When do you remember first becoming interested in music?
I have really faint memories of watching MTV in the mid 80's...Duran Duran+Prince videos. My mom claims that i knew how to work one of those Fisher Price 45 record players before i could even walk! It's funny and weirdly ironic because i have huge 45 collection now.

What was the first record you bought with your own money?
it was either Led Zeppelin 2 or the Smiths "Strangeways here we come". I think i was in 9th grade and i had a cousin in college at the time. The Smiths were his suggestion, and even though i was your typical teenager and wasnt to into it, he was like "trust me, and you'll thank me later".

Was Afternoon Naps your first band?
No, i've been in many many bands...mostly a bunch of shoegazer-ish bands from post-high school and my college years...Afternoon Naps is the first band that i've sung and written my own songs for, though. Which was scary at first!

When/how did you meet Leia?
Ben Gmetro, our original drummer, introduced us. He knew i was looking for a female singer/multi instrumentalist to form a band.

What do you remember most about recording SUNBEAMED?
It was a fun recording. Tim Gerak (guitarist from 6 parts 7) has recorded all of our albums. He's a close friend of mine and we always have a great time recording together. It was before he had his home studio, and we were recording in his mom's basement. One time i put on the headphones to record a track and heard Star Wars. His little brother was upstairs wathcing it and his condenser mic was picking it up..Good times!


How did the deal with HHBTM come about?
We met Mike and the gang at Athens Popfest in 2008. He had asked us to play and after we finished our set he said he wanted us on the label. Being a fan of his bands we couldnt say no. It's very much a family.

What was the biggest difference, if any between the recording of the two records?
the recording quality is better...but we also took our time with this one. The first LP was made when we'd only been a band for a few months.

What is your favorite song that you have written?
That's a tough one. Even though it's one of the only songs i dont sing it's probably "Orange Paw". It's become our theme song because i think we've played it at every show. For some reason i never tire of it.

Best band from Ohio?

the Mice! best ever. period.

Devo or Pere Ubu?

hmmm Pere Ubu, by a nose

Tell us something about Cleveland we might not
know?
Hmmm. We actually have a beach! It's not that nice, and heavily pollute, but hey its STILL a beach

What is your top 10 desert island discs?
wow..here goes..i'm sure i'm forgetting something

1. Felt-Poem of the River
2. Beach Boys- Pet Sounds
3. Beatles- Hard Day's Night
4. Smiths- Queen is Dead
5. Radio Dept.-Lesser Matters
6. Motown's Hitsville USA Box Set
7. the Left Banke- Ther's gonna be a storm
8. the Yellow Balloon-the Yellow Balloon
9. the Cardigans-Life
10. a mix cd of all my favoirte obscure pop, psych, twee, and soul 45's!

What is next for the band?

We are getting started on a mini-LP/Ep due for release later this year. Maybe a small summer tour on our way to Athens Popfest in August.

Bonus question: Is the rock and roll hall of fame worth visiting?
yeah i think so...there's a bunch of goofy stuff there...but The Beach Boys stuff is pretty radical if you ask me!