Vivian Girls

One of the first shows we are really looking forward to in 2010 is Vivian Girls on 17th January
Vivian Girls are are a pure pop revelation for outside people, our friends at www.toocooltodie.com caught up with them and Ali Koehler of The Vivian Girls answered these questions:

How are you doing today?
I’m fine thanks.

What are the secret origins of the Vivian Girls?
The secret origins of Vivian Girls lie somewhere in the suburbs of New Jersey, but they’re secret so we can’t tell you.

Why do you think the media and music industry is backing garage rock again? I was talking to the Nodzzz and he said ‘garage rock never went away, people just decided it was hip again’. What are your feelings about the garage rock resurrection?
Nodzzz are all knowing. Everything they say is gospel.

Would you play The Shaggs if they ever produced a film of their lives?
Probably not, we aren’t much of actresses.

The internet has been helpful in promoting Vivian Girls. Do you think the easy accessibility of music on the internet has opened people up to more musical influences?
Totally. We are children of the age of the internet, we embrace it. There are plenty of bands I’m sure we’d have never heard of if it weren’t for the internet.

Were you surprised by how fast Vivian Girls happened?
Of course. When you start a band for fun with your friends you never expect to get attention for it, so we realize we are incredibly lucky and are equal parts surprised and grateful for the reception we’ve had.

What is the greatest misconception about Vivian Girls?
That we’re mean or elitist. We’re actually quite friendly, why not come up and talk to us for yourself?

I keep on hearing about your legendary live shows. Do you think you’ve ever captured the live show on record and is there a difference between the live set and recorded sets for you?
Capturing a live show on record is nearly impossible because you don’t have that energy to feed off of from the crowd, however on the upcoming second album I’d definitely say we’ve captured the nervous excitement of playing live because we were nervous, excited and playing the tracks live.

Is authenticity more important than fun rock’n'roll?
Fun rock’n'roll is authentic.

I hear a lot of outsider rock influences being plied to your music. Do you feel Vivian Girls are flying the flag for outsider music and what musicians from the outsider scene would you recommend?
We’re definitely outsiders, so if you get that from our music then you’re incredibly perceptive. As for flying a flag for outsiders, I don’t think we’re much into flag flying. Other peers in our scene you should check out though are Nodzzz, Pens, Male Bonding, Wavves, Graffiti Island, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Woods, etc.

What is Vivian Girls greatest secret?
Hair conditioner.