Q&A with Bodega Girls

Take two guys and put them in New York City. Add two girls from Queens, some 70's "stoner" rock and some electronic beats and what do you end up with? The start of the Bodega Girls, a Boston-based band that that makes pop music with a major twist. Their music starts out as the typical pop song but then it lets better. The 70's funk they add makes it their own and the beats make their music highly addictive and absolutely necessary at your next dance party. This week The MUSE spoke to Evan Kenney, leader of the Bodega Girls. The Bodega Girls will be playing at BU Central on Friday. Admission is free with a BU ID. Doors open at 8:30 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

<strong>The Muse:Are you excited for your concert at Boston University?</strong>

Bodega Girls.: Yes, definitely we're excited but we don't know what to expect. We haven't played

anywhere in two and a half months so it'll be good to play again.

<strong>M.: Did you specifically pick BU?</strong>

B.G: We were asked, and we also have a lot of friends at BU. It's got a good vibe; we're

really excited to be a part of that. We've been looking forward to it for a while. Then

we're going to NYC the next night, so it works out really well.

<strong>M: Who came up with the name for your band?</strong>

B.G.It was actually Jacob and myself who kind of got together and started the

band. We met these two girls when we were in NYC. We met them at this bodega in

Queens. They took us to all these hip-hop clubs while we were in Queens. We refer

to them as our "bodega girls" and they represent the attitude that our band has.

<span style="font-weight: bold;">M</span><strong>: What are the main influences of the band?</strong>

B.G.: Well, we all come from a really diverse musical background. Mac is straight from the hip-hop world, while I was more from the punk rock world and some of the other guys are more rock and roll. It's more about culture and attitudes of people we know. We're really into how New York was in 1977, the whole environment of when punk rock and hip-hop were starting out. It's basically more about street culture. It's more of an influence than anything musically, predominantly on New York and Los Angeles.

<strong>M: What process does the band go through in order to write a song?</strong>

B.G.:It depends on the song. We, usually Mac, provides the framework as far as the beats and gives it the "Bodega-fying" of the songs. We write very basic pop song structure-verse, chorus, verse, bridge. We start with the guitar and melody and Mac gives it the "Bodega Girls" style. It depends though. Every song we've come up with comes from a different member and they each bring their own something to it.

<strong>M: Who is your target audience?</strong>

B.G.: Basically anyone who wants to hear us. We each have such diverse musical backgrounds. It's not just an electronic crowd that listens to us, it's kids into punk or rock. We didn't want to alienate anyone when we started the band. We're all these nerds who like all sorts of different types of music. It's whoever

is near us. We don't want people to take things so seriously and we want people to have a good time.

<strong>M: What genre does your music fall into?</strong>

B.G.: We definitely mix. We're predominantly electronic. A lot of old school hip-hop and 70s funk. It's sometimes very hard to see, but we get our ideas from 70s punk rock, sometimes stoner rock. We add so much to the songs that they get confused when it comes to a genre. We've kind of become more of a pop band since the current line up is solidifying.

I'd call us party music. It's not very serious at all. It's all about having a good time.

<strong>M: How do you get the word out about your music?</strong>

B.G.: We have a Facebook and a MySpace and Twitter. There's also an mp3 blog called record labels.com (rcrdlbl.com). They're great because they understand what we're doing. They do mp3s of the day where they do Drake the Yeah Yeahs Yeahs and then us and it's great. We're not too concerned with selling records. We also do a lot of remixes for bands and hope that their fans get turned on to Bodega Girls through the remix. A lot is word of mouth and doing stuff online for free. We also have cassettes,

which is funny because no one listens to them anymore. We're also hoping for vinyl by the end of the year.

<strong>M: What are you working on right now?</strong>

B.G.: We're actually working on a vinyl release right now. We're talking to a few record labels. Working on new self-directed music videos with our friend Paul. We're just going to be releasing stuff every month. A new song online, a new remix. We're hoping to have a record done by the end of the year.

<strong>M: Why vinyl?</strong>

B.G.: Basically we feel that people don't really listen to CDs. We also have a lot of DJ friends who spin vinyl and want to spin us. Vinyl is so unique and people will hold on to it more than CDs. I feel like CDs are dying and vinyl is resurging. I think I've recently bought more vinyl than CDs. It's also cool to open up the record and see the album art. I think that's something

that's still special.

<strong>M: If you could tour with any performer live or dead, who would it be?</strong>

B.G.: The Clash.

<strong>M: Why?</strong>

B.G.: They're the greatest band to ever live. They made so many different types of music. They were complete super stars and did every thing their way the whole time. They're the epitome of what every band should aspire to. They're just great, they did everything from punk rock to hip-hop and they're a number one for us for sure.

<strong>M: If your band were an ice cream flavor, what would it taste like?</strong>

B.G.: Lets' see. . . this is a tough one. It would have to be covered with chocolate

and marshmallow. It just have to be really bad for you, but delicious, but you

really shouldn't be eating it. Something with hot fudge and marshmallow on it.