Currently Residing In: Brooklyn, NY
Band Members: Daniel Baer (violin), James Craft (accordion, guitar and vocals), Brady Miller (drums), Ted Lattis (guitar) and Devon Press (bass, guitar, and accordion)
Record Label: Ernest Jenning Record Co.
Combining beautiful harmonies with old world sounds of the accordion, La Strada creates a new sect of charming romanticism rock with swelling orchestral arrangements. The beauty of La Strada is the band's ability to remain lyrically genuine and trapeze the line between old world sounds and rock melodies.
The distinct sound of La Strada has not gone unnoticed. La Strada has been on the Indie radar for a little while, accumulating critic's acclaim, and will be featured on a Where the Wild Things Are behind the scenes trailer and an episode of Jason Schwartzman's new show, Bored to Death on HBO.
La Strada's Brady Miller, James Craft and Devon Press provide us with a little insight on what it's like to play with a large band and the inspiration they thrive on to create La Strada's sound.
1. What's currently playing on your iPod? When you're touring, what's on your car radio?
Brady: I've been listening to a lot of RadioLab, and we'll probably be cranking those during our next tour!
James: Foals, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and PJ Harvey.
Devon: Girls, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Harry Belafonte, and Smith Westerns.
2. What music did you listen to when you were a kid?
Brady: Lots of Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and all sorts of jazz.
James: Bach, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles.
Devon: A lot of Beatles and Van Halen.
La Strada, photo courtesy of La Strada
3. What is your favorite song to play live?
Brady: "My New Home."
James: "My New Home."
Devon: "Wash on By."
4. Was there ever a definitive moment where you realized that music is what you wanted to do?
Brady: I started playing drums in junior high and realized halfway through high school that I'd probably pursue some sort of professional music career (my other passion was film).
James: Yeah. I was playing it since I was five, but not until recently did I have the, "AHA!" moment. It was like, "It's time. Let's get down to business."
Devon: No... I think I've always known it.
5. A lot of people synthesize your music as "old world" music. What old world (be it an imaginary or real old world) do you think or hope they're referring to?
Brady: We're not too into the labels--our music comes from a variety of influences and is always changing. There is definitely a feel of old world European style in our LP, but as the music continues to evolve, you can find all sorts of old-world, new-world, other-world influenced in there.
James: "Old World" was grabbed from a blurb because it sounded good. Yeah, with the accordion and some folk structures many of the songs can sound European and grassy-rustic-hilly. But I see the band as more experimental-- that is, an outfit that never settles into a sound but is always look for something new. That's how I feel about it, at least.
Devon: Dinosaurs.
6. How did you settle on the band name La Strada? Any references to the Fellini film? Does your name influence your music or did your music generate ideas for the band name?
James: I thought the sound and rhythm of the name was awesome. I also like that it means "The Road." Yeah sure some songs might have a Nina Rota/Fellini sound, but it all boils down to the sound and the word's direct meaning.
Devon: Yes... It's a pretty direct reference to the Fellini film... But in all fairness... We came up with the name first. The music most definitely came before the name.
La Strada, photo by Jennifer McManus
7. When you listen back to your music, who do you envision as your audience and where are they listening to your song? What are they taking away from it?
James: I don't really imagine people. I only listen to the music and listen to its strengths and weaknesses. I hope they take away the passion.
Devon: Young teenage girls driving around in Honda civics.
8. With so many members, your band is practically an orchestra in its own right. Do you find it difficult to coordinate so many people? How much input or say does each member have in the direction of the band or music?
Brady: We are pretty like-minded and easy-going people, which is a great start. It is often difficult to coordinate schedules, especially when we are planning longer out-of-town ventures, but we generally make it work.
James: Scheduling can be rough. But creatively we have core members that are easier to coordinate. We tour as six so it's a little more manageable. The core members have much more input because of their commitment and passion for the music.
Devon: It can be tough but we all try to be easy-going and try our best to accommodate everyone's feelings/ideas.
9. What is it like to tour with so many musicians? Or to play (literally) small stages even?
Brady: For some reason, we all get along so well that touring with a lot of musicians is a great experience. And while it's really nice to have a lot of space on stage, sometimes smaller stages can bring an intimate quality to the musical experience, as long as no one's eyes are getting poked out by violin bows or flying drum sticks.
James: It works out. We tour as six. It's fun. We don't usually play small stages but when we do it's a blast.
Devon: I love playing on small stages. One of the best shows I have ever been to was when I was in high school. This local band played on a ridiculously small stage and they were all falling into each other on purpose and just so relaxed. It's like letting yourself fall into someone else's arms. With so many people there's a great sense of a collective emotion that can be very exhilarating.
10. What are you working on now? Albums, large shows, tours?
Devon: Our first full length album....Very excited! We also have a ton of CMJ Shows, and will be featured in Episode 4 of Bored to Death and VBS's promotional and behind the scenes videos for Where The Wild Things Are.
La Strada will be playing on Tuesday, October 20 at 5 pm at Rockwood Music Hall, Wednesday, October 21 at 9 pm at The Knitting Factory, and Saturday, October 24 at 8:30 pm at Union Hall for their CMJ showcase. For more details and shows, click here.
