Interview: Earlimart

Earlimart may be the nicest band ever to come from Los Angeles. In addition to meeting up with SFist after their crack-of- dawn sound check (10:30 am for you non-rockers), both Aaron Espinoza (lead singer) and Ariana Murray (base and keyboards) willingly submitted to the narcissistic standard SFist questions all about our favorite topic: San Francisco! Even better, Earlimart actually taught us a few things about our fair city, winning our love forever. Earlimart was in town to headline the Saturday show at Bottom of the Hill for the 13th annual Noisepop Festival. This was the first time Earlimart headlined at Noisepop, but their third Noisepop experience, having opened for X (X?!!!) at Slim’s and the Decemberists at the Great American Music Hall.

SFist was having some trouble with our recording device so the following represents our slapdash attempts at shorthand.

Photo by Alyssa Scheinson

Being from Fresno, why did you move to LA instead of San Francisco?
Ariana: Actually, I’m from LA.
Aaron: I had friends at UCLA who needed a roommate, so it was easy. Plus, at the time, LA was more exotic because I had spent more time in San Francisco.

Best venue ever
Aaron: The Filmore.
SFist: Good answer, but it doesn’t have to be San Francisco.
Aaron: No really, we have played there a few times, opening for Granddaddy and the Super Furry Animals. It’s such a historic venue, plus my dad was excited about that because he used to go to shows at the Filmore.
Ariana: The Astoria in London would be my pick for the same reason. My dad went to shows there when he was younger.

One thing people don’t realize about being a rock star is
Aaron/Ariana: We’re not rock stars.
SFist: Right. Ok, so um… what about being a musician?
Aaron: Actually, there is a guy in San Francisco who is a fan who runs Recchiuti Confections and he sends us stuff. He has a store in the ferry building. Also traveling and not having a nine to five job is nice. Except sometimes you have to have a nine to five job

What are you reading these days?
Ariana: Billions and Billions by Carl Sagan
Aaron: Jesus’s Son: Stories by Denis Johnson

Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Aaron: http://www.fuck.addr.com/fuck/news.html .
SFist: Excuse me?
Aaron: That’s the name of the band, F***. They’re from around here.

Best band to open for?
Ariana: We just got done touring with Pedro the Lion, they’re really amazing musicians and nice guys.

Favorite website
Aaron: Playing in Fog http://www.playinginfog.com/
Nice pick, it's all about San Francisco

Now that Mayor Newsom is single, who are you going to set him up with and why?
Aaron: A Man. Chief Bernard Park, the recently ousted police chief who is running for mayor. They could exchange tips.

Best Burrito
Aaron: Farolito
SFist: Good pick! What about in LA?
Ariana: the Seven Seas. On Sunset in Silverlake

Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
Ariana: Interview with a Vampire/ or the Metallica Documentary, that’s filmed all around here.
Aaron: Vertigo. A View to a Kill, that scene on Golden Gate Bridge .

You have two hours and $15 to kill San Francisco, what are you going to do?
Ariana: Amoeba!
Aaron: Hemlock Tavern, we could probably get some free drinks there.

When you guys are playing there’s a band member in the back corner who constantly switches instruments. Is there anything he can’t do?
Aaron: He can’t play bass. He just fills in the spots everywhere.