunk.
I remember at the time feeling like it was the best show ever. I took my shoes off, rolled up my jean legs and got really into the show. I was high on life as well in the fact that I was fresh out of high school and doing exactly what I wanted.
Q8. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A8. Most people.
I also lose my mind if my living space isn’t tidy. I am a tad OCD about the subject.
Q9. What was your childhood ambition?
A9.I wanted to be a comedian/actor when I was really little. I used to get overly obsessed with characters from movies and dress like them for days. I definitely remember wearing jeans, a red t-shirt, and a brown leather jacket pretending that I was Arnold Schwarzenegger in last action hero. Jim Carrey was my favorite comedian as a small child.
I think my attempt at humor now only happens in between our songs at shows. It is a fun way for me to deal with the awkward down time and attempt to feel comfortable being in front of people. I just make them laugh at me instead of with me.
Q10. Is there any toy you really wanted as a kid but were never given? Did you ever buy it for yourself when you got older?
A10. I can’t think of anything specific.. I know I loved toy guns when I was a kid and kind of figured I would want one but now I am terrified of the thought of owning one.
Who knows though, someday I’ll probably own a surplus. Name: Maggie
Nickname: Magnum/Margard/Magpie…..I could go on for days
Sign: Virgo
Favorite:
Time of day – this depends on the time of year. winter- definitely early in the morning if theyres snow on the ground. sun just coming up. walk outside. hot tea and a smoke. good deal. summer- sunset sunset sunset! grilling out. many beers.
Cookie- i think i could literally eat ten thousand oreos if i tried.
Juice- jungle juice! no. not really. apple? cranberry? pomegranate? who knows.
Q1. What is the best show (music) you have ever been to?
A1.Hard question!!!
Q2. If you could live in any time period or be anyone dead or alive, who would you be or where would you go?
A2.I think I would want to go to Ancient Rome. But only for like a week or two. Im not sure how long I would last.
Or I would want to be Ann Margaret or Doris Day or something. hmm.
Q3. What is something you hate doing, but must do anyways?
A3. Lots of things. Lots. of. things. 😦
Q4. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which one would you abandon?
A4. I like my five senses and would rather keep em all.
Q5. Most rewarding moment of your life thus far?
A5.TourTourTourTourTourTourTour.
Q6. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A6. Well, I hate birds. I would probably give it to my dad. He would probably teach it to be a smartass.
Q7. How old were you the first time you got drunk? How was the experience?
A7. I think it was probably the third day of my freshman year of college. There was a house full of upperclassman “hippies” that lived behind my dorm. They invited me and my roommate and a friend over one night and got us all wastey-faced. It was horribly embarrassing seeing as a said some stupid stupid things. Fun but embarrassing. 😀
Q8. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A8. Over half of the people that I work with. hah.
Q9. What was your childhood ambition?
A9. I wanted to be : Shania Twain’s back up singer, marine biologist, dolphin trainer, mermaid, a rain forest explorer/scientist, teacher, olympic swimmer, and I think I wanted to own a zoo at somepoint. hahaha.
Q10. Is there any toy you really wanted as a kid but were never given? Did you ever buy it for yourself when you got older?
A10. I have no idea. I know I was never allowed to have silly putty….or anything with glitter. Due to it getting in the carpet and such. I dont much care for silly putty anymore, but I do love me some glitter and sparkle.
Daytrotter is one of my favorite sites to find the best and most genuine musicians out there. It’s sometimes hard for me to break from my LA indie bubble, even though I know there is amazing music being made across this nation. The Bears of Blue River music is the kind of sunny days, and fresh strawberry jam; picnics in the park and good solid friends. The next time you want to smile, play The Bears of Blue River
please visit The Bears of Blue River myspace page more music and info.
Name: Ryan O’Neal Nickname: mostly “ry” but sometimes “ryno”… Sign: Cancer
Favorite: Time of day: late morning Season: spring Body of Water: pacific ocean
Q1. Have you ever stolen anything? What was the first thing you ever stole? A1.RYAN: hmmm.. i don’t think i’ve ever stolen anything… but when i was a kid, i had a pretty big obsession with finding loose change under cash registers, etc… not really stealing, but definitely wasn’t money that originally belonged to me!
Q2. What sound is like nails on a chalkboard to you, but isn’t nails on a chalkboard? A2. RYAN: loud, sloppy chewing
Q3.Are you a good baker or cook? A3 RYAN: nope. not that i’m aware of… but i’d like to be! Q4. Most exciting thing you found on the sidewalk/ in the street/ someplace random? A4 RYAN: when i was little (and obsessed with finding money and treasure) i found a gold ring with diamonds in it, while snorkeling in hawaii. i still have it… i felt like i had won the lottery… but also sad for the person that lost it.
Q5.What inspires you? A5. RYAN: movies… nature… relationships… stories… watching people passionately pursue their creativity. Q6. Did you eat sticks of butter as a child? A6. RYAN: no, but i ate a lunch “meat” spread called “sandwich spread” which was made out of what seemed like the leftovers of hotdogs… gross. but i loved it! probably worse for you than a stick of butter.
Q7. What was your childhood ambition? A7. RYAN: to be the youngest cartoonist to have my own cartoon in the funny pages of a newspaper. never happened… sometimes dreams just do work out…
Q8. Have you ever been in a physical fight? A8. RYAN: not a successful one. and not a serious one… a couple rounds of pushing matches… or running away matches, but no serious fist fighting.
Q9. If you owned a giraffe and a hippo, what would you name them? A9. RYAN: a giraffe (my favorite animal) i’d name “ted” and a hippo i’d name “chumbawamba”
Q10. Best summer vacation memory? A10. RYAN: i’ve got too many to choose, but disney world and hawaii will always hold my favorite vacation memories! Name:Dan Perdue Nickname: In high school some people called me DDP but that’s just my initials Sign: Virgo
Favorite: Time of day. Dusk, Season. Spring, Body of Water. Lake Superior
Q1. Have you ever stolen anything? What was the first thing you ever stole? A1. DAN: I stole a sharks tooth from my 1st grade classroom. There was a whole jar of them. I brought it back because I felt bad.
Q2. What sound is like nails on a chalkboard to you, but isn’t nails on a chalkboard? Q2. DAN: Alarm Clocks.
Q3.Are you a good baker or cook? A3. DAN: I don’t do either very often, but I don’t think I’m very good when I do.
Q4. Most exciting thing you found on the sidewalk/ in the street/ someplace random? A4. DAN: I found my first bass guitar in my Grandma’s basement.
Q5.What inspires you? A5. DAN: Nature.
Q6. Did you eat sticks of butter as a child? A6 DAN: Not that I can remember.
Q7. What was your childhood ambition? A7. DAN: I remember wanting to do special effects for movies. There was a tv show called “Movie Magic” that I thought was the coolest.
Q8. Have you ever been in a physical fight? A8. DAN: It wasn’t much of one but I got into a little scuffle in second grade I think.
Q9. If you owned a giraffe and a hippo, what would you name them? A9. DAN: Ringo and Steve.
Q10. Best summer vacation memory? A10 DAN: Backpacking in Isle Royale National Park with my future wife.
I only recently started listening to Sleeping at Last as they were brought to my attention on my Last.fm. There last album Storyboards, which I have been listening to on repeat, is a romantic inspired melodic folk. For me it’s the music you hear before the first kiss or while holding hands. Simple delights. Not to say there aren’t the melodies filled with loss or longing, but I like to stay positive. Please check out more of Sleeping at Last on their myspace page and website