Three rocking young females graced the small stage of the Paradiso, our favorite concert venue in Amsterdam, on February 8th. Two of us were there and enjoyed their performance immensly. Kickball Katy, Cassie Ramone en Ali Koehler also known as the Vivian girls are a relavitely new band who emereged from the New York scene only last year. They quickly caused a buzz in the US alternative music scene and recently crossed the pacific ocean and let the buzz be heard all over Europe. On their fist mini Euro tour the girls touched down in England, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
photgraphed by Ren Rox for clash mag
Their sound can be described as reminicent of early 90s twee with a hint of a 60s influence noticable in the vocal harmonies. Their personal style is all very New York too in a way, comfort with just a hint of that fabulous vintage quirkiness. Their laid back attitude makes them blend in with the crowd that comes to their shows perfectly making the girls seem very likable(and that they are!) and therefor easy to aproach. Miss Cassie Ramone was kind enough to answer some of our questions about style and music..
3inacrowd:Do you get to do a lot of shopping when you’re on tour?
Cassie Ramone:Sometimes we go to thrift stores or record stores, but we usually
don’t have enough time
What’s your favorite item of clothing and how did you get to own it?
CR:My favorite item of clothing is my Cancun t-shirt, which I wear kind
of a lot. When we were at South By Southwest in March 2008 we played a
day show at a vintage store and I got the shirt there.
What are your favorite places to shop in NYC?
CR:Beacon’s Closet is probably the best place because the prices are
good, but the clothes are pretty hit-or-miss – some days you’ll get 10
things and some days there’s absolutely NOTHING. The Salvation Armies
are never very good because they’re super picked-through.
How would you describe your individual style?
CR:Katy likes to wear black pants, V-neck t-shirts and boat shoes. Ali’s
into wearing clothes with lot of colors and prints, and also band
shirts. I dress halfway between a grungy 19-year-old boy and a yuppie
from the 80’s.
Cassie Ramone photographed by fairynxd
Who are your style icons?
CR:Ali’s is Zooey Deschanel. Katy’s is Ezra from Vampire Weekend. Mine is
Christina Applegate circa 1989.
What’s your favorite music video?
CR:Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979” and Foo Fighters’ “Everlong.”
Ali Koehler by fairynxd
Is your on-stage style influenced by other female musicians from the past?
CR:No. If anything our on-stage style is more indebted to Nirvana than anyone else.
What was the first concert you went to?
CR:Mine was No Doubt and the Suicide Machines when I was 14. Katy’s was
the Drifters when she was 10. Ali’s was Lilith Fair when she was 10.
What three records have been the most significant to you?
CR:The first three Wipers records – Is This Real, Youth Of America, and
Over The Edge.
kickball Katy photographed by fairynxd
What song always cheers you up?
CR:There are a lot, but Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” and Sophie B Hawkins “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” always cheer us up a lot.
What new band(s) should we check out (except yours of course)
CR:Nodzzz, Woods, Wavves, Let’s Wrestle, and Pens are all really really great.
look out for the girls on tour in the US now. Their self titled album is available at amazon.com
all photos taken by fairynxd unless stated otherwise.
Three in a Crowd 