![_Whitney Houston, 48, Has Died [Updated]](http://sfist.com/assets_c/2012/02/whitney-houston-dead-2-thumb-250x250-693364.jpg)
Interview: Social Studies
Last week’s Pipette’s show was, as predicted, fantastic. The surprise highlight was one of the openers—Social Studies. When we found out they were local we fell in love with the Bay Area all over again—so much talent and so little time for us to check it all out. Luckily for us, and you, Social Studies is playing again—tomorrow night at the Rickshaw Stop. Their sound is complex pop—sort of like Mates of State, but better. We know, not a lot to go on. Listen to “Sparrow” here, and form your own opinions. Just make sure you do, you’ll be telling the world you saw them way back when.
SFist is clearly biased, but we think locals make the best interviews, so, Social Studies (somewhat collectively) has answered our most pressing questions. Read on—it’s educational.
Best show you've played and what made it great:
Maybe not our best show but one that stands out is from our last tour. We played at an anarchist co-op in Missoula, Montana. The previous night we'd gotten pretty wild in Portland, then drove 12 hours through foggy mountains. The kids in Missoula went absolutely crazy during our set. Everyone was dancing like their lives depended
on it. People were literally getting naked and crowd surfing. It was a blast.
What's your take on the Bay Area music scene?
This is a really exciting time for Bay Area music. The spectrum of quality music coming out of this area is daunting. We have a lot friends making really inspiring and challenging music. For the most part, we find local bands and audiences to be very supportive. About half of the new music i listen to is local.
Favorite venue?
San Francisco is blessed with a number of quality venues. We just played Bimbos 365 Club which is absolutely beautiful. It's like going back in time and playing in a very classy prohibition era speakeasy. We're also big fans of Great American Music Hall, Bottom of the Hill, Rickshaw Stop, and Cafe Du Nord. There are so many good
venues to choose from.
Lamest crowd request ever?
I think someone asked Natalia for her number while we were on stage. That's pretty lame.
Where can people see you next?
We are playing on Thursday November 8th at the Rickshaw Stop. It's a benefit for KALX and the lineup is fantastic! We're playing with three other awesome local bands; Chow Nasty, Sugar and Gold, and Greg Ashley. You don't want to miss this show.
Name
Social Studies:
Natalia Rogovin
Aaron WeissMichael Jirkovsky
Ilana Goldbarg
Age and Occupation
As a band we are between 23 and 30. We work in web design, bio-tech
engineering, PR and at a non-profit animal shelter.
Home Town
Individually we are from Berkeley, Sacramento, San Diego and Chicago.
Collectively the band is from San Francisco.
How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where?
Currently two of us live in the Mission, one in the Tenderloin and one in Lower Haight.
Favorite place to spend time online
There are some really awesome local music blogs that support the
SF scene. We like the Bay Bridged and The Deli a lot.
Favorite local business
Needles and Pens on 16th street is my favorite business. It's run by nice people and the store focuses on zines and diy crafts. It doesn't get much cooler.
What I'm currently Reading
Just finished Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.
Favorite mode of transportation
We're all into riding bikes. Nothing bonds a band like riding around in a little pack.
Best Burrito
El Matate has the best fish burrito in the city. It's unstoppable.
Who would you like to see interviewed in the future
Can you arrange to have Barbara Walters interview R. Kelly?