by Joe Fielder
LA indie pop act C-horse are opening up for The Boxer Rebellion at The Roxy this Saturday night, which may in fact give you reason to venture out west and (gasp!) brave The Sunset Strip.
We spoke to lead singer Cecilia Enriquez recently to learn more about the band.
Your music is really damn catchy. How exactly do you go you go about pulling that off? Is it part science or all gut?
I think it's just a result of all of us having grown up listening to really great rock and pop music. I can't help but be influence by 60s pop music, and I think you can hear that in the songwriting.
When I write, it just sort of happens! The vocal harmonies have a lot to do with it sounding catchy; when I'm listening to others' music, that's what I hear. Every time I write a song, I can't not hear harmonies!
How long's the band been around? How did you guys start up?
It started out as a Cecilia Enriquez solo project that was named C-horse. I had a bunch of songs that I uploaded on MySpace; and then I looked for members. I went through a couple line-up changes until the band really solidified to what it is now. Lindsay and Courtney played together for a few years in The Karabal Nightlife. Lindsay joined in late 2009; she and Mack (keyboard/vocals) both shared the same first practice. We were then looking for a drummer and Courtney was available. Things just progressed from there.
What are some of the bands (or songs) that inspired you?
Belle and Sebastian. T-Rex. The Beatles. Those are some of our collective favorites. They inspire me when I'm writing, but it might not sound like it all of the time. We get comparisons to the Beach Boys. A friend of our's once said we sound like Cheap Trick meets the Vaselines!
How has the band evolved since 2007?
The four of us first recorded together last year shortly after Courtney joined the band. Dan Moore who drums for local band the Secret Language recorded us one Saturday and working together so quickly after our first few practices together felt very immediate. Since then, we've continued playing shows and working on songs. I can honestly say that our greatest inspiration is each other.
You're currently working on a new album, correct? Who are you recording with?
We are currently working on the material for a new album... and beating potential engineers off with a stick! Haha. Just kidding. We are thinking of asking Joel Morales of the band Dios if he would like to record C-horse again.
How do you feel like the new material is different from your first album?
The new material is growing in the fact that it's a little more "rocking" then the first C-horse songs. The newer songs are more guitar-driven. With the four of us, there's more of a rock feel that comes through live, as opposed to the older recordings.
Who did you work with on the "Keep it Cool" video?
Darrin Burrell directed the video. He played bass in C-horse for a short time. The "Keep it Cool" video is a reflection of what C-horse was a couple of years ago. We have plans to make another one soon for one of the newer songs.
What's next for you? Any local shows or residencies or tours?
We're opening this Saturday, April 30, for the Boxer Rebellion at The Roxy! Should be a very fun show. After that, we are heading up to San Francisco in mid-May, playing the Hemlock Tavern in SF on Sunday the May 15th. Perhaps hit up Santa Cruz while we are there.
We will also have a Sunday night residency in June at 3 of Clubs in Hollywood! A lot of bands that are championed by RFSL will be playing these shows. So we are looking forward to that. Lastly, we should have a 45" available at the beginning of the summer, which will feature our songs "Tongues" and "Enough."
Photo by Erin Stone.
Download: "Tongues" MP3
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