Con Brio has been one of the staples of the San Francisco scene recently. Take a walk through the Mission and you’re sure to see a poster or two announcing some upcoming show. It’s true that God loves a workin’ band, and now they’re taking their funky (yet tight), soulful (yet playful) sound on the road. We caught up with them to chat before they jam down the 101 to spread the word to the rest of California. Well, maybe they took the 5. We didn’t really talk about the route of travel, but you can check out the destinations on their Facebook page.
In your own words, what is brio? Which member has the most brio?
Brio is Spirit, Vigor, and just general zest for life. Also a combination of cheese and bro. It’s bro-cheese. Which sounds dirty. Micah is full of it…spirit I mean.
In a bizarro world is there a band called Sin Brio? If so what would they sound like?
Yes. They are our alter egos and they sound like a combination of GWAR and James Brown. And yes you wish you had their CD.
How would you characterize the current San Francisco music scene? Is this a good place to be? Favorite venue in the City?
Hell yes it’s a fantastic place to be! So much support from other musicians. We feel lucky to be apart of it. Favorite places include: Boom Boom Room, Bottom of the Hill, Amnesia, and for a more intimate feel, Viracocha.
How do you think doing live shows helps your band grow?
Is there a difference between practicing, and performing in front of a live audience in terms of the direction your music is headed? Do you feel like you write music to be played live, or heard on record? Or both? Or is there any difference?
Doing live shows helps us remember that music is for sharing. Art doesn’t really mean anything if it’s kept inside forever. You have to let it loose and let it affect people, and then it becomes meaningful. And when we see how people react, we gain a deeper understanding of our own music. We definitely write music to be played (live or on record) whilst people are gettin’ it on.
Remember when the U.S. Postal Service threatened to sue Postal Service the band? And then as part of their settlement they agreed to play the U.S.P.S. annual convention? The reason I ask this is to see if you were aware that there was a Vino Con Brio winery in Lodi, Ca, and if so, do you think joining together could bring you the positives of brand synergy or would you reject being beholden to the Big Wine Industry?
We are aware they exist and in fact we’ve met a few of the owners. They were fantastic people. On a side note, any winery, brewery, cannabis club, whiskey distillery, bakery, pizza factory or cream corn cannery that wants to sponsor us is welcome to contact us directly at info@thebandconbrio.com for immediate approval.
You have a song called You Fuckers. Without trying to get you in trouble, is this song about anyone in particular?
This song is about everyone in particular.
Again, not trying to get anyone in trouble, but Xandra, in one of your songs you shoot a dog just because you don’t like the look of him. I’m not asking if you’ve ever killed a dog (cough twice if the answer is yes) but how autobiographical is your songwriting?
A lot of my lyrics are very autobiographical. And for those that aren’t, I simply picture myself as someone else and it becomes autobiographical. Ahhh imagination…you’re the best.
What’s the best thing you heard in 2010?
Q: How many hipsters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: Some obscure number, you’ve probably never heard of it.
(Our favorite version of this joke has “just one at first, then the whole neighborhood changed†as the punchline- TCR)
What are you most looking forward to in 2011, musically or otherwise?
Touring and playing as much music as possible. We are eager to improve our game and let our voices be heard. Also we are really excited about the musical community we are becoming a part of, and reveling in the lovely, funky musical world we are all jivin’ in. Rock on.
What advice do you have for our readers?
Buy our album! Also, just listen to more music in general. It will make you live longer and improve your sex life.
Con Brio and The Songbird Festival Present:
Music to Freak to A Monthly Saturday Night Soulstice
Amnesia
853 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 970-0012
www.amnesiathebar.com
21 and Over
Event - 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
$7-10 sliding scale
www.songbirdfestival.org
www.thebandconbrio.com
Saturday, Feb 26, 8PM
Kelly McFarling
Con Brio
Ben Flax
