Los Angeles’ Brass Box “allures listeners into a velvet sea of atmospheric waves” and “invite their audience onto the spectral shores of a dream”.
Brass Box first caught our attention on the New Music Radar with their infectious song “Tragedy”.
With their debut album The Cathedral now available from Dune Altar, we caught up with singer and bass player, Ammo Bankoff, to ask her about music, art, travel, and life in general.
This is what she shared with us.
What artists are you listening to right now?
Dead Can Dance, Rowland S Howard, The Damned, The Soft Moon, Jozef Van Wissem, Boris, Anna Von Hausswolff, Vas, Zanias, INXS, Bryan Ferry…
What was the first LP/tape/CD you remember owning?
My first tape was Gloria Estefan and that was fabulous as a 7 year old, but the first tape I willingly got my hands on was a mix tape with Dead Kennedys Frankenchrist on one side and Subhumans EP/LP on the other.
Do you prefer Vinyl, CD, Cassettes, or streaming?
It depends on the experience. I prefer vinyl if I really love the album and want a real listening experience. Vinyl is interactive and forces you to pay attention. Streaming is portable and lovely when you want to check out new music.
What are your favourite bands?
We can’t play favourites here. Too many variables and moods that can determine those choices on an hourly basis. Although moody, heavy, dreamy, pretty are typical requisites.
Why do you live where you do?
I got sucked into a vortex.
What is your favourite journey?
One that never ends. It’s always about the journey.
What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Perfection does not exist.
What essentials do you take on a plane or tour bus?
Rose water, sunnies, hooded coat and a camera.
What is your dream vacation if money was no object?
Blood Falls
What do you do with 4 hours to yourself in a new city?
Walk endlessly.
What inspired you to take up music?
I’d always been a fan of music, but I never thought of pursuing it. I didn’t think becoming a musician was something I was “allowed” to do as a career so it was never something I was consciously trying for.
I found my dad’s electric guitar in my youngest years and played around with that for a while even though we didn’t have an amp. In high school I stole a friend’s guitar and tinkered with that for a while. I still write most of music with that guitar. But really their wasn’t one moment where I planned to do anything with music. One thing after another kept happening and it was fun and challenging so I kept going.
What was your most memorable day job?
None of them!
What advice should you have taken but didn’t?
I always ask for advice and never take it.
Who’s your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would the menu
be?
Luis Buñel. Roasted Sheep.
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
A toss up between Korben Dallas and Candide.
What was the best live gig or music festival you attended (as a fan or artist)?
Coachella where my bandmate and myself went to a strip club and casino to gamble instead of going to the festival.
Editors: Love this!
What are your “must” read magazines, news, websites, blogs?
I’m a book and film person.
Name something you consider a mind-altering work of art.
The Bible and a hit of LSD.
What does the next 6 months look like for you?
Not close enough and not far enough away for any thoughts.
Which musician rule do you agree with? Always meet your heroes or never meet your heroes?
I have ‘accidentally’ met some of my hero’s and find that it depends on the person. People are just people meaning some are assholes and some are lesser assholes.
Thanks Ammo!
Now go get The Cathedral on Dune Altar HERE.
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