1 courtesy of myspace.com/bocachica
Band of the Month: Boca Chica
By Daniela Garcia
Published: June 11th, 2008 | 1:50pm
WHO IT IS
Vocalist-guitarist Hallie Pritts, along with vocalist-bassist Susanna Meyer, Matt Miller on drums, Lisa Campbell on cello, Christopher McDonald on Wurlitzer and banjo, and Jeff Baron on guitar.
LOCATION
Pittsburgh
FILE UNDER
Delicate, dark, and melodic indie folk
IN A NUTSHELL
Boca Chica’s origins trace back to a once nameless duo, with self-proclaimed BFFs since age 11, Hallie Pritts and Susanna Meyer as its only members. Having played together on and off since the mid-’90s (dating back to junior high) Pritts and Meyer shared vocal duties, with Pritts playing guitar and Meyer on the upright bass.
After relocating to Pittsburgh, in 2003, they began to work on new songs when a friend asked them to play a folk music festival in Michigan. The need for an actual band name came up when they were listed as “Pritts and Meyer,” which according to Pritts, “sounded too much like old men playing jazz.” Meyer had just recently learned Spanish after traveling in Costa Rica and began offering random phrases as ideas. “She said, ‘boca chica,’ and I was like, ‘That has a cool sound. What does it mean?’ ‘Small mouth,’ she says,” Pritts explains. “Hmm, a little weird, but we’re kind of quiet, so maybe it works.”
There’s nothing small about the band’s lineup, which has slowly grown over time into a larger ensemble. Their first self-titled EP was recorded as a trio, with Greg Dutton (also of the band Lohio) as a multi-instrumentalist. The second album, 2007’s Transform Into Beasts, included Megan Williams on violin and Matt Miller (also of Lohio) on drums. As of now, their current six-member lineup will be playing on an upcoming third album. “I've been really lucky to have such a kick-ass pool of musicians to choose from,” Pritts says. “Pittsburgh has a hell of a lot of amazing under the radar bands and musicians. It's actually a really sweet scene.”
Growing up, Pritts listened to classic ’70s folk — such as Neil Young, CSNY, and Nick Drake — which has strongly influenced the band’s sound. Boca Chica draws comparisons to Iron and Wine, Laura Veirs, and Great Lake Swimmers. While Pritts says she tends to hear the same descriptive from reviewers, which is “usually something with ‘folk’ in it,” she feels Boca Chica are not traditional folk by any means. In truth, Boca Chica has put its own spin on folk, selectively adding in elements of indie, blues, and country. The track “Blackberries” begins with a moody, almost eerie tone while remaining melodic.
As for lyrics, Pritts says she finds herself writing the words and music at the same time. If she finds that she has words or a phrase in mind, she’ll work on her guitar to find a good chord progression. “I like lyrics that paint a picture and evoke a mood or feeling,” she says. “I don’t like to come right out and say things. It's the feelings behind it that I want to express and that other people can identify with.”
GOALS
Summer plans are to record another album with the current lineup. “We've got 10 brand-new songs that I'm dying to commit to tape,” Pritts says. “I can't wait to get in the studio.”
MORE INFO
Boca Chica MySpace
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Boca Chica are Venus Zine's "Band of the Month" for June 2008. Visit Venus Zine’s Sonic Bids page to submit your profile for coverage consideration.
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