West Indian Girl

Haha, i love this 10 with Ten stuff. Next up, the man you’ve been waiting for, the co-founder of west indian girl, my main man and long time friend (drum roll please) mister Robert James. This interview took place at urth cafe in los angeles. It seems like he eats there almost every day. Anyway, rob’s time in the sun has finally come so hold the sugar and dial your mind.

1. Describe your role in the band? That’s a really good question, Mr. Ten. Maybe we’re all just human transistors, human conductors…connecting people…connecting realms. Maybe, I’m the guy who makes sure our antennae is up and running properly. You know, when you turn on the car and the thing pops up. Who knows? Maybe the little world of West Indian Girl is encased in a magical bubble and you and I are like ambassadors to the outside world. Ambassadors of sound and dreams.

2. When you’re on stage do u feel more like Morrison or Morrissey? Neither one of those blokes played guitar. So I would say neither. I’m a guitarist first, synthesizer geek second, vocalist third.

3. Do have any guitar heros/inspirations? Also, when you’re in the middle of ripping out a huge solo, what exactly is going on in your brain….what are you thinking about? Never got into the whole guitar hero thing. I was more inspired by hearing a great band with great songs. Like the Clash. They were a guitar driven band, but you really didn’t think of them that way. It was about the songs. The whole point to kicking out a huge guitar solo is to in fact turn off your brain. Turn off your ego. Remove all thinking processes and not think at all. Eventually you’ll be free enough to channel sound…channel energy. That’s the best. Because it’s ever changing and always fresh.

4. There has been way too much talk linking west indian girl to psychedelic drug use… can you comment on that? What? What you say? What’s the question? Shhh, must be very quiet, there’s flying rabbits about. (ha ha) Ah, you know, people will believe whatever they want to believe. I say, to each his own. The planet is filled with billions of people with millions of cultures and customs. Who am I to judge. In the end, we’re just creating music…music fueled by emotion not by drugs.

5. Do you have any super powers or abilities that you bring to the band – like levitation, ventriloquism, or tantric sex breathing techniques? My motto, all that can be imagined…will eventually be. What you wish for does indeed come true…but these things take time, sometimes centuries. I’m trying to get West Indian Girl to use telekinesis as a form of communication. So far, the results are encouraging. Get back to me in 10 years on that one.

6. Is there anything special that you would like all your female fans to know? Well, let’s see. I think the female form is beautiful. Very, very beautiful. I love everything about a woman from her beautiful head down to her lovely toes. I’m pretty sure we’re on the path to a matriarchal society. Let’s face it. Women are generally smarter, more non-violent, more compassionate, less racist, more sensitive, have a greater sense of intuition, inherently more psychic, peaceful by nature. When people talk about the earth, do you ever hear them say “Father Earth” ? No, they say “Mother Earth”. “Mother Nature”. There’s a reason for that. Because women can save the planet. They’re here to protect the planet. Yeah, it’s true. And you know, all women eventually realize this. Women are the most powerful creatures on the planet…even the most powerful man on earth can be brought down to his hands and knees by the right woman.

7. I understand you don’t eat sugar — how do u satisfy your sweet tooth? Well, the truth is I don’t eat refined white cane sugar. It doesn’t do me right. Aside from the luscious fruit smoothies here at the Urth, I love dark chocolate…preferably organic. But you know, sometimes all it really takes is a warm, wet, wild kiss on the lips from my little honey to satisfy my sweet tooth.

8. What would be your ideal show to play – where, when, who’s the opening band? Massive desert party on a full moon during summer. Either that or hot summer night on the beach in Ibiza or any tropical island. Digweed/Sasha would open and then join us for our second set. We would groove til the sun came up.

9.What are you listening to lately – who are your favorite bands out right now? I just heard the new Ghost record and it sounded great. I like Fischerspooner. I’ve been meaning to check out the new Orbital record but I haven’t got around to it yet. Call me old-fashioned, but I bought Brian Wilson’s lost album Smile. I like a couple of tracks. The harmonies are beautiful. You don’t really hear vocal harmonies like that nowadays. I remember Jimi Hendrix describing it as a barbershop quartet on acid. It’s true most of the lyrics are idiotic, but the harmonies are incredible.

10. Describe the last show you went to – did it suck? Our labelmates Phoneix show at the Troubadour was awesome. I would describe it as neo-soul love making music. You can’t help but move your ass and dance. They grooved. But more recently, I went and saw Sir John Bardy at the Belmont. He’s great. That guy’s got the velvet tongue. His songs are like long lost tales…like you heard them in some ancient life. I like music that makes you feel like your stepping out of time.

rob, thanx man – this has been an vague, yet lucid sugar free experience.

— F. Ten 3:03PM

photo credit for the live shots – the one and only marc goldstein (again!)