The Baker's Dozen #19 Dustbowl Revival

RGM caught up with Z. Lupetin of Dustbowl Revival for the latest in our Baker’s Dozen feature. The Los Angeles based act released a cool new album ‘Is It You, Is It Me’ recently which has received impressive reviews (RGM Review). So please join us as Z. shares his thoughts on the music business, Michael Kiwanuka, Bill Withers, legendary LA venue The Troubadour and why we all need a lava lamp in our lives. Honestly, we do, we really do.

1. What is your earliest musical memory?

Always hard to know what you actually remember or what has been told to you - but I think I remember being struck by the jazzy rhythms in Disney’s “The Jungle Book” - playing with Legos and singing those songs to myself over and over.

2. Do you remember the name of your first band?

In the summer before 8th grade in Chicago where I grew up, I was in a punk-ish band called Labyrinth. I played the bass or pretended to. I believe our signature cover was “Sedated” by The Ramones which almost got us kicked off stage at the school talent show. We were too loud.

3. Which current artist do you hear and just go Wow?

Michael Kiwanuka’s last two records continue to blow my mind.

4. Do you sit down to write songs or do you wait until your mojo comes to get you?

Often a snippet of a song, a melodic line or an odd turn of phrase will come to me and I will expand upon it over a few days or even weeks. If it really sticks in my head and keeps poking at me it means I have to see it through.

5. Big venue or small venue - what's your favourite to play?

How about a medium-sized venue? The Troubadour in LA has seen so much history made on that stage - we were lucky to record our live record there and you can feel the raw intensity in the room. We’re back there in a month!

6. Who is the one artist you wish you could share a stage with (past or present)?

I’d love to play with Bill Withers. Or just watch him work. I don’t think he’s ever written a song I didn’t love.

7. Bowie, Prince, Sinatra, Elvis which departed great means the most to you?

Never been a huge follower of any of those guys to be honest - though Prince really had a special thing that I wish I could have witnessed before he passed.

 8. Is a saxophone solo ever ok?

Totally - a tasty one. Not super into soprano sax, too smooth.

9. Should music be free?

Tricky question. I wish music could be valued in the same way fine art or film is appreciated - it takes so much time and passion and education and sweat and money to make great recordings really sing. But I also see how being able to access the great music made throughout history at an affordable price is appealing and necessary - especially for young folks who don’t have twenty bux to spend on one single album. There is a middle ground - we just haven’t found it yet.

10. Can you remember the first record you bought and what have you bought recently?

I went to the Tower Records in Evanston, IL and picked up REM’s “Monster” and Nirvana’s “Unplugged in NY” – the second one still being one of my all-time favorite albums. Recently picked up the vinyl of an awesome young roots rock player from Canada named Cat Clyde. She’s incredible.

11. What was the last song that made you cry actual tears?

Seeing Jenny Lewis bring back her album “Rabbit Fur Coat” did it for me. She played it at an old church.

12. Do you binge watch Netflix / Amazon / DVD box sets(any recommendations)? Do you have a guilty pleasure in Film or TV you’ll admit to watching and loving?

My wife and I pick something to watch over dinner usually - we’ve just gotten into “Watchmen” which is very strange and cool. We do watch all the Queer Eye episodes - and my guilty pleasure on the road is Friends and Law and Order SVU. Love me some Olivia Benson.

13. What is the most important thing to you that you can see from where you are right now?

My orange lava lamp that I’ve had since I was a kid is always on by my bedside. Such a soothing light. Trippy too! It makes you think big thoughts. Maybe.