(Well, they’re not calling it the “Friday the 13th Tour.” I am, seeing how the band hit the road last Friday. Right—the 13th.)
D.C. indie-pop rapscallions America Hearts are coming to your city. The band recently released, “Be My Jones,” a 7” on Yeah Gates Records and has an upcoming split-single with Cotton Candy (ex-Unrest, Air Miami) on Sockets Records, both of which feature the kind of charming and catchy songs that have made the band one of D.C.’s new favorites over the past year.
We’ve got an opportunity for one of you to score some tickets to a live date on the F13 Tour and/or a tee shirt to commemorate America Hearts’ U.S. highway marathon. First up however, a few words with mega-lovely front woman, Jess Matthews:
“Some folks think of touring only as an expedition. It is a chance to explore the fast food options in little towns, to better understand the impact sleeping on various types of carpet will have on your face, to take your picture with clay dinosaurs and cave men in the creationist museum, to admire ZZ Top’s drum set collection in the basement of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, etc.
America Hearts | Train Tracks (Live at CD Cellar)
While I am excited to do all of those things, I am really looking forward to playing music everyday and understanding my bandmates in a way that is only possible through spending six hours a day within six feet of each other in van. Here are some of the questions I hope to address:
1. Why is Justin so skinny? Sure he is a power vegan but if you have heard any of his bands: Edie Sedgwick, Antelope, Super System you would notice that he is into bass lines that are shall we say, pleasantly plump. Does Justin’s hatred of the song, Big Bad Leroy Brown impact his caloric intake? Will he eat more or less the longer he is exposed to my play lists that are made up almost exclusively of songs in major keys?
2. What are Kristina’s remaining hidden talents? In addition to playing lead guitar in America Hearts, Kristina has an 80s cover band called Victor/Victoria and plays bass in Edie Sedgwick. She is a crazy BB gun sharp shooter, a valedictorian, a competitive bowler, and has her own cable access show.
3. Who qualifies as a Fella? Sammy’s sunny disposition is nicely encapsulated in his address, ‘Hey Fella!’ But I am wondering if Fella applies to say, sweet mid-western waitresses or elderly, southern promoters.
4. Will be play any towns or venues that road dogs Sammy and Justin have not played in? I think that 242 Main in Burlington, VT and WNUR are contenders.
5. Where do we load in?”
—Jess Matthews
Enter to win a pair of tickets to any show below and/or the tee shirt above by being the first to claim one in the comments to this post. It’s that simple. Tell us what and where you prefer to see the band or where to send the shirt and we’ll hook you up!
May 17th, 242 Main, Burlington, VT w/ Forget the Times and FM Drag
May 19th, Black Eye, 1947 East 71st, Cleveland, OH w/ Jukebox Value
May 20th, Beat Kitchen, 2100 West Belmont, Chicago, IL w/ Sleep Out and Coupleskate
May 21st, The Rudyard Kipling, 442 West Oak Street, Louisville, KY w/ Hal Dolls
May 23rd, Winston’s Cafe, 1412 Greenbriar Pkwy 133, Chesapeake, VA w/ uglyography
