What’s the first album you remember loving as a kid?
Macie-I remember loving Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles. My dad used to play it on road trips all the time when I was younger. It’s the perfect singalong music, and now that I go back to it, I realize there are some truly beautiful albeit strange songs throughout the record. I think it helped open my young mind to more interesting musical ideas.
Steve- The first record I really remember loving was Ernie K. Doe Mother In Law.
Charlie-Charlie Parker’s greatest hits.
What as the first album you bought with your own money?
Macie-I can’t quite remember, but It may have been a Simon and Garfunkle compilation… I used to listen to it before bed when I was 11 or 12.
Steve- Practically positive it was the double disc Queen’s Greatest Hits.
Charlie-A compilation of pop songs from the 1970’s called “Super Seventies”
What was the first local band you were a fan of?Â
Macie-The first local band that caught my ear was probably the OMys. They had been playing around the city for a while before I began performing out, and they really knew how to put on a good show. They still play around all the time, Maceo’s voice is incredibly unique. If you can catch a show, I recommend it.
Steve- Going to see Extraordinary Popular Delusions (Mars Williams, Steve Hunt, Brian Sandstorm, Jim Baker) on Tuesdays at Hotti Biscotti is one of the reasons I was able to get through college. No matter the size of the crowd, the music was (and is) always amazing. That commitment is truly inspiring. If you’re ever in Chicago, go see them Monday’s above the Beat Kitchen.
Charlie-Rempis Percussion Quartet. I remember being blown away by those records when I first moved to chicago as a freshman in college.
What’s the most recent album you bought or have been listening to lately?
Macie-I just bought 2 records, one is the self titled B-52s record and the other is called Sycamore by Doug McCombs and David Daniel. Totally different vibes, but I am really into both.
Steve-Bill Orcutt’s new solo record. I saw him live at Constellation in February and it was a revelation. Listening to him play makes it hard to believe a guitar really needs six strings.
Charlie-Cecil Taylor and Max Roach “Historic Concerts – Live at Columbia University”
Any new projects on the horizon?
Macie-I have a band called Ohmme that is touring the US in the fall and releasing a full-length record in 2018. I am also part of Ken Vandermark’s new project called Marker along with Steve Marquette who is also in The Few!
Steve-In addition to working with Macie in Marker, the Few will be going on a tour of Europe in late November / early December and the third and fourth installments of the Instigation Festival – my festival bringing together Chicago and New Orleans musician and dancers – will be taking place Sep 7-10 (in Chicago) and January 22nd-26th (in New Orleans).
Charlie-Looking forward to releasing a recording in December featuring a new band comprised of Sam Decker on saxophone, Matt Carroll on drums, and myself on bass.
