Straw Pipes
Meet Straw Pipes
I guess any pipe could be a straw if you are brave enough. Do not take this as a challenge, however. I can already see the headlines of people slurping up dangerous liquids like magma and other strange substances like the shamrock shake. Instead let’s focus on this terrific band Straw Pipes. Taking influence from post punk groups of the 1980’s their sound is a refreshing spin on the genre. They build on what we already know incorporating all kinds of new flavors like psychedelic and drone. It all comes together to make something truly delightful. Get to know them in our latest interview.
CAR OF THE YEAR a Mad-lib by, Straw Pipes
It's here, the all-new CLOTILDE. The most luxurious MANE you'll ever drive! The only four-door ORIFICE that comes equipped with dual air PIPES, power ORNITHOGRAPHY, and contoured, plush leather PANS. And, believe it or not, it is the only car in its class that can go up to a hundred thousand OVERTONES without needing a MEZCAL change or a MONDO tune-up. Run, do not PLAY with your nearest CLOTILDE dealer and feast your LIPS on the car that Motor WAVE magazine calls the ELONGATED MOON of the year. As always, we save the best for last. When you see the sticker price, you are sure to shout, "OUCH!!"
Would You Rather
be able to lift things a hundred times your weight, or have control over all of the ants in the world? Why?
LeLe: Aren’t they the same?
Stonie: Lift Things. I don’t really want to mess up the ecosystem. Also, no one in the band has a car, so we’re constantly carrying multiple bags of costumes and gear. The rolling cart just isn’t enough anymore.
Some questions with Straw Pipes
What compels you to keep writing and making music?
Stonie: Sex drive
LeLe: Not as much as Stonie~ I think it’s more about hearing the music. It is like a natural thing like sex. If you pay attention, the music flows through by itself.
Would you prefer people to be able to see the color or taste food when they listen to your music?
Stonie: I don’t have an opinion. I like food and colors.
LeLe: I would love them not to see any color or taste any flavor as they want to. Music is a very personal experience, I think the interesting part of making music is that different audiences can reflect so differently.
What is your favorite outfit to wear when performing and why?
LeLe: I will wear whatever Stonie makes as long as I can bear their weights and run around. I wish I have one favorite outfit I can wear in every show and Stonie is also happy about it.
Stonie: Likewise, I’ll wear whatever LeLe tells me to.
What are practices generally like?
Stonie: For the last couple of years, we’ve practiced at The Glove, Bohemian Grove, or wherever else in the city we can rehearse for free. We’ve been a little unproductive lately because our band is constantly falling apart and it’s a challenge to teach new members the parts. Btw if anyone wants to join the band our Gmail is strawpipes@gmail.com.
LeLe: What starts as an obligation inevitably leads to pleasure.
What was the last important lesson you learned?
Stonie: Boredom is dangerous (for me anyways).
LeLe: Spending less time to work, especially a job for making money.
What is the best piece of merch you have ever bought?
Stonie: The copy of The Raincoats book written by Jen Pelly that I got signed by Ana da Silva, Gina Birch, and Palmolive. I’d also like to brag that they follow us on Instagram now.
LeLe: My fav merch has always been something I traded for or found them unexpectedly.
If given a limitless budget to incorporate into one live performance what would you do?
Stonie: I mean I’m pretty broke, so I’d probably buy things we could use again in the future. Like an amp (I don’t currently have one) or a guzheng for LeLe to play or a new guitar because my ‘70’s Univox Hiflyer got stolen a few months back and I haven’t had the money to replace it.
LeLe: I will cancel the performance if the budget is limitless, something is wrong... A good performance has nothing to do with the budget.
What is your ideal environment (including snack choice) when writing music?
Stonie: I like dark chocolate and red bean cakes. I really liked practicing at The Glove because it was our favorite place to play, but I guess since the space is done now, I’d just opt for somewhere warm and dry in the winter or cool in the summer.
LeLe: I don’t think there is an ideal environment. Many different environments are more important to me, or if I can be relaxed or focused or totally lost. Snack wise I am still addicted to baby tomatoes.
Has living in NYC impacted your songwriting? If so how?
Stonie: Sure. I’ve met so many people here who had an influence on the way I view and listen to music. I don’t think I would have started writing music at all if I hadn’t found myself at Silent Barn with a serious case of FOMO. Those sorts of DIY spaces encouraged me to a start-up where I left off when I stopped playing music as a teenager.
LeLe: Of course. I think that’s why I decided to stay here because it is inspiring. Mostly just because it keeps me interested in things, a lot happening at the same time all the time. Then I also realize the importance of internal quietness.
What is your take on the current Brooklyn DIY scene?
Stonie: I feel a little lost since most of my favorite places have closed in the last few years. Hopeful for the “blooming” LeLe talks about, but (as I’ve mentioned before) I deeply miss The Glove with all its flaws and chaos.
LeLe: It always makes me wonder and happy when I see new spaces popping up. Even when spaces shut down. It is like flowers bloom and wither. It is great when it happens, even for a short period of time. I think being involved in spaces, and creating spaces are open is more important than the actual music-making.
Who are your favorite bands active in NYC right now?
Stonie: Alice Cohen, Joanna Sternberg, Water From Your Eyes, Blue Jazz TV, Cegua, Ed Askew. I don’t know, I have a lot of respect for musicians in the generations above us that continue to play whether or not they achieve material success.
LeLe: I think we mostly are playing with our favorite bands and friends, so just check out the shows we played!
If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Stonie: I’m pretty attached to the community here, so it’d have to be somewhere where I had good friends and lovers. Maybe somewhere prettier because it’s hard to imagine a better city to live in.
LeLe: I would love to stay in different places for different lengths of time. Or like now, I just stay in NYC and imagine them.
Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)
LeLe: What is the most urgent need/ difficulties of Family Review? What is the utopia for Family Review?
Stonie: 2 things. First, I just want to put out the word that we’re putting out our first album on vinyl with Dull Tools in May. Second, if you’re interested in helping with the guitar, my Venmo is @Stonie-Clark thank you!! ^-^