LA Band “No Small Children” Hits Viper Room 9/17. NSC Chats with LA-Story.com!

I recently featured No Small Children on this blog— it was about their two club dates in LA! They wrapped up one but there’s still one left- at the VIPER ROOM on 9/17! This is going to be one great event and it will feature a great range of tunes from their latest effort, Hold Tight, I’m Flying

The Hold Tight, I’m Flying LP is available for purchase on CD and download on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hold-tight-im-flying/id1026462269

Hope you like this Q + A I did with the NSC members! It’s pretty fun. I appreciate that they took my questions and turned them around pretty fast!

LA-Story.com Interview with No Small Children
–Lisa Pimentel
–Joanie Pimentel
–Nicola Berlinsky

1) Three school teachers become a rock band and two of you are sisters. How did the three of you meet?

Nicola: Lisa and I met at school 14 years ago. We were hired at the same time and became fast friends. I met Joanie four years ago through Lisa. Lisa and Joanie are sisters, and besides a brief moment a while back in Boston, this is the first time we are truly playing in a band together.

What do you teach (subject areas)?

Nicola: Lisa teaches elementary music and runs our instrumental music program, including band and orchestra.
Joanie teaches orchestra, small instrumental groups, and private instrumental and voice lessons.
Nicola is a fourth-grade homeroom teachers: math, language arts, science, social studies, etc.

When and how did you decide to start a band? How long have you been together?

Nicola: Lisa and I worked together at the same elementary school for ten years before starting the band. We had always supported each others music, but one Friday over recess duty we decided to write music together. Within three months we went on tour back east, and on upon our return we reached out to Joanie (Lisa’s sister) and convinced her to move to LA from Boston and join our band. We’ve been playing together about four years.

2) Album #3! How much is this album is stretching yourselves and how much is it a statement of “this is NSC and this is us”?

Lisa: I think it is a little bit of both. We are constantly discovering music and saying, “we should try this…?” Or, “have you heard so-and-so’s new record (or old record)? “Or, “wouldn’t it be cool if we tried this…” So I feel like it is a never ending stretch.

At the same time, everything that comes out of us is us, and our songs tell our story. The evolution for NSC as writers has been that our lives change and our world changes day to day. As we grow as a band, we become more confident and free to try stuff. We would like to think that our best music is the music we are just about to write.

3) You have created a very distinctive style in fashion and in music. Which came first? How did the current “fashion statement” looks evolve to be this? Is there an evolution in the music that has affected you collectively and individually?

Joanie: The evolution of our music and fashion styles has been parallel. With each album you can hear our growth musically and in how it’s produced. We knew fairly early on that we wanted to do something a little different with how we appeared on stage and wearing pretty, matching dresses seemed like a fun contrast to our edgy, guitar-heavy, music (it also makes getting ready for shows a little easier). What we found over time is that it also helped create a little buzz in the venue before we started playing because as it turns out, it’s pretty unusual to see 3 women in matching dresses walking around a club together. We recently received an endorsement from Pinup Girl Clothing, a brand we’ve purchased many dresses from in the past and are thrilled to have the support of.

4) Ghostbusters + your version of the classic theme song and one of my personal faves BTW!
Are you surprised by the reaction of fans to it?
There seems to be a lot of love directed to you all that is also shown to those who love this version of the Ghostbusters movie.
How is this changing your vibe (or not)?
Clearly it’s upped your visibility, how are you working this into the tour and also into your musical lives?

Joanie: The reaction to our version of Ray Parker Jr’s Ghostbusters’ theme has been incredibly positive. Interestingly enough, our decision to record it came at the urging of our supporters following a live performance of it at a Halloween show. We didn’t think too hard about how we played it, we just recorded it in a way that sounded good to us. In turn, the playfulness that so many people love about the original version came through in ours.

Our vibe is pretty much the same as it has been from the start; 3 teachers playing fun, loud rock music, and not taking themselves too seriously.

We are so happy with the attention and opportunities that Ghostbusters has afforded us. We’ve been able to get some really great shows and have been approached to have our music placed in film and TV.

5) Do people recognize you on the street? If so, what was a really crazy or funny time that a fan/fans did?
Nicola: People do not recognize us randomly on the street, but they do recognize us at LA clubs when we go to hear other bands…even when we’re not wearing matching dresses. People often remark at how small I am. At 5ft, I guess I look bigger behind a kit.

6) What led you to do a cover of the Ghostbusters theme song?
: Every year we play Halloween shows. This past Halloween we decided to dress up as Ghostbusters for a Halloween gig because we loved the movie as kids and knew we could buy painting jumpsuits for $8. Although not a cover band, we learned the Ray Parker Jr. theme song to play and sure enough, the entire venue sang along. After the show, patrons encouraged us to record our version.

How did it end up on the film?

Nicola: After our Halloween show performance it was then a week later that we went into the recording studio and had our version finished in about two weeks. Happy with the outcome, we passed it along to the composer on the movie, Ted Shapiro, whose children we happen to teach. We emphasized to him that we appreciate honesty. If he didn’t like it or felt our cover may not be right for the film, then no worries. He wrote back that he honestly did like it, and he would pass it along. But he did let us know at that time that thousands of entries had already been submitted to the music supervisor, Erica Weis. Six months later, in the movie’s final week of post, we received a call that Erica and the director, Paul Feig, had come across our cover and created a space for it in the film even though all the music had already been finalized.

How do you feel about the reception?

Nicola: We are so grateful for all of the encouragement we’ve received from Erica Weis and Paul Feig, as well as fans of the Ghostbusters’ movies that have reached out to us. This has lead to other opportunities where people are asking to place our original music in TV and film, as well as seek us out for future projects. It’s all been really fantastic.

7) Because this is album #3, you are working with a pretty stellar producer. How did that come about? Any one else that you would like to talk about that worked with/influenced you all in the growth of NSC?

Lisa: Back in Lisa’s punk rock days, her band HEIDI was signed to Warner Brothers out of Boston. Lisa played drums in that band and they were on the lookout for an awesome producer, who turned out to be Bob Marlette. Romance sparked over the course of making the record. Long story short, Lisa and Bob Have been together ever since. So yeah, they’re kind of a cliche story. If you ask Bob, he will say “yeah, hot chick Drummer, duh???” So that is how our “relationship” with this stellar producer developed. Bob is a generous soul and has believed in NSC since day one. Since Bob is Lisa’s husband, NSC’s working relationship with Bob is a little different than the other bands he works with.

8) Where do you see NSC going (musically) in the next year or two?

Lisa: We are not totally sure, as new ideas often pop into our heads and that’s the way we like it. We find that when we play to our strengths, everything comes together naturally and more confidently. Up to this point, Lisa has produced and engineered our music with Bob at our back. He has chimed in when we have asked but really he has let us do our thing, until it is time to mix and master. We have asked Bob to produce our new upcoming song, which we will be releasing over the next month or two. This will be a new experience for NSC and we are super excited!

9) How do you stay sane while on tour? What do you take with you that keeps you grounded?

Nicola: We have so much fun on tour together. We love meeting new people and building relationships every place we go. Road life can be challenging and requires patience, flexibility and a sense of humor. To keep sane, we try to get exercise daily and take some space including alone time, when needed.
Joanie: There’s actually a lot of work that goes into having a successful tour that has nothing at all to do with performing. One thing we’ve learned is that even when you have a thorough plan, things can and almost always do change. Being adaptable has served us very well on tour.

10) Women encouraging women…what advice/tips/ideas would you give the younger versions of you all (musically and professionally) who have a band and want to be successful?

Joanie: I wouldn’t presume to have all the right answers but since you asked, here’s a few tips that come to mind:
Work really, really hard.
Look for the opportunity in every experience.
Drink lots of water.

Speaking specifically to the younger version of myself, I’d tell me to talk less and listen more, but I probably wouldn’t listen to me.

11) Does this success and visibility feel like it’s been a long time coming or does it feel like it’s perfect timing?

No Small Children: We’re very happy with these opportunities. We’re constantly growing. It’s an exciting time.

All: 12) Favorites: What are your (each of you) favorites of this list? (I got a bit creative on this one, I think!)
Snack food or genre:

Nicola: KIND Bars
Lisa: I love potato chips
Joanie: KIND Bars, unsalted nuts

Cocktail:
Nicola: Gin and Tonic with extra lime, favorite gin: Hendricks
Lisa: Tito’s and tonic extra lime

Shoes you take on tour:
Nicola: Chucks
Lisa: Chucks. At least two pairs of Chucks.
Joanie: Chucks and ASICS running shoes

Toothpaste:
Nicola: Crest
Lisa: Crest
Joanie: Whatever one is on sale then I go to buy it.

5 must-have things you ALWAYS make sure you have on tour and don’t run out of it.
Nicola: Charged iPhone, Swirl bottle, undies, sunscreen, coffee (most important having patience, flexibility and a sense of humor).
Lisa: Charger, Boston Red Sox hat, hoodie, water bottle, and trucks watch.
Joanie: iPhone, CamelBak bite bottle, undies for every day, spray non-greasy sunscreen, and headphones.

Favorite lipstick for this tour?
Nicola: Red MAC lipstick
Lisa: Whatever Nicola has
Joanie : MAC matte lipstick in bright red.

Video to the Ghostbusters Theme Song by No Small Children

Key skincare products?
Nicola: Make-up remover, lotion with sunscreen.
Lisa: Make-up remover wipes, and face lotion.
Joanie: Trader Joe’s face cream and coconut body butter.

What do you miss most from home?
Nicola: Husband, dog and cat, and my bed.
Lisa: Husband, dog, family, couch, and my bed.
Joanie: My hubby, family, 2 dogs, my gym routine, and my bed.

13) Dean Markley Strings are used by many famous musicians and now No Small Children is using Dean Markley Strings on tour. How did this come about?

Lisa: Lisa has been using Dean Markley strings since she started playing her Les Paul with NSC. She loves the “BLUE STEEL DT” series. She got in touch with them and they offered to endorse her! She is very happy!

I would like to thank Joanie, Lisa and Nicola for their time in answering these questions. No Small Children rocks!!

For more information on No Small Children,
Website: www.NoSmallChildren.com,
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NoSmallChildren
Twitter: twitter.com/NoSmallChildren

The “Ghostbusters” cover single is available to purchase and download on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ghostbusters-single/id1137723890

Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DEALS and STEALS(Affiliate Links)
I am required to tell you that I am an “affiliate” with these brands. I curate deals that offer bonuses, bargains and great products –and some are very specifically for this site to feature to YOU!If you purchase via my link, I make a very small percentage for that purchase. I pick the best products, vendors and deals I can find!

Subscribe to RSS headline updates from:
Powered by FeedBurner

If you are going to feature content from LA-Story.com including images, podcasts or videos including the accompanying text, please respect copyright provisions. We require a notation of content origination (meaning credit tag), a linkback to the specific page & please email the link to stevie@la-story.com before the piece goes live. LA-Story.com, LA-Story Recessionista, Celebrity Stylescope, Celebrity Style Slam Trademark/Copyright KBP Inc./TNBT Inc 2007-18BP Inc./TNBT Inc 2007-18