Yoni Wolf of Why?
Photo by Sarah Cass
SFist has been a fan of Why? since we first saw them at Bottom of the Hill a few years back. We recently came across a cover they did of the Cure’s “Close to Me”, which we highly recommend. Their new album “Alopecia” comes out on March 11th. Besides being named for everyone’s favorite form of hair loss. its good. They’ll be performing some of these new songs tonight at the Great American Music Hall. They’ll playing some other great local bands including a new Asthmatic Kitty band, Cryptacize. Cryptacize members include former Kill Rock Stars artist Nedelle Torrisi and Chris Cohen of The Curtains and formerly of Deerhoof. Why? front man Yoni Wolf has undergone the SFist interview—read on for more.
Favorite song to perform these days?
"The Fall of Mr. Fifths"
Where are the best fans?
Right here in sunny San Francisco!
Lamest crowd request?
"Take your shirt off!!"...Frankly ladies, I look better with my shirt on.
Favorite thing about your own music?
I know all the words and can sing along.
What music are you listening to these days?
Leonard Cohen and a lot of Ambient music like The Dead Texan and Fennesz. Anything I might fall asleep to (not in a bad way).
Name
Jonathan Avram Wolf (My friends call me Yoni...and some girl at Whole Foods called me D-to-the-ouchebag one time.)
Introduce yourself in one sentence
"I'm basically just a chilled out entertainer “David Brent from The Office
Age and Occupation
28, Songwriter
Home Town
Cincinnasti, Hohio
How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
I've lived in Oakland/Berkeley since 2001. I currently live on Auto Row in the O.
Favorite place to spend time online
www.twogirlsonecup.com
Favorite local business
Carls Jr. on Telegraph
What I'm currently Reading
Why the SFist of course. What else is there?
Best Deal in San Francisco
"Two-For Tuesdays" in the Tenderloin...
Favorite mode of transportation
Getting a ride from somebody or borrowing my sister Becky's car.
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Lars Ulrich
Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
Jewish boys love to give head. Not necessarily true.
Favorite local hangout
My living room. Glass of wine, some friends, some laughs.
SF has the BEST
Falafel. Is that fucked up? I've been all over the world and I just love that SF style shit better.
You've never lived in SF until
you've hit up The 'Loin on "Two-For Tuesday"
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present
Was Ronald Reagan from here?
You can tell someone is a local here IF
they have one dread lock and a sign that says something about being a healer or a prophet or some other lame ploy to get in bed with gullible hippie chicks.
SF would be soooo much better if only
BART were open all night
Best Burrito
I used to like Cactus on College but we played that out. Now I would have to say Papalote on 24th and Valencia. That place is the whip. Soyrizo? Yes, please.
Best Restaurant
Cha muthafukin' Ya!...Although I went to Greens one time with my lady-friend and that was pretty freakin' bomb.
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
Didn't part of 'Weekend at Bernie's 2' take place here?
Favorite artist to come out of the bay area
Sarah Cain
Favorite author to come out of the bay area
Armistead Maupin, Beth Lisick
Place you always tell visitors to check out
I'm really bad with guests. I usually just take them to the coffee shop by my house and to Lotus Thai on Piedmont. My mom wanted to go to the Golden Gate bridge, so we took her there. That was pretty sweet.
Favorite Bridge in the area
The Golden Gate is a beautiful, beautiful bridge. No contest. I know it’s the obvious answer but there is a reason for that.
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Am I hungry in this fantasy scenario?...If so, I'd say I'd get a bite to eat at a moderately priced vegan eatery and linger for an extra hour doing a crossword or ogling the wait staff....If not, is it Tuesday?...
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
my old computer, studio monitors (for my brother), a couple of apartments, an antique human ear...
I want all the SFists out there to know
they've got it good here in the Yay area. I've been all over and there aren't many places this awesome.
Tell us a San Francisco Story
I rode that trolley thing one time. I didn't even pay. I just hopped right on. I felt like a stow-away hobo on his way to The Land of Make-Believe.
Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview
Where do you do Laundry?