Blood Beach Interview
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The Most Awesome Protagonist Returns
By Annie | March 8, 2010
I think it’s rather safe to say that anyone who is familiar with the tightly knit music scene of Sonoma County has heard or seen Mikey O’Connor play music at some point over the last ten years. Whether it was playing cheery pop punk with Hot April or Protecting Gheel, or orchestrating expansive folk pop as a solo project, many of us locals have seen his music transform through the years, culminating in his current blend of lo-fi rock. No matter the name of the band or countless instruments you might find him playing, one thing has remained constant—his songs always offer heartfelt and honest lyrics backed by his inherent knack for creating a great pop hook. With the news of his band, The Most Awesome Protagonist, back in action and releasing a new album, I thought it was a good time to talk to Mikey and find out what exactly he has been up to.
What prompted the decision to restore The Most Awesome Protagonist moniker?
Mikey: I figured since I’d played out so much for a few years it would be in everyone’s best interest if we kept the name and tunes and just worked to develop the better ones more as opposed to doing ALL brand new stuff. Although we do have a lot of new tunes as well
This is the first time in awhile that I can remember you collaborating with another vocalist on your recordings (which sounds great btw) how did the current lineup come about?
YEAH! It’s fun as can be! This lineup is my good friends Aaron Goeth (who has been playing with me for about 2 years now) and his sister, Sarah Mammel (who just moved to California from San Antonio, TX and is an amazing vocalist and musician).
Was there a particular sound or style you wanted to explore on your new songs?
Simplicity more so than anything else, kind of stripping things down when they need to be and exercising restraint about rocking out ALL THE TIME.
Did you record this album yourself? If so, do you feel like there’s more freedom in doing so or more pressure to make it sound exactly how you envision it?
Yeah I recorded this one at our house. I don’t know, I like recording a whole lot and it’s definitely “what I do” but I really want to just relax and let someone else do the work while I focus on performing for the next one.
You’ve lived and played in a few different cities, what was it about Oakland that attracted you?
The fact that I could afford to live in a house there with my band and best friends was pretty attractive. Plus it’s just a 20 minute train ride to SF which is where a lot of my life outside of music is. However, before moving here I was living illegally in an 8 x 10 rehearsal space in the tenderloin. No windows, no shower, carpet on the walls, yikes. BUT we could play music there so it was worth it.
Any thoughts on the Oakland music scene vs SF? Or are they all just one big extension of each other?
Eh, I think it’s all about the same no matter which biggish city you go to. You just kind of find your friends and the bands you like and play shows with ‘em.
A few years ago I found one of the old solo acoustic albums you recorded way back when, do you think you’ll ever re-release any of your old recordings? Like a total Mikey O’Connor retrospect with Protecting Gheel and the whole gamut?
I’ve tried but I don’t have any of it! I’ve put out a lot of stuff and I think it would require a lot of tracking down of stuff. I would like to do it some day though.
Any local bands that you think people should go check out and support?
Yes, absolutely. Little Teeth is definitely one to see live, I’ve been into them for a while and they are absolutely bat-shit crazy folk weirdos from space. Tartufi is another one that is probably the greatest band in the bay area.
How many different instruments do you play on this record?
Just two, guitar and melodica. Sarah plays ukulele, accordion and harmonium.
Any further recordings or shows in the works that people should know about?
We’re playing the housewarming party for our house tonight so that should be cool. We just finished up the e.p. last night so I haven’t had a chance to bring it around scopin’ shows. We will though. Playing live is the best thing a band can do.
Listen to The Most Awesome Protagonist’s new album, and find out when they are playing next on their site right here.
Topics: BAY AREA, Music News |