By Ellen Eldridge
Gun Outfit plays at 529 in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 23, to support the April 2 release Hard Coming Down. Fans of any SST band, Sonic Youth, Wipers or Pavement will love the album as well as the live show. Vocalist and guitarist Caroline (Carrie) Keith answered our interview questions:
What is the strangest thing a fan has done for you? Or at your show?
Dylan’s sister Edie worked for slum dwellers international in Uganda and, while she was over there, some folks she worked with had a baby and named her Phaedra after our song. It’s not as if they did it for us but they were inspired by the song and now there’s a baby named Phaedra. I suppose she’s a toddler now. It is strange how that song made its way to that part of Africa. The first line, “Lightning strikes the hunter’s grave,” came out of a story I heard about a British colonial who hunted ivory in east Africa. The legend goes that his exploits ended when he was struck down by lighting and then his grave was hit over and over again.
Also, our friend Molly’s brother is a surgeon and she told us he listens to Gun Outfit while performing surgery; that’s pretty wild.
What is the funniest moment you have had as an artist/band so far?
Well, the whole goal of this lifestyle is to maximize the number of funny moments, so it’s hard to choose a single one, but generally what’s funny is the look on people’s faces in different circumstances.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Yes. We carry large items to and fro and always make sure to get some milling around done
If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
Clear.
How do you connect with a crowd?
We give it everything we got and if the nights on the electricity comes alive and ya feel it.
How did you come up with your band name?
I was driving back from Wyoming, from shooting cans in the woods with my brother and dad and it just stuck.
What is the best way to write music?
Go to a place where there’s a well and wish on it and throw some coins down there.
