Introducing :: Sholi

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It was with heavy hearts that we announced the shrinking of Touch and Go records (and their subsidiaries) a couple of weeks ago. With a few new acts waiting to release new material, there’s still plenty to shout about before that process is complete though.

One of those acts is Sholi. A San Francisco based trio who blur the boundaries between rock, pop and psychedelia. There’s a warm glow to their self-titled debut album. There seems to be, in equal measures, periods when the music shouts and screams at you before flipping sideways and wanting to hug and caress you. Or maybe that’s just me.There’s certainly a similarity between Sholi and their label mates Crystal Antlers. But where the latter head to the more aggressive and experimental edge of music, Sholi are content to explore the more delicate rhythms and progressions of indie-rock.

Our upcoming review of the debut hints at all these factors, but mentions a crucial fact in its closing remarks: (If) Sholi release a last hurrah for (Touch and Go) subsidiary Quarterstick (sigh), this isn’t a bad way for them to go out.

We caught up with the band to find out a bit about their creative birth.

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should…
Listening to Sholi can improve your grades. Our drummer will melt your face. Our sweat smells better than your average band.

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
Hearing “Everybody Dance Now” by C & C Music Factory in elementary school. Not a joke.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
There are little gnomes on the backs of our necks working away … when they think they have something worthwhile they give us a tingle and songs pop out.

Name your Top 5 records.
The Clash – London Calling
Oscar Peterson – Live at the Blue Note
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It in People
Daft Punk – Homework
Unwound – Leaves Turn Inside You

What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
It was a house party with a hockey stick taped to a radio-shack microphone for a mic stand. I don’t remember what else happened but the mic worked out nicely.

What one piece of criticism has stuck in your mind and was it justified?
“Don’t worry it’s fine as is.” Not sure if that would be criticism … but sometimes in the creative sphere it’s difficult to know whether something is finished or still needs work (especially when you self-record/produce). In the end I think gut feeling goes a long way, but it’s always good to get outside feedback.

What one thing has caused you to waste your free time in the past 6 months?
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.

If you weren’t making music, what do you think you’d be doing?
Probably hanging out with friends more often. Music is a such a social activity for us – we’d need to figure out a way to make up the lost connections.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Serving tables in a retirement home (high school). All bad moods and no tips.

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Can we give you this imeem link It has 13.
What’s up? – Content Imagination
FENNESZ – Perfume for winter
Bon Iver – Re: stacks
Why? – Song of the Sad Assassin
M.I.A. – Paper Planes
Googoosh – Makhloogh

Sholi on Myspace