I thought it was about time I caught up with the voice behind Sucks To LaLa Land, the one and only Keith Crain, and put to him the questions that you folks will someday need answered, maybe not today, and possibly not tomorrow, but definitely sometime in the not too distant future.
Here’s how it went…
Smally: When did you start writing music and why?
Keith: i started writing music about 3 or 4 years ago.

Smally: So why Bob Dylan? And what is your favourite Dylan song?
Keith: Why Bob Dylan!? Because his songs make me feel something. His lyrics are set up in such a way that you think about the topic of the song even after the song itself is over. It’s amazing!

Now, my favorite dylan song in general is different than my favorite one to play. My favorite one to play is “Song to Woody.” My favorite song in general is not a profound song by any means. Its the one that gives me the most feeling. Because, Bob Dylan is pretty well known as a topical song writer. Even when he says that he isn’t or ever was. But he is also a phenominal writer of love songs. I think that “Girl from the Noth Country” is one of the best. It’sa “tell her i love her” kind of thing. It’s genious if you ask me. Which you just did

Smally: How do you pick a song to cover?
Keith: picking a song to cover boils down to a song that i like and that i can figure out how to play. It’s pretty simple. There are alot of songs that i want to play but can’t figure out the original way of playing and can’t figure out a new way. So i just say “maybe someday.”

Smally: Whatever happened to River Speak English?
Keith: River Speak English? It’s still there. It’s fermenting. Taylor and I have come along way musically since we stopped making music together. Taylor recently acuired some new equipment to do his half of the recording so we will see what happens. Maybe something amazing. Maybe something crazy. But i think it will be downright good stuff.

Smally: How long are we going to have to wait for the first original Sucks To LaLa Land record?
Keith: I’m not sure. I am working on it though. Iv’e been playing alot of shows as well as preparing to play a wedding that i have to learn a bunch of songs for. But once that is all done i can concentrate on writing and recording some new stuff. If anybody has any suggestions let me know. I play music to entertain people. I get personal satisfaction from others satisfaction. Therefore i like alot of feedback. People can go onto my Myspace and if there’s a song that they like and would want on a record they can let me know. I’s like to make the biggest impact as possible with this one. I want it to be for everyone else. Not me. I play music all the time for myself.

Smally: What kind of music are you listening to these days?
Keith: Well, i listen to all kinds of music. I love folk music, so, of course i listen to alot of it. Ive been listeningto alot of the older guys lately. Back when it as a little more simple. Just a guitar and a voice. Dave Van Ronk and Mississippi John Hurtcome to mind. Both amazing blues players. If you’ve never listened i highly recommend it.

Smally: Visalia sounds like a happening place for music – what’s going on over there?
Keith: What isn’t going on over here would be a better question. we have music acts coming through from all over the country and all over the world. Mostly small underknown groups. Some on their first tour. Some on their 50th tour. Alot of them are unsigned and the ones that are are generally on small labels. Of course, we have the big acts starting to come through now. But it’s the small ones that i like. For those of you who dont know(which i’m assuming is alot) Visalia is in California in the Central Valley. Were are almost right smack dab in the middle of the state. So, we are a perfect place to have a filler show between Los Angeles and Fresno or Sacremento or San Fransisco. That and the fact that we have Aaron Gomez and the Sound and Vision Foundation setting up our shows. It’s really amazing! 

Smally: Describe your music for anyone who hasn’t heard it
Keith: I’m not sure how. It’s a folky, Lo-Fi mess of sounds. I love vocal harmonies so i try to put some of those is as much as possible.

Smally: Is there anyone else you work with on your music projects? Could you envision someday Sucks To LaLa Land functioning as a band?
Keith: I work with alot of other musicians aon a regular basis. I’m in a band called “The Whiskey and the Devil Chaplain.” we are a folky, roots music kind of band. I play the banjo and sing harmonies is that one. I also play the Mandolin so i sit in on friends shows sometimes. As for Sucks To LaLa Land becoming a band, I’dlike to keep that as my solo thing. Maybe fo some live shows i could bring in some other musicians to fill things out. But you never know what might happen.

Smally:  How do you record and what kind of equipment do you use?
Keith: I just use the family computer right now. Sometimes my laptop. I use Sony Acid. it works well enough for what i do. I also have a Blue Snowball mic that i am in love with.

Smally: What next for Sucks To LaLa Land?
Keith:Who knows. I sure as heck don’t. The Whiskey and the Devil will be recording this summer but i’m not sure what else. Just gonna go with the flow i think.

find out more about SUCKS TO LALA LAND at

www.myspace.com/suckstolalaland

CATEGORIES:INTERVIEWS, QUIXODELIC RECORDS