Girl in a Coma Interview: SXSW 2010

If anything is big in Texas, it's certainly the buzz around San Antonio's Girl in a Coma. Discovered and signed by Joan Jett after participating in a cable TV show called 'Jammin',' the three girls took their punk tinged soulful tunes and charted iTunes and Billboard. They've opened for bands like Tegan and Sara, Social Distortion and Morrissey, and they'll be playing a showcase and panel at this years SXSW festival. Spinner talked to front woman Nina Diaz on the band and its influences.

Describe your sound in your own words.
It's very eclectic. I find that we can fit in with whatever genre we're put with on a bill. Right now we're touring with Xiu Xiu and it seems like we match up with the sound and the feeling. I guess to put it best, we're alternative or just good music to drink a beer to. It's soulful in a way that we really appreciate the music we play and how we're giving it out to the public.

How did the band form?

The drummer is my sister, and her and Jen, the bass player, are both friends. They were in a bunch of bands together at a younger age. They're some years older than I am. When I was 12, I started playing guitar and they were looking for a front person. At 13, I started building up the courage to show them a song. They liked it and asked if I wanted to be their frontperson. At that time I didn't want to be stuck in the house anymore, I wanted to go out and play some shows. We've been together ever since. We did this highlight episode for a show called 'Jammin',' which was about the struggle of female-based groups. In the climax of the show, Joan Jett actually came out and she was supposed to just give us the word of advice, but she ended up actually liking us and get signed onto her label, which is Black Heart Records. I was 17 at the time. It's been five years.

What are your musical influences?

The number one for me is Jeff Buckley, he has such an amazing voice, his work is amazing, and just him as a person – you just want it. I get really obsessive over things, and he's one of the people I can say I'm obsessed of. Also Bjork, Mike Patton, how he's experimental. The girls: Jen loves Elvis, and Phanie loves the whole Riot Grrl scene – so I guess we all draw form a lot of different influences.

How did you get the band name?

It's from the Smith's song 'Girlfriend in a Coma.' When we first started, the girls were really in love with Morrissey and the Smiths. They were the first acts we started listening to and really understanding their lyrics. We just wanted to pay homage to him, and I guess we weren't creative enough to come up with our own band name. This one one of our favorite songs – at first we were Girls in a Coma, but then we took off the "s."

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

For me, being on stage, the craziest thing I've seen on stage was probably seeing my first pair of boobs. In Dallas, Texas we played at a club there. I remember thinking, "Wow! They're really excited over our music," because this girl was just showing me her boobs. Now as far as the other girls, I don't know what's the craziest thing they have seen.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I love the 90s, especially the cheesy dance 90s hits like TLC, Aqua. That stuff is just so exciting to me.

What's the common misconception of all-girl bands?

They usually think we can't play our instruments. They thing we're just going to go on stage to bitch and complain. When we're up there, we're just there to play music and to fit in and to show that regardless of whether you have a penis or vagina or if you're into girls or guys, you're your own individual and you shouldn't be pidgeon-holed. The plus side of it is that we're all for inspiring and unveiling a message of, 'yes, you CAN do it.' We never want to put anyone down because that's the last thing anyone needs.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Leonardo Dicaprio. I liked him in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?' I think he was 18 or 19, but as Arnie he was a pretty dreamy guy.

What's your SXSW festival survival kit?

Gallon of water, peanut butter and bread, ear plugs, and hand sanitizer.

Rika Nurrahmah is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.