Now that SFist has signed year books, been told to stay “cute ‘n cool” about five thousand times, updated facebook with our new school, and has promised to NEVER change, we’re all revved up for a summer fling. We’ve decided to aim high this year—rockstar high. So our summer crush is going to be Voxtrot. True, they don’t have a full length album out yet, but after listening to the LP’s and seeing them perform, well, let’s just say they are destined for greatness, and we want to go along for the ride. If you’ve missed Voxtrot in SF (they’ve played 3 times this year), do your best to check them out next time you hear they’re in town. We’re not sure when that’ll be, but maybe if we all cross our fingers and wish really hard, it’ll be soon.

Voxtrot is fronted by Ramesh Srivastava, who is a fellow blogger. Ramesh has been kind enough to submit to the feared SFist interview process. Read on for his tips on how to be a better fan, what blogging does for music, and to get your hopes up that Voxtrot can be your summer fling, too.

SF has a notoriously rough dating scene.. any advice for singles here? Would any Voxtrot members be willing to help out the locals?
I'm probably the worst person to give advice to singles, as I seem to be perpetually single. I am definitely willing to help out the locals in San Francisco. Cool, but the SFist is at the front of the line

Voxtrot's best ever show was when, where, and why?
For me, the two shows are tied for this award:
1. The first show we played in NY: We weren't expecting anybody and it had been promoted so well that there were loads of people and it was ridiculously fun. Lots of our friends from Austin were present.
2. Our first show in San Francisco: We played the pop fest last summer and it was magical, primarily because San Francisco is magical. We all fell in love with the city immediately upon arrival.

Photo: Mary Sledd, originally for Austin Chronicle.

One word to describe The Court & Spark:
Affable.

One word to describe your music:
Shady.

What's it take to get a gig in this town anyway?
Other than the belief that what you’re doing is worthwhile and a little bit of perseverance, not much.

What do you think of the San Francisco music scene?
I think that the music coming out of San Francisco and the Bay Area in general is the best it’s been since I’ve lived here. There are so many mind-blowing bands and musicians here right now: Michael Talbott & The Wolfkings, Broker/Dealer, Willow Willow, The Mother Hips, Deerhoof, Six Organs of Admittance, Comets On Fire, Whysp, Skygreen Leopards Skyband, Vetiver, Black Fiction, The Finches, Brightblack, Kelley Stoltz, The Cuts, Ara Anderson, Tom Carter, Film School, Paula Frazer/Tarnation, Jeffrey Luck Lucas, Death Sentence: Panda!, Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart (can we claim him?), all the Jewelled Antler projects, and a million other acts that I know I’m going to regret not remembering here. It’s a good time for music in San Francisco.

When/ where was your best show ever?
Denver Kiwanis Club, 1961, opening for Sammy Davis Jr.

What band would you most like to have open for you?
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band circa “Clear Spot” or Universal Order of Armageddon circa “The Switch Is Down.” Duke Ellington if neither of those bands were available.

Where can San Francisco see you next?
Friday, May 12th @ Great American Music Hall with The Finches, Black Fiction, and Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Co.

We first consciously notice Jason Munn in last month’s ReadyMade Magazine where he was featured for the screen printed posters he makes for performances of touring bands at local venues. Then we realized we’ve seen Jason and his work all over the place. We were relieved to find out that you can buy a lot of Jason’s work online through his site, The Small Stakes. Although Jason has only been in the Bay Area for a few years, he’s taken well to the burrito loving culture—which endears him to SFist like nothing else can. Jason’s art is great—concert posters that deserve to be hung. Make sure you stop by and say hello next time you see Jason at a show. Tell him SFist sent you.

What's the best (your favorite) poster you've ever made?
I don't necessarily have a favorite, but the posters I am happiest with are the posters where the idea comes across clearly and makes the most sense for the band.

How do you come up with ideas for the posters?
Mostly just through listening to the bands and a lot of trial an error.

What's the trickiest thing about printing?
Trying to keep my arms from getting tired.

Which posters (if any) do you have hanging in your house?
The funny thing is I actually don't have any posters hanging in my house. I have a stack I would like to hang though.

Who are some of your favorite local artists, and why?
Paul Schiek (Photographer), Nat Swope (Printmaker) and David V. D'andrea (Illustrator) and the band Deerhoof. All these people inspire me quite a bit and have tought me a lot.

What do you think of the art and music scene out here in general?
I think overall it's pretty great and there is such a history of so many great artists and bands coming from this area.

Do you have to stand by the table through out concerts, or can you watch the show ever?
I watch most of the shows, I'm usually just by the merch in between bands.

SFist is thankful for many things this time of year. We are especially thankful for independent movies and the independent theaters that show them. SFist has been lucky to attend the Sundance Film Festival quite a few times (hey, so can you on a budget—just volunteer at the festival here). We didn’t make it last year, but we heard an amazing amount of buzz for New York Doll about Arthur “Killer” Kane and the reunion of the band. Greg Whiteley, the director, was kind enough to do a mini interview with us. We won’t spoil anything but let’s just say we *guarantee* you’ll like what you read.

If you feel unsatisfied by the Q&A below, why don’t you just ask him more questions yourself? Actually you can—he’ll be at the screenings at the Roxie tonight. In the meantime, since you’re already online, make sure to check out the rock history quiz on the website and wow your friends with your newly acquired trivia. The internet + independent cinema = what makes San Francisco great?

Why should people see this movie?
Your readers will love it. I guarantee it. I will personally refund your readers money if they do not like this movie. Also, it cures adult acne.

How did you get started doing the movie on Art?
I met Arthur at church. He told me his band the New York Dolls would be reuniting after 30 years to play London's Royal Festival Hall and that he needed a ride to the Pawn Shop to retrieve his bass guitar in order to play. I thought that sounded like a good beginning to a movie so I brought my camera.

How did you get Morrissey involved in the project, since he is so famously against interviews?
He loves the New York Dolls and he loved Arthur "Killer" Kane. Once he learned about the project he and his manager Jed Weitzman were very helpful and generous with their time.

What was the most surprising thing to you about Arthur Kane?
His deep sense of pride with regards to the New York Dolls’ place in pop art history.

What was the most interesting thing you discovered as you made the movie?
How much the audience is willing to forgive if you have a good, well edited story.

What projects are you working on now?
I am working on a film centered in the world of high-school debate.

New York Doll shows at the Roxie through December 1. 3125 16th Street, San Francisco

Best selling product?
People love our wallets because they are so unique. I feel the artists we work with are underrepresented, but, I feel so strongly that the artists that have Poketo'ed are among the most talented in whatever style they create.

Favorite product you've sold?
Each of the designs is so rad. I respect and admire all of the artist that I have been so honored to work with. Each of the designs is special in that way.

Any tips for artists trying to make it in the SF art scene?
Stay in touch with people, organizations, projects that are related to your love. The more people know what you do, the better your chances are of doing something creative on a broad scale. We are always looking out for each other.

How did you get into puppet making?
Actually that’s an odd story. When living in Santa Cruz I used to come up to SF with my friend Caitlyn for good times. Occasionally this would include some lucky dumpster or street finds. Once we scoped a lower Haight public trash full of treasures including a pair of eyes from a ventriloquist dummy, and a book on experimental animation. I hid the eyes so they peeped out of my sleeve, and could control them to look in any direction. It spooked some folks..

Many people find puppets inherently creepy, why do you think that is?
Maybe because perverts are always carrying around creepy puppets in dark alleys! No but seriously, it’s probably the moving eyes that are most scary, because they can be so lifelike. A spirit could almost be living in that animated inanimate matter. Clay and foam want to live too.. Pee noo keey ohh.

What's your take on the San Francisco Art scene?
The SF 'Art scene’ is a total smorgasbord, or grab bag- you never know what you are going to get. There’s so much variety of type and context and quality, you are bound to find some great treasures and more to disappoint. I just tend to gravitate toward what grabs me and filter out the rest- it can be difficult to maintain an appetite with such an overabundance of taste offerings.

When is the next craft boutique you're involved with?
Thanks for askin’. I will be vending at the Whitney Young Carnival on Saturday August 13th, 12-6pm, at the Whitney Young Child Development Center at 100 Whitney Young Circle, San Francisco. I think you’ll have to use a web map to find that one. Anyhoo it’s a fundraiser for the center and should have a good variety of stuff. I will be selling my recycling art/jewelry and some puppet DVDs and comics too. Also later this fall I plan to organize a local recycling artist/designer fair, stay tuned.

Any advice for artists trying to make it here?
As an artist who is trying to make it (from day to day beyond) all I can say is chase your dreams and eat good food. If your art can put that on the table, then all the better.

Best public restroom in San Francisco:
Let’s say for now: It’s Tops!

Snark aside, Steve has kindly submitted himself to the SFist interview process. Despite the fact that we’re thrilled that Steve was kind enough to answer some real questions, we promise that his interview will in no way affect next week’s "We Read the Weeklies" deathmatch. The San Francisco Bay Guardian will not necessarily emerge victorious yet again. Maintaining such journalistic impartiality is going to be hard, given how interesting Steve seems. In many ways Steve seems to epitomize Bay Area journalism; he hangs out at Zeitgeist, he goes to Burning Man, and he wasted no time getting arrested during the anti-war riots.

Best story EVER in the Guardian?
As far as impact, it was probably AC Thompson's "The Hardest Time" which was about how the San Francisco Police Department framed two innocent guys from Bayview -- JJ Tennison and Antoine Goff -- for murder and sent them to prison for 13 years. Last year, as a direct result of our story back in 2001, a judge set them free and cleared their names. Since then, we've done stories calling for them to be compensated and highlighting how the two cops that did it -- including former police chief Earl Sanders -- have gone unpunished. It's journalism at its best that achieved results beyond what most journalists will ever experience. AC is a helluva writer and I'm happy to be working with him.

Color of America? Red, white, blue! Color of the Giants? Orange! Color of San Francisco? Hot Pink! Wearing a Unitard! Way back when SFist self-interviewed, we shared a special San Francisco moment that has been repeated many a happy time since. Walking down the street we hear a happy chirping noise and then spot a man wearing a hot pink unitard and riding a unicycle, flapping his hands and exhorting people to be happy. Trust us, there is absolutely no better introduction for out of towners than to have a Pink Man spotting, and then to point out that no one else is even staring at him. We love this town!

We’re proud to say that we’ve finally managed to track down Pink Man! Next time you see him out pinking, you’ll know he is the friendliest unicycle rider out there. He’d probably even be willing to pose for pictures, just the thing to send to the folks back at home!

Why the Unitard?
I thought it would be a great base for a funky spaceman costume.

Why Pink?
It was the brightest color they had.

Why the Unicycle?
Why walk when you can fly?

Best interaction you've had with someone while dressed up?
So many. Uh, one night in Santa Monica a women called out "Pink Man I love you!" She gave me a nice warm, consequently embarrassing hug- (skin tight suit) and a Hundred dollar bill.

Worst interaction you've had while dressed up
Drive-by punch in the head in Beverly Hills.

Best location for riding a unicycle
Flat. 73 degrees. Friendly people.

Had a Pink Man sighting? Share it in the comments.

Miranda's first feature length film won big at Sundance, and opens next week in San Francisco. "Me and You and Everyone We Know" is about connecting in a disconnected world, and about meeting someone who changes how you go about living your world. Cool, right?

As always, SFist has the mad love for our readers: Enter to win two special engagement passes good any time during July 5th - July 21st to go see Me and You and Everyone We Know PLUS an IFC DVD pack!!! (Deadline to enter is June 30th.)