Aa Interview: SXSW 2010

Aa's music is ethereal, ecstatic and enigmatic. Part video art, mostly percussion (and warbling vocals), Brooklyn residents Big A little a formed in 2003 and once performed with three drum sets and multiple sampling, looping and laptop devices. They only play with two drum kits now, but that suits us just fine.

Spinner was lucky to score an interview with the oft-reclusive Josh Bonati.

What does your band sound like?

It's a noisy affair. We used to be three drummers and electronics, but now it's been whittled down to just two. Not too much melody. There's quite a bit of rhythm, noise, samples and a good amount of energy.

How did the band form?

The band formed around 2003. Similarly to the way a lot of college bands form -- through friends, going to shows and getting great ideas.

What are your musical influences?

They're all over the place. We all listen to different stuff. Anything from current hip-hop to noise, metal, or our peer Brooklyn bands like Knyphe Hyts and These Are Powers.

How did you choose your band name?

One of us had a Crass record spinning on the turntable at the time of an important phone call. The song playing was 'Big A little a.' We needed a band name quickly for the upcoming gig, so we just used it.

Who does the art in your videos and album covers?

Aaron (Wahl, from the band) does all the drawings. He always gets asked to do solo shows when we play at these weird art galleries but he seems to save his drawing output for the band exclusively. We can't complain, but we're always pushing him to give it wider exposure.

What is your biggest vice?

Probably junk food. We tend to buy a little more than we should when we're on tour. Sorry it's kind of a boring answer; we're a little more adjusted than people think!

What's in your festival survival kit?

Plenty of fresh food, fruit. I always need Doan's PM, the back medication. The band drinks a lot of those 5-hour energy drinks, we love that s---. Plenty of coffee too, and plenty of beer once we're there! Earplugs are important, too.

What are your musical guilty pleasures?

I'm actually in favour of the deletion of the term. People should be able to listen to whatever they want to and be OK with it. We listen to some weird s---. One of my band mates really likes the new Mariah Carey album. I don't like it but he's not ashamed of it at all and I think that's a great thing. It's the same with movies, like if you like Adam Sandler movies, just be happy and watch them.

The Beatles or the Stones?

I would have to say the Stones are more to my liking, but their catalogue doesn't get as nice a treatment as the Beatles in terms of the re-releases and re-mastering. I still like the Stones because they're more raw.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

The band once played at this filthy chicken coop factory. The floors were covered in chicken s--- and bile, it was pretty disgusting to start off, and the show was really crowded. We used to do this thing where we would give out drums to the audience so they could participate. Needless to say, things to really messy with everyone slopping around in this chicken s--- house.