CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your music, what would it be and why?
S: It went from surf rock to indie, this and that . . . but if you hear us know its actually a Samba-Rock band. We added Congas and Pandiero to the line up and switched the bass drum beats around and viola Samba-Rock.
CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
S: Brazilian music, existential literature and the beach.
CH.89: What made you want to start a music project and how did you come up with the name?
S: Spritzer started as a side project from my other, older band, Friend Roulette. I came up with the name while I was walking on the beach drinking a white wine spritzer.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new album?
S: This album I dug deep into Albert Camus’s “The Plague”. When I was writing it, it was around the time Trump came into office and the book ‘1984’ was super hot as people were making comparisons of post trump life to the book. I saw more of a comparison to our unfortunate political situation to ‘the plague’. So it was a lot of reading and feeling trapped.
CH.89: What would you want people/ the listener to take from your music?
S: Just a couple melodies, maybe a clever lyric here or there.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?
S: Its just funny balancing it with what one would think of as a conventional life. Example, Fiancee wants to go to brunch and a movie really badly and all I want to do is finish EQ’ing this synth bass that’s making everything muddy…. But I go to the movie anyway and probably hate it… but there were unlimited mimosas at brunch, so now I’m happy…. get back to the studio…. Somehow the Bass EQ has fixed itself.
CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?
S: Both are fine. In the case of this album I had more of a strict direction than I ever… stylistically, content wise, and even song order were all decided ahead of time. Going by impulse usually ends up with direction anyway. For instance, I started recording some silly covers impulsively and now I’m almost done with an 8 song album of covers ranging from Green Day to Bruce Springsteen in Bossa / samba styles.
CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist?
S: Take your art seriously, not your self.
CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?
S: Hell no.
CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?
S: Making money.
CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?
S: Not making money.
CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artists that inspire you in any way?
S: Tom Ze has really been freaking me out lately.
CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?
S: I used to hate it but now there’s nothing more that I love than being in my home studio, staring at a computer screen and EQ’ing that Synth bass that was mucking up the mix. I didn’t have a computer for about 6 years, just an iPhone for demos. Now it really has opened up a crazy world for me. There’s no way I would be 8 songs deep into a Cover album as silly as the one I’m doing now.
CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?
S: I like to flip that question. I think its a common misconception that “non artists” all think alike and do as they’re told.
CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?
S: Yes I do love traveling. I like going to different places in Mexico and was most recently in Oaxaca… I love Mezcal just in case you want to know.
CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?
S: Simone De Beauvoir is my Favorite author… my most recent favorite book is “A Personal Matter” By Kenzaburo Oe
CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your music?
S: Right now just working in my home studio making all types of music in different styles. I’m almost done with the album of covers too.
CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?
S: You don’t have to wear pants all the time when you’re at work.
CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your music?
S: I’m still trying to figure out what that is.
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