Interview: Miniature Soap

by Joe Fielder

Kelli Ann Noftle was previously the co-lead singer of indie pop act The Flying Tourbillion Orchestra (now Walking Sleep) and one part of "country girlie duet" Mini Love before that.

These days? She spends her time having her poetry published in journals and/or collections and she's released three collections of songs over the last few months -- which add up to an album -- for her solo project Miniature Soap.  

And, well, she's playing at Pehrspace this Saturday, November 5th w/ Pisces,  Miscinatti, and Bright Beast.

We spoke to her recently about both her music and writing.

In the time since you left  The Flying Tourbillion Orchestra, you've been focusing on your writing and solo recording work?

I left FTO/WS to focus on finishing a poetry manuscript and submitting it to contests. Last year, I got an email from Omnidawn Publishing saying my collection won their first/second book prize and they'd be publishing the poems in 2012. I was (and am) pretty ecstatic.

At that point, I was free to direct all my energies on completing this album that's been in the works for nearly six years. Jordan Hudock suggested I work with Raymond Richards at Red Rockets Glare and all three of us (four, including Franck Fiser - basically the Marvelous Toy crew) started recording a year ago. Hard to believe it's finally finished. Even though I tend to resist deadlines, I've learned to strictly enforce them in my creative life!

What's the reason for releasing your album in three collections? Are they grouped by theme?

The songs on the album span a writing period of the past 9 years, so styles and arrangements vary considerably. It's more of a collection or "best of" than a cohesive body of work. Two very smart and trusted friends encouraged me to release it in sections -- grouped lyrically/conceptually or sonically-- so I chose the latter. The sonic grouping can be categorized like this: Part 1 = Pop-ish; Part 2 = Country/ Rock -ish; Part 3 = Fragile Lullaby Bath Time with Chamomile Tea -ish.

  

Would you say they're like a series of "concept EPs" that work into a larger whole?

As mentioned above, the album as a whole isn't terribly cohesive, which I guess occasionally happens with first albums. They're not necessarily "concept EPs" either. The sectioning was an afterthought. It was also an excuse to have three separate album covers and I had fun working on thematic cover art. The next album will be concept driven! (In the works...)

What's your favorite track on the album?

"I Don't Like You." It's the oldest of my songs on the album. I wrote it about the guys I dated in college.

 

What are your plans for playing the material live?

We're working on that! A full Mini Soap line-up features myself, Raymond, Franck, and Elliot (of Count Fleet). The goal is to put together a live performance that sounds like the album.

I struggle with performing my solo stuff. It's semi uncomfortable because I'm very close to the material. Also, I'm used to strumming an acoustic guitar alone in my bedroom, so playing an instrument with a full band is somewhat new. I'm not really a musician -- I'm a writer who figured out how to put melodies and words together in some kind of arrangement people hopefully will want to sing along to. Even though I performed with FTO and have collaborated with other bands, I really do feel like a novice.

What's next for your music beyond the Pehrspace show?

I'm reading  poems and playing songs at Exhibit [A] Gallery in Long Beach on Nov. 17th. I have a show in Austin, TX during Thanksgiving weekend TBA and playing at Habitat House in San Diego on Dec. 9th.

What's coming up in print from you next?

My book I Was There For Your Somniloquy comes out in February next year. It's a collection of poems about sleep disorders and sea slugs. You can read/listen to stuff here.

Last question: Whose music and writing have you most been enjoying lately?

Music: King Crimson. Geeking out on Robert Fripp. I'm trying to learn a ton of Beatles songs in my limited capacity - just like a true beginner guitar student, even though I've technically been playing for 10 years. Also, I can't get enough of St. Vincent!!!! And lately on Spotify I've been rocking Mariah Carey hits.

Reading: Varieties of Disturbance - Lydia Davis, Our Band Could Be Your Life - Michael Azerrad, Ventrakl -  poems by Christian Hawkey, as well as a slew of other collections by various favorite poets (of course, this is all happens when I'm NOT streaming Breaking Bad on Netflix which has been nearly every day as of late)