by Joe Fielder
We here at RFSL are unabashed fans of both LA indie rock act The Happy Hollows and lead singer Sarah Negahdari's solo work Pisces. The Hollows have recent gone through a number of changes, but started playing out and recording again, and Sarah has likewise been recording for Pisces and playing shows as well.
In fact, Pisces playing at Pehrspace next week on Saturday, November 5th w/ Miniature Soap, Miscinatti, and Bright Beast.
Here's a promo for the show, a new video for the song "Voodoo," and an interview with Sarah about the latest for The Happy Hollows and Pisces.
Welcome back! Where have The Happy Hollows been? What's new? Who is your new drummer?
Thanks, Joe! It has been a solid year of writing, recording, and then more writing for both Happy Hollows and my solo project. I can't even tell you how good it feels to be performing again!
We had to take a break from live shows in early 2011 because our drummer, Chris, suddenly had to leave the band, and it took quite a few months to find the right guy to replace him. In the process of finding our new drummer we began creating our next album. I started writing all of the songs on drums, actually, and Charlie moved to synths. We wrote for a few months like this, experimenting with different sounds and different ways to write songs.
We also had our good friend Matt from the Soft Hands in to play on guitars. It was really really fun. We allowed ourselves to pull back from so many live shows and just get weird and creative. When we found our new drummer Richy, we continued to develop and finish our next album, with everyone back on their normal instruments, Happy Hollows style, and then started playing live again!
Richy is an incredible drummer. When he auditioned we just couldn't believe how good he is, it seems like he has been playing forever. He is really talented. He is very technical and creative, but can also just keep it simple and tasteful. He is also super sweet, so we lucked out for
You've got a bunch of new songs that you played recently at the Satellite? What are they?
Yeah, so many. They are titled “Amethyst,” “Choplifter,” “Endless,” “Folding Road,” and many more. We have so many and we really want to try them out live before we record them!
What's next for The Happy Hollows? Are your touring, doing a residency, or recording?
We are going to be recording and then all of that other fun stuff!!
You recorded a lot of solo material during the downtime. Who did you record with?
Yes, I did! In November of last year I recorded a batch of songs that are more folk based than my Hollows stuff. Joel Morales, the lead singer of Dios, produced it. He found this apartment downtown, and we recorded the whole thing in the kitchen! It was pretty nuts to be honest. It was just so gritty and dirty and broke down feeling, and most of my songs were pretty gentle and quiet. Joel is a genius though, a true genius, and he just kept telling me to trust his process. I wish now I had some sort of video crew documenting the recordings, as it was just a really unique and funny and cool experience. The songs turned out so beautiful! Joel is such a genius!
Dave Newton also helped us as well. We recorded the drums and some guitar and bass with him.
These are many of the songs you've played at solo shows over the last few years, correct? How many did you record? Are these all older songs or are there new ones in there, too?
Yes, I recorded many of the ones I played at the solo shows and many new ones too!
When is the album due? When are you playing solo next?
I'm going to release a few songs this year, and put out an EP at the beginning of next year.
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