Interview with Ann Lynn.

This week I interviewed Tim of Ann Lynn, the band. I've been a fan for a while now. Their seven song EP is of my favorite releases in recent years. Also, their live sets are unbelievably beautiful (see my blog about one of their shows here). Read the interview below to uncover some deep secrets about the band (like who Ann Lynn really is!), and be sure to visit Ann Lynn at the links following the interview.
___________________________________________________________________________

Brax: Who exactly is Ann Lynn?

Ann Lynn: Ann Lynn is four friends trying to make honest music. The name Ann Lynn is from Josh and Matt's parents' middle names. (Lead singer/guitar player Josh and drummer Matt are brothers).

Brax: What project are you currently working on?

Ann Lynn: We’re trying to pull together a full length album from some random recordings done over the last few years. Trying to write. Trying to balance all band members now living in different cities decently far apart.

Brax: What's the best thing about your band?

Ann Lynn: We’re all really close friends. That's hard to pull off in bands I feel like. And we’re a part of a great community of bands in the So Cal area. A lot of shows just feel like hanging out with all your friends and playing music together. Pretty awesome.

Brax: Explain the space time continuum in ten words or less.

Ann Lynn: Marty McFly’s worst enemy. Next to Biff Tannen.

Brax: What's your favorite venue to play? How about your least favorite?

Ann Lynn: The Detroit Bar, in Costa Mesa, has become a bit of a home base for us. We’ve played there more than anywhere else, done a residency. It's got the best sound, good vibe. We like it. Least favorite? We usually love playing, no matter the venue. We’ve played crap bars to one person with horrible backlined gear, college lobbies, outdoor malls, the desert, a park for an eco business function, youth groups, etc. But we love it all. Its all played a part in what this band is.

Brax: Where do you see your band in 5 years?

Ann Lynn: Laughing and writing music in my garage. we do this because we love it and feel like we have to. It doesn’t matter where it ends up.

Brax: iPod, CD, Vinyl, or other? Why?

Ann Lynn: The ipod is one of the greatest inventions in history, below the toilet and above penicillin. As a kid, I used to imagine inventions like this. Keep every record I own in my pocket? Genius. But, there is nothing like owning an album. Never will be. The experience of buying new or used vinyl... the sleeve art, the smell, having an overall collection... it's part of the experience of loving music. I love my music collection. It’d be one of the first things I grabbed in a fire. Below my wife and above my clothes.

Brax: If you could travel in time, what bands would you go back to see live?

Ann Lynn: Man. I can only speak for myself and guess for everyone else. I think Josh would say Jimi Hendrix right now, Matt, Fats Waller? Steve... Beach Boys circa Pet Sounds? I’d say, David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust or Operation Ivy. Maybe Dylan in a coffee shop with the beats when he first moved to New York. This could go on forever.

Brax: What is your opinion on robots?

Ann Lynn: There's really two schools of thought on this. A) You end up with amazing friends like C3-PO, WALL-E, Johnny 5 or D.A.R.Y.L. Or B) you get the Matrix and Terminators. Robots... they’re a gamble.

Brax: Any advice for others trying to “make it” in music?

Ann Lynn: I heard a story once where Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth was asked a somewhat similar question, to which she replied, “People don’t go to concerts to watch someone play music on stage, they go to watch someone believe in themselves.” I think there is a lot of merit in that, and a lot of mileage in this industry in having some faith in yourself. Not arrogance, but a belief in the validity of your gifts.

Brax: Anything else you’d like to add?

Ann Lynn: The new Wolverine movie was so bad it hurt my feelings. Star Trek though...

Brax: I haven't seen Wolverine yet, but I'd say Star Trek is one of the best Science non-fiction films I've seen. Very realistic, believe me...

Visit Ann Lynn:
www.myspace.com/annlynn
www.annlynnmusic.com
Tell them Brax sent you!
___________________________________________________________________________
Thanks to Ann Lynn for the interview.
Check back next Wednesday for another exciting band interview.

Brax.