She Keeps Bees Interview: SXSW 2010

Jessica Larrabee and Andy LaPlant are the musical duo that go by the name, She Keeps Bees. While their band name may conjure up images of calm and serenity, their music is anything but. Spinner recently caught up with Larrabee to talk about music and their first official SXSW appearance.

Describe your sound?

It's raw, homemade, honest and loud. It's rock with blues in its roots. It's garage too. I'm an emotional singer. I sing until my stomach hurts while Andy beats the shit out the drums.

How did your band form?

I was his bartender. I was recording my first album but I needed helped and Andy is really good with that. So he helped me with my music. Since then we haven't really left each other's side.

After a while he was coming to all the shows so I said you should just join the band! I was a drummer, my dad was a drummer so I was always looking for that back bone. After he joined, it really allowed me to become the musician I wanted to be. And we grew together. I feel like I'm a drummer playing guitar and he's a guitarist playing drums so we meet in the middle. It isn't your typical way of playing together.

How did you choose your band name?

I had that name before before Andy joined. I didn't want it to be my name. I didn't want to sound like a folk singer. Larrabee is my last name so I wanted something with Bee. She Keeps Bee came to me and it stuck. I liked it. It clicked.

Who are your musical influences?

I grew up with R&B and was struck by female vocalists like Patti Smith, Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle. We would go their concerts as a family. I grew up with the Breeders and was in girl bands which was a release for me. Our friends that are in bands in New York are influences like Love Story and Sharon Van Etten.

Beatles or Stones?

Velvet Underground

What's your biggest vice?

Cursing. And food.

Any thing special in your festival survival kit?

GPS, thank goodness for that. What did people do before that? I guess they had to use their brains. Dried fruit, clean underwear and cookies. I wish I had some better answers!

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Rick James' 'Fire & Desire.' That song peps me right up.

What's the craziest thing you've seen while performing?

Some girl, bless her heart because I think she was on drugs, was loving the show which was good. She was moaning, waving her hands, having fun but she was right in front. It was hard to concentrate but it was all love so that was good. At least she wasn't throwing things at us

What's up next?

We're releasing a new 7" vinyl. We're recording a new album. And hopefully doing some more touring later this year..

Kelly Rose is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.