Svengali Slumbers From: New York, United States
The Devil's week of interviews ends with a Q&A with Svengali Slumbers' Kevin Schneider (previously of The Boy Koan, Drop The Boy Drop The Boy) who told the Devil about his favourite Little Rascal, his approach to band naming and his influences.
The Devil: Why Svengali Slumbers? What other names did you ponder before deciding it had to be Svengali Slumbers?
Kevin: I settled on Svengali Slumbers because I think it's attention grabbing, and because it sounds cool to me. Unfortunately there's no personal meaning attached to it beyond that.
The Devil: Who are the biggest influences in your life and on your music?
Kevin: Musically, the bands I was listening to most often when this project was conceived were Sonic Youth, Eric's Trip, Galaxie 500, Dinosaur Jr., Yo La Tengo, and Swell Maps. I don't know how much Svengali Slumbers sounds like any of those bands. I'd say Phil Elverum (of The Microphones and Mount Eerie) is a major influence as well.
The Devil: What was the first record you owned and what was the first record you ever bought with your own money? Kevin: If my memory serves me correctly, the first record I owned was Green Day's "Dookie". My father had a pretty huge classic rock collection, so otherwise I would listen to that. The first record I went out and bought with my own money was Green Day's "Kerplunk". That, or maybe a Weird Al album. It's very possible it was a Weird Al album.
The Devil: What makes Svengali Slumbers stand out from the millions of other bands across the world? What makes you unique?
Kevin: It's hard to say. When I sit down and record songs for Svengali Slumbers, I'm only looking to make something I like and have fun while doing it. I'm not looking to reinvent the wheel. I try to make songs that are unique to my own songwriting abilities if anything.
The Devil: Which bands or artists on the current music scene make your spine tingle?
Kevin: Women. They put out an album this year called 'Public Strain' that's really good. Also, Titus Andronicus.
The Devil: Favourite song?
Kevin: Maybe "The Wild Kindness" by the Silver Jews.
The Devil: Favourite book?
Kevin: "The Fall" by Albert Camus.
The Devil: Favourite Movie?
Kevin: Lost in Translation.
The Devil: Favourite website?
Kevin: I don't know if I have a favorite website. I spend a lot of time reading blogs like yours that promote smaller bands. All of those blogs can collectively be my favorite website.
The Devil: Tell me something that you've never told anyone before.
Kevin: I need to preserve some of my mystery. (I tried to think of a clever answer to this, and my wit is failing me.)
The Devil: If you weren't in Svengali Slumbers how would you keep yourself occupied?
Kevin: I have other musical projects I work on, and I work an office job in Brooklyn.
The Devil: If you were interviewing yourself what would your killer question be and how would you answer it?
Kevin: Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Spanky. Or who has the best tuna after the devil? Not sure how I'd answer that one (John West??).
The Devil: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the Devil Has The Best Tuna readers?
Kevin: Start a band.
Go Try
MP3 - Svengali Slumbers - Every Year Is Going To Be
MP3 - Svengali Slumbers - Cigarette Trail
These tracks are posted with the permission of Svengali Slumbers so please don't claim breach of copyright
If you want to hear some more then check out the Svengali Slumbers bandcamp page where you can download their latest EP.
Go Visit
Svengali Slumbers bandcamp
Go View
Check out Svengali Slumbers current musical squeezes Women and Titus Andronicus...
Women
Eyesore (Live)
Titus Andronicus
A More Perfect Union
and if you're not familiar with what maybe Kevin's favourite song here it is...
Silver Jews
The Wild Kindness