Rusty Belle began with the quiet determination to make unique music. Starting in their living rooms and working their way through coffee shops, bars, clubs, listening rooms, concert halls, and festival stages, they developed a style all their own. Rusty Belle swings easily from sweet, simple melodies, whiskey lullabies, blood ballads, busted bluegrass, and folk-punk anthems, to tongue-in-cheek sleaze-rock, glossy-mag candy-pop, and down-home porch-tunes. The remarkable thing is that it’s all done with honesty and respect for the music. Their shows are never predictable and always dynamic. At their best they will bring to you sweet nostalgia, swaggering poise, drunken logic, and grimy dancing before sending you home with a gentle “goodnight.”
We caught up with Rusty Belle before their show at Eddie’s Attic TONIGHT, October 22. Check out the hilarious interview below!
What is the strangest thing a fan has done at your show?
Well I wouldn’t call him a “fan”, but a guy at a Vermont show grabbed the microphone in the middle of our set and “Shooshed” the band. He then proceeded to sing a melismatic cheese fountain that he called “Happy Birthday.” Matt was understandably miffed and proceeded to imitate this guys voice throughout the next (and last) song. His latent stage rage finally boiled over when he kicked over all of his stuff and walked off… the crowd thought is was all part of the show and loved it. I think it was one of our best.
What is the funniest moment you have had as band so far?
We have a pod on the top of our car in which we put our clothes and personal effects. On some highway somewhere, this pod blew open and all of our stuff blew out all over the big four lanes. It was funny to watch Matt (easily the most spry band member) dodge semis and weave around Toyotas to get one of Kate’s cowboy boots that had ended up way out in the middle. She got that boot (and its…partner) at a yard sale for like five bucks.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
We all do different things before we play. I find a quiet place outside to have a cigarette while having some kind of “we are the world” moment. Kate talks to just about everyone in the club and makes sure she’s got a read on the whole thing. Matt appears to just sit there… I’m sure SOMETHING must be happening in there but I have no idea what it is.
If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
Honorificabilitudinitatibus “Is that Bill Shakespeare over there?”
How do you connect with a crowd?
We tell a few stories and try to wow them with our wit and humor…you know the usual stuff. That works okay… but I’ve found that if you can make eye contact, I mean strong almost violating eye contact, with as many people in the crowd as possible, while picturing the both of you (you and the contact recipient) doing something majestic like summiting a mountain or basking in a waterfall…things like that, it creates a powerful bond between performer and performee.
How did you come up with your band name?
We were trying to think of something that rhymed with “Busty Swell” (too racy!) Rusty Belle was all we could come up with.
What is the best way for you to write music?
Let us know when you find it!
Grab your tickets for the show tonight at Eddie’s Attic!
