Low Water - The New Alt-Hipsters
http://www.lowwatermusic.com

A New York based band sounding a little bit Alt-Country (if Alt country spent time in a smoky French café), Low Water is sure to make the ladies swoon with their knack for songcraft and an aching heart.

Sellout: How did the band come together?

Johnny: Dave and I have been playing together for several years, since our Pittsburgh days. We met Nick out in San Francisco, and we all decided to move to New York City together last year as a band. The first record was getting good reviews out there, and we figured it was time to go when Dave got the job offer...

Dave: I got a job at Fuse, and it was about time for me to leave California anyhow.

S: Why the name Low Water?

Johnny: "Low Water' is old slang that means "broke"...you know, out of money. I was thinking of calling the band "The Low 30's" as a reference to the amount of money I ever hoped to make playing music. I guess they are all kind of related to the "lifestyle choice" of doing this seriously. At least so far, anyway.

S: How did you get your video on Ifilm?

Johnny: It's pretty easy to get it on there; I think you still just have to submit it. But getting a lot of plays is the tough thing. We had help from some of the lovely ladies of TechTV who stopped by for the shoot.

John: Over 5,000 views!

S: There's lots of talk comparing you to Paul Westerberg/The Replacements and Wilco. What are some of your other influences?

Johnny: Well, that's a huge compliment, really. I think we have aspects of both of those artists in what we do. I am huge fan of country music; the Louvin Brothers, Hank Williams, old gospel; I guess there's just some people that had better be on your list, as a songwriter, you know? I mean, the Beatles, The Kinks, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn...you gotta do your homework--if you look at what up-and-coming bands are doing today as "new" or "innovative" -- then these artists are the building blocks that make it possible, just as Bues and Gospel artists who came before made it possible for them...so much of rock music owes a huge debt to Gospel.

Dave: I'm a fan of the Pixies, The Beatles, and X to name a few. But I think that everything influences what and how I play. Even bands that I'm ashamed to talk about.

S: You have a sound that would play just as well in the "flyover states" as it would to jaded urban hipsters. Have you ever toured in the south/Midwest? How did the audiences compare?

Johnny: Low Water will begin touring in earnest staring early next year now that we're relocated and settled here in New York. We've all toured before with other projects though, and as for the question, I really believe that people anywhere will respond to and respect what's honest. If someone is telling me that they like what we're doing, then we've come across and that's great...that's a real compliment, anywhere.

Dave: Hey, I'm from a big flyover state!

S: What are some of your favorite places to play around the NYC?

Johnny: Well, we love Magnetic Field in Brooklyn. They really gave us a chance and let us play there when we first got here and didn't really know anyone in New York City. It's a fantastic club, and we consider it a kind of "home base" here...

Dave: I like playing The Living Room in Manhattan. It always sounds really good in there.

S: What are your best and worst experience playing live?

Johnny: The best live shows are the ones where everybody is "on" and not even having to think about any of it--just knowing what the other one is going to do. The worst...well, when the opposite occurs, I guess. It's always a pleasure to be up there, and I think too many people, myself included, forget that sometimes. It ain't diggin' ditches, as my dad would say.

Dave: The best shows for me are outside in front of a lot of people. The worst shows are the ones where the audience is scared to break through the "Arc of Scrutiny" in front of the stage.

S: What's your opinion on the New York Music scene right now?

Johnny: I don't feel the New York music scene can be looked at as a "city scene" the way you can in other smaller cities...it's just too diverse. There's not one "sound" that's happening here... It's always going to be a valid, prosperous scene simply because it's New York City. There's a reason they write so many songs about New York.

Dave: It's amazing here. The two best things I've seen recently: 1) Bobby Steele from the Misfits playing a bunch of standards on a big jazz guitar at Rockwood Music Hall. 2) Frankie and His Fingers at the Charleston in Williamsburg.

S: If the band could pick any label to be on what would it be? Why?

Johnny: Yep Rock? They have a great perspective and a varied roster. Nonesuch? They take chances and seem to really believe in their artists. Capitol? Well, that's just so I could say I was label mates with Frank Sinatra.

S: What's next for the band?

Johnny: We're going to start on a new record early next year. We're going on a few short tours in February and May. Hopefully find some support, either through booking agents, managers, or a label. Personally for me, I'm looking forward to writing and finishing new material that's been fallow for a while, since the big move.

Dave: I'm probably going to get a ham and cheese sandwich with no tomatoes.

B. Filicky