1.How did Inflatable best friend get it's name?We had been trying to come up with a name for weeks and our friend Camryn suggested Inflatable Best Friend. We all looked at each other and said...."Why Not?"
2. What can you tell us about your upcoming album? (DMT Bike ride)
and how are you releasing it?
DMT Bike ride has been recorded by the Director of Production (Joe Varchola) at Kalamazoo's favorite college radio station (WIDR). We're very blessed to be under the direction of such a skilled audio engineer. Joe really knows what he is doing.
We've listened to a few mixes of songs that are going to be on the album and we've all been super impressed. The entire album is a mish mash of our own unique influences. Expect stop and go dynamics, noisy guitars, tribal drums and a surging bass guitar. The album is being released on our own record label called Obvious Records. Keep an eye out for other obvious records releases in the near future including Cartography, Brown Cow, The Scare Seasons and more....
3.Has IBF put out any releases prior to the upcoming LP?
We've released an EP that definitely needed some more polishing. We don't even play any of the songs on it anymore.
If so where can listeners find them?
(out of print EP)
4. How long has IBF been around as a band?
Inflatable Best Friend has existed as we are now since January 2010. We all made music together with other people, but it really wasn't until that point when we had the right combination of people.
5.What is your favorite place to play in Kalamazoo? Why?
Our favorite place to play in Kalamazoo is easily a house venue called "The Ant Hill". The guys that live there are in a band called 'Ackley Kid.' They're really nice and care about every single band that plays at their place.
6. Will the Painted Lady be Inflatable Best Friend's first Detroit area show?
The show at the Painted Lady will be the first time we've ever really played in the Detroit Area. We played in Ypsilanti last April, but that's about as far east as we have made it.
Musicially, what has influenced the band?
Tyler (the creator), Lightning Bolt, MGMT, Doors, Melvins, Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers, Salvador Dali, Leonardo Da Vinci and all the other ninja turtles.
7. Describe your first tour of the midwest. How was the band recieved?
Our first tour of the midwest was one of the coolest things that I have ever experienced. Each town we went to we were meeting cool people who were nice enough to let us crash on their floor for the night. The band was very well received. Everywhere we went we played for a decent sized crowd and made lots of new friends along the way.
If you could tell me about one story from the tour that stood out, what would it be?
We played a show in Champaign, IL and couldn't find a place to sleep. We decided that we were going to stay up all night and drive to Indianapolis. We drove into the wrong part of town and a block away from a gang related shooting. Police in bullet proof vests told us to get back on the highway and get out of the general area. We were all pretty scared and tired so we decided to drink as much coffee as we could handle at a Dennys. We ended up finally falling asleep in the parking lot. It really sucked at the time, but it makes a good story to tell in situations such as these.
Inflatable Best Friend
are:
Austin McQuater-Bass guitar
Ian Howell -Guitar/Lead Vocals
Tanner Boerman-Drums
Ian Howell -Guitar/Lead Vocals
Tanner Boerman-Drums
Check out their music at:
http://inflatablebestfriend1.bandcamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/vyvanse666
http://soundcloud.com/inflatable-best-friend
http://www.youtube.com/user/Inflatablebestfriend?feature=mhum
