The Atlanta natives have been hard at work, and just released Jr. earlier this week and will be playing at Smith’s Olde Bar on Saturday, part of Mixtape Atlanta’s annual holiday bash. The District Attorneys mix rock and pop for a very Shins sounding album. We got a chance to chat with them before their show this weekend! Check out our interview below.
What is the strangest thing a fan has done for you? or at your show?
It is really strange for us to have fans in general but every once in awhile we are pleasantly surprised. This summer we played a show in Mobile and met a fan of ours who had been blowing up our twitter feed. The next night he came to New Orleans to see us again and then proceeded to take us to his favorite bar and pass out at the table we were at. We woke him up and dragged him to the casino with us and insisted he crash in our hotel room. He has become a close friend ever since. Shout out to Tim Snow (.com) I/we love you!!!!!
What is the funniest moment you have had as an artist/band so far?
Thats a really tough question. It was really funny on the final night of 500 Songs for Kids this year at Smiths Olde Bar after we had played our song (“Ziggy Stardust”) when Chris (Wilson drummer) was asked last minute to drum for the song “You Got to Fight for Your Right to Party” and he only had 5 minutes to quickly listen to the song on his ipod before he killed it live. It helps that he grew up loving Beastie Boys but it was a really funny and enjoyable moment for all of us to watch. The money raised at X-Mix this weekend will go to benefit the Songs for Kids foundation. Here is the video of that performance. http://vimeo.com/44086215
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
We have started printing out set lists for every show we do. Usually its Chris (Wilson, drums and red headband) and he has the set and date of the show and then one silly picture attached that usually makes fun of one of us or something timely. There have been many Game of Thrones and Hunger Games themed set lists. We receive our setlists before we play so its a nice little tradition we have started.
If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
Scrumtrulescent
How do you connect with a crowd?
I cant speak for the others but I have trouble keeping my eyes open on stage partially because I dont want sweat in my eyes but mainly because I am terrified. I make up for it with bad mumbling stage banter and letting my leg move around in very awkward ways when I play.
How did you come up with your band name?
There is a Bob Dylan song called “subterranean homesick blues” and the music video he made for it is just him standing still with a bunch of huge cards. One line of the song is “The phone’s tapped anyway. Maggie says that many say they must bust in early May orders from the DA” During the video one of the cards says The District Attorney on it and I liked the way that looked. We used that as inspiration for our first EP “Orders From…”
What is the best way to write music?
For me the best way to write is to do it very quickly. There are exceptions to every rule but I feel if I don’t finish an initial idea at its point of origin then whatever I felt gets lost in second guessing and time. Sometimes if I wait and go back I might get a better perspective but I appreciate finishing something immediately and knowing that even if I was wrong, that was what I was feeling at that specific moment. Being really pissed off helps too!
Check out The District Attorneys at Smiths Olde Bar Saturday, December 8th!
